Congressman Will Hurd Announced $500K Affordable Housing Program Grant at San Antonio Rehabilitation Facility

SAN ANTONIO, April 12 — The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news release:

U.S. Representative Will Hurd (TX-District 23) today joined representatives from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas), Frost Bank and Adult and Teen Challenge of Texas for a tour of the Adult and Teen Challenge of Texas San Antonio campus and check presentation.

Adult and Teen Challenge of Texas, a faith-based center for adults struggling with addiction, received a $500,000 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant from Frost Bank and FHLB Dallas in 2016 to fund the rehabilitation of the men's quarters on campus. The rehab will include a new roof, upgrades in the HVAC system, bathrooms, fire alarm and sprinkler system, as well as upgrades to the parking area. The project is currently under construction and expected to be completed in May 2017.

“Millions of Americans of all ages struggle with addiction problems. Faith-based recovery programs like the Adult and Teen Challenge of Texas are truly a godsend for thousands of struggling Texans and their families,” said Congressman Hurd. “This grant will help Teen Challenge to continue their mission in guiding individuals in need on their road to recovery.”

Once endorsed by President Ronald Reagan as “the best-kept secret in America,” Teen Challenge USA began in 1957 and has more than 200 centers across the United States. The programs at Adult and Teen Challenge of Texas are designed to lead to spiritual, physical and mental lifestyle changes which enable residents to recover from substance abuse and to further provide economic opportunities through empowerment. Residents receive case management, training in food service, job coaching, life skills training, personal counseling and aftercare. The staff also provides instruction on employment skills and training in a variety of possible vocations.

Floyd Miles, executive director of the men's program at the San Antonio branch of Adult and Teen Challenge of Texas, said the grant is a blessing to the nonprofit organization. Having also graduated from the program in Brooklyn in 1981, the Harlem native knows all too well the struggles of the men he assists today. Reverend Miles, whose mother died at age 28 due to heroin addiction, said the program saved not just him from a life on the streets, but also his father and sister.

“When I was in the program, someone told me that they believed in me,” he said. “I never forgot that. After I graduated from the program, I felt a calling to continue the mission of the ministry and I never looked back.”

Current Adult and Teen Challenge resident, David Rafie, said the organization saved his life.

“I was at my rope's end when I came to Adult and Teen Challenge,” he said. “In the several months I've been here, I've had a fresh start on life and have overcome the issues that led to my drug and alcohol abuse in the first place. Today I am excited about life.”

AHP grants are available annually through FHLB Dallas member institutions such as Frost Bank to assist in the development of affordable owner-occupied and rental housing for very low- to moderate-income households located across FHLB Dallas' five-state District of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. FHLB Dallas awarded in 2016 $7.8 million in AHP grants to 27 projects that resulted in 1,499 new or renovated housing units.

“The AHP is giving Adult and Teen Challenge the opportunity to update their facilities so the men and women who come here to transform their lives have a place they are proud to come to,” said Donna Normandin, senior vice president and CRA officer at Frost Bank. “We are proud to support this organization through the AHP in partnership with FHLB Dallas,” she said.

Since 1990, the AHP has awarded more than $254 million for more than 47,000 projects across FHLB Dallas' five-state District.

“The grant is a community investment tool and a catalyst for positive change in the community,” said Greg Hettrick, first vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas. “Our partnership with Frost Bank allows us to perpetuate the important mission of this organization.”

One of the rehabilitation programs available at Adult and Teen Challenge of Texas is the wood shop, where students create items such as home decor and jewelry out of discarded wood. Reverend Miles said the wood products are symbolic of the transformation that occurs in the students.

“The wood we receive is sometimes broken and tattered, much like the men who come to our facilities,” he said. “The process that we put the wood through in creating these beautiful crosses is much like the transformation of the men who go through our program. I take great pride in the work we do here and am thankful for the grant.”

About Frost Bank

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (NYSE: CFR) is a financial holding company, headquartered in San Antonio, with $30.2 billion in assets at December 31, 2016. One of the 50 largest U.S. banks, Frost provides a wide range of banking, investments and insurance services to businesses and individuals across Texas in the Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Permian Basin, Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio regions. Founded in 1868, Frost has helped clients with their financial needs during three centuries. Additional information is available at frostbank.com.