Most of us have a general knowledge of the foster care system, but what most people cannot fully understand is how a child feels, and how being removed from home, family and community can be traumatizing when placed in foster care. Children need a sense of security, safety, and permanence to thrive. They also need a sense of belonging and an adult they can trust who can … [Read more...]
Changing Lives One Smile at a Time
How Texas Mission of Mercy is Providing Hope and Smiles Throughout Abilene, the Big Country and Beyond They say a smile is worth a thousand words and thanks to the Abilene community and its servant-hearted nature, more and more people across the Big Country and the state of Texas are confident and able to experience a healthier and pain free smile of their own. It all … [Read more...]
West Central Texas Council Of Governments
What is the WCTCOG? The West Central Texas Council of Governments (WCTCOG) is a public entity comprised of cities, counties and special governmental districts serving the 19 counties of Brown, Callahan, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Fisher, Haskell, Jones, Kent, Knox, Mitchell, Nolan, Runnels, Scurry, Shackelford, Stephens, Stonewall, Taylor and Throckmorton, an area … [Read more...]
Giving Back In Grief
How One Local Family Created a Lasting Legacy During Their Darkest Days There are moments in life that leave you different than you were before, and you know you will never be the same. Experiences that change who you are at your core and shape who you will be forever moving forward. Shelley and Marshall Pinkston faced one of these life altering moments in September of 2018 … [Read more...]
A Lasting Legacy: Ben Richey Boys Ranch Celebrates 75 Years
Ben and Jamie Richey would hardly recognize the place that’s named in their honor, the place that started in 1947 on 350 acres of land on the outskirts of Abilene. Fast-forward to 2023 and the Ben Richey Boys Ranch & Family Program is hardly ranchland anymore and it certainly isn’t on the outskirts of Abilene. Instead, it has downsized to 80 acres and expanded its … [Read more...]