Our mission is intersecting faith and community to empower

Grayson County families to end child homelessness.

MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Hello March!

What an exciting month! The weather is unpredictable, trees are budding, and flowers are starting to bloom in this Lenten season of spiritual preparation and anticipation of rebirth.

We are coming off a month in which we received breathtaking donations and financial support from both businesses and individuals. Our guest family (a mom and her 14 year old son) moved into their own apartment. New volunteers have been trained, new partnerships formed, and so much more! The details are coming up, so please keep reading. You'll see what a difference you are making in our community!

May the blessings of each day be the blessings you need most.

Leigh

P.S. Remember to "Spring Forward" into Daylight Savings time on the 9th!

FULL OF ENERGY

The recent cold weather resulted in higher energy use and higher energy bills. For many families, this added expense is beyond their budget. Atmos Energy is fueling hope for our neighbors through their Sharing the Warmth program. Last week they gave Family Promise $10,000 to assist families with their gas bills! That really warms our hearts!

Special thanks to Travis Buckner, Manager of Public Affairs for Atmos, for partnering with Family Promise! He and Operations Supervisors Eli Hollandsworth and Kyle Cassell presented this large check to Family Promise for the benefit of local families. We also appreciate the crews of KXII and KTEN news for covering the presentation and for helping increase public awareness of some of the ways we serve our community.

Prior to the arrival of the Atmos Energy team, the staff of three Family Promise Affiliates met to compare notes and brainstorm ways of serving area families more effectively. Case Manager Josey Trevino Arvizu and Executive Director Sonji Allen (FP Irving), ED LaVeeta Hamilton (FP Collin Co.), ED Leigh Walker and Resource Advocates Kristi Shilling and Tara Hickerson (FP Grayson Co.) were energized by the discussion!

SHERMAN LEADERSHIP

Members of the Leadership Sherman Class donated volunteer hours and learned about Family Promise on their Social Service Agency Day. Aaron Stotler (Callie Clinic) and Tanya Robeson (Emerson Process Management) helped clear out a storage building at Hope on Houston in preparation for parking lot renovations. Family Promise gives donated household items to families setting up new homes.

Aaron Stotler, Tanya Robeson, Leigh Walker, and Kristi Shilling prepare a load of furniture to be donated to Habitat for Humanity's ReStore. We are so grateful for each of these community partnerships!

ROYAL CASE DELIVERS

Alexis Everett, Human Resources Manager at Royal Case Company, delivered a whole carload of donations collected by thoughtful Royal Case employees for guests of Family Promise. Their generous gift included vital supplies such as toilet paper, paper towels, shampoo, conditioner, feminine hygiene products, pillows/pillowcases, peanut butter, coffee, mops, and brooms. Huge thanks to the Royal Case team! Such kindness truly is a blessing to the many families we serve.

TOOL TALK RETURNS

Classes are free and open to the public. They will be held each Tuesday in March from 5:30 to 6:30 PM, beginning March 4th. To join the class, please call our office (903-771-0322, ext. 3).

If you are in need of handyman or window washing services, please call Jason at 512-579-1959.

SPRING FORWARD (Financially)

On Thursday, March 27th from 5:30-6:30 PM, Independent Financial will host a class on credit reports. This will be held at the Family Promise Day Center (901 E. Houston Street in Sherman). It is open to all who are interested. Snacks and child care will be provided. Please let us know if you plan to attend, so we can plan accordingly. RSVP: 903-771-0322

Hope to see you there!

Note: Child care assistants are needed during the class. If you are a trained Family Promise Volunteer and would like to help out, please let Leigh know (903-271-1088).

Last week, Larsha' Thomas (Independent Financial) and Joshua Whitworth (First National Bank of Tom Bean) collaborated to teach about spending and saving.

The older children took advantage of the warmer weather and played outside while their parents attended the banking class. Additional thanks to Independent Financial for providing pizza for everyone!

STAYING HEALTHY

OTHER HAPPY HAPPENINGS

As part of a new Family Promise initiative for lowering barriers for services, Renee Nichols of the Pottsboro Public Library presented Family Promise of Grayson County with two phones for use by families that cannot afford a telephone. Being able to access services, jobs, medical care, schools, etc. is critical for families, especially those on the brink of homelessness. We are so grateful for Renee and the Pottsboro library! Thank you for partnering with us on this!

At a recent missions fair at Georgetown Baptist Church in Pottsboro, folks of all ages learned about child homelessness and why we want to end it. Thank you, GBC, for all the ways you support Family Promise!

Speaking of learning about Family Promise, a Family Promise Volunteer training session was held at Grace Lutheran Church. Eight new volunteers (including four from First United Methodist church in Whitesboro) are now trained and eager to host our guests!

Next month we will participate once again in Austin College's Green Serve Day. Student volunteers will be sprucing up the grounds at our Tabitha House (transitional home in Knollwood). If you have gardening suggestions or bulbs or flowers you would like to share, we would love to improve the outdoor appearance! Let Leigh know (903-271-1088).

MARCH HOST CONGREGATIONS

CLOSING THOUGHT

May peace and plenty bless your world

With a joy that long endures,

And may all life's passing seasons

Bring the best to you and yours.

~An Irish Blessing