History
Connecting Caring Communities (CCC) began under the umbrella of the Neighborhood Enhancement Center of Hardin-Simmons University and was officially chartered to serve the community in December 2005. Our work of community renewal has been underway since 2002. Our strategies are adapted from the proven model of Shreveport-Bossier Community Renewal (SBCR) in Louisiana. CCC is the first official replication site for SBCR.
It only makes sense that an organization designed to foster community renewal through relationships began and has spread because of relationships with others.
While serving as Dean of Students at Hardin-Simmons University, Linda Carleton began to focus on the university’s neighbors in the North Park neighborhood. An old friend from high school, Mack McCarter had been sending her information about his new community renewal efforts in her hometown Shreveport, Louisiana and some visits inspired her. She began to test the ideas in Abilene in a variety of ways - including visits to SBCR and in return by Mack and others from SBCR to Abilene.
We introduced our Haven House strategy in 2002. The first leaders were trained through Interested Citizens of Abilene North (I-CAN) and ongoing training has been offered since. A grant from the City of Abilene helped provide supplies to make Haven House “We Care” signs. A pilot program for Friendship Houses began on Sayles Blvd in south Abilene. This continued until the opening of the North Park Friendship House in 2004.
The Caring Team strategy kicked-off at the 2003 United Way luncheon. Connecting Caring Communities had been chosen as the name of the community-wide efforts by Linda with the help of neighborhood leaders Petty Hunter and Odis Dolton, who would later become CCC board president.
In 2004, under the leadership and vision of HSU president Dr. Craig Turner, Linda was able to transition to coordinator of neighborhood programs at HSU’s Neighborhood Enhancement Center. The HSU Neighborhood Enhancement Center is designed to help Hardin-Simmons faculty, staff and students be good neighbors in the North Park neighborhood. Part of that commitment has been the university’s sponsorship of the North Park Friendship House. This house utilizes students, faculty and staff to implement its relationship-based strategies of community renewal. The creation of the center and house was made possible by a generous multi-year grant from the Shelton Family Foundation.
Danyel and Brandon Rogers began programs at the North Park Friendship House in early 2005. Danyel continues to serve as the community coordinator in this house today.
At the same time, the 2004 editorial board of the Abilene Reporter-News conceived of Abilene Dinner Table as a way to more substantively celebrate the work of Dr. Martin Luther King and to use it to expose our residents to those they might not otherwise know. They concluded that breaking bread together is the best, most American way of getting to know one another. It was first held in January 2005, coordinated by the Reporter-News. The annual event has since been part of CCC’s efforts of relationship building.
Linda and others continued to share the vision and encourage others to be involved in the community renewal efforts. Sharing the vision often included taking people on trips to visit Louisiana and seeing SBCR up close. These trips always proved inspiring for those who attended the tours and training. Many of CCC’s strongest supporters have made the journey to Shreveport and back. Partnerships, new outreaches and a host of positive work have been created by attendees upon return to Abilene.
From across Ambler Blvd, Hendrick Medical Center administrators like community initiatives director Sarah Mulkey, noticed the impact the North Park Friendship House was having on its neighborhood. Sarah and others decided to make the trip to SBCR and did so with a group in August 2005. Soon afterward, Hendrick committed to sponsoring a Friendship House in its neighborhood. The College Heights Friendship House was dedicated in the fall of 2006.
At the end of 2005, seeing the increased impact of the efforts of the community, an independent nonprofit organization was created. Connecting Caring Communities then became an official 501©(3) comprehensive community initiative designed to impact neighborhoods throughout Abilene. Its founding board of directors included Mr. Odis Dolton, president; Dr. Robert Friberg, vice president; Mr. Clint Buck, secretary-treasurer; Mrs. Terri Burke; Mrs. Linda Carleton; Mr. Terry Davis; Dr. Michael Monhollon; and Mrs. Sarah Mulkey. Many of these board members continue to tirelessly serve on the board, along with others.
In early 2007, Brad Carter, then a volunteer leader with CCC, was hired as its executive director. Brad continues to serve, along with the dedicated staff and volunteers in spreading the work of community renewal and building the relational foundation of our community.