United Way of Abilene will celebrate community involvement and local impact at its Annual Meeting, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., February 14, at the Abilene Civic Center. During the meeting, the Board of Directors will present the financial statements and recognize incoming and outgoing Board Members. One community member will receive the Volunteer Service Award for a lifetime of service. Other local volunteers and businesses will also be recognized for their outstanding community involvement.

VisionLink CEO Doug Zimmerman will highlight the value of community partnerships in producing community impacts and share the importance of producing tangible outcomes to identify and fulfill community needs.

Community members are invited to reserve an individual seat for $25 or a table for 10 for $250. Reservations are secured upon payment. Call 325-677-1841 for more information.

The workshops cover basic home budgeting concepts and review money management principles. Attendees will receive a general budget example and one-on-one time to set up personalized budgets; daily tracking, expenses and income will also be discussed.

Assistance with credit checks, financial counseling, and tax return preparation is available upon request.

Community members may call 325-672-8980 to reserve a seat.

In addition to financial education, the West Central Texas Center for Economic Opportunity, provides student financial aid information, small business support, tax preparation services and helps people buy a home, advance their education or start a business through Individual Development Accounts. The Center is part of a Community Initiative led by the United Way of Abilene in partnership with Dodge Jones Foundation to help promote financial stability and independence for area families.

APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT

DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION

Businesses are encouraged to increase their investment or make a contribution as part of the blitz campaign effort.

Hundreds of volunteers are needed to obtain these financial gifts, which will help create a network of care for our community in 2012.

To sign up for one or multiple shifts, complete and submit the volunteer sign up form here.

We all have unique strengths. When we combine them for our community, we can impact lives.

Additional blitz week details will be posted at http://unitedwayabilene.org/blitz/ as they become available.

This year’s West Central Texas H-E-B Feast of Sharing is scheduled for December 6th, at the Abilene Civic Center.  Volunteers are needed to help with all the aspects of serving dinner to approximately 8,000 people on December 6th. The event features a seated dinner, live entertainment, resources service fair, children’s area, and much more.

The H-E-B Feast of Sharing provides a volunteer opportunity for families, service clubs, first-time volunteers, Sunday School groups, and college bound students who need volunteer involvement on their resume.  For youth between the ages of 12-17, we require one adult for every 3 youth to work side-by-side.  This will help assure that all youth have a successful volunteer experience. To volunteer complete the volunteer forms linked below or call 2-1-1 during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Volunteer Information

Individual Volunteer Registration Form

Group Volunteer Registration Form

Classes range from spending and saving wisely to borrowing and understanding credit. A complete schedule of classes is available below. The Center is located at 1102 N. 3rd St in the Wooten Building in downtown Abilene; all classes will begin at 6 p.m. and are scheduled to end at approximately 8 p.m.

Reservations are requested to ensure adequate seating. Community members interested in attending these free seminars may call 325-672-8980 to register.

This joint initiative provides a valuable resource to area families seeking greater financial understanding and self-sufficiency; it’s one of several programs offered at the West Central Texas Center for Economic Opportunity.
In addition to financial education, the West Central Texas Center for Economic Opportunity provides free tax preparation services, student financial aid information, small business support, and helps people buy a home, advance their education or start a business through Individual Development Accounts.

The Center is part of a Community Initiative led by the United Way of Abilene in partnership with Dodge Jones Foundation to help promote financial stability and independence for area families.

October 17
Check It Out Part 1
Check It Out Part 2

October 25
To Your Credit
Money Matters

November 1
Keep It Safe
Pay Yourself First

November 8
Charge It Right
Loan to Own

November 15
Financial Recovery

November 17
Your Own Home
Now What?

The 4th annual Community Resource Fair will be held, Thursday, Oct. 13, from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Abilene Civic Center during ArtWalk. The Community Resource Fair is a collaborative effort of community connection which focuses on area resources and services which positively impact parents, students, and the entire Abilene community.

The fair brings together people with common interests from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, ages and socioeconomic levels into a community relationship filled with people, music, culture, tools and community resources. More than 60 community agencies will participate and provide information for children, adults and families in the areas of education, social, health and wellness.

The event is coordinated by the AISD Special Education Department, Region 14 Education Service Center, and United Way of Abilene. Additional team members and sponsors include HEB, the Early Childhood Education Program, community agencies, and local service providers.

The fair provides a one-stop opportunity for parents, students and Abilenians to learn about and take advantage of the quality community resources available to Abilene residents. Families and individuals have the opportunity to personally connect with representatives of agencies and educational programs available in the community.

In addition to this opportunity to visit agency booths, AISD and community youth performance groups will entertain throughout the evening. There will be story reading by community celebrities several times each hour as well as a variety of fun children’s activities, including art opportunities.

All adults attending will be given a Resources Roundup map/game piece which will guide participants to resource providers. For adults who visit each booth and get a signature, a string back-pack will be awarded to each child attending with an adult. There will be 500 backpacks available.

This fair validates each sponsor’s commitment to make a difference in the lives of all Abilene community members. The goal is for every family and young person to gain information that will increase the opportunity for educational and individual success.

The entire Abilene community is invited to join and support the Community Resource Fair. This is an excellent event for families to get connected and become partners in building a healthy community that thrives and positively supports children, youth and families in our schools.

Main Stage Entertainment Schedule
• 4:00 – 4:30 HEB Reading/Headstart Literacy
• 4:30 – 5:00 Zumba with Jason
• 5:00 – 5:30 Dan Egger-Bellandria, Drummer, Young Audiences
• 5:30 – 6:00 Abilene BELL CHOIR
• 6:00 – 6:30 Team Chip Martial Arts

Upstairs Conference Room
4-5:30 pm–Getting the Most Out of Medicaid, Texas Department of State Health Services
6-8:00 pm–Parents in the Know: Understanding Special Education, Region 14 Education Service Center for Teaching and Learning

Day Nursery of Abilene plans to do its part by involving every child who attends one of the four Day Nursery child care centers. Classrooms in each center will read Llama Llama Red Pajama beginning at 9:00 am on October 6th. Many children will wear pajamas and will be encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animals. Some classes will make floppy ears to wear while others will make llama puppets. Other activities include playing “I spy something red” and eating red snacks. Staff will talk about bedtime rituals with the children ask what makes the children happy and sad. Day Nursery of Abilene is proud to participate in the fun event!
#
The Day Nursery of Abilene is a private, non-profit child care organization established in 1972 and a United Way of Abilene partner program. Today the centers provide child care for more than 600 children in four licensed facilities and include school-readiness programming. . The Day Nursery of Abilene’s mission is to provide affordable quality child care for a diverse community.