Birthday project year 2

This is the second year we have done this and it has become a huge success. Everyone who participated had fun and loved seeing the kids enjoying themselves. Once again Thank you for those who participated and volunteered.

Cristo Rey Dallas and The Bellomy Group

My name is Jorge Thompson I am a freshman at Cristo Rey Dallas. I first learned of Cristo Rey Dallas in the year 2014 when one of my old teachers came back to my middle school ( KIPP Truth Academy) to give a presentation on a new school that was opening in Pleasant Grove called Cristo Rey Dallas. What had my most attention about the school was that it allowed us to work in actual law firms, oil, and produce companies which would allow us to get experience in a work place but also help us manage school and work a handy skill we will use when we go to college. It not only gives us this, but it also gives the students myself included opportunities that aren't provided for kids of our diversity. The school and staff encourage us to get to know each other and make it a habit of meeting new people because you will never know when you are going to need friends and connections in your life. Every student is chosen to work at a specific work place for me that work place was The Bellomy Group and personally I couldn't be better because I'm in an environment that is social but also knows when to work. The employee's took me in as if I was one of their own and know that I think about it I am one of their own. They have taught me so much about what they do in their chosen line of work. I was raised in a very old manner as in old music, and way of work and I couldn't really get along with technology, but The Bellomy Group accepted that and they helped me and teach me when ever I needed a hand or given an assignment that involves technology. I am glad to be apart of Cristo Rey Dallas and The Bellomy Group.

Hearts and Hammers Year 2

Hello Family!  This is year 2 for Hearts and Hammers.  Here's a reminder, Hearts and Hammers is a organization in which goes out to the Dallas metroplex and repairs and refurbish homes in which are owned by low income citizens. One of the main goals for this organization is to create and provide a positive experience not only for the volunteers but for home owners as well. The criteria for selection shall be based on limited income, physical limitations to complete the work themselves, legal ownership of the home, pending or current violation with the city code requirements, and limitations of other resources to accomplish the repairs.
Here is some details on an on going project we started last week: We scraped all the paint off the house so we can re paint it next week and make it look brand new. We also replaced the sidings of the house that were either falling down or had multiple holes in them.
Upcoming week:
Next weekend we will be back to paint the house and finish any additional yard work that needs to be done.  Remember to wear long pants and clothes that you don't mind painting in. The weather will be turning nice this week, so we'll have a nice conclusion to this project.  Thanks everyone for your support!

Cristo Rey Dallas

Thank you to everyone who helped move all of the science equipment that Jesuit donated to Cristo Rey Dallas.  This ended up being a much bigger project than expected, but all of the equipment we moved will be great for Cristo Rey next year.  Kelby was extremely thankful, and they even mentioned us in their weekly newsletter.  Nice work everyone!

Hearts and Hammers

Hello Family!  Last week Mike and I went to a preliminary meeting at Hearts and Hammers Dallas to see if it would be a good fit for one of our next family projects.  Hearts and Hammers is an organization similar to Habitat for Humanity, except these houses are at the end of their life instead of the beginning.  Hearts and Hammers partners with the City to rehab and rebuild homes for the needy that are no longer up to code.  The amount of work can range from some pretty intense carpentry work to scraping and repainting a house.  Each year, volunteer groups pick one house that will be their project for the year.  The group gets to meet the home owner, and puts two weekends a year into working on repairing their home.  This is a perfect project for us to all work on as a family.  On Wednesday, May 7th, all of the volunteer groups get together to select a house they would like to work on.  If you are interested in attending this meeting and helping us choose a house for our family, please let me know, or just feel free to show up.  The location is The Center for Community Cooperation; 2900 Live Oak, just outside downtown. The dates for working on the houses aren't until September, and I'll keep everyone updated as we get closer.  Below is a link to Hearts and Hammers website, and I'll give everyone an update on the house we choose soon.  Thanks!

http://www.heartsandhammers-dallas.org

- Ryan