Help New Horizons win a free five minute video to tell about what we do for our kids!

New Horizons needs your help!

Right now, Abilene Gives (a website to showcase Abilene non-profits)
is running a contest for local non-profits on their website.

From their website:

Abilene Gives has partnered with IN-Focus Digital to give a
local nonprofit a fully produced, five minute video for free!
This prize (value: $2,500) includes all videography, editing
and producing of a new video to help local charities tell their
story more effectively. The contest runs from December 21,
2010 through January 20, 2011.

Why?

This is a chance for some publicity in Abilene and will allow us the
opportunity to let people know why we care so much about the kids
we help! It’s a chance to tell them why New Horizons’ kids are so important!

How do I vote?

You can vote each day by one of two ways (or both!). Just
add Abilene Gives as a friend on Facebook and post the name
“New Horizons” on their wall. You can also text “New Horizons” to
865-224-6747. Remember, you can do this every day! The more
votes we get, the closer we are to a free video!

With your help, we can make this happen! So come on and
get to posting! J

New Horizons' Executive Director interviews on Austin's Channel 8

Foster care panel finalizes system redesign

A year of meetings, discussions and disagreements came to a close Monday.Twenty-eight members of the Public Private Partnership, assembled to improve the state's foster care system, submitted their recommendations.All recommendations submitted were required to stay within the system's $107 million budget.

For the past 21 years, Michael Redden worked in the private sector running New Horizons in Abilene. Now, he co-chairs the partnership. "In this process, the providers came together, the stakeholders that have a vested interest and work together, and in the end, I feel like we have partners. When you have a partnership, focusing on the best interest of the children, [the] children have the best opportunity for success," Redden said.

If lawmakers approve the model, it could begin rolling out by January 2012.

A Story of Hope by Hope

The following story was written by Hope and submitted on the day of her adoption.

I can relate to thousands of kids in foster care, I mean I was a foster child myself and through all the struggles I’ve had to go through, I am definitely a stronger person. There is a typical image for foster kids, you’re bad, you can’t be trusted, and you’re always going be the trouble maker. I’ve had those labels and trust me it gets old after so long. Most children are going try and live up to that stereotype because it’s always preached to them by peers, teachers, siblings and sometimes even foster parents. I had such a hard time trying to change that for myself but eventually I did it!

I came from a big family, the second born of six children and always had the role of being the big sister which usually meant more responsibility. My mom was always in and out of jail and my dad was only there sometimes, they were both drug addicted and alcohol addicted.  My mom got pregnant as a teen which is the main reason she never grew up, she’ll never truly understand what it’s like to be a mom and my father was one of the types of guys that never wanted to accept his responsibility.  My grandmother was always the one who took care of all six of us, I don’t know how my life would be if I didn’t have that wonderful woman in my life. 

I went through a period of time in my life were I was experimenting with drugs, I didn’t listen to anyone, I thought I was grown up, I was miss independent. 11 years old and I was in the streets not doing what most kids my age did, I would sneak out at night to go and smoke. I wasn’t in school anymore, I pretty much dropped out before I even got into Jr. High. It’s insane when I start thinking about it now because I know I’m a much better person then that. I got into so much trouble and never once thought about the consequences of tomorrow. I made a huge mistake but in end it eventually all caught up to me.

First Baptist Church of Gail Dedication

First Baptist Church of Gail, Texas will hold their dedication of the church's new building this Sunday November, 14th. 28 children & staff from the New Horizons Audrey Grace House will attend as special guests. First Baptist will host a Thanksgiving meal after the morning worship service and a dedication service following the meal.

First Baptist Church of Gail and the Borden county community supports the Audrey Grace House and holds a Christmas party each year supplying the children with Christmas presents.

"This is our charity and our children." said Randy Hardman pastor of First Baptist Church. "We all need to join in and help our kids."

This last year nine children we removed from their homes in nearby Dawson county due to abuse, neglect or children who suffered trauma. New Horizons served eight of the nine children from this West Texas area.

"We work with children who need help dealing with the past and help build a better future. New Horizons efforts have had great success over the last 40 years. Two children from this West Texas area were placed this year in foster care and are doing very well. Three other children will be returning to family members this November. It is exciting to see a child heal and move on to a more positive life." said Gary Barker, Audrey Grace House Director.

KTAB Santa's Helper Again this Year

KTAB reads letters to Santa from children in our area and collects gifts for Christmas each year. Like last year New Horizons children will be a part of the KTAB Santa helpers.

Audrey Grace Auction Donated Breedings Now Available!

The DeGraff Stables http://degraffstables.com/ stallions are once again honored to donate a breeding to the 9th Annual Audrey Grace Auction.  If you are looking to breed to one of our great stallions we are pleased to offer their 2011 services through the Audrey Grace Benefit.  Your dollars will be spent to maintain on-going operations at the Audrey Grace House, the first of New Horizon’s Community Centers of Care and will serve as residential treatment and family centers in cities that do not currently have services available for the kids who are considered the highest risk.  Our kudos go out theo the hard working group atwww.PleasureHorse.com whom manage the auction of the stallion breeding services and many other items of interest.  Contact Robin at 859.846.5000 or via email at robin@whatiwork4.com for more information on donated breedings by Indian Artifacts, HBF Iron Man, DGS IndyGo and DGS Vestastic!

9th Annual Audrey Grace House Benefit Auction on PleasureHorse.com

It is time again to start planning the 9th annual Audrey Grace Benefit Auction on PleasureHorse.com. We started this program when we lost our daughter, Audrey Grace, at birth October 21, 2002. Friends got together to make a tragedy in to a success story, finding something positive during a time of sadness. We started raising money for a much needed children’s home in Audrey’s honor. The Auction has grown with the help of generous donor’s such as you. In eight short years, we have raised $400,000 and with our family’s matching gift, we now have $800,000 for the New Horizon’s home for sexually and physically abused children. Then, upon review of the project from the T. Boone Pickens Foundation and The Reese Jones Foundation, we were blessed with a sizable donation for the Audrey Grace House. On August 19th 2009 the dream became a reality! We had the Grand opening ceremony and our first set of children moved into the Audrey Grace House! Your gifts will continue to help us with the full scope of the project, from purchasing the land, to building the home, to hiring Masters Level Licensed Clinicians who provide the care these kids need, and for that we are truly grateful.

Each year thousands of children are victims of abuse. For over thirty-five years, New Horizons (non-profit 501© (3)) has provided services to “at-risk” youth and developed a reputation as the benchmark for offering quality, continuum-of-care treatment services for those kids with the highest level of need. Services include residential care, foster homes, therapeutic group homes, family services, adoption programs and emergency shelter.

The goal of services provided in today’s environment is to serve children and their families closer to their homes. New Horizons’ Community Centers of Care will serve as residential treatment and family centers in cities that do not currently have services available for the kids who are considered the highest risk. The Audrey Grace House is the first of these centers and is located in Abilene, Texas.

Website:

http://www.pleasurehorse.com/auction/2010.cfm

New Horizons Supports Kids at the Mall

 

Lisa, "The Witch" and Krista, "The Cat" give out treats and information about New Horizons at the Mall of Abilene

Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin


The sound of little giggles, the looks of fright and excitement, the taste of Tootsie Rolls and cherry suckers; it must be the Fall Festival at the Mall of Abilene. New Horizons was there with their spinning wheel and bag of goodies to help the kids enjoy the festivities.


From baseball players to Transformers and Minnie Mouse to Ariel, there was no end to the array of costumes. Even a short dark-haired washing machine with a box of detergent cycled around the courtyard looking for games and candy. Children lined up making their way around to all the booths hoping to try their luck at “Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin”, “Beanbag Pumpkin Toss”, and “Hit the Ghost”. A man making hats and animals out of balloons, popular accessories to any costume, was busy filling orders. Team Chip Tae Kwon Do performing their martial arts kept the crowd entertained while waiting for their candy. Knife balancing, baton twisting, and chain whirling were just some of the acts performed by the team.
New Horizons’ characters, Lisa the witch, and Krista the cat, kept the kids’ bags full of treats. All those passing by the table received some candy and brochures about New Horizons’ treatment services and care for abused children and youth who have suffered trauma. For nearly 40 years, their mission has been to provide an environment where children and families are able to heal and grow through caring relationships and unconditional love and acceptance. Free individual or group counseling, in-home parent training, and child placing agencies are some of the programs that New Horizons offers to the community. Through activities like the Fall Festival, New Horizons hopes to tell the communities of Abilene about the services they offer for kids and families in the Big Country.

Organization receives praise of Angels in Adoption

ANGELIA JOINER Special to the Reporter-News

New Horizons has been honored as an Angel in Adoption by
U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer for outstanding advocacy of
adoption and family care issues.The program is through the
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute and is intended

as a public awareness campaign. All members of Congress have

an opportunity to recognize constituents for their work in helping
foster children and orphans in the U.S. and overseas.

“The selflessness and compassion for others at New Horizons
speaks volumes about their character and dedication,” Neugebauer
said in a statement. “I’m honored to represent individuals and
businesses like New Horizons who are really trying to make a
positive impact in the community.”

New Horizons has been helping children for the past 40 years.
The organization has two residential treatment centers, The Audrey
Grace House in Abilene and The Ranch located south of Brownwood.
The centers shelter about 140 children each year, and about 1,200
children currently are involved in a variety of programs, according to
Michael Redden, executive director.

“The fact that Representative Neugebauer has been to the Audrey
Grace House and nominated us for this award is very exciting,”
Redden said. “He’s somebody that knows us. It means a lot to
receive an award from him on the national level.”

Redden said Neugebauer visited with the children and promised to
come back to go fishing. Included in this year’s 140 honorees were
actresses Kristin Chenoweth and Rhea Perlman, along with Extreme
Makeover: Home Edition

Photos in the Abilene Reporter News

Thomas Metthe/Reporter-News
House parent Heather Martinez laughs with kids at
New Horizons' Audrey Grace House residential treatment
center on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 6, 2010.

KRBC Features Athletes Against Child Abuse

Abilene Television Station KRBC ran a recent segment
about the Athletes Against Child Abuse befitting
New Horizons. Athletes Against Child Abuse is a
group of professional athletes who have joined to
raise awareness about child abuse and to do something
about it by helping support the children of New Horizons.

NEUGEBAUER HONORS NEW HORIZONS AS AN ‘ANGEL IN ADOPTION’

 

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Randy Neugebauer (R-TX)

released the following statement today honoring New Horizons in Abilene

as a 2010 Angel in Adoption for their outstanding advocacy of adoption

and family care issues.

“At New Horizons, they work to restore hope to battered spirits by

teaching children to face personal challenges as they strive to live

successfully in a family and community. This organization also places

children in a safe and supportive environment where they can continue to

heal and grow.

“Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to tour the Audrey Grace House,

an extension of New Horizons. The Audrey Grace House is the first phase

of the Community Center of Care and will provide residential treatment,

shelter and support services to Abilene youth and families.

“I am pleased to honor Michael Redden and the great people of New

Horizons as 2010 Angels in Adoption. Growing healthy families is an

important part of building a strong nation.”

NOTE: New Horizons serves the North, West, and Central Texas areas. 

To learn more about the work being done through New Horizons, please visit http://www.newhorizonsinc.com/.

The Angels in Adoption program is the Congressional Coalition on

Adoption Institute’s signature public awareness campaign and provides

 an opportunity for all members of the U.S. Congress to honor the good

work of their constituents who have enriched the lives of foster children

and orphans in the United States and abroad. This year, 140 Angels in

Adoption from around the country will be recognized, in addition to

several National Angels. For more information on the Angels in Adoption

program, please visit http://www.angelsinadoption.org.

Ex-NFL stars, New Horizons unite

By Sam Waller
Posted September 15, 2010 at 6 a.m.

Facebook video of interview





Three former NFL players, including 1987 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Brown, are partnering with New Horizons as part of the Athletes Against Child Abuse program.

Brown and two other former NFL players, Frank Harris and Rickey Dixon, were in the Big Country to visit New Horizon’s facility near Goldthwaite. The three spoke at a news conference Tuesday at Abilene Regional Airport before driving south.

Abilene-based New Horizons is a private, nonprofit agency that provides care and services for children, youth and families in abusive situations. Its mission, according to its website, is to provide an environment where children, families and staff are able to heal and grow through caring relationships and unconditional love and acceptance.