Dr. Ben Carson Speaks in Branson, Missouri
Founder and Chairman of the American Cornerstone Institute and former Secretary of U.S. Housing and Urban Development discussed the importance of affordable housing, the American Dream, and putting God first.
BRANSON, Mo., Sept. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Elevate Branson, a leading non-profit organization addressing the root causes of poverty and creating lasting change for more than 17 years, hosted its first annual Vision Dinner on September 6, 2025, featuring a keynote address from Dr. Ben Carson.
Carson began his address by saying he was "very encouraged as I listen to the Elevate Branson graduates, because it's all about the American Dream."
"A large part of that dream is having a stable home," according to Carson. He emphasized that the United States is the only country in the world that has an actual "dream" and offers it to others who are willing to work for it.
Elevate Branson is developing a tiny home community set to open next year and is planning to double the impact of its workforce development program, which has documented an 87% success rate for participants who are employed two years after graduation.
Elevate Community, is a groundbreaking tiny home development poised to become one of the largest, permanent, tiny home communities in the country. A total of 70 tiny homes will have convenient access to Branson's employment opportunities and are carefully designed to provide efficient, attractive housing alongside a vital support network.
The tiny home project has garnered substantial support with federal and state grants totaling $4.7 million to date. Private donations have exceeded another $1 million, with 33 of the 48 tiny homes in Phase One already sponsored by non-public contributors.
The demand for Elevate Community is already evident, with more than 200 residency applications submitted, subject to income qualifications and thorough background checks.
Beyond housing, Elevate Branson's proven workforce development program enhances career opportunities and long-term quality of life improvement.
Elevate Branson's mission is to elevate their community by empowering neighbors to reach their full potential with a vision for every individual to know hope, dignity, and purpose through the love of Jesus.
"People who are down and out in our society, we have to provide mechanisms for those people to be elevated, to rise and to become successful," stated Carson. They need "prospects of moving up, and a hand up instead of a handout." He encouraged more than 600 attendees at the dinner to become a part of what God is doing. "That's another thing I love about Elevate Branson, they honor and put God in the right place, and it makes all the difference in the world."
About Elevate Branson: Elevate Branson is a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the root causes of poverty in Branson, Missouri, and the surrounding Ozarks region. Through resources, relationships, and a variety of programs, Elevate Branson emphasizes hope, dignity, and meaningful work, supporting the physical, relational, and spiritual needs of individuals and families to foster lasting change and community-wide support.
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SOURCE Elevate Branson