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.