| Current Needs |
2 laptops
bottled water
gas cards
digital camera
CASH! |
| Coming Events |
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5/7 @ 12:00 Lunch at Fortress. Join us for lunch, a brief overview of Fortress happenings, and a tour.
5/15 - watch for our Spring Newsletter in your mailbox. Not on our mailing list? Contact stacy@fwydc.org
5/13 - Last day of Building Blocks
6/4 - Last day of FLC
6/5 - Intern Orientation and Training begins
6/15 - Summer JAM begins
10/24 - Fall for Fortress 2nd Annual Dinner & Auction |
| Prayer Blog |
The staff at Fortress has a lot to be thankful for. Read more!
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Join Our List
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SUMMER INTERNS NEEDED!
Fortress YDC is now seeking college-aged interns for Summer J.A.M (Jesus and Me) 2009 who are willing and available to "ignite powerful change in the lives of urban youth". Our theme this year is "Redeemed Team: God in the life of. . ." . Interns needed for Children, Youth, and Communications/Marketing. Contact Ramon at 817.335.1007, or ramon@fwydc.org. HOST FAMILIES NEEDED!
Fortress is also seeking host families to house our summer interns from June 4-August 16. Host families are responsible for providing a bedroom, bath and laundry facilities, occasional weekend and evening meals, and encouragement/respite. Please contact Stacy or Ramon at 817-335-1007, or ramon@fwydc.org. | |
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Greetings!
When's the last time you visited Fortress? Have you seen the 12-station Literacy Lab upstairs? Have you been in The F.O.R.T.? What about Building Blocks' new playground? As we wind down the school year and prepare for Summer JAM, there are several opportunities for you to make a visit and see what's happening here at Fortress. Check out the Events box on the left and come see us!
Now that we're into the 2nd quarter of the year, we're really starting to feel some negative effects of the lagging economy. Please take a look at the Current Needs list and help however you can. Every little bit helps!
And finally, mark your calendar for our 2nd annual Fall for Fortress Dinner and Auction, to be held on October 24. Last year was a rousing success and we had SO much fun in the process - we've set a lofty goal this year and look forward to seeing it through.
God is good, all the time. And all the time, GOD IS GOOD!
Thanks for your interest in Fortress YDC and the children we serve.
-Fortress Staff
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| Glamour Day |
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Student Essays Reap Rewards 
For the second year in a row, Fortress YDC has sponsored Glamour Day for a few of our deserving moms. The students enrolled in Fortress Literacy Center were asked to write an essay telling us why their mother or grandmother deserves a Glamour Day. There were many great essays, but we could only select four winners, whose mothers received a day at a beauty salon and lunch! Debbie Gonzales, owner of Debbie's Hair Studio in Dallas, was excited to donate her services once again. Debbie says that she really looks forward to Glamour Day and really enjoys meeting the ladies. The winning mothers were Aundrea Torres, Angel Melo, Remi Bridges and Sharetha Glasco. Remi and Sharetha were unable to go, but Aundrea and Angel had a great time. They stated it was their first time getting their hair professionally done and that they rarely leave Fort Worth. We plan to have an event for our fathers, uncles, and grandfathers in June. -Kristen Guillory
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| 2009 Spring Break Trip |
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This year we took 8 teens on a Spring Break trip to Waco, San Antonio, and Austin. We toured both the University of Texas & Baylor University, spent a day at Sea World, and stayed at Camp of the Hills. Ramon Smith, Kristen Guillory, and Jessie Sorenson chaperoned the trip.
"We made sure to incorporate Bible studies into the trip," Kristen stated. Ramon said that his favorite part of the trip occurred during the first evening and the next morning when the teens cooked for and served each other. He said that he saw a true sense of family amongst the group. One of Jessie's favorite moments was bonding with Ashley, who stayed in her cabin. Kristen's favorite part was laughing at the students. "They are very funny; we may have some potential comedians and we should actually be a reality show."
The trip was funded by a group of 12 Fortress YDC supporters. The students wrote letters stating what the trip would mean to them, and spoke of how much they were looking forward to touring the colleges. Several mentioned never having the chance to leave Fort Worth.
We would like to send a BIG Fortress THANK YOU to the trip donors and Camp of the Hills. The youth will not soon forget this trip! - Kristen Guillory
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| 2009 Garage Sale Results |
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 Despite rain for part of day one, strong north winds (and a temperature drop of 40 degrees) on day two, and the inability to hold the sale on a Saturday, Fortress volunteers were still able to net $1500 for YDC programs. Many thanks to Southside Church of Christ for the use of their parking lot and for providing lunch for our volunteer group on Thursday. Thanks also to Laurie Soward, Kathy Newman, Kristi Carman, Darren Kocur and Brenda Trojacek for manning the sale on Friday, and especially to the youth group from Netherwood Park Church of Christ in Albuquerque for sorting, organizing, advertising and running the sale! (Not to mention the cleaning, organizing and repairing they did when they weren't garage-saling!)
 Volunteers are the backbone of our programs. Without the generosity of people like you, we couldn't continue to ignite positive change in the lives of urban youth. Thank you! |
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| Building Blocks Gets New Playground |
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 Thank you volunteers and donors! We love our new play area!
Watch for more details about the playground and how it came to be in our upcoming Spring Newsletter. | |
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