PHOTOS BY TANNER BEGGS

After years of planning, fundraising and construction, Transformation Park finally opened in May. This shelter and pallet home village provides a safe space for Amarillo’s homeless community, the result of a unique public/private coalition including the City of Amarillo, Hillside Christian Church, local organizations and generous corporate and individual donors. 

Its indoor/outdoor Safe Space has now opened to those needing a place to spend the night. Meanwhile, more than two dozen individuals have moved into its more permanent Cabin Community, finding stability and responsibility as they strive to get back on their feet.

“It’s transitional shelter, a mercy shelter,” explains Mark Zimmerman, a former Hillside Christian Church pastor who serves as the executive director of Transformation Park. The facility’s design and focus came together after Zimmerman and Jason Riddlespurger, director of community development for the City of Amarillo, toured similar facilities across the country. Riddlespurger was central to introducing the idea and bringing the various partnerships to the table.

Trauma on the Street

Amarillo’s homelessness crisis has been well-documented. The city’s most recent Point in Time Count documented nearly 641 total individuals experiencing homelessness—with 321 unsheltered. That’s a significant jump from the 525 people counted in 2024. Amarillo’s location on I-40 regularly brings new people into the city. 

Beyond the numbers, Zimmerman is far more interested in the personal stories of the men and women who end up at Transformation Park needing help. “These folks have trauma in their lives—probably [from] before they became homeless, but definitely since they became homeless—because there’s a lot of trauma that happens on the street,” he says. 

Zimmerman and his volunteers serve individuals with mental illnesses, addictions and the ongoing desperation of survival. But they’re also encountering men and women who love and care for their pets, who want to give back, who simply found themselves on the wrong side of a string of bad luck.

“Our big goal is food, water, shelter, safety. That’s what we offer everybody, no matter whether they’re in the Cabin Community or Safe Space. That’s the floor we provide,” he says. 

Low-Barrier, High Opportunity

Importantly, Transformation Park is a low-barrier shelter with few entry requirements. It allows pets and possessions that other shelters might turn away. It recognizes that substance abuse may be a reality for those it serves, but housing and safety are bigger needs. Stabilization, Zimmerman says, only comes after shelter and safety have been established.

“One guy told me in the [entrance] interview, he goes, ‘Mark, you close your eyes at night, you wake up dead,’” he says. Zimmerman starts to say something else, then pauses, and nods toward the restroom facility. 

“Watch this.”

Several feet away, a deeply tan woman in dirty sweatpants, who had been walking away, notices an elderly man in a wheelchair rolling himself toward the facility’s door. She stops, spins around, and jogs over to help him to enter.

She smiles as he mumbles his thanks.

Both have experienced homelessness. They don’t really know each other. But they recognize each other’s humanity. “It’s just great to watch that community happen,” Zimmerman says. “They’ve been helping each other out. But they do that on the streets, too.”

On a sunny Friday morning in May, just days after Transformation Park’s official opening, those residents are just two of several dozen people waking up in a place much safer than the streets.

As Zimmerman guided Brick & Elm through the facility that morning, he introduced us to residents, volunteers and several friendly dogs as he shared about the work and mission of Transformation Park.

These “amnesty lockers” are set up outside the facility. “You can lock up anything you want there. It’s your business, not ours,” Zimmerman says. He admits these could contain drugs, alcohol or weapons. Those aren’t allowed inside the facility—and people using the shelter must pass through security and a metal detector—but Transformation Park doesn’t police the outside lockers. “That way, we gain their trust. We know it’s going to take baby steps.”
These “amnesty lockers” are set up outside the facility. “You can lock up anything you want there. It’s your business, not ours,” Zimmerman says. He admits these could contain drugs, alcohol or weapons. Those aren’t allowed inside the facility—and people using the shelter must pass through security and a metal detector—but Transformation Park doesn’t police the outside lockers. “That way, we gain their trust. We know it’s going to take baby steps.”
The public/private partnerships that made Transformation Park possible include gifts at a variety of levels, which are reflected on a donor wall near the amnesty lockers. The organization’s “20,000 Strong” monthly giving campaign seeks 20,000 individuals who give $10 a month to the program. These monthly gifts provide recurring support for housing, food, clothing and other services.
The public/private partnerships that made Transformation Park possible include gifts at a variety of levels, which are reflected on a donor wall near the amnesty lockers. The organization’s “20,000 Strong” monthly giving campaign seeks 20,000 individuals who give $10 a month to the program. These monthly gifts provide recurring support for housing, food, clothing and other services.
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Several dogs have already become residents of Transformation Park, including Trunks, a puppy belonging to Cabin Community resident Marcus. Students from the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine help care for these dogs, operating a regular mobile clinic and providing spay-and-neuter services. “It allows their students to get a hands-on experience,” Zimmerman says. Dogs must stay on a leash or in their crates.
Several dogs have already become residents of Transformation Park, including Trunks, a puppy belonging to Cabin Community resident Marcus. Students from the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine help care for these dogs, operating a regular mobile clinic and providing spay-and-neuter services. “It allows their students to get a hands-on experience,” Zimmerman says. Dogs must stay on a leash or in their crates.
Residents like Steve apply for and must be accepted into the tiny house-style Cabin Community, where they live in private, one-room pallet homes. “The cabin’s a step up,” Zimmerman says. “It’s a lot more freedom. It’s also more responsibility.” To live there, residents sign a contract, which requires 20 hours of “giving back” every week at Transformation Park. They may work in the laundry area, perform janitorial services, or do light security while pursuing stability and even outside jobs. “We all pitch in and do our chores. As they become more gainfully employed, we negotiate those hours down—but nothing less than seven [hours],” Zimmerman says. In the process, residents learn interpersonal communication skills and benefit from having a daily purpose.
Residents like Steve apply for and must be accepted into the tiny house-style Cabin Community, where they live in private, one-room pallet homes. “The cabin’s a step up,” Zimmerman says. “It’s a lot more freedom. It’s also more responsibility.” To live there, residents sign a contract, which requires 20 hours of “giving back” every week at Transformation Park. They may work in the laundry area, perform janitorial services, or do light security while pursuing stability and even outside jobs. “We all pitch in and do our chores. As they become more gainfully employed, we negotiate those hours down—but nothing less than seven [hours],” Zimmerman says. In the process, residents learn interpersonal communication skills and benefit from having a daily purpose.
Residents of the Cabin Community have their own snack room, complete with lockers and refrigerators where they store food and drinks. Two meals are served daily at Transformation Park—breakfast and dinner—but residents also have access to a microwave.
Residents of the Cabin Community have their own snack room, complete with lockers and refrigerators where they store food and drinks. Two meals are served daily at Transformation Park—breakfast and dinner—but residents also have access to a microwave.
For safety, the corridors between pallet homes are spacious and well-lit. Residents range from age 21 to 73. Right now, around two-thirds of the 45 homes are occupied. “Our goal is to be at full occupancy,” Zimmerman says, “hopefully by the end of August.”
For safety, the corridors between pallet homes are spacious and well-lit. Residents range from age 21 to 73. Right now, around two-thirds of the 45 homes are occupied. “Our goal is to be at full occupancy,” Zimmerman says, “hopefully by the end of August.”
While living in the Safe Space, residents can leave bags of dirty clothing for Transformation Park staff and volunteers to launder. They also have access to twice-daily meals and 24-hour restroom facilities. Showers have a 5-minute time limit. There are no time limits for individuals in the Safe Space.
While living in the Safe Space, residents can leave bags of dirty clothing for Transformation Park staff and volunteers to launder. They also have access to twice-daily meals and 24-hour restroom facilities. Showers have a 5-minute time limit. There are no time limits for individuals in the Safe Space.
A large community space within the Cabin Community gives Shirley and other residents a place to socialize and relax. “They all have unique stories and unique journeys, and we keep telling them, ‘This is just one stop on your road,’” Zimmerman says. “This is not your final destination.” After 30 days living in the Cabin Community, residents sit down with Transformation Park staff to discuss their goals and progress. “We’re OK with two steps forward, one step back,” he says.
A large community space within the Cabin Community gives Shirley and other residents a place to socialize and relax. “They all have unique stories and unique journeys, and we keep telling them, ‘This is just one stop on your road,’” Zimmerman says. “This is not your final destination.” After 30 days living in the Cabin Community, residents sit down with Transformation Park staff to discuss their goals and progress. “We’re OK with two steps forward, one step back,” he says.
A percentage of cabins are ADA-compliant for residents using wheelchairs. At least one staff member is always on-site, and during the early weeks of operation, Zimmerman and a few others with de-escalation training have been rotating overnights in an empty cabin. “I’d rather be five seconds away than 15 minutes away,” he says.
A percentage of cabins are ADA-compliant for residents using wheelchairs. At least one staff member is always on-site, and during the early weeks of operation, Zimmerman and a few others with de-escalation training have been rotating overnights in an empty cabin. “I’d rather be five seconds away than 15 minutes away,” he says.
Drew and his dog, Deuce, have been staying in the Safe Space, which offers shaded outdoor and indoor shelter, with cots for sleeping, bins for individuals’ possessions, and even dog crates and a secure turf area for pets. “They can set up the cot wherever they want,” Zimmerman says of residents. Some don’t like being under a roof. Others prefer the safety of four walls. He lets them choose where they’re most comfortable.
Drew and his dog, Deuce, have been staying in the Safe Space, which offers shaded outdoor and indoor shelter, with cots for sleeping, bins for individuals’ possessions, and even dog crates and a secure turf area for pets. “They can set up the cot wherever they want,” Zimmerman says of residents. Some don’t like being under a roof. Others prefer the safety of four walls. He lets them choose where they’re most comfortable.
Each resident receives a bin to store their belongings, but some have accumulated more than will fit in a tub. In those cases, their possessions are locked up in a gated “shopping cart storage” area. A scarcity mentality among some experiencing homelessness results in a form of hoarding, Zimmerman explains. “We would call it trash, but that’s all their worldly possessions.”
Each resident receives a bin to store their belongings, but some have accumulated more than will fit in a tub. In those cases, their possessions are locked up in a gated “shopping cart storage” area. A scarcity mentality among some experiencing homelessness results in a form of hoarding, Zimmerman explains. “We would call it trash, but that’s all their worldly possessions.”
Juan (above) and Larry (right) are both living in the Safe Space. “We try to call them by name as much as we can,” Zimmerman says of residents. “That’s a big thing, because people look past them, or through them. They treat them as everything other than human. We want to restore that humanity.”
Juan (above) and Larry (right) are both living in the Safe Space. “We try to call them by name as much as we can,” Zimmerman says of residents. “That’s a big thing, because people look past them, or through them. They treat them as everything other than human. We want to restore that humanity.”
Juan (above) and Larry (right) are both living in the Safe Space. “We try to call them by name as much as we can,” Zimmerman says of residents. “That’s a big thing, because people look past them, or through them. They treat them as everything other than human. We want to restore that humanity.”
Juan (above) and Larry (right) are both living in the Safe Space. “We try to call them by name as much as we can,” Zimmerman says of residents. “That’s a big thing, because people look past them, or through them. They treat them as everything other than human. We want to restore that humanity.”

Want to get involved? Transformation Park is accepting volunteers.

Weekday Volunteer Opportunities
Sandwich Team (Wed & Fri)
Dinner Team (Mon-Fri)
Kitchen Team
Cooking Team (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri)
Prep Team (Mon-Thurs)
Delivery Team (Mon-Fri)
Laundry (Daily)
Cleaning (Daily)
Resident Services (Daily)
Logistics Team (Mon-Thurs)

Saturday Volunteer Opportunities
Dinner Team
Laundry
Cleaning
Resident Services
Sunday Volunteer Opportunities
Sandwich Team
Laundry
Cleaning
Resident Services

Find Transformation Park’s Needs List on amazon.com or at mytransformationpark.com.

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