Grace After Fire


Quick Links
Leadership Nugget:


"Frustration will always follow when we use our personal gifting as a source of measurement on how we think other people should  perform or conduct themselves; in the work place, in relationships and in their communities.  If we continue to walk in our own gifting and internal knowing, we then unconsciously become the change that you want to see happen."

 

Table Talk



For more information contact:
 

Harris County:

Monique Rodriguez (281) 698-0306

[email protected]

 

Kanetrica PattonLyons (713) 409-2081

[email protected]

 

Tana Plescher (281) 738-0330

[email protected]

 

Alamo Region:

Melissa McKennon (210) 887-8608


Roberta Castaneda (210) 744-0642
 
Laly Cholak (210) 247-7662
 
Metroplex
Cassie Winslow (469) 543-3071


Houston Table Talk Color Me Camo Flyer



 

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

 
Labor Day
September 5, 2016
(Our offices will be closed)





Labor Day is annually held on the first Monday of September. It was originally organized to celebrate various labor associations' strengths of and contributions to the United States economy. It is largely a day of rest in modern times. Many people mark Labor Day as the end of the summer season and a last chance to make trips or hold outdoor events.


The first Labor Day was held in 1882. Its origins stem from the desire of the Central Labor Union to create a holiday for workers. It became a federal holiday in 1894. It was originally intended that the day would be filled with a street parade to allow the public to appreciate the work of the trade and labor organizations. After the parade, a festival was to be held to amuse local workers and their families. In later years, prominent men and women held speeches. This is less common now, but is sometimes seen in election years. One of the reasons for choosing to celebrate this on the first Monday in September was to add a holiday in the long gap between Independence Day and Thanksgiving.


      -------------------------------------------------

9/11 Never Forgotten





------------------------------------------------------
Upcoming Events

October 8, 2016
 
 


undefined


Grace After Fire's Couples Retreat
West Texas Ranch
December 2-4, 2016
 
----------------------------------------------------------
Grace In The Community
2016
 
Grace After Fire Texas A & M San Antonio 5K Pup Run


        
Sergeant Audie L. Murphy Club and Grace After Fire at Behavioral Health and Wellness Conference
 
 
 
Grace After Fire at the Suicide Prevention Symposium
 

Training

 

      

 Facilitator Training will be conducted in the Alamo Region, September 22, 2016
8:30am-4:30pm by RSVP or referral only. Please contact Roberta Castaneda at 210-744-0642 or 
 to reserve your spot.
 ----------------------------------------------------
These Resources May Interest You!


 

 

 

 

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 September 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:


A familiar enemy recently visited me in my thoughts...fear. Fear, a formidable enemy, wars with my courage threatening to hold my future hostage. As a warrior, I know only two things can occur on the battlefield with this persistent enemy: fight or flight. If I fight, then I must be courageous enough to look fear in the face and be determined to press on towards my destiny....or...I could give up. I could lay still in the corner while fear beats me into submission and stay paralyzed by thoughts of defeat.
 
What would you do?
 
If you find yourself identifying with the latter statement, you are not alone. However, while you're lying there, remember that with every taunt, every lie, fear is stealing your future. Each of us is equipped with a seed of courage that we must nurture in order for it to develop roots strong enough to support the fruit bearing tree we were meant to become. In order to nurture the seed, you must be fearless...or...just do it while you're afraid, but don't die paralyzed in a corner!
 
Need a little more encouragement? Okay. Franklin Roosevelt sums up fear this way...
 
...the only thing we have to fear is fear itself -
Nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance...
 
Two more examples of courage are Alexander Graham Bell and the Wright Brothers. These great men did not allow unjustified terror to stop them from exploring the world with their talents and gifts. Think for a moment what would have happened if Bell and the Wright Brothers had chosen to cower in a corner because they were too afraid to try. We would still be communicating with tin cans on a string while traveling long distances by horse and buggy! My point is that because of these inventors someone else said to themselves "If they can, I can too!"
 
As my thoughts come to a close, I want you to know that my courage is winning the fight with fear. There are days I lose a couple of yards on the battlefield, but I will not be defeated! So, if I can do it, you can too.
 
"It's not whether or not you will be afraid from time to time or come face-to-face with life's challenges -because you will, I will.
It's whether or not you will choose to look fear in the face and become paralyzed or look fear in the face and conquer it one feat at a time.
 
I challenge you to stand tall as your seed of courage grows into the light of its destiny. Let your leaves bask in the freedom of knowing that fear did not conquer you and that your legacy will inspire generations to say "If she can, then I can too!"
 


 
Cheers,
Mea Williams




 


HELP US WELCOME HOME KANETRICA PATTON
                                                                                       


Kanetrica Patton


Kanetrica was born in Cleveland, Texas and partially raised in Houston, Texas. She always knew that she wanted to be a great influence to her community and make a difference in the world, so she joined the United States Army at the age of 17.  She has served both as an Active Duty and Reserves Soldier over the past 19 years. She has been deployed to Iraq (2003) for Operation Iraqi Freedom as a Pipeline Engineer, Rambala Panama (2007) as a Construction Supervisor for a vertical/horizontal construction engineering rehabilitation project, Fort Sill Oklahoma (2008-2010) as an Observer Controller/Trainer (OC/T) on military weapon systems; Fort Hood, Texas (2012-2013) as an Observer Controller/Trainer (OC/T) on IED Force Protection/Drivers Training lanes for deploying Soldiers and Airmen; and Afghanistan (2015-2016) for Operation Resolute Sentinel as Supply Support Activity (SSA) NCOIC for Logistics. Throughout the 19 years of service she has had the distinguished opportunity to serve as a Trainer Facilitator on weapon systems, force protection and drivers training for mobilizing Soldiers; both Army and National Guard, Air Force Airman (platoons/squadrons), and the Navy.  She has also served in the capacity of Equal Opportunity Leader, Family Readiness Liaison, SHARP SARC and Logistics NCOIC. Kanetrica continues to protect and serve in the United States Army Reserve on the home front to keep her country free.


Kanetrica received her Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering Technology, Master of Arts in Counseling; and Master of Science with a Concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy from Prairie View A&M University.


Kanetrica now uses her vase knowledge and expertise while serving as an Outreach Coordinator on the Grace After Fire team.  With a strong support system of her family to include; two daughters Jaidah and Jordyn whom she adores greatly. Kanetrica's motivation, heart and passion ensures that the mission: Helping Women Veterans help themselves is executed and that the work she does everyday changes the lives she serves.
 


        


GAF Happenings: Why NOT Join Us?


Metroplex
Dallas Career Fair
September 8, 2016 11am-2pm
Wyndham Hotel Dallas Love Field
3300 W. Mockingbird Ln
Dallas, Texas 75235


Veterans Job Fair
September 22, 2016 10:00am-2:00pm
Sycamore Community Center
2525 East Rosedale Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76105


San Antonio:
Goodwill Industries
Workshops (RSVP Required)
3730 N. Loop 1604 East (Bulverde & 1604)  ▪  San Antonio, TX 78247
September 7, 2016 1-3pm Resume Writing
September 15, 2016 10:00am-12:30pm Federal Employment Process
September 22, 2016 1-3pm Personal Branding
September 29, 2016 1-4pm Interview Skills
Contact: Kennisha Sharp (210) 924-8581 Ext. 5908


JBSA Transition Information Program
September 12, 2016 8:00am-12:30pm
Sam Houston Community Center, Bldg. 1395 Chaffee
JBSA, TX
To Register call 221-1213.



Feed My Starving Children
September 17, 2016
First Baptist Church
1401 Pat Booker Rd
Universal City, Texas 78148


Pottery Painting Blue Star Caregivers
September 17, 2016 11:am-3:00pm
Steven A. Cohen Military Family Center
6363 DeZavala
San Antonio, Texas 78249


Financial Literacy
Dress for Success San Antonio
September 22, 2016 9:30am-11:30am
600 N. Frio
San Antonio, Texas 78207
Registration Deadline September 19, 2016
Contact: Shavonne (210) 737-1515


The Mission Continues Buddy Check 22
September 22, 2016
Contact: George & Eva Davila
210-473-3349/6106


Camp Bullis Job Fair
September 30, 2016 9am-3pm
Drill Hall
21200 Camp Bullis Rd, Bldg 5044
Camp Bullis, Texas 78257
Contact:  Suehein Valle/Jennifer Garza at 1-210-698-1180 Ext. 7854715 or 7854716


Veterans Centers by PTSD Foundation of America
Every Thursday 7-8:30pm
Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital Thousand Oaks
Building 500
14747 Jones Maltsberger
San Antonio, Texas 78247
(210) 402-0663
 


Houston:
Houston All Veterans Job Fair 
September 7, 2016 11am-3pm
Minute Maid Park
501 Crawford St
Houston, Texas 77002


Emergency Management Summit
September 20-22, 2016 8am-4pm
Carden-Waller Building Prairie View A&M University
E.M. Norris St.
Prairie View, Texas, 77446


Women 2016: Navigating the Corridors of Powers
September 24, 2016 9:00am-1:00pm
University of St. Thomas: Jerabeck Activity Center
3807 Graustark
Houston, Texas 77006
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/women-2016-navigating-the-corridors-of-power-tickets-26307091218?aff=es2




                    
   Contact our Grace After Fire Team


      
  
Mea Williams-President and CEO

Melissa McKennon-Program Director
Roberta Castaneda- Lead Outreach Coordinator
Laly Cholak- Outreach Coordinator

Monique Rodriquez- Outreach Coordinator
Kanetrica Lyons- Outreach Coordinator 
Tana Plescher- Outreach Coordinator
Cassie Winslow- Outreach Coordinator
Tandy Ervin -Board Chair 


Contact: [email protected] (for counties outside Alamo Region, Metroplex, and Harris)
DONATORS &SUPPORTERS


A BIG thank you to our past and current donators and supporters. We greatly appreciate and value your assistance and continued support.


 




 

Grace After Fire
PO Box 218604 Houston, TX 77218



Grace After Fire | PO Box 218604 | Houston | TX | 77218