Anthony Parker, Author at Arrow Child & Family Ministries

Arrow Child & Family Ministries celebrated its North Houston Christmas Event, held at Arrow Headquarters on December 14, 2024. The event brought together foster families from the Houston area to celebrate the holiday season with gifts, fun activities, and a chance to connect with others who share similar experiences.

The event was made possible through the generous support of numerous sponsors, including the following organizations and individuals:

AKA Sorority, Inc. (Omicron Tau Omega Chapter)
Bible Movers International
Big Air Trampoline & Adventure Park
Celebrate with a Cake!
Kirstyn’s Krew
New Beginnings Cathedral
Paper Pie Book Co. – Blair Hunt
Reveille North Networking Group
Satterfield & Pontikes
Spring Baptist Academy
Stillborn Still Loved Foundation
Target Store T-2865
Texas Baseball Tournaments
Ticket to Dream Foundation
Tiff’s Treats

These sponsors, along with many families and individuals, helped ensure that every child at the event received a gift they had asked for, while also giving families a space to relax, celebrate, and enjoy the holiday spirit. Numerous volunteers guided children through the event and helped pack cars with wrapped gifts. A highlight of the day was the arrival of Santa Claus, who made sure every child had the chance to share their holiday wishes and take a photo to bring home.

“Our Christmas event means so much to these families—it’s a time for them to get in the holiday spirit and reconnect with their ‘why,’” said Leslie Robertson, Program Director at Arrow Child & Family Ministries. “It gives our kids the opportunity to ask for what they want and makes their voices heard, while our amazing donors make their wishes come true. It’s truly a heartwarming experience for all involved.”

For more information on how to get involved with next year’s North Houston Christmas Event or other Arrow initiatives, please contact Raven Green at [email protected].

View Original Article

Bikers Against Bullying East Texas (BABET) and Arrow Child & Family Ministries brings the East Texas community together to make Christmas extra special for children in foster care.

BABET hosted the 5th annual toy run in Tyler on Dec. 7 to benefit Arrow Child & Child Family Ministries. This heartwarming event featured an exciting arrival of motorcyclists escorted by Santa, who delivered toys to familiesGenerous sponsors and volunteers helped ensure that every child in attendance received a thoughtful gift while bringing a festive atmosphere to the event. The toy run has become a cherished holiday tradition for Arrow families, providing both gifts and a sense of community for those in need.

View Original Article

Arrow Child & Family Ministries celebrated the season with its Annual Christmas Party on December 14, 2024, at First Methodist Church in Brownwood. The event, held in the church’s spacious worship area, was filled with festive fun and holiday cheer for local foster families. This is the second year in a row the church has generously hosted the party, and their support has been invaluable

The theme of this year’s party was Candyland, with the space transformed into a vibrant, sweet-inspired wonderland. Highlights of the event included booths with a cake walk, face painting, arts and crafts, and treats like cotton candy, popcorn, and hot chocolate. Children had the chance to take photos with Santa Claus and enjoy the whimsical Candyland path and gingerbread houses. The event also featured a delicious meal with pulled pork sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, baked potatoes with all the fixings, and a variety of desserts.

A special thank you goes out to the following motorcycle groups for their generous donations of toys for the children:

Rebel Riders MG Brown County
Rebel Riders MG North Abilene
Rebel Riders MG Saginaw
Iron Horse MC
Gypsie MC
Survivor MC

These groups have been supporting the event for years, with the Rebel Rider Survivors having organized a toy run for Arrow’s children for over 20 years. Through their efforts, children were able to select extra gifts for the holiday season. Additionally, St. Mary’s Church sponsored 20 children, and First Methodist Church sponsored 10 children, ensuring that every child received gifts this year.

“This year’s Christmas party was one of the best yet,” said Cassandra Eagle, Case Manager at Arrow Child & Family Ministries. “It’s always magical to see the joy on the faces of the children and their families as they enjoy activities, receive gifts, and experience the love and support of our staff and community partners.”

View Original Article

The Austin Arrow office hosted a fantastic Christmas Party for families at the Family Center at Hill Country Bible Church Austin! A heartfelt thanks goes out to their incredible volunteers who made the event such a success. The celebration was filled with joy as kids enjoyed craft tables, a photo booth, Christmas dancers, delicious food, music, and, of course, gifts! It was a memorable day, and the support for foster families was truly inspiring.

Berkeley Research Group generously donated over 300 personal hygiene supply bags and housekeeping items to ACFM Maryland. We are so grateful for their kindness and support in helping us serve our community and make a difference for kids. Thank you, BRG, for helping us spread joy this holiday season!

Arrow is thrilled to receive over 100 Christmas gifts donated to Arrow kiddos by PennyBacker Capital! Joan Norton, Arrow’s Austin’s recruiter was on hand December 4th in downtown Austin speaking to a full house of PennyBacker employees and then the employees got busy wrapping up the gifts for our Arrow kiddos. Each year, PennyBacker does a philanthropic event and this year Arrow was a recipient.

Longview, Texas (KLTV) -New forever families continue to be formed in this National Adoption Month. On Nov. 15, six families adopted seven children into their families inside the Gregg County Courthouse, one pair being twin brothers Mathew and Makai. Their adoptive mother Verniita Gipson says the twins’ adoption was a moment that was years in the making. “Their mother is a relative of mine, and unfortunately she was going through some things in her life, you know,” Gipson says. Agreeing to foster the brothers since they were just four months old, Gipson was able to be there for them when their biological mother couldn’t. “We had spoken previously to her having her children, if she ever got in a situation… that I would be willing to help her as much as I possibly could.”

After two and a half years of fostering the boys, Gipson took the steps to take them in fully. “I’m grateful that she made the decision to put them first, you know, and realize that she wanted something better for them,” Gipson expresses. A better life is what Gipson shares she wants to give the brothers. Having had three children of her own, Gipson is relearning how to be a mother of toddlers again, but it’s an experience she welcomes with joy. “Basically, give them everything that I got to offer to them, what I gave to my first three children,” Gipson says. During Gipson’s court hearing, 307th District Court Judge Tim Womack took the time to acknowledge the adoptive mothers’ efforts up until that point. “There’s just not many people… that have that in them. And you’re one of those very special people, so on behalf of this court …and me personally, I thank you so much for all that you have done and all that you will do,” said Womack. According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, each year, approximately 700 to 900 foster youth age out of foster care.

Womack says that’s why their county’s adoption day means so much. “The fact that we get to do this once a year, bring some attention to this and hopefully, just like you said, maybe bring some new parents into the fold and maybe begin some new families,” Womack says. For people interested in helping children in the system, Gipson’s advice is to just go for it. “There are so many children, and they need that love. It’s nothing, like if you’ve raised one, you can raise another one,” Gipson says. Luckily, the energetic 3-year-olds will never have to go through life alone from this point forward.

If you would like to see kids available for adoption in East Texas, you can email [email protected] or visit the Heart Gallery East Texas.

By Noemy Sanchez

Click Here to View Original Article

Arrow had an incredible time sponsoring the Supply Chain Golf Tournament! We connected with amazing individuals, shared our mission, and felt the overwhelming support from those eager to learn about the impact we’re making in children’s lives. It was a fantastic day of networking, community building, and fun on the course! Thank you to everyone who stopped by to learn more about Arrow. Together, we’re driving change for a brighter future!

Despite a rainy and muddy start on Saturday, September 28, 2024, Arrow Child & Family Ministries proudly participated in the Legacy Chase Event by sponsoring the Stick Pony Races for children 12 and under. Thankfully, the sun made its appearance just in time to dry things up and kick off the races! Due to the overwhelming interest, a total of seven Stick Pony Races were held, bringing so much joy to all the participating children.

Legacy Chase is an incredible family event filled with steeplechase racing, picnicking, and tailgating, or you can even entertain family, friends, or clients with your own tent. This event plays a crucial role in preserving a historic local working farm, ensuring it continues as a venue for steeplechase racing and family-friendly activities for the past 22 years. Managed by the Land Preservation Trust and local non-profits, the committee is made up of young professionals across Maryland who are passionate about preserving open spaces.

Arrow was honored to sponsor this amazing event, and we cherished every moment of sharing our impactful work with everyone who attended. Thank you to all who came out, supported us, and learned more about the difference we are making together. We can’t wait for what next year will bring!

Last month the Arrow Center for Education Tangram School staff proudly participated in the Autism Speaks Walk, raising both awareness and funds to support the autism community. @AutismSpeaks fuels innovative research and provides vital, lifelong resources and services.

We’re deeply grateful for the ongoing support from our parents, students, and staff, who helped us surpass our fundraising goal. Thanks to your generosity, the ACE Tangram Team raised $1,554.24 to further this important mission. 🙏 Together, we’re making a lasting impact!