About CRC
A Veteran Support Organization
In 2007, the Christian Restoration Community Residential Care Program (CRC) was established and began providing affordable housing and educational opportunities for veterans in Tyler, TX. The CRC established a collaboration with the US Department of Labor, allowing them to take in young veterans, housing them and additionally gave us the opportunity to teach them STEM courses and provide employment opportunities. These government programs established for veterans gives the CRC the ability to provide homes for the veterans to live. It also gives us the ability to educate and train them in jobs that can turn into a lifelong career. Two of the apprenticeship programs currently offer training in Landscape Management and Surveying.
Veterans are provided access to adult education courses and housing on a vast swath of land in Tyler, Texas. We boast more than 1,000 acres in White Oak, Texas, on which our programs continue to develop. The CRC is building tiny homes and three-bedroom houses on the USDA-approved land, with many more programs to be implemented in the near future.
In 2022, the CRC started Phase II with housing in White Oak, TX. This phase includes its Home for Heroes Program which will be located on 14-acres in White Oak, TX, composed of veterans in this subdivision named Fort Christian. This CRC project is proposed to have mobile homes and residential homes for veterans. This project will boost roof tops in this segment of the population, as well as provide housing for those that have served their country unselfishly.
History of Land
After slaves were freed, according to oral histories from former slaves’ descendants, the Christian slaves stayed nearby and farmed land they now owned because “the Christian family conveyed land titles to several emancipated slaves. Butcher Christian, Sr. became a major landholder, starting with an 80-acre conveyance from Gideon Christian (his former owner), until the time of his death wherein his estate owned 665 acres in Gregg County, Texas. This 665-acre tract became a part of the East Texas Oilfield. Additionally, there is source material, specifically a Historical Marker being instituted in the Shiloh Community in 2022 for B.C. Christian, Sr., and his accomplishment of acquiring 665 acres and being a successful businessman.
This is currently the land where Phase 2 of the CRC's development will be established. This White Oak, Texas subdivision, Fort Christian, will house veteran families and help them become educated, employed and home owners in their civilian lives.
History of CRC
In 2007, Debra Christian developed the Christian Restoration Community (CRC) Residential Care Program in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship. She then began serving as director. At the age of 18, she was inspired by her father, who was a combat soldier in Korea when the military was still segregated. He carried the American flag when President Harry S. Truman decided Black men could fight, after WWII with famous Buffalo Soldiers. He later passed away from being exposed to Agent Orange during his tour in Korea. Although her older brother also joined the military, Ms. Christian was discouraged from doing so because she needed to care for her father. In doing so, she learned early on that many veterans needed extensive care services after returning from deployment, which led her to develop her current program. The program began with her brother, who was a minister. They began offering their services to homeless veterans with the objective of giving them shelter and food. They also assisted them in applying for government benefits, such as food stamps and other available resources. Today, the program is reaching capacity and will soon enter phase two. They will be working with families who will live domiciliary style and be paid to work on property that Ms. Christian’s family has owned since the 1800s.
Apprenticeship Details |
*Training Institution: Christian Restoration Community Residential Care Program Center*
- Housing available, 3 bedroom fully furnished.
- Rental units require a deposit.
- Training and apprenticeship program up to 2 years.
- Training will be in workshop.
- Projected Start Date: January 2023.
- Projected Income During Training: *Hourly wage during 1st year of training: $12 - $13/hour, 40 hours per week. *Hourly wage during 2nd year of training: $14 - $15/hour, 40 hours per week.
- Military stipend for housing expenses.
- Trainees will attend Part-Time in-class instruction.
- Trainees must provide a copy of their DD214. |
application for apprenticeship program
Type of Training: Landscape Management Technician
CRC Veterans application (pending va approval)
Landscape Management - ONET/ DOT CODE: 37- 3011.00
For More Information Contact: |
Debra Christian, Director - (903) 372- 2652 or Dr. Pamela Phoenix, Administrator - (903) 941- 5678
Fax: 903.363.9714 Email: info@crctyler.com |
