History

6 Stones: An Oral History

As we celebrate our first decade, the staff at 6 Stones felt that we ought to reflect on the history of our organization and programs. We invited key figures from the early days of this nonprofit to share their memories of the process by which we became the organization we are today. What follows is an Oral History of 6 Stones, as narrated by the people who made it happen.…

Today, 6 Stones provides:

 

  • Daily clothing and food assistance through the New Hope Center serve approximately 300 individuals per week.
  • School-based partnerships are solidified and expanding, currently serving roughly 50% of at-risk in HEB ISD.
  • The Community Powered Revitalization (CPR) Program continues to improve infrastructure at high rates of Return on Investment in partner cities.

Scroll through a full list of important moments in 6 Stones history in the timeline below!

Key Events in 6 Stones History:

2008
January 16

First Vision Meeting

First visionary gathering in city of Euless with First Euless and Restoration Church.

March 5

First Homes Identified

First Homes Identified

The City of Euless selects two homes to pilot a partnership: First Euless agrees to restore a house on Freestone Drive while Restoration Church completes work they began independently on Wilshire Drive.

July 12

First 2 ER homes complete

First 2 ER homes complete

First 2 home renovations completed (First Euless & Restoration Church)

August 1

Apartment fire

Apartment fire

An apartment complex near First Baptist Church of Euless caught fire and one of the residents asked the church for help. After realizing they did not have a good way to assist, Pastor John Meador commissioned Scott Sheppard to research possible solutions.

2009
January 4

6 Stones becomes official

6 Stones becomes official

First Baptist Church of Euless launches a separate non-profit to support Euless Revitalization and to meet the needs of the community adopting the name “6 Stones” for the broader organization.

February 8

City and church partners meet

Over 30 city officials and church partners gather to talk about issues and needs.

June 14

First ER blitz

First ER blitz

First Euless Revitalization (ER) Blitz with 17 homes renovated.

July 21

Westdale Hills partnership

Westdale Hills partnership

First agreement with a multi-family housing partner. This birthed Community Ministries.

August 21

First Operation Back 2 School

First Operation Back 2 School

Operation Back 2 School launched in partnership with HEB ISD. 1,300 children from 9 schools served in partnership with HEB Family Support Services.

December 12

First Night of Wonder

First Night of Wonder

Night of Wonder launched in 9 schools, 600 families served

2010
January 20

Intramural Soccer Launched

Intramural Soccer Launched

At the request of administrators in HEB ISD, 6 Stones helps to develop an intramural soccer program to serve Junior High boys in the district. Exact dates and details are uncertain.

2011
April 13

Bedford and Hurst cities join

Bedford and Hurst cities join

Bedford and Hurst city management recruited, 6 Stones reach expanded by joint 380 Agreements from Euless and each of the new cities. ER becomes CPR.

October 14

100th home

100th home

100th home renovated by CPR

October 17

Black & Blue Showdown food drive proposed

Black & Blue Showdown food drive proposed

Black & Blue Showdown food drive event proposed by HEB student and implemented by 6 Stones.

2012
November 3

Community Garden Completed

Community Garden Completed

In cooperation with the City of Bedford a Community Garden was created to increase community involvement and help supply the food pantry with fresh, healthy food. Garden plots began in summer of 2011. Pavilion completed in November 2012.

December 12

Night of Wonder replicated in Waxahachie

Night of Wonder replicated in Waxahachie

6 Stones hosts leaders from Waxahachie and give them basic playbooks. Over the next year they create Mission 75165 and replicate Night of Wonder in their community.

2013
April 13

CPR celebrates 200th home

CPR celebrates 200th home

CPR celebrates 200th home renovation

May 13

Run for Hope

Run for Hope

Inaugural “Run for Hope” event launched to engage the community and expand the capacity of Operation Back 2 School.

August 23

Operation Back 2 School expands to secondary

Operation Back 2 School expands to secondary

Operation Back 2 School expands to provide supplies to Junior High and High School students

2014
August 30

Partnership with City of Cleburne

Partnership with City of Cleburne

380 agreement signed with the City of Cleburne. Clean up day that fall and first big “blitz” on March 26, 2015

November 7

CPR Blitz in Watauga

CPR Blitz in Watauga

First CPR Blitz in the City of Watauga.

December 11

Night of Wonder serves 3,206

Night of Wonder serves 3,206

Night of Wonder serves 3,206 children in final year before re-branding as “Night of Hope.”

2015
October 16

City of Richland Hills join

City of Richland Hills join

6 Stones partners with the City of Richland Hills and puts on the first CPR Blitz.

October 17

400th home renovated

400th home renovated

400th home renovated by CPR

December 14

Night of Hope serves 3,400+

Night of Hope serves 3,400+

Night of Hope serves 3,400+ students in HEB ISD

2016
January 1

Liga HEB Incorporated

Liga HEB Incorporated

The intramural soccer league run in partnership between 6 Stones and HEB ISD is officially re-branded as Liga HEB. It serves over 100 at-risk boys in junior high in 2016.

April 8

First CPR Blitz in Haltom City

First CPR Blitz in Haltom City

Haltom City joins Watauga and Richland Hills for the Spring Blitz in the Quad Cities

2017
February 2

First Catalyst of Hope Forum

First Catalyst of Hope Forum

Community Leaders from all over North America gather at 6 Stones to discuss City Transformation. Author Eric Swanson is the Keynote Speaker.

August 10

Operation Back 2 School Recipients Total 5,510

Operation Back 2 School Recipients Total 5,510

Secondary Schools distribute 3,000 supply kits to their students at registration and another 2,510 children and their families pick up Back 2 School packages during a one-day social service fair at 6 Stones.

October 21

200th Home in Euless

200th Home in Euless

The City of Euless becomes the first partnering community to reach the 200 home milestone through Community-Powered Revitalization. Total homes restored approaches 600.

December 14

Night of Hope Numbers Hit Record High

Night of Hope Numbers Hit Record High

More local students receive Christmas than ever before as 1,646 families attend a Christmas party on a local elementary school campus and a total of 4,242 children are supported by Night of Hope.

2018
February 2

The Coalition Launched

The Coalition Launched

Community Members are empowered to directly support 6 Stones initiatives through small and manageable monthly gifts. To emphasize the collective nature of our work, the new donor team is called “The Coalition.”

June 8

SBC Churches Support One-Time CPR Events in Everman and Arlington

SBC Churches Support One-Time CPR Events in Everman and Arlington

135 pastors and leaders from churches all over the country help to restore 5 homes in two new cities: Arlington and Everman.

August 11

Operation Back 2 School Serves Record Number of Students

Operation Back 2 School Serves Record Number of Students

With 3,000 Secondary kits distributed to junior high and high school students at registration and another 2,839 handed out during a one-day social service fair, Operation Back 2 School equips more students than ever in advance of the 2018-2019 HEB ISD school year.

September 27

New Black VS Blue Food Drive Records Set

New Black VS Blue Food Drive Records Set

Donations from the 2018 Black vs Blue Food Drive total 102,882 food items as River Trails Elementary collects almost 45 items per student. Trinity High School defeats L.D. Bell in the High School category for the first time, raising 4.39 cans per student.

2019
January 1

The City of Grapevine Becomes a CPR Partner

The City of Grapevine Becomes a CPR Partner

The City of Grapevine, TX finalizes agreements to join a list of city partners served by Community Powered Revitalization. The first Grapevine homes will be restored in the Spring of 2019.

February 7

10 Year Anniversary Celebration

10 Year Anniversary Celebration

A Coalition of churches, business, schools, governments, and other entities come together to celebrate 10 Years of incredible accomplishments in this community. Pastor John Meador is awarded the 2018 Gary McKamie Catalyst of Hope Award.

February 11

Jennifer Leney Becomes Executive Director

Jennifer Leney Becomes Executive Director

The 6 Stones Board selects and installs Jennifer Leney as Scott Sheppard's replacement after he steps down as Executive Director to pursue other ministry opportunities.

April 5

First Grapevine Homes Restored; 700 Total Restorations

First Grapevine Homes Restored; 700 Total Restorations

The first Grapevine homes restored by CPR are completed during the Spring Blitz. The total number of homes restored by CPR passes 700.

June 23

Cross City First Euless Votes to Sell Campus West

Cross City First Euless Votes to Sell Campus West

6 Stones and Cross City agree to begin researching capital campaigns and a potential new home for 6 Stones offices, which have been located within Campus West since 2009.

2020
February 5

Momentum Launched

March 13

The New Hope Center becomes a Drive-Thru

Due to COVID-19 precautions, our New Hope Center moved outside the walls of 6 Stones into the parking lot. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, in all of 2020, we served 35,247 neighbors with clothing and food.

2021
October 15

800th CPR Home Served

2022
September 1

Liga HEB Expansion

November 1

Home For Hope Campaign Enter Public Phase