How Can We Make a Difference in the “Four Way”?

The longtime residences know it as the Alameda Addition. The kids know it as “The Four Way”. I know it as my neighborhood, the one I have driven through to get to work for the last 16 years. I always drive through slowly looking out for children that might run out close to the street. During the school year I see many very young children walking to school, across busy South 7th and down the road to Reagan. I am amazed that there is not a bus available for these determined kiddos.{{more}}With summer upon us, there are over 150 youth that just “hang out” daily looking for things to do, and sometimes that can lead to trouble. Under the guidance of Connecting Caring Communities, we…a group of neighbors and volunteers, have organized a neighborhood summer youth program that will encourage them to get off of the streets and come together bi-weekly for workshops, sports, crafts and even a jewelry making class! The Neighborhood Summer Slam is a series of workshops/activities which began on June 17th with a huge kick-off party at the Heavy Hitters Gym. More than 2oo youth and neighborhood members visited different booths and demonstrations including Heavy Hitters Boxing Academy, Jewelry Creations, Cheer Class Demonstrations, Arts & Crafts classes, Abilene Ruff Riders, to choose the activities they are interested in participating in. The Summer Slam was held on several dates in July and will end August 11th with a swim party for those who Joe Brannen, head of the Ruff Riders , watching some members of the Heavy Hitters Boxing Academy. Photo by Alan Copeland. participated throughout the summer. Thanks to generous neighbors like Kent Beck, Sam’s Club, Carl’s Auto Parts, Star Dodge, Teri’s Dance Discovery , The Dyess We Care Team and Conley Printing we will award several youth scholarships to deserving participants for basketball, boxing academy, cheer team, dance and art classes, as well as door prizes to those who come to all events throughout the Summer Slam. It has been a fun summer so far and we have enjoyed working with these kids!I have made new friends, received lots of hugs and now am working with a group to begin a Neighborhood Association in “The Four Way”. It’s a great feeling to be a part of building Community! Do you drive through your neighborhood daily looking at things that need to be done, children that need supervision or maybe just an elderly person that has yard work to be done? Don’t just OBSERVE the problems …… invest a little time and help be a part of a solution.The blessings you will receive will outweigh the small amount of time that you put in!