COUNTY LIFE
ATFS helps families touched by trauma
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Affirming Texas Family Services was created out of a desire to help rural and underserved areas where victims of trauma often fall through the cracks.
Three years later ATFS is providing free counseling services across five counties helping put families and lives back together. Jenny Rizzolo is chairman of the six-member board that oversees the 501c3 non-profit organization that serves Montague, Clay, Jack, Stephens and Young Counties.
Settled in an office space provided by the Presbyterian Church of Bowie at 300 W. Nelson, Rizzolo and Counselor Tonya King-Smith discussed the needs and services addressed by ATFS.
The beginnings
The organization began three years ago when Joe Gambill, former church minister, offered up the idea and talked about it with a person studying to be a counselor. Rizzolo was pulled in to help with the paperwork.
“That first year we didn’t get the grant, but the church gave us a $20,000 donation so we could provide a part-time counselor the first year. The second year we got a grant and last year a slightly larger grant. We are very reliant on grant and fundraising activities. Luckily with our office spaces donated we don’t have the overhead to deal with at any of our locations. All the money goes to pay counselors,” said Rizzolo.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
Inside today find a special section Remembering 9/11 on the 25th anniversary of this pivotal day in America’s history.
This section provides an hour by hour account of that day to inform those who may not familiar with the details. We pay tribute to all those who faced the attacks and helped save those in danger from all walks of life. May this tribute remind you of all America lost that day and how the country moved forward.
Area young people from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to take part in the Art of the Song Young Visual and Performing Arts Exhibition on Oct. 10 during the annual music festival in Nocona.
Entry is free and artists may enter up to three pieces of artwork. One entry must be music-related, while the other two can be any art medium or genre. Drop-off artwork from noon to 6 p.m. on Oct. 7 at 103 Clay Street.
Art will be displayed starting at 10 a.m. on Oct. 10. Those with questions may call R. Marie Molsbee, 940-887-0165 or horse.power.ranch.nocona@gmail.com.
The performing arts portion will be at Bitters & Sweets, 206 Clay Street. If you have a child who loves to sing, dance or play an instrument or perform? Let them share their talents in a performance at the Art of the Song.
Those interested in the performing arts program may contact Carla at 940-765-5619 or carlad@bittersandsweetsbar.com.
The staff, board of directors and volunteers of Tales ‘N’ Trails Museum are making plans for the group’s major fundraiser, “Shebang” on Sept. 26.
This year Shebang will join in all the celebrations for America’s 250th birthday.
Mark your calendar when the doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person and $350 for a table of eight. Shebang takes place in the H.J. Justin Building at 100 Clay Street.
The evening will feature a dinner prepared by local chefs, fun games where you could win a prize, live and silent auctions, plus the popular bucket auction where you never know who will win. A new menu is being served that will feature prime rib, roasted sweet potatoes, hominy casserole, broccoli salad and strawberry shortcake.
Reservations are being taken now, just call the museum at 825-5330. Proceeds from the Shebang help pay for annual operating costs of the museum. Call 825-5330 to purchase tickets, also visit the website at talesntrails.org to see auction items and learn more about the museum.
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