News
Our newest Haven House leaders
The Dowgiewicz family become Haven House leaders in the Valley View neighborhood.
After successfully hosting a Memorial Day block party, Mike and Leigh Dowgiewicz decided they wanted to get to know their neighbors even better. Yesterday CCC placed a 'We Care' sign in their yard. The sign is a symbol of their interest in the people living around them and their desire to be connected with their neighbors. We're thrilled to have the Dowgiewicz join our other Haven House leaders all around Abilene. Through their simple acts of kindness, these leaders are turning strangers into friends and changing the world--one neighbor at a time.
If you're interested in learning more about Haven House, please contact Kayla Weinkauf, Haven House Manager 325-232-8241 or kayla@WeCareAbilene.org
Neighbors celebrate Memorial Day with Old Fashioned Block Parties
Neighbors came out despite the record breaking heat and West Texas wind to celebrate Memorial Day together at block parties scattered throughout the Valley View neighborhood.
The Valley View neighbors hosted four block parties scattered throughout the neighborhood in celebration of the Memorial Day holiday. Hamburgers, hot dogs and all the trimmings, coupled with water fun, watermelon, cake and ice cream, were the fare as friends new and old ushered in the summer. Parties were held on Graham, 9th, Parramore and Merchant streets and despite record weekend temperatures, neighbors showed up to join in the festivities. Some came with old friends, others were meeting their neighbors for the first time. Little ones played basketball, dominoes, ran through sprinklers and slipped on Slip N Slides. In between, they quickly gobbled up burgers and dogs, cake and ice cream, watermelon and all sorts of other delights. If you missed out, don't worry, enough fun was had, there was talk of more to come.
Host Your Own Memorial Day Block Party!
We provide the tools, you build the relationships.
Memorial Day is fast approaching, and with it another great opportunity for you to get to know your neighbors and build meaningful relationships. What better way to do this than by hosting your very own Memorial Day Block Party?
We know this can be a daunting task, so we've whipped up our own toolkit to help you get started on planning your block party! Included in the packet are some ideas for planning and preparation, a printable set of invitations, and a post-party feedback form. If you decide to host or co-host a block party, we would LOVE to hear about it! There are several easy ways to share your success stories with us - via Facebook, text, email or snail mail.
Party on!
Easter Fun
Valley View neighbors find Easter fun at Cobb Park.
You couldn't have found more fun if you had hunted all day! But all 100 or so little ones at the Valley View neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt wouldn't have minded trying just that! Thanks to the First Baptist Church Adults on Mission who filled over 2000 plastic eggs and the Epsilon Pi Alpha service sorority from Hardin-Simmons University, who hid them all, Easter baskets were overflowing. Smiles and giggles were in abundance, too!
Valley View neighbors joined us on a perfect spring Saturday morning, April 16, at Cobb Park for some Easter fun. Spring colors dotted the park landscape as the children waited for the signal to begin. And it was even more colorful --and happily noisy -- as the children fanned out in every direction to fill their baskets. Parents and grandparents enjoyed helping or watching and visiting with each other. A cool drink and an Easter cookie topped off the morning fun. Thanks to all who helped and to all our neighbors who came and shared in the Easter fun!
What's New in Valley View
Neighbors in Valley View come together for some hard work cleaning up in the streets and alleys and greening up in the community garden.
It was a beautiful day in Abilene and especially in the Valley View neighborhood. About fifty Valley View neighbors and friends from First and Second Baptist Churches took to the streets and alleys of Valley View for a neighborhood cleanup on Saturday, March 26. A steady stream of pickup trucks laden with discarded household goods, old tires and brush, kept the hands of the city workers on hand beyond busy. Several hours and twenty tons later, the trucks rumbled away leaving behind tired but happy workers and clean streets. Thanks to all who helped either load or pick up trash and those who cleaned and sorted and dragged their garbage out to the trucks. A special thank you to the Solid Waste Department of Abilene for their cooperation and cheerful spirits, and to Keep Abilene Beautiful for its support.
The vacant lot at the corner of 7th and Merchant has been transformed into a community garden thanks to friends and neighbors in the Valley View neighborhood. After several weeks of planning and preparation, a variety of seeds of new friendships have been planted alongside a variety of tasty vegetables and herbs. Stop by and get your hands a little dirty. Pull a weed or two. Chat with a neighbor. Shoo a cat out of the tomatoes. We are anxious to meet you. A special thanks to Brandon Freyermuth, our neighborhood garden expert, ACU, the Master Gardeners, The Park People, Josh Casey and Grapevine Farms, Bontke Brothers Construction and all the friends and neighbors for adding your special touch to get this garden going and growing. We will let you know how our garden grows.
Neighbors Enjoy ACU Physics Show
College Heights neighbors are treated to a special evening at ACU
BOOM!
"WOW!" "Did you see that?" "That was cool!"
These were just some of the comments heard at a special program hosted by the ACU Physics Department for more than 20 friendship house neighbors and their families. Dr. Jess Dowdy and the physics students at ACU gave demonstrations of scientific principles that were fun and entertaining.
Dr. Dowdy and his students showed how liquid nitrogen can make a rubber ball so brittle it will shatter. They also demonstrated the gyroscopic effects of a spinning bicycle wheel, and showed how hydrogen gas can make soap bubbles float - and burn.
It was a fun evening, and all the kids and their families enjoyed the program very much. Thank you, Dr. Dowdy, and ACU students for inviting us!
Accepting applications for Haven House position
Connecting Caring Communities announced today the opening of a part-time Haven House Manager position.
CCC is a faith-based, comprehensive community initiative that works to retore the foundation of caring relationships in Abilene, Texas. Our Haven House strategy focuses on uniting neighbors on the blocks where they live. The Haven House Manager will lead CCC’s efforts in volunteer management including enlisting, equipping and encouraging Haven House leaders throughout the Abilene community.
For a full description, please download our online application packet here. Applications may be returned via email or mailed to CCC's office: 402 Cypress St, Ste. 420, Abilene TX 79601. Applications will be accepted through April 15, 2011.
For more information about this position, please contact Acting Director Lori Thornton at 325.232.8241 or lori@wecareabilene.org.
A Beautiful Day!
On February 23rd, CCC hosted its second annual Good Neighbor Breakfast fundraiser. "A Beautiful Day" - the theme resonated as a few hundred neighbors joined us for breakfast that morning to show their commitment to CCC's work of city-wide community renewal.
Guests gathered at ACU's Hunter Welcome Center, enjoyed breakfast and conversation together, and were motivated by stories about the powerful impact Connecting Caring Communities is making throughout Abilene. CCC's mission to build meaningful relationships that foster safe, caring, whole communities was a new idea to some, but experienced personally by many who were there. Featured speakers included Abilene Police Chief Stan Standridge (CCC Board Member), Patri Bailey (North Park neighbor & CCC Board Member), Diane Leggett (CCC Board Member), and Lori Thornton (CCC Acting Director), with Dean Nolen (HSU Theatre Professor) serving as Master of Ceremonies. Attendees also enjoyed the debut of a new video highlighting CCC's vision and strategies for change, creatively produced by IN-Focus Digital.
New pledges and contributions made at the breakfast totaled nearly $40,000!! A significant expression of love and dedication by the residents of our great city, for which we are truly thankful. These funds will be used to support CCC's general operations.
Thank you to everyone who attended our Good Neighbor Breakfast this year! We appreciate each and every one of you...our neighbors, our friends.
Online store offers Cheesecakes!
We're partnering with Chick-fil-A to help you this holiday!
Thanks to our friends at the Chick-fil-A on Clack Street, CCC is offering New York Style, creamy Cheesecakes for pick-up or delivery every Monday through Christmas. Proceeds go to help Abilene's neighborhoods through support CCC. And these cheesecakes are less expensive from us than you can buy them directly at the store!
CCC's online store also offers books and CDs that make holiday gifts and hostess gifts for holiday parties this season.
VISIT THE CCC ONLINE STORE TO MAKE YOUR PURCHASES
CCC finishes in Top 5 of August Pepsi Refresh Project
CCC moved up the charts to the Top 5 vying for $250,000 in national competition
We've been overwhelmed with support from our many friends and supporters throughout Abilene and the world who worked hard this past month to vote and solicit votes for us in the Pepsi Refresh Project! We competed for $250,000 moving up from 456th place to 5th place during the month. We had mass text votes from throughout the community-- HSU, ACU, McMurry, ballgames, events, club meetings, everywhere! We cannot say "thank you" enough!
Thanks especially to our champions and partners who helped organize mass texts, get us on the radio and television and posted flyers and handed out cards and spread the word! Thanks to our local churches and universities who voted during your gatherings, too! (And to IN-Focus Digital for the courtesy photo above!)
If you're new to Connecting Caring Communities - visit around our website
Contact us for more information or to join us for a tour
