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News & Updates Week of September 27, 2010
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WELCOME to the new format for the East Arlington Family Support Center's Weekly Updates. Do you have any information you would like to see included in this newsletter? Send your information to familysupport@achservices.org to see it included in the next newsletter!
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Calendar...
Do you know any children being raised by grandparents, relatives, or friends? The East Arlington Family Support Center is reaching out to all kinship families that are interested in coming together to support each other. We will offer a safe and comfortable environment, food, childcare, speakers, classes, and many other resources. Please contact 817-277-3050 or email familysupport@achservices.org to express your interest or refer a family.
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Community Events and Resources...
Come participate in a short presentation about gangs and youth at risk in Arlington on Wednesday, September 29th at 7:15pm at Agape Christian Fellowship, 2350 E Mayfield Rd (just west of 360). At the end of the presentation, you will have the opportunity to participate in a survey. This is a quick and easy opportunity to be part of the effort to do something about gangs and youth at risk in your community!
Our Community, Our Kids is hosting their Kick-Off Breakfast on September 30, 2010 from 8am-10am. The keynote speaker will be Oscar "Ossco" Bolton, a former gang leader. The Breakfast will take place at the Mac Bernd Professional Development Center at 1111 W. Arbook Blvd., Arlington, TX 76015. For more information or to register, call Arlington Parks & Recreation at 817-459-5488.
Do you need to vote by mail in the upcoming elections? Tarrant County registered voters are eligible to request and receive a ballot by mail if any of the following conditions prevents them from voting in-person during the early voting period or on election day: (1.) Expected absence from the County during both the early voting period and on election day; (2). Disability; (3). 65 years of age or older; or (4) Confinement in jail and not finally convicted of a felony. To fill out an application for ballot by mail, or for more information about the upcoming elections, click here.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided a $400,000 grant to help Tarrant County residents build tornado safe rooms. This program will reimburse a homeowner or developer for half the cost to install an individual safe room in an existing or planned home, up to $3,000. To obtain an application, call the Tarrant County Emergency Management Office (TCEMO) at 817-884-1804. Or you can download a rebate application here at www.tarrantcounty.com in the "What's New" section. For information on safe rooms, including construction plans and specifications, go to the FEMA website at: http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/saferoom/fema320.shtm.
Are you interested in staying informed and actively participating in your government? Visit the calendar of the League of Women Voters for upcoming events.
Does your church, agency or organization provide assistance to families during Thanksgiving or Christmas? CRN creates a directory of holiday programs for Tarrant County. This information is shared with 2-1-1 and CRN partners. If you would like to be listed in the directory please contact Melanie Lees at 817-289-3852 or email crn@ccdofw.org. |
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Family/Youth Opportunities...
The YMCA has put out their Fall Program Guide. Many fun fall programs are available. To download a copy, click here. |
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Health Opportunities...
You are invited to the 5th Annual Carnaval de Salud. This event will take place on Saturday, October 2, 2010 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at Tarrant County Public Health, 1101 S. Main Fort Worth. It´s flu season: Come to learn how to prevent it and how not to spread it. Free: Flu Vaccines, Cholesterol Screens, HIV/STD Testing, Dental Exams, Vision Checks and many Services. First Come - First Served
Would you like to find out if you, or somebody you know, suffers from depression? About one in four adults suffer from a mental disorder in any given year. Take the next step and get screened on Thursday, October 7, 2010 between 9:00am and 4:00pm at St. Christopher Episcopal Church, 3550 Southwest Loop 820, Fort Worth, TX, 76133. For more details, call Trinity Springs Pavilion at 817-927-3636.
For a healthier you, come learn about Reading Labels and Navigating Grocery Stores. The City of Arlington, Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital and United Health Care offer you this class at the low cost of $5 per person. Register online at naturallyfun.org or contact Parks and Recreation at 817-459-5474 or any recreation center. All participants will receive a health tracker booklet full of ideas and activities to stay healthy! Choose Health...you'll be glad you did! Click here for a flyer. The Tarrant County CHIP Coalition invites parents to register their children for CHIP or Children's Medicaid on October 2, 2010 from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the Fiesta Grocery Store at 1300 E. Pioneer Pkwy, Arlington 76010. Parents will need to bring a copy of each child's birth certificate; each child's social security number; alien registration cards (for non-citizens); and proof of income for all family members. For more information, or for other locations throughout the metroplex, click here.
Texas Arlington Memorial Hospital invites you to a Candlelight Ceremony in honor of National Pregnancy and Infant Loss. In our Tarrant County community, we have one of the highest infant mortality rates throughout the state. The loss of a child is considered one of the deepest pains, regardless of a child's age. This Ceremony takes place on October 15, 2010 from 6:45pm to 8:00pm at the North Lawn of Alan Saxe Garden. Click here for more information. |
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Educational Opportunities...
Arlington Reads is offering a Junior High Reading Tutoring and Writing Club. The club meets from October 5 to December 9 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30pm-5:50pm at the East Arlington Branch Library. For more information, call Arlington Reads at 817-275-3321 and ask to speak with a coordinator. Click here for more information. |
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Job/Training Opportunities...
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Provider Opportunities...
Join TXU Energy and other community serving organizations in your area for their ninth annual informative set of workshop sessions. The workshops are free to attend and will be offered in Dallas on October 22 and Fort Worth on October 26. Click here for more information.
You are invited to a free workshop to help Tarrant County Department of Human Services celebrate 50 years of services to the Tarrant County community. The workshop will be held on Friday, October 8, 2010 from 8:00 am - 2:00 pm at the Resource Connection Conference Center, 2300 Circle Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76119. The topic will be "Advocating For Those In Need With Respect And Solid Ethical Conduct." Four Social Work Continuing Units (three in ethics) are available to attendees at no cost. To register, email malmendarez@tarrantcounty.com. For information call (817) 531-5620.
Catholic Charities will be hosting a Basic Interviewing Skills Workshop and a Basic Case Management Workshop on Friday 10/8/10. The Basic Interviewing Skills Workshop is from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. The Basic Case Management Workshop is from 10:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Seating will be limited to 80. You can enroll in one or both workshops. Each workshop is $15.00. Register with Melanie Lees at 817-289-3863 or crn@ccdofw.org. The Fall 2010 Transition and Disability Resource Expo is on October 16, 2010 from 11 AM - 2 PM at the Birdville ISD Fine Arts/Athletics Complex, 9200 Mid-Cities Blvd., North Richland Hills, TX. Click here to see the brochure.
Sign up for the Compassion Resource Network's bimonthly newsletter to learn about other community resources available throughout Tarrant County. Click here to join the mailing list. |
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Volunteer Opportunities...
The Goodfellow Fund is the Star-Telegram's holiday charity and was founded by Star-Telegram employees in 1912. Goodfellows provides clothing and shoes for underprivileged Tarrant County school-age children during the holiday season. The goal this year is to serve 20,000 children. Volunteers are needed. The process of sending out appointments will begin October 13th. Families will be seen on Monday and Tuesday in Arlington and in Fort Worth on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
If you would like to be a volunteer please call the volunteer line at 817-289-0498 or email volunteer.goodfellows@ccdofw.org. Family Pathfinders of Tarrant County Inc., a non-profit that serves people making the transition from poverty to self-sufficiency, is launching a program that matches volunteer mentors with workers striving to develop skills and advance in their careers. Volunteer mentors from local businesses, churches and civic organizations are trained to partner with mentees in their journey to become self sufficient. This program is based on the belief, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for today; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." Volunteers are needed to walk with clients to financial stability. You will make a huge difference in someone's life by committing a small amount of your time. If you belong to a group that might be interested in this great new opportunity, contact Chantyl Parris at chantyl.parris@familypathfinders.org or 817-879-5162 for more information and to set up a group presentation.
HOPE Tutoring helps students in the 3rd through 8th grades with school work. Last year, 145 students participated in the program and 95% showed improvement in their report cards. One of the challenges that the program has faced in recent years is a large backlog of students who need help with homework, but must wait until tutors become available. Participation as a tutor in the program requires one hour of time each week. Volunteers may tutor Tuesday or Thursday from 6:30PM-7:30PM. New volunteers attend an orientation session at Good Shepherd UMC, 2020 S Collins on Tuesday, September 7th, 6:00 - 8:30PM. If you cannot make a full time commitment, please consider being a substitute tutor. If you wish to have more information on this important community ministry, please contact HOPE Tutoring (817-860-7757). |
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| In the News...
The Annual MLK Art and Essay Competition is Announced. The Arlington Martin Luther King Jr. Committee is now accepting entries for the 2011 "Sharing the Dream" Student Art and Essay Competitions. The entry deadline is 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, 2010. Click here for more information. |
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About Us...
The East Arlington Family Support Center is a community collaboration whose goal is to ensure the healthy development and growth of young children by supporting their families and the communities in which they live. The East Arlington Family Support Center is administered
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