News
Boys Being Boys
What could be better for teenage boys than escaping the city and retreating to the wilderness?
On October 19th & 20th, 7 of our teen boys took a trip to Abilene State Park to enjoy the beauty of creation away from the busyness of the city. Sometimes it's difficult to find the time to slow down and take in nature, but this weekend our boys got to experience some fun together outdoors!
We took off for the hills and woods of Buffalo Gap, Texas to pitch the tents, build a fire, and be boys! For a few of our guys, it was a first time camping experience, and for others it was nothing new. The boys were so excited about going that many of them arrived to the Friendship House an hour before we were supposed to meet! The weather was perfect for camping as the feel of fall was in the air!
We left after school on Friday to get to make the most of the daylight. One of the first things we did was take a nature hike. Boys love to go exploring and conquering the unkown...and we did just that. They took off and blazed a new trail through the trees and brush to see what they could find! As we quickly lost daylight, we made it back to camp for some hot dogs and smores! We spent the cool night around a warm fire telling campfire stories and playing games.
Before we left to come back to civilization, many of the boys were already asking when we were going to go camping again! There is something great about boys getting the chance to be outdoors where they can just be themselves. Hopefully we will get the chance to do something similar soon!
Dad's Night Out
Our first monthly Dad's Night out was a huge success as we shared an evening of food and fun with some of the men from the neighborhood.
Last week, the Friendship House Dad's went out for a night at Buffalo Wild Wings and the Bowling Alley. It's not very often that hard working dads get the chance to escape the hustle and bustle of a busy week to relax and spend time with other guys. The night began at Buffalo Wild Wings where we pigged out on chicken wings in an assortment of flavors. One of the dads kicked us off by ordering 25!! (and I believe he ate all of them!) Meal times seem to be some of the best ways to get to know one another and to have great conversations. This was definitely the case for our Dad's Night. It was such a blessing to hear about what is happening in the lives of the men that live next door and down the street.
After a fulfilling meal, we went over to the Bowling Alley to show off our skills! For several of us, it had been quite a while since our last bowling experience, so we needed a few rolls to work out the kinks! What a blast it was to have a few strikes here and there as we encouraged one another in our successes...and failures! Congratulations to Tyler in his win! I do believe each of us left this enjoyable evening wanting to do it again soon. Now that we've shared in such a great memory, hopefully we will make times like these a tradition.
Annual Luncheon Success
Our second annual luncheon was a great success on Thursday, September 27.
With over 100 caring partners in attendance, our annual luncheon at First United Methodist Church (202 Butternut) was a great success. Attendees ranged from neighbors in our Internal Care Unit (ICU) neighborhoods, organizational partners, churches, and community members from every area of our city.
Our great new video about the work of CCC was shown. And CCC Executive Director Brad Carter was the main speaker. His message entitled "The More We Get Together" was a challenge for us all to work together in increasing our love and solving community problems by working hand-in-hand.
In addition to raising awareness, attendees were invited to attend CART Training, Haven House training, to join the Caring Team and be a partner in the work by board member Nancy Coburn.
Over 500 dollars was raised through donations and the sale of centerpieces made by the Hendrick Medical Center Gift Shop (which donated 30% of sales to CCC).
Special thanks is due to the many volunteers and sponsors who made this event possible. Bob Collins and Isaiah 58 Ministries provided a wonderful brisket meal for attendees-- they did all the work from preparation, to cooking, serving and cleaning up! Linda Carleton, Nancy Coburn, Nadell Mangum and Lori Thornton ensured we were set to go. Brandon Rogers "saved the day" with his help in the tech room.
Thanks is also due to First United Methodist Church, ARAMARK, and the Scripps Howard Foundation.
Read the news article "Creating Caring Communities" by Loretta Fulton on the Abilene Reporter-News website. It originally appeared in the September 28 print edition about CCC's annual luncheon.
Back to School Swim Party
The North Park Back to School Swim Party was a big splash!
We had over 100 neighbors in attendance. Isaiah 58 Ministries provided a free BBQ dinner with all the fixings, and Hardin-Simmons faculty and staff pulled together and gave school supplies to fill 40 bags for everyone.
OneStar Foundation Awards CCC
The OneStar Foundation in Austin, Texas selected Connecting Caring Communities as one of thirteen participants in the 2007 Governor’s Faith-based and Community Initiatives Capacity-Building Project.
The OneStar Foundation in Austin, Texas selected Connecting Caring Communities as one of thirteen participants in the 2007 Governor’s Faith-based and Community Initiatives Capacity-Building Project. Eighty-three organizations applied through this three phase grant process. CCC was awarded training and technical assistance valued at $5,700. Seven of the thirteen grantees were awarded training and technical assistance.
Phase II of the application process included an organizational assessment utilizing a capacity benchmarking tool. The staff and board of CCC used the assessment results to identify areas in need of improvement have began efforts in building a stronger organization. The grant award will further these efforts to build the organizational effectiveness of our nonprofit.
“As an independent nonprofit, CCC is very young,” says executive director Brad Carter, “and this capacity-building project has been and will continue to help us put into place some of the missing pieces. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with OneStar in making this happen.”
Coffee, Cake and Conversation a Success
The Women of CCC hosted "Coffee, Cake and Conversation" on Sunday afternoon, September 16.
The Women of CCC hosted "Coffee, Cake and Conversation" on Sunday afternoon, September 16 at the home of board member Terri Burke. Linda Carleton, Nancy Coburn and Sarah Mulkey, all members of the CCC Board of Directors, served as co-hostesses. The goal of the event was to raise awareness about the efforts of Connecting Caring Communities and to enlist the support of those in attendance. A new video about our work also debuted at the event.
Linda Carleton shared about her experiences with CCC and encouraged the women in attendance to consider volunteering as Haven House leaders on their blocks. Haven House leaders are volunteers who aid the efforts of community renewal by making friends on the block where they live. They were also asked to consider supporting with financial gifts. Over sixty women attended the event.
WeCareAbilene.org Unveiled
Connecting Caring Communities went live with a completely new website this month.
Connecting Caring Communities went live with a completely new website this month. Web visitors may now learn more about CCC’s strategies, download resources and the CCC video (soon!), as well as utilize online tools for donations, signing up for events and trainings and subscribing to feeds of the latest CCC news and events.
Residents in our target neighborhoods are also able to use the CCC website to access the news and events of our Friendship Houses. CCC community coordinators are excited about their new ability to communicate with neighbors and volunteers about the activities at their houses.
“We are more than pleased with our great new web site and the wonderful work of web designers Colby Blaisdell and Jonathan Towell,” said executive director Brad Carter about the new website. CCC will continue to explore ways to use technology in the work of community renewal in Abilene.
CCC seeks 200 Volunteers for Surveying
Volunteers will cover every neighborhood in Abilene surveying residents about community resiliency.
Volunteers will cover every neighborhood in Abilene surveying residents about community resiliency. CCC is seeking at least 200 volunteers who will conduct personal interviews with randomly-selected and previously-notified households. The interviews will take place the first two weeks of October.
Connecting Caring Communities has partnered with the Terrorism and Disaster Center, part of the Health Sciences Center of the University of Oklahoma, to utilize their Community Assessment of Resiliency Tool (CART) throughout Abilene. This tool helps gauge neighborhood health regarding the resiliency factors of connectedness, resources, transformative potential, and disaster prevention. We have partnered with the Nonprofit Management Center, Community Foundation, United Way, Hardin-Simmons University, Hendrick Medical Center, 2-1-1 A Call for Help, and Abilene Christian University to be the first community to implement the tool city-wide. We believe it will be useful in helping neighborhoods determine assets and needs, particularly when compiled with other information and recent surveys conducted in our community.
Training for volunteers implementing CART will take place at various times between September 27-29. See the CCC calendar for training times. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us or register to attend the CART Volunteer Training of your choice.
CCC to Host 2nd Annual Luncheon
On Thursday, September 27, CCC will host its second annual luncheon at the activity center of First United Methodist Church, 202 Butternut Street.
On Thursday, September 27, CCC will host its second annual luncheon at the activity center of First United Methodist Church, 202 Butternut Street. The luncheon is free and its goal is to introduce attendees to the work of CCC, update partners on happenings, and provide opportunities for caring persons to meet others in our community.
Reservations for the luncheon are currently being taken by contacting the CCC office or by making your reservation online using our events calendar. Please make your reservation by Monday, September 24.
The first luncheon was held in September 2006, following the dedication of the College Heights Friendship House sponsored by Hendrick Health System. Rev. Mack McCarter, founder of Shreveport-Bossier Community Renewal, was the keynote speaker.
North Park Friendship House Begins Fall Programming
The residents of North Park neighborhood begin their exciting fall programming this week.
The residents of North Park neighborhood begin their exciting fall programming this week. Community Coordinator Danyel Rogers has been planning and training volunteers—mainly Hardin-Simmons University students—for the past several weeks and months. Fall programming includes Kids Club activities for children and youth after school. At Kids Club students complete schoolwork, receive reading tutoring, are involved in physical activity, Bible studies and other fun activities. Gatherings of neighborhood mothers, senior adults and others are also part of the ongoing activities at the Friendship House.