Habitat for Humanity opens doors of hope for local families

The United Way of Central Texas is a proud sponsor of the Fort Hood Habitat for Humanity.  The Fort Hood Area Habitat for Humanity builds houses for low-income families using volunteer labor in the service area of Bell, Coryell and Lampasas Counties of Central Texas. Since 1994, our local Habitat for Humanity has completed 61 homes.

Families are selected based on three primary criteria: income, need and willingness to partner with Habitat. The family selection committee reviews the applications, completes a home visit and verifies application information. Habitat for Humanity follows all fair housing laws during the process of selecting families.

Accepted families then must have the ability to repay.  Habitat for Humanity partner families are low income, but have enough income to make a house payment and pay their bills. They must also be able to perform 300-400 hours of “sweat equity,” which is to help work on their Habitat home and other Habitat family homes.  Finally, they must have a severe need for housing. Where they are currently living at the time is not adequate due either to overcrowding, unsafe or unaffordable housing.

The Average price of a local Habitat home in the local area is $45,000. The homes they build cost less for several reasons. The single, greatest cost of building a home is labor.  The Central Texas volunteers who help build the Habitat homes are a key reason why construction cost is decreased.  By using skilled and unskilled volunteer labor, Habitat is able to save on labor costs. In-kind donations of construction materials also help defray the cost of building these homes.

Once the home is complete it is sold to the family in need.  They are then responsible to pay a zero interest mortgage to reimburse Habitat for Humanity over a 20-30 year time span.  The mortgage payments, minus escrow, are put back into the program to help build other homes for more families. They also pay property taxes, insurance and are responsible for the upkeep of their homes. 

One of the most vital long-term solutions of Habitat homeownership is their accomplishment in breaking the cycle of poverty.   A recent study indicates that a child raised in a safe and secure home is 25% more likely to graduate high school, 59% more likely to live in a safe and secure home when they grow up, and 116% more likely to go to college.

Another affirmative outcome of the Habitat for Humanity projects is the positive impact on the new homeowners. Because of their encouraging experience, they gain greater self-confidence and feel protected with the assurance of safe, decent housing.  It is confirmations like these that continue to draw local Habitat for Humanity volunteers to help those less fortunate within the community.

The United Way of Central Texas helps to ensure that the local Habitat for Humanity has the funding it needs to continue giving in need families, hope for a better future. For more information on UWCT agencies or to make an online donation, visit www.uwct.org . If you would like to give a cash or check gift, send to P.O. Box 1312, Temple, TX, 76503. You may also text “UWCT” to 85944 to make a $5 pledge.

BCYC opens its door and heart to Central Texas children

The Belton Christian Youth Center (BCYC) is a sponsored United Way of Central Texas agency. Their operational expenses are paid for by the funding that we provide. Their organization was founded in 1999 by Jerry Brentham and Roy Wood to help at risk youth, providing them an opportunity for recreational programs and activities.

Today, BCYC continues to grow as it serves close to 1,200 kids every year in approximately 30,000 square feet of building/gymnasium space. They are dependent on the continued assistance of dedicated partners such as the United Way of Central Texas and the surrounding community.

BCYC offers a positive alternative for latch-key students both after-school and in summer, providing education and recreation activities for children throughout the community. BCYC gives tuition assistance for lower-income families. Volunteers aid in homework assistance and tutoring, and computer access is available for all children at the facility. Students also participate in a weekly devotional time that is led by an activity staff member. 

BCYC encourages children to learn priceless social skills by engaging them in activities and encouraging them to meet new friends. A variety of opportunities are provided for the students in order to ensure that they can participate in activities that appeal to them as an individual. The Belton Christian Youth Center provides two game rooms, a full gymnasium with eight basketball goals, two activity rooms and a homework/reading area. Other outside activities include soccer, baseball, kickball, basketball and four-square. BCYC is also dependent upon businesses within the local community for athletic team sponsorship.

Lessons are also given to the students to prevent future at-risk behavior. Some partners include: Juvenile Probation, Department of Agriculture, First Baptist Church Belton, Belton Church of Christ, BISD, Safe Kids, Council on Drug and Alcohol Prevention, STARRY - A Children at Heart Ministry, ARROW Parenting, Ft. Hood/Military Family Assistance, and others.

Because the community continues to grow, BCYC is now working to provide an additional facility for students. For more information on how you can help this agency and other UWCT agencies or to make an online donation, visit www.uwct.org . If you would like to give a cash or check gift, send to P.O. Box 1312, Temple, TX, 76503. You may also text “UWCT” to 85944 to make a $5 pledge.



Peaceable Kingdom Retreat for Children offers more than a piece of their heart

                Peaceable Kingdom Retreat for Children has a mission to offer a place where children with chronic illness or special needs, and their families, can celebrate the health-giving benefits of nature. With help from United Way of Central Texas, it is possible for this agency to serve lives within the Bell County community who are facing these challenges. PKRC offers hope and peace to families by giving them the opportunity to be in a non-hospital setting while still learning the necessary coping skills to better cope with treatment. Partnering with families, schools and medical groups, the loving agency is uniquely able to meet the cognitive, physical and emotional needs of children living with serious medical conditions such as:

                Autism                    Diabetes         Cancer                   Blindness           Deafness

                Missing Limbs     Amputation      Cystic Fibrosis     Cerebral Palsy   Asthma               

                Displaced Youth  Arthrogryposis Mixed Diagnosis  Neurological Disorders

   The Peaceable Kingdom Retreat for Children offers several programs to help enrich the lives of the families they are serving. The Weekend Retreat Program operates September through May to allow hospitals and support groups to visit the retreat where children, their siblings, parents and medical providers enjoy respite and recreation. Activities are organized for children with special needs and their families, which are fun and safe. Approximately 500 children and adults are served through the Retreat Program annually.

During the warmer months, the Summer Camp Program is a great opportunity for patients to participate in activities geared towards social development and enhancing physical achievement. This option encourages children with chronic illness to participate in one of twelve week-long, diagnosis-specific camps by arrangement with their hospital or professional organization. Each summer, over 500 children participate in this program.

The most unique activity that the agency offers is the Physical Therapy Program. The natural resources and recreational spirit of the retreat center is used to enhance rehabilitation exercises through a non-clinical therapeutic environment. It engages a child with disabilities to meet emotional, social and vocational challenges, as well as leverage the intended benefits of physical therapy. This program is fairly new and still building, last year, over 50 patients participated. 

The United Way of Central Texas is a proud partner for the Peaceable Kingdom Retreat for Children. Without donations from the local community, we would not be able to keep agencies like PKRC up and running. For more information about United Way of Central Texas agencies or to make an online donation, visit www.uwct.org. If you would like to give a cash or check gift, send to P.O. Box 1312, Temple, TX, 76503. You may also text “UWCT” 85944 to make a $5 pledge.

     

Local angels share their love

The door of the shelter welcomes all who enter.

            Our Lady of the Angels Maternity Shelter is a supported United Way of Central Texas agency. Their mission is to provide shelter for women in crisis pregnancy and postpartum by offering a loving and stable environment to support the mother and child in their efforts to create a hopeful future for themselves.

 The housing is located at 613 S. 9^th Street in Temple and is run by loving and supporting people who are working to better the lives of women in crisis. They open a friendly door for people who would otherwise have nowhere else to go.The shelter is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is licensed by the State of Texas, to house up to 12 pregnant and/or newly delivered women or teens, including their children.

Residents can seek spiritual growth in the chapel room.

            The shelter is run by Staff Administrator JaLeta Tidmore, Social Service Assistant Stacey Mason and Administrative Assistant Lafon Eary. Guests at the shelter are cared for by two housing parents, nuns with the Sister of the Sacred Sciences, Sister Sini Paul and Sister Lincy Joseph.

The maternity ward is a safe haven

            Our Lady of the Angels Maternity Shelter provides services to help their guests grow in spiritual awareness, parenting and self-esteem. Safe emergency shelter, food, clothing, personal items are also provided on immediate arrival. The women and children in need are given referrals for spiritual growth, medical attention, legal help, law enforcement concerns, and other social service agencies within the area, to fulfill the individual’s personal needs.

Sister Lincy Jospeh ensures all the residents needs are met.

            The agency has a variety of life enriching programs to help educate the women staying with them about pregnancy, labor and delivery, child care, nutrition, parenting skills, relationships, decision making, budgeting of time and money, and recreational opportunities. The programs are set up to help brighten the future of the mother and her child with hope, by starting with these foundational building blocks for a healthy lifestyle. Documented success by the shelter shows that 95 percent of women who have stayed at the shelter, are now living independently or have reconciled with their families.

The dining room where hot meals are served.

The United Way of Central Texas helps to ensure that the Our Lady of the Angels Maternity Shelter has the funding that they need to stay in operation. For more information on UWCT agencies or to make an online donation, visit www.uwct.org . If you would like to give a cash or check gift, send to P.O. Box 1312, Temple, TX, 76503. You may also text “UWCT” to 85944 to make a one time $5 donation.

UWCT supports the Heart of Texas American Red Cross

 

The Heart of Texas American Red Cross is one of the five crisis service agencies partnered with United Way of Central Texas. When neighbors are in need, they are there to provide relief and support during life’s most critical times. The agency says when fires, floods and other natural disasters that often occur without warning demand immediate assistance; they will be present, offering resources and care at the real and immediate point of need. United Way of Central Texas is a proud supporter of the Heart of Texas American Red Cross. Through local donations from the community, we are able to help keep them up and running.

Here are a few Heart of Texas American Red Cross facts:

• The Heart of Texas Area Chapter serves more than One Million people.
• Last year, your Red Cross provided disaster relief services to 451 families, and more than 1400 individuals.
• They connect more than 3700 emergency messages between members of the military and their families.

Although we are a huge support for the Heart of Texas American Red Cross, we are not the only reason they are in operation. The heart of this agency pumps because of over 200 volunteers, office assistants and over 500 health and safety volunteers that devote their time to helping others. It is through their kindness and love for their community, that they are reaching out hands to help struggling friends get back on their feet.

In the last two months, the state of Texas has experienced severe dry heat. With little rain fall, many grass fires have formed and firefighters have been tirelessly putting out the flames. In order to aid in the crisis, Red Cross volunteers provided over 300 meals and snacks to our brave heroes while they fought grass fires. Last year, the agency responded to an average of 1.2 house fires every day. They offered disaster relief for fire victims by providing daily essential needs and assistance. 

The Heart of Texas American Red Cross is also reaching out to our local community by offering CPR, first aid and lifeguarding classes. In the last year, they have trained over 12,900 people in the Central Texas area with these life saving skills. The agency has also partnered with local Universities to form registered campus clubs to help educate our community in preparedness for disaster relief.

United Way of Central Texas is thankful for the services that the Heart of Texas American Red Cross provides. We are also thankful to the hundreds of volunteers that give their time, energy and donations to help support what they do.  

For more information about United Way of Central Texas agencies or to make an online donation, please visit www.uwct.org. If you would like to give a cash or check gift, send to P.O. Box 1312, Temple, TX, 76503. You can also text "UWCT" to 85944 to make a one time $5 gift.

United Way Central Texas Community Impact

Health and Hope for the Holidays, Free Thanksgiving Dinner for the Homeless and the Hungry

   

                The 9^th Annual Health and Hope for the Holidays, free Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless and the hungry was a success! Businesses and volunteers from across Central Texas joined together by donating their time, to provide those in need with a hot meal. Over 500 people attended the dinner, several of them were families. Those who ate, had all the fixings of a true Thanksgiving dinner; turkey, gravy, green beans, corn, mashed potatoes, rolls and pie. Drinks were also provided and were distributed by volunteers with trays. At the center of every table, there was also a bowl, overflowing with apples, oranges and bananas; and was refilled before you even noticed pieces had been eaten. Winter coats and jackets were also available for those who were in need of one. Volunteers helped to sort sizes, to best fit the new owners. A station was also set up for attendees to receive a free flu vaccination and hygiene packets.

            Several social services agency booths were set up, including United Way, to provide guests with information about available family, crisis, specialized, support and youth services. I was able to personally speak with several guests about their experience at the dinner. Each person was so appreciative of everything. It was amazing to see how one act of kindness, effected people so deeply. Parents who were not able to provide a Thanksgiving meal, said they were happy that their children were able to receive one, thanks to caring volunteers.

            The Health and Hope for the Holidays Thanksgiving Dinner, is just one of the many ways that United Way Central Texas is reaching out to the community. Please contact UWCT at (254)778-8616, if you would like more information on how you can get involved and make a difference for Central Texans in need.

Families in Crisis

My name is Mary Beth Kelton and I am the marketing communications coordinator for United Way Central Texas. I decided to create this blog; to better help people understand what United Way Central Texas does. We currently fund 27 different agencies that provide 200,000 social services. When you give to UWCT, you're helping to meet the needs of people in our community. From early childhood education to specialized care, youth development to senior services, UWCT is the best investment you can make in the strength and health of Central Texas. This year, more families than ever before in our area, are in need of help. Whether it's finding the next meal, job training and placement, affordable daycare, or rent and mortgage assistance, United Way Central Texas is helping people find the resources they need.

Recently, I had the privilege of visiting one of the agencies that we fund, called Families in Crisis. They are a non-profit shelter, where Central Texas women and children can go for support. The women and children who stay at the shelter are either escaping severe domestic violence or sexual assault and it is vital for them to be removed from the situation.

Upon my arrival, Bellia the shelter’s coordinator, greeted me. She began to give me an introduction to what the shelter is all about. Families in Crisis can house up 16 women and children; many of them are families who arrive together. The shelter has a 24-hour hotline and staff, readily available to assist any woman or child, in need to escape from severe domestic violence and/or sexual assault. If Families in Crisis thinks there is necessary means to remove the woman and her children (if she has any) from the situation, they will organize for a cab to pick them up at a public location if they have no means of transportation.

Upon arriving at the shelter the women are given all essential items to everyday living, toiletries, clothes, food, water and safe shelter. The woman can then receive counseling if it is needed. The shelter consists of several bedrooms that contain bunk beds and baby cribs. There is also a kitchen area, living room, single sized bathroom, family sized bathroom, playroom and outside play set for the children. Families in Crisis will take care of the women and children, as they aid them in starting a new life and getting back on their own feet. As we neared the end of the tour, I noticed a brown box, sitting on a table near the back door. The box was filled with rice, crackers, cereal, juice, plates, napkins and utensils. Another box was by the door and it was filled with little household items, such as a lamp, picture frame and vase; among other things. I asked Bellia what the boxes were for and she told me that one of the women in the shelter, was getting ready to leave. Every item that was in those two boxes, was all she had.

The employees at Families in Crisis work hard, around the clock, to ensure Central Texas women and children, who are experiencing emotional and physical abuse, have a place to go for safety. The shelter is always in continual need of support to run. If you would like to give a donation, please call United Way Central Texas at (254) 778-8616. Together, we can continue to improve the quality of life for those in need.