For many years, the City of Amarillo has recognized a growing homelessness issue among its residents. Although we are fortunate to have many nonprofits addressing this problem, the number of people experiencing homelessness continues to rise, leaving some in desperate situations, especially during harsh weather.

Several years ago, Amarillo Police Sergeant Jason Riddlespurger responded to a call about a transient man sleeping in an alley behind a business. When he arrived, he met “Shorty,” an elderly man in his seventies, accompanied by his loyal dog, Missy. Shorty, confined to a wheelchair and sleeping in short intervals, shared with Jason that he was unable to stay at any of the emergency shelters. His inability to walk or manage basic needs on his own, combined with shelters not allowing pets, left him with no safe place to stay. For Shorty, Missy was his entire world, the only one who loved him unconditionally and never judged him.

Jason, compelled by his job duties to ask Shorty to move along, was deeply affected by the encounter. Watching Shorty slowly wheel himself down the alley and disappear into the shadows of a city that too often overlooks its most vulnerable, Jason couldn’t shake the image. As a police officer, he was trained to find solutions to problems, but this felt different—more urgent.
Inspired by Shorty’s story and others like it, Jason began dreaming of a place where everyone, no matter their challenges, could find shelter, dignity, and security. Rather than focusing on why someone couldn’t be allowed into a shelter, this new place would focus on finding ways to include everyone. Jason became actively involved in the city’s homeless initiatives and was eventually selected as the Director of Community Development, where he brought his vision to life.

The Amarillo Continuum of Care (CoC), a collaboration of homeless service organizations and advocates, had long been working toward the goal of ending homelessness. The CoC identified critical gaps in the current system, such as the need for a low-barrier emergency shelter that could accommodate people like Shorty, who face multiple barriers to accessing existing services.
After months of research and visits to other communities across the nation, Jason and a team of experts from the CoC and the City of Amarillo developed the plan for Transformation Park. Unanimously supported by the past two city councils and city management and backed by significant financial support, Transformation Park became the most significant initiative to address homelessness in Amarillo’s history.

Hillside Christian Church played a pivotal role in helping establish Transformation Park as a nonprofit organization. Future success was ensured with the development of a strong board of directors and the identification of Mark Zimmerman as the Executive Director. After years of planning and design, Transformation Park is now under construction at 1501 SW 5th AVE and scheduled to open its two night shelters (The Safe Space and the Cabin Community) in April of 2025.

It’s exciting to see this vision coming to fruition, and we owe a debt of gratitude to the many individuals who have committed themselves to this mission. Transformation Park will provide not only shelter but a renewed sense of dignity for many, ensuring that Amarillo becomes a place where everyone has the opportunity for a better life. It is our goal that stories like Shorty’s are in the past and never happen again in our community.