BONHAM, TX – Representatives from the Texoma Council of Governments, Texoma Housing Partners (THP) Board, Fannin County Literacy Council, Bonham Chamber of Commerce, as well as City and County officials were on hand to celebrate the start of construction of the new THP TEAM Building, a multi-service center located at 812 West 16th Street in Bonham, TX.

THP Chairman Frank Budra was pleased to get the project underway. “The THP Board of Commissioners are thrilled to see the TEAM Center come to life and invite everyone to come and take advantage of the programs and services.” 

 The TEAM Building will house a variety of programs and services designed to Teach, Empower, Assist and Motivate public housing residents as well as residents of the community at large. Some of the groups that will operate from the TEAM Center include:  the Fannin County Literacy Council’s Helping Our People Excel (HOPE) program which provides one-on-one tutoring, prepares students for the GED test, and offers English as a Second Language (ESL) and Adult literacy classes; TCOG Benefits Counseling, a program assisting seniors with navigating the world of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid; TCOG Section 8 Voucher program, a rental assistance program; and the TCOG Community Services and Energy Assistance Program, a program which provides low income families with utility payment assistance and the provision of supportive services in an effort to transition the families out of poverty.

TCOG Executive Director, Susan Thomas, was on-site for the event and commented on the balance between effective and efficient delivery of public services. “Any time we can create an economy of scale by collaborating with other agencies, we can save tax dollars and be more efficient in our delivery of public services.  At the same time, we’re creating an atmosphere that enables citizens to receive multiple, often related services in one location, which in turns improves our customer service and allows us to be more effective in the delivery of those services. The TEAM Center is a great model for public service.”

By bringing multiple programs and services under one roof and providing citizens a one-stop service delivery center, the TEAM Building is a model collaborative effort between multiple organizations, and according to Allison Cardile, TCOG Housing and Client Services Department Director, the center symbolizes the team concept. “This community is so fortunate to have the dedicated leadership of the THP Public Housing Board of Commissioners. Very early on, this Board realized the value of true teamwork and understood the mutual benefits the TEAM Building could bring our region. They voted unanimously to approve the construction of this new center, and by doing so they voted unanimously to improve the lives of many, many citizens.”

The 4500 square foot facility will be constructed by Cashion Contractors, LLC, from Pilot Point, Texas and is anticipated to be completed within the next 6 months.  Using local contractors, workmen and suppliers in addition to giving priority to American made products, will inject the local economies with new revenues.