Grace After Fire

Quick Links
Meet Our Supporters
 
 
 
  

 

 

   

 

Table Talk

For more information contact:
 

Harris County:

Monique Rodriguez (281) 698-0306

[email protected]

 

Kanetrica PattonLyons (713) 409-2081

[email protected]

 

Bexar County:

Melissa McKennon (210) 887-8608

Roberta Castaneda (210) 744-0642
 
San Antonio Table Talk-Color Me Camo Flyer
 

Houston Table Talk-Color Me Camo Flyer


 

 

For More information about Color Me Camo Table Talk email: [email protected]

 Black History Month
February, 2016
 

Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. The event grew out of "Negro History Week," the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating black history.
 

UpcomingTraining

 

 Facilitator Training will be conducted in Bexar County February 18, 2016
9am-4pm by RSVP or referral only. Please contact Roberta Castaneda at 210-744-0642 or [email protected] to reserve your spot.
 
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These Resources May Interest You!
 

 

Texas Veterans Commission Women's Initiative 

  

Veterans Administration - Women Veterans

 

National Women Veterans of America

 

If you or a Veteran you know is in crisis or in need of immediate assistance please contact the Veteran Crisis Line at

 800-273-8255 and Press 1

 

January 2016
Greetings!

Welcome to the February edition of Grace After Fire's newsletter.  As an organization we are committed to keeping you up-to-date and informed about what we are planning for the future. Our mission of Grace After Fire is to provide the means for women Veterans to gain knowledge, insight and self-renewal. We are dedicated to helping women Veterans help themselves.
A WORD FROM THE CEO:

Ahhh....love is the air! Did you know that on the 14th day of this month, the second most popular day of the year, approximately 150 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged? Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories told all emphasize one thing: cupid is the symbol of love. Who would have ever thought a peculiar fellow wrapped in a cloth while carrying a bow and arrow would become the unforgotten symbol of this well-known love day.
 
Ohhhh.... the blessings that echo throughout generations to come when we simply step out and live a life worth remembering! As I sit behind my mahogany wood desk and lean against my black leather swivel chair, I wonder if the eyes that are soaking in these words live that type of life. What peculiar goal-oriented mission are you living out loud based on the purpose and destiny placed on your life? As you ponder that question for a moment, I would like to share these words spoken from former Air Force Officer Jones:
 
"After I left the military; I lost my way, my purpose and my drive. When I no longer had to put on my uniform each day, I lost my identity and was not sure of what I was supposed to be doing with the rest of my life. Four years have passed since I left the Air Force, and today, I have found my meaning to live again and to get up each day with purpose."
 
Maybe you're like this Veteran whose light was dimmed and then began to shine again; or maybe your light has gone completely out and you're still pushing to find a way to turn it back on. Regardless of which scenario you most identify with, let me encourage you with this- it's not too late for you to turn your current situation around. We all have a life purpose and it's up to each one of us to be present enough to discover not only what that purpose is, but how it connects and enhances the lives of others.
 
As I close, I want to leave you with this final thought:
I am powerful beyond measure, whatever I lay my hand too will prosper and succeed and everything I need to fulfill my mission is already inside me.
To live out your purpose is not only your calling, but your duty. Go out and make your mark everywhere you go by being a person on a mission that gives light to your untold story so that it will forever shine in the lives of all it encounters. And just like Cupid....you will be a heroic figure that will never be forgotten.
 
 
Cheers,
Mea K. Williams
 

 


        
 

 
VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH:

                                                                                                                  
                      
Miranda Barlow
 
                                                   
                                                    
 
Miranda Barlow, is a single mother of 2 girls. She is also a volunteer for MVPN, Grace After Fire and DAV. She is a trained peer support specialist and serves in Hays County, Guadalupe County, Bexar County and Comal County. She served in the U.S. Army for 4 years, in the 94th Combat Engineer Battalion., in Vilseck Germany. Miranda is originally from Fredericksburg,Texas but has made San Antonio her home since transitioning out of the Army. Among being a peer support specialist, Miranda also volunteers in the Veteran Treatment Court in Hays County, Comal County, Guadalupe County and Bexar County.
 
Miranda takes Buddy Check 22 very personal and will do anything in her power to reduce the number of suicides one by one. She is an excellent resource navigator and ensures the veterans are getting the proper assistance and follow-u[ from the resources. Miranda lost her sister in March of 2014 while going thru the Veteran Treatment Court in Guadalupe County. She knows what it is like to hit rock bottom. Now she is giving back to those who helped her while being down. She believes "We are our brothers and sisters keeper" and holds it dear to her heart. She is rough around the edges but gets the job done when need be. Miranda also finds time to coach her youngest volleyball team and go to her oldest basketball games as well as volleyball games. But she still makes time for those who need help and will stay up all night to make sure the Veteran is taken care of. She was the Keynote Speaker for the Comal County Veteran Treatment Court Grand Opening.
 
Miranda is trained with Military Veteran Peer Network and Grace After Fire and has attended VCAMP for the Veteran Treatment Court. She takes her coping methods and passes on for those who need it and can't handle other ways. She has the tools to make things happen as long as the veteran themselves will do what needs to be done. She drives and talks with veterans thru out all four counties and also helped the DAV in Seguin put a Thanksgiving together for the veterans who had nowhere to go for the holidays but needed a safe place with no alcohol or drugs. They were able to eat and watch the game with fellow veterans and enjoy the company without being alone and feeling miserable.
 
 
                                
GAF Happenings: Why NOT Join Us?

Metroplex:
Recruit Military
Dallas All Veteran Job Fair
February 25, 2016
Irving Convention Center
500 W. Las Colinas Blvd.
Irving, Texas

San Antonio:
San Antonio Hiring Expo with San Antonio Spurs
February 3, 2016 9:30am-2pm
AT&T Center
1 AT&T Center Parkway
San Antonio, Texas 78219
 
The Mission Continues
Buddy Check 22
February 22, 2016
Contact: George & Eva Davila
210-473-3349/210-473-6106
NCOA Job Fair
February 24, 2016 8:30am-12:30pm
Norris Conference Center
618 NW Loop 410 #207
San Antonio, Texas 78216
  
Houston:
Vet Center Open House
February 5, 2016 9am-2pm
14300 Cornerstone Village Dr #110
Houston, Texas 77014
Texas Housing Seminar
February 17, 2016 5pm-9pm
2235 Lake Robins Drive
The Woodland, Texas
 
   
 
  
Contact our Grace After Fire Team
  
Mea Williams-President/CEO
Melissa McKennon-Program Director
Roberta Castaneda-Bexar County Outreach Coordinator
Monique Rodriquez-Harris County Outreach Coordinator
Kanetrica Lyons-Harris County Outreach Coordinator 
Tandy Ervin -Board Chair 

Contact: [email protected] (for countries outside Bexar and Harris)

 

Grace After Fire
PO Box 218604 Houston, TX 77218