News
Baked Goods Equal Summer Camp Opportunity
North Park Neighborhood children and teens gather together to learn to make nutritious homemade baked goods and sale them as a way to earn money for attending summer camp at Camp of the Hills.
“Eww, yuck, you are going to put zucchini in that?”said Sophia. “Yum, those muffins sure smell good, do we get to eat them?” asked Ty. NorthPark Neighborhood children and teens got an opportunity to learn to bake nutritious homemade goodies with special help from CCC Volunteer Mary Gauldin. This past Tuesday over 15 neighborhood children and teens gathered and crowded in the kitchen taking turns making applesauce muffins with whole grain flour, banana bread, cookies with zucchini puree and flaxseed, rice krispy treats made with brown rice cereal, flaxseed and all natural peanut butter and several other goodies. The group had a blast, one of the neighborhood moms, Rachel commented that “even my oldest son came home excited telling me about all the goodies that he was getting to make and the fun at Friendship House.” While the kids got to make a bunch of nutritious baked goods, they snacked on veggies and pretzels dipped in peanut butter, and learned some basic ways of better preparing nutritious snacks such as using whole wheat products, and adding vegetable purees into baked goods. The best part was getting to sample some of their own goodies, and then having a bake sale on Wednesday and selling around $150 worth of goodies, enough to help cover the cost of 6 neighborhood children to go to Camp of the Hills this summer. I loved getting to watch them help each other, some of the kids who are not even going to get to go to camp came just to help those who are earn their money for camp. When it came time for the bake sale the children and teens took on different jobs from holding up signs for passing cars, serving lemonade outside, opening the door to the Friendship House, greeting customers, telling them about all the goodies they made, and counting the money over and over and over again (this was a favorite job to have). The experience was fun for all and the kids were able to learn some basic nutrition and baking skills as well as learn ways to show respect toward customers, basic money handling principles and learn the value of earning their own way to camp rather than purely being given a handout. I am so proud of their hard work and know their parents are as well. How often do you hear about elementary, middle school and high schoolers spending over 6 hours working in the kitchen making healthy goodies with few complaints and lots of laughs? Thanks to all of you who came over to buy goodies-Dr. Heflin, Logsdon Seminary professor even emailed to say how delicious the treats were he purchased for he and his wife.
Young Musicians Get "Tuned Up"
Friendship House neighbors earn free guitar lessons - and free guitars
One said he wanted to become a rock star. Another said she had always wanted to play the guitar. All of them spoke of their love of music.
Five middle school students - Shelby Bailey, Tanner Bailey, TyQuail Branford, Gabby Gamboa, and C.J. Valdez - recently completed a special music program that allows them to learn the guitar at no financial cost to the student.. Through the "Tuned Up" program, students receive free guitar lessons and practice guitars for a three month series of classes. If they successfully complete the program, they are allowed to keep the guitars.
"Tuned Up" was led by volunteer Jesse Bruton, who said the idea for the class was brought to him by former CCC board member Bob Frieberg. "Bob knew about a similar program called 'Noteworthy,' which he thought would be a great thing to offer at the Friendship House," said Bruton. "We then developed this program to fit our needs." The program was funded by Beltway Park Baptist Church, where Bruton serves as Life Group Pastor.
Each of the students in the program had to complete an application, which included a statement about why he or she wanted to learn to play the guitar, along with a promise to attend all class sessions and maintain personal practice time. The lessons were held at the College Heights Friendship House. The class sessions included a weekly Bible study.
At the end of the course, students participated in a recital concert which was held at Beltway Park. The church's worship band accompanied the students during their recital program, which was followed by a brief reception. Each student received a certificate of completion.
Bruton says he hopes to be able to offer the class again this fall, if there is sufficient interest. Students from the North Park or College Heights neighborhoods should contact the Friendship House for more information.
Working Together in the Neighborhood
Young neighbors join together to make a difference
Young people from two Abilene neighborhoods recently joined forces to improve their community as part of “Summer Service Camp.” The camp was a combined presentation of the North Park and College Heights Friendship Houses.
During the week-long camp,young people from the two neighborhoods worked together to weed and refurbish a neighbor’s yard, prepared greeting cards and “CARE” packages for American service personnel overseas, and baked cookies for the residents of a local assisted living center. They also re-potted flowering plants, which they distributed throughout both neighborhoods, and distributed flyers publicizing a neighborhood cleanup.
Some days, campers worked within their respective neighborhoods; on other days, they joined together to combine their efforts. At the end of the week, the young neighbors celebrated with water games and watermelon at the College Heights Friendship House.
Over 25 young neighbors participated in camp activities during the week. They were led by community coordinators Danyel Rogers and Dusty Garison, along with North Park volunteer Patri Bailey.
The goal of service camp was to help the young people become more aware of the needs around them, and to learn how everyone can make a difference in the lives of others by getting involved. The project was underwritten in part by a grant from the Community Foundation of Abilene.
Middle School Fun at Camp of the Hills
A group of 9 middle schoolers from the College Heights and North Park Friendship Houses got to spend a week in Marble Falls enjoying a Christian Camp specifically for inner city kids and teens.
As we were loading the cars to head to Camp of the Hills Monday morning I was wondering what it would be like, what would Mya and I do for a week with 8 boy and 1 girl middle school campers. I knew I had no responsibilities to the camp other than to get the kids there, be around in case of an emergency and get the kids home, so I wasn't sure what I was going to do to fill my time. What I discovered was an incredible place to get to just "hang out", encourage, and learn more about some of our neighborhood teens. 
The teens got to participate in special classes in everything from canoeing, fishing, basketball, kickball and crafts, to having worship time, getting homemade meals three times a day, swimming in the swimming hole and seeing the story of Jesus retold through drama. The teens loved on me and Mya, stopping to wave at us, just sit and chat and tell us about what they were doing that day, give Mya a smile and a hug, and smile for some great photos. I discovered that I had more opportunity to get to know the kids on a personal basis than I have even at the Friendship House because often I could talk to them one on one, and I was a familiar face in a new place that seemed to just feel comfortable for them: for a week they felt like "my" kids. I was so proud of how well they behaved, made new friends, participated, 4 of our kids were volunteers for praying before meals, and the Camp Director even told us what a great job we are doing with them, he could truly tell a difference. Though we had a few rocky moments toward the end with some tired teens and some pestering taken too far the kids had a great time, were able to get away from all technology, enjoy the great outdoors, be loved on by some great counselors and all of them received awards at the end of the week. CJ, one of our campers even received the top honor: The Servant Award, I was so proud! I learned of some new talents the kids have such as Taz's ability to sing and Devantes ability to do all kinds of flips. I can't wait to have the kids perform at our NorthPark Friendship House dedication and I can't wait to see what God does in their lives as he continues to reveal His Story in and through their lives. I also can't wait to go back with them next year for another GREAT time a
t Camp of the Hills. 
Doing Something in Her Neighborhood
A follow up to the story posted on April 7, 2009.
To be continued indeed . . . .
On April 7, 2009 I posted a story about Brandi and her scary situation in her neighborhood, I have to do something in my neighborhood. I have a continuation of that story and below is the email Brandi sent me after she held a simple block party with watermelon and lemonade on her block on May 31st.
Christine,
I have been anxious to let you know that one of the neighbors who had been out of town during our block party came by on Thursday of that week to let us know that they were sorry they had missed it & would try to be at the next one. He also gave us a rack of Goat ribs as a thank you for including him. Also, we have had several informal gatherings w/our neighbors on both sides. The other night our “young” neighbors came over & visited. We played Frisbee in the back yard with my “Flashlight Frisbee”, and shared gardening tips & such. When they left they just kept telling us how much fun they had & how much they looked forward to doing it again. Thanks for all your help, the neighborhood feels so much kinder and safer these days.
God Bless.
Brandi
Brandi also told me that after she attended a Haven House Leader Enhancement and she put her “We Care” sign in her yard and it looked a little plain. So she bought a few flowers to plant around the sign she was so proud of, her husband noticed and started mowing the yard. This in turn caught her neighbor’s attention, who then went and bought flowers for their yard and also mowed their lawn. Brandi said it was a trickle effect slowly easing down the street. Gradual beautification began with one simple act of caring.
Parent Meeting Turns to Party Planning
The North Park Friendship House held a mundane parent meeting to update parents about summer camp and several neighborhood moms wanted to know how they could become more involved in volunteering in the neighborhood and wanted to have some parent parties to give neighborhood adults a way to have fun and connect with one another.
"We should have a Second Chance Prom" said Stephanie, "or what about a karaoke night" said Rachel, both moms had come to the Friendship House to get paperwork and information for their children to attend summer camp in Marble Falls with other neighborhood kids and teens in North Park. Both women decided that in those few moments away from their kids while meeting with other neighborhood parents was a good opportunity to discuss planning a neighborhood event for the parents, something they could do to get out and get to know one another. "We don't ever get out and do things with the other neighborhood parents, our kids play together and we may walk across the street to chat a few minutes, but we need to get together to do things with one another" Rachel expressed. The camp meeting that was intended to last 20-30 minutes turned into an hour and a half long party planning and hang out time where moms swapped stories of funny things their children had done, fun things they would love to do as a group, and just general sharing of information about themselves. So this fall with the help of the Friendhship House, next door neighbors Stephanie and Rachel with get to help plan the first NorthPark Parents Night Out and see their dream of getting neighborhood parents together come to fruition.
Memorial Day Block Party Fun!
Neighbors throughout Abilene host block parties!
Several Haven House leaders and other CCC volunteers stepped up and hosted block parties for their neighbors on Memorial Day. This is the third year that CCC has coordinated summer block parties for neighbors. We appreciate the service of the hosts (who had a really good time, too) and also Keep Abilene Beautiful who donated trees for each block party host.
Responses from block party leaders included "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" as well as sending lots of pictures and touching stories of neighbors discovering a serious need on their block and rising to the occasion to help their neighbor.
For your enjoyment, here is a slideshow of photos from one of the Block Parties on Harbour Town, hosted by Kim McLaughlin, one of our newest Haven House leaders. Their party included food, fun, and a hoola hoop contest!
A Living Legacy - Lifetime Legacies & Lunch, part 10
Rae Gravley concludes the series of stories from North Park.
Hardin-Simmons University and the former elementary school in the neighborhood have made and continue to make lasting contributions to the quality of life for the people living near them. One woman at the luncheon said she cried the day Ben Milam Elementary came down. Many of these North park neighbors had played or allowed their children to play on the old school ground. With so many good memories rising form the freshly broken ground, there is a healthy sense of loss coupled with the bright hope for tomorrow. And with the “planting” of this new phase of neighborhood development, there is incredible potential for more good memories to be made in the future—neighbor to neighbor and friend to friend.
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Rae Gravley volunteers as a CCC Story Chronicler. This collection of stories were gathered from a neighbor storytelling session and have been posted here, in ten parts, each Wednesday since Memorial Day.
Janette, Neighborhood Coed - Lifetime Legacies & Lunch, part 9
Rae Gravley's series from North Park continues with a humorous story that happened to a senior adult neighbor recently.
As the storytelling drew to a close, Janette Bradshaw shared how she had once, while strolling near the HSU tennis courts, returned a tennis ball to its owner. She said a passing gentleman commented that she’d better get moving as she would be late for class! She smiled as she told the story.
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Rae Gravley volunteers as a Story Chronicler for CCC. This collection of stories from North Park began in May and are updated here every Wednesday morning.
A Fresh Coat of Paint - Lifetime Legacies & Lunch, part 8
Rae Gravley's collection of North Park stories continues with Steven.
A college-aged man, Steven Nelson, stood up to tell his story. He said that he casually mentioned that he needed work to do, and the next thing he knew, Linda Carleton had him painting houses in the neighborhood—not necessarily in his favorite color because the paint was free! Gladys, the home owner called almost daily to report how happy she was to receive the work and the new paint.
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Rae Gravley volunteers as a CCC Story Chronicler. This collection of stories from North Park began in May and is updated each Wednesday.