After the fire:

Our FSS family is still in the very early phases of disaster recovery efforts from the fire that destroyed our building. Tomorrow we will begin the process of moving our work family back under one roof and into our long-term temporary home at Park West Complex, Building B 7116 W I40, Amarillo TX. This space has been graciously provided by Amarillo ISD for six months until we know our long-term plans, with the opportunity to negotiate to stay there if needed.

I say “moving” in a metaphorical way, because as of today we have little to move in. We have lost everything that was in our building. Not only office equipment like computers, office equipment, desks, chairs, but also our agency history: newspaper clippings, board books, and photo albums going back more than a century. And more importantly, our employees have lost their personal items, awards, and keepsakes that they had brought into the offices that they viewed as a personal sanctuary.

Yet despite all of this, the common emotions shown by the staff of FSS, including myself, have been ones of gratefulness and hope: gratefulness to the people of our community for the donations and emotional support they have provided, and hope for the future.

From what I have seen, hope is not always a common reaction to disasters like ours. I began wondering why our staff, volunteers and supporters have been so hopeful, and what I have come up with is this: to build and maintain hope, we need three things; a sense of control, a belief in the value of something, and a community.

Our sense of control means that we feel as though we are in control of our own life, that we can affect our fate. Through communication and our agency values, our work family knows and believes that we are in control of our future, and we all look forward to being back on our feet and better than ever.

Our belief in values means we find something important enough to work towards, something better, that’s worth striving for. This would be the work we do every day: serving survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault, helping veterans in need, providing counseling to people who are suffering, and working with area youth and adults to break the cycles of physical abuse, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, and so much more.

And community means we are part of a group that values the same things we do and are working towards achieving those things. Our community is not just us, it is YOU. You all have shown such overwhelming support for our staff and the work we do. Without the emotional support and financial support that you have shown and continue to show, we would be lost. We will never be able to properly thank you, but know that through your actions, generations of Amarillo and Texas Panhandle residents will live happier & healthier lives.

We will keep you updated on our progress as recovery efforts continue. Please follow us on Facebook to get the most up-to-date information.

Admiral William McRaven once said that “If you want to change the world, find someone to help you paddle.”

Thank you for helping us paddle.

Jim Womack,
CEO, Family Support Services of Amarillo