by Babs Cape – Aging brings more than aches and pains and gray hair. Without funds enough for daily living, aging can create a sense of loss, fear and hopelessness. The Caring Place (TCP) assists our aging community in a special way, and Seeds of Strength is part of making that possible. TCP’s program, SENIOR INDEPENDENCE PROGRAM (SIP), began two years ago. The goal for SIP is to provide overall basic-needs support to 600 individuals, age 65 or older, with any type of assistance provided by the Caring Place, which includes financial and non-financial assistance. Its goal is also to provide case-management support to 75 individuals, age 65 or older. Identifying those in need, an...

by Babs Cape – An abused child pulls at our heart strings. How can we help children suspected of sexual abuse, severe physical abuse or those who have witnessed a violent crime? Where is a safe place for young victims to disclose their abuse? Who knows how to comfort them while working for justice and safety? Recently, ten Seeds of Strength members learned from advocates for young people when we visited the Williamson County Child Advocacy Center. These child-trained professionals receive suspected victims from law enforcement agencies, Child Protective Services and prosecutors. With one-on-one forensic interviews and medical exams, all in a non-intimidating manner, the extent of...

by Barbara Garland – A group of SoS members recently visited on a typical P.A.S.S. day. Students from Southwestern University’s Delta Omicron music fraternity met with students from the Boys and Girls Club to teach the youngsters about music. The lesson plan stated that the students should learn to identify multiple musical instruments, to understand the basics of sheet music, to understand pitch, and to construct his/her own Mbira, an African thumb piano. What really happened was a fun interactive hour between the Southwestern University students and both Tippit and Wagner middle schoolers, all who were eager to learn more. The P.A.S.S. pilot program (a partnership between Southw...

by Jan Spence – As we stepped out of the chilly, misty weather into the HighPointe Estates, we were greeted by elegance all around. This brand-new venue was the perfect setting for our annual Wine, Women, Chocolate & Giving gathering— soaring vaulted ceilings drawing our eyes upward and reminding us that the sky’s the limit when women come together in a giving circle. The expansive space with its high ceilings also served as the perfect place to contain the otherwise unbounded energy of approximately 150 women who attended and enjoyed the impressive and tasty spread that Kim Broad, Linda Hansen and their Events Committee members put together for us. After getting a name ba...