Haven House Enhancements News
In the past few weeks there has been two Haven House Enhancements which are teaching and equipping willing persons to reach out to their neighbors in positive, loving, caring acts of kindness. Be sure to read both stories!
On February 20, 2009 seven women gathered in the old railroad depot which is now the Visitors & Conventions Bureau on North 1st. As we ate lunch, we shared our favorite neighborhood stories, some of the stories took us back in time when we were small children and it was then a train passed by and the feeling of being young in safe friendly neighborhoods was overwhelming. During this Haven House enhancement we learned how to reach out to our neighbors. Wonderful acts of kindness came from this meeting. Samantha Manski offered to submit photos for our Haven House newsletter and calendar. Although Linda Collins’ children have all grown and moved from home, she enjoys her home and neighborhood and now is traveling more with her husband so she is referring two people on her block that would be interested in the Haven House program. Charla Hammond has chosen to be a Haven House Leader; she is moving to a new home in late summer and is very excited to reach out to her new neighbors in her new residence.
The Abilene PFLAG (Parent, Family & Friends of Lesbians & Gays) ask Christine to do a presentation at their monthly meeting. (Pictured below) There was a large group of 14, and joining the group was Brooke Smith who was from the Washington, DC office making visits throughout Texas. Brooke was excited about what we are trying to accomplish in Abilene and will be taking information home to Washington. Rudy shared stories of his neighborhood and the community garden he maintains for the neighborhood and PFLAG members. From other stories shared there was a feeling and acts of discrimination in neighborhoods that are obstacles to get through. The willingness of the group to step up and try to make friends on the block they live on was uplifting. Kim McLaughlin has joined the Haven House team and plans on having a hot dog social soon on her block.
