Brother Bill’s Helping Hand provides stability and empowerment programs for the Dallas community with Hunger Offering support

Silveria Arriaga came to Brother Bill’s Helping Hand in Dallas, a ministry that provides food, healthcare and educational programming to those in need in the North Texas community, in pursuit of stability for her family. After seeing a social media post about the Pathways Job Training & Empowerment program, she signed up with her sister. Due to family circumstances, she had to bow out, but seeing her sister graduate from the program caused her to reconsider going back. 

“[Starting the program], I was more afraid of everybody judging me [for my lack of education], but through the program, I started understanding not everybody's going to be the same, not everything that you went through is the same,” said Arriaga. “It suddenly clicked with me that I needed to change, and I needed to stop hiding myself from all the potentials that I had [as a mom and wife].” 

Chief Operations Officer Courtney Cuthbert described Brother Bill’s as a wraparound service. The organization provides primary care, empowerment classes, after-school and kids' programs, mental health services, ESL, parenting, financial, fitness, cooking classes and more. She said their largest ministry is their grocery store, which initially draws people to Brother Bill’s.

“We want to meet those tangible needs that people have right now. But we really don't want people to stay [where they are]. We want them to be empowered and have resources and tools that they need to hopefully break the cycle of poverty,” said Cuthbert. “We say, ‘We want to lose people to success.” 

Cuthbert said the Texas Baptist Hunger Offering helps Brother Bill’s, who have been receiving funds for over 20 years, meet the community’s tangible needs by supporting the grocery store ministry. She said because of the Hunger Offering’s financial support, those who come through the grocery store are able to achieve food security that allows them to comfortably step into one of their community development programs, such as Pathways. 

“Sustainability is huge… Year after year, the need increases. We have had to hire more staff. We have to add more programs to meet the growing need. So the funds that come in allow us to continue to grow in all of those ways [and] fulfill that mission to ensure essentials of life but also empower through learning,” said Cuthbert. “We would not be able to do it without funds coming in from generous partners like [the Hunger Offering].” 

Pathways program builds confidence, identity in Christ  

The Pathways Job Training and Empowerment Program is an 8-week program for women that focuses on job training and discipleship. Participants learn about self-esteem, computer literacy, how to write resumes and interview, take field trips to explore different jobs and participate in Bible study. At the conclusion of the program, Brother Bill’s will bring in different organizations looking to hire, and the program graduates will be interviewed. 

“Pathways is a very successful program because a lot of women, including the 10 women that are on our staff, that have gone through Pathways receive these tools and resources to get a job, sometimes a job here at Brother Bill’s, and now they're giving back to the same community that they came from, which is the ultimate success in my mind,” said Cuthbert. 

Cuthbert said Brother Bill’s aims to hire women who have graduated from the Pathways program to serve on staff. Arriaga is one of those women. 

“[Upon graduating from the Pathways program] I was out of a job. Before [Adriana Amaya, director of programs at Brother Bill’s] even called me, I already had it in mind that if Adriana ever called me and told me that she had a position [open at Brother Bill’s], I would take it,” said Arriaga. 

As Arriaga was praying and applying for job opportunities, the Lord laid her on Amaya’s heart and began to search for a job at Brother Bill’s to offer her that was within her skill set. 

“Adriana and her team created another program coordinator role for Silveria specifically and [offered to] work with her on the skills that she feels like she still wants more training on,” explained Cuthbert. 

Arriaga accepted the job and for the past year has worked as Brother Bill’s Program Coordinator, organizing the majority of adult programs, such as parenting, financial and fitness classes and Pathways. Cuthbert said she saw Arriaga become grounded in her identity in Christ through Pathways and is now helping other women do the same. 

“[Arriaga] really developed a strong confidence because she saw the work that God did in her own heart and life from [thinking motherhood was her only purpose to learning God has multiple purposes for her],” said Cuthbert. “Now I see her being able to share that with other women that are coming into the Pathways program, helping them build their confidence when they have similar stories, encouraging them to still take that time for themselves to grow in their relationship with the Lord, to grow in their skill development.” 

God gives us strength to reach our full potential

Arriaga said she feels supported and encouraged by Brother Bill’s staff. 

“We're always there for each other,” said Arriaga. “I'm constantly asking questions. If I'm stuck on something, they will give me step-by-step [instructions on] how to do it again. They won't get mad or frustrated. They will constantly tell me, ‘Hey, you're doing good,’ or [encouragements] like that. We work as a team, and that's the main thing that I like about [working at Brother Bill’s].” 

Arriaga said throughout her time at Brother Bill’s, she has learned that God is the one who gives her strength and helps her reach her full potential. She encouraged those who are seeking a life change not to give up. 

“In the end, it's your decision to grow… [but] if we don't change, we are always going to be stuck. I was stuck once, and I just needed one person to help me out, and that person was Adrianna,” explained Arriaga. “My journey has taught me that growth is possible for anyone who is willing to believe in themselves and take the first step. I am living proof that challenges do not define us–our determination, faith and perseverance do.” 

Every 5th Sunday, churches gather together and take a special offering during worship to fight hunger and serve their brothers and sisters in Texas and around the world. 

The next 5th Sunday is August 30. Join in the fight against hunger today by giving a gift at hungeroffering.org/5th-sunday.