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Dear Friends,
June has been an incredibly dynamic and impactful month for BCC, and I'm excited to share our recent activities and achievements with you.
This month, BCC brought attention to elderly abuse and celebrated cancer survivors, while our Care-A-Van continued to engage children and provide vital resources across Bastrop County. The 2024 Bastrop County Family Expo & Resource Fair was a huge success, offering a variety of activities and resources to families.
We concluded a three-month adult peer-to-peer English/Spanish learning program, and our annual Parents as Teachers graduation celebrated the achievements of 22 families. We also hosted a Veterans Bowling Night, raised awareness about breast health, and launched an initiative with the Nourish Coalition and Central TX Food Bank to address community nutrition needs.
Our team gained new insights during a trip to Amsterdam where we came together to learn better ways to support mental health needs, and we celebrated the first class of the NFI 24/7 Dads program. We also launched Camp Gladiator classes to promote holistic well-being within.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement. Together, we are making a significant impact in our community. We look forward to sharing more exciting updates in the coming months.
Thank you for your ongoing support!
Norma Mercado
Executive Director
Bastrop County Cares
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BCC brings awareness to Elderly Abuse and celebrates Cancer Survivors!
The month of June is dedicated to bringing awareness to Elderly Abuse, Men’s Health, and celebrating Cancer Survivors. Today, the Bastrop County Cares Team wore purple to support those affected. Our very own Child and Family Programs Coordinator, Chris Lott (Center), is a cancer survivor.
Let’s talk, let’s heal, and continue to raise awareness, promote understanding, and support healthy initiatives in our community.
Learn to identify the signs of elderly abuse here...
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Bastrop County Care-A-Van still rolling!
The Bastrop County Care-A-Van is still rolling! The team is actively engaging children and keeping the community informed about resources available throughout Bastrop County, while providing fun through recreational activities. Bastrop County Cares has partnered with the BISD Summer Internship program and is delighted to have student interns working alongside the BCC team as they Rec and Roll!
Learn more about the Bastrop County Care-A-Van...
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2024 Bastrop County Family Expo & Resource Fair!
The second annual Bastrop County Family Expo was held on June 8th, 2024. Families enjoyed numerous community resource vendors, free box lunches, PBS Kids "Play and Learn" sessions, movement and dance activities, BCC community outreach program presentations, and a variety of entertainers including a stilt walker, juggler, magician, face painter, balloon twister, caricature artist, hula hoop dancer, and a bounce house.
The BCC Care-A-Van offered games and many other activities, along with raffle giveaways from participating vendors. Expecting parents were able to register for programs like Family Connects and learn about the Fatherhood Collaborative!
Stay in the know about other upcoming BCC events here!
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Hablemos Together!
Under the leadership of Linda Quiroz and with participatory funds from the Central Texas Network Weavers, a three-month-long adult peer-to-peer English/Spanish learning gathering has concluded. The gatherings allowed English and Spanish language learners with a basic understanding of both languages to practice their secondary languages in a relaxed, fun setting, providing a safe space for participants to correct one another while practicing.
The gatherings focused on learning topics such as health, school, and day-to-day life, enhancing participants' ability to communicate better with healthcare professionals, teachers, and others. All participants expressed a desire to continue in some capacity. BCC is currently working to partner with local organizations that may benefit from this type of program and help them start similar programs tailored to their learning needs. BCC hopes that more people in the county will be able to "HABLEMOS TOGETHER!"
Stay tuned for future announcements on this initiative!
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Parents as Teachers host annual graduation!
Learn more about Parents as Teachers...
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Veterans Bowling Night and Peer Group
Happening every last Wednesday of the month from 6-8 PM. Enjoy free pizza, drinks, bowling games, and build lasting friendships. Come for the fun, stay for the camaraderie! Don't miss out on this fantastic evening.
Also, Every Monday evening at 6 PM for our Veteran Peer Group in Bastrop, TX!
Come connect with fellow veterans, share experiences, and find support in a welcoming environment. Refreshments provided.
Build resiliency together! 🥳🍕🍻
Check out the highlights
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Breast Health Awareness!
Our Breast Health Initiative, led by the fantastic and dedicated coordination of Margarita Pleitez, has partnered with numerous churches in Bastrop County since the beginning of the year.
Our goal is to educate women all over the county about life-saving early detection methods for breast cancer and connect those who are fighting the battle with resources that will help them in their fight. Through our Breast Health Education classes, we provide vital information to the community, and we are proud to be making a difference in the lives of those affected by breast cancer.
Learn more about our Breast Care Initiative here!
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Nourish Coalition and Central TX Food Bank CNA kick off!
A collaborative partnership officially launched between BCC - Nourish Coalition and Central Texas Food Bank with the launch of their food access based Community Needs Assessment (CNA) on June 25 and 26, 2024 in Bastrop and Elgin respectively.
The organizations gathered community stakeholders to provide their voice regarding how the CNA will move forward. Next steps include neighbor surveys, focus groups and stakeholder interviews. Stay tuned for more details as the process progresses. We will share the final report on the Nourish website and in this newsletter so stay tuned!
If you’d like to join the coalition or find out more about it check out the website and click "Join the Coalition” or email Krissy Voutas.
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BCC takes on Amsterdam!
Bastrop County Cares Executive Director Norma Mercado and Director of Resilience and Inclusion Grace Georges were honored to attend the Global Leadership Exchange (GLE) in the Netherlands from June 24-28. The event, themed "Leading Change: Flourishing Communities and Wellbeing for All," included site visits to community neighborhood centers where diverse groups come together to support mental health needs. These centers feature community gardens and workshops that provide safe spaces for relationship building and inclusivity.
Additionally, the attendees visited the University of Amsterdam to participate in a Keti Koti dialogue table, which celebrates the abolition of slavery on July 1. Keti Koti, meaning "broken chains" in Sranangtongo, was a wonderful and enriching experience. The GLE event was a powerful reminder that together, we can build resilient, inclusive, safe, and mentally healthy communities.
Read more about our Resilient Bastrop County Collaborative (RBCC) here.
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First Class of 24/7 Dads Graduate AM Part of Class!
On April 10, 2024, the first group of fathers in Bastrop County began the NFI 24/7 Dads program. They dedicated two hours every Tuesday for 12 weeks, creating an environment where they could communicate and open up to each other about the everyday challenges of being a father. As time progressed, the group grew close, supporting each other through prayers, daily texts, and conversations. This class is making a difference in the fathers' lives and improving how they communicate with their families and each other. They are working to make a difference and break generational cycles.
The fathers graduated on July 2, 2024, with a certificate of completion, marking the first class of its kind in Bastrop County history. The facilitators were Martin Gonzales, Fatherhood Outreach Program Coordinator, and Keone Denges, Fatherhood Outreach Program Assistant. The PM part of the curriculum will start on July 16, 2024, with graduation scheduled for October 2024.
Learn more about the 24/7 dad program here!
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What is a Change Agent?
Change Agents are trusted community leaders who are already making a difference in their micro-communities. They bring people together in their neighborhoods to make the changes that their neighborhoods need. We provide training on asset building and community conversations to help them share their lived experiences and talk about the things happening in their communities.
Learn more about our Grass Roots Efforts here...
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Community Action Graduation!
Learn more about Community Action, Inc. of Central Texas and all the amazing programs they offer HERE!
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Bastrop County Cares Kicks Off Camp Gladiator Classes!
Bastrop County Cares enthusiastically kicked off their Camp Gladiator classes, emphasizing that individual well-being directly impacts the community's well-being. These classes focus not only on physical fitness but also on nurturing mental and emotional health, fostering resilience and positivity. Join us to experience how investing in personal health contributes to a healthier, happier community overall.
It was an absolute blast!
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2023 Annual Report
BCC has grown tremendously in the past year, nearly doubling both our full-time and contracted partners. Each of the coalitions had incredible connecting events and serve our county well.
Check out the full Annual Report
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Rural Mental Health Symposium on Tuesday, July 3, 2024!
This important event will feature discussions on youth suicide prevention, personal wellbeing for professionals, faith and mental health, and substance use disorders in rural communities. Don't miss this opportunity to earn CEUs and support a great cause!
Registration Fee: $45 (supports Bluebonnet Counseling Association Scholarship Fund)
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Get ready for Bastrop Baila & Beats! 🕺💃
Join us on August 17th at the Ely Performance Art Center for an epic dance battle! Compete in 1 vs 1 Breakin' and 1 vs 1 All Styles for a chance to win $500 and $250! 🏆
📍 1401 Cedar St, Bastrop, TX
🕐 1 PM - 6 PM (Prelims at 2 PM)
🎧 Judges & DJ to be announced!
This free event is brought to you by Cultural Arts Commission and Bastrop County Cares. Don’t miss out on the action!
Click HERE for more information...
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Save the date!!
On November 10, 2024 the Nourish Coalition in partnership with Texas Center for Local Food will be hosting the first-ever in Texas, Local Food Fair! We are actively recruiting local farmers, ranchers and agricultural adjacent agencies to participate in this event. Please contact Krissy Voutas at Krissy@bastropcares.org.
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