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.