The next HLDW meeting is Thursday April 27, 2023 at 11:30 am, check in at 11:15 am. Our speaker will be Marybeth Edeen. Ms. Edeen spent 35 years at a civil servant at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. The first third of her career was in the Engineering Directorate working on Advanced Life Support System development and testing. She spent the next third working on International Space Station Environmental Control and Life Support Systems before spending the remainder of her time working in and leading the Space Station Research Office. Ms. Edeen holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas and a Masters in Chemical Engineering from Rice University.

We are meeting at Hidden Falls Bistro and Bar, 220 Meadowlakes Drive, Meadowlakes 78654.

The Helping Center supports the community and the community supports The Helping Center.  It is thanks to the support of the local community that The Helping Center was able to open their new facility.  At the March 23 meeting, Paul King shared with Highland Lakes Democratic Women the successes of the new and larger structure.
 
Last year the center served their clients over 15000 times. There is no charge to the clients.  This was made possible in part by the 8800 volunteer hours from generous people that donated their time. Client visits have tripled since last year.  Thanks to the center being open during the day and also in the evening twice a week, your local neighbors have been able to “shop” for necessities in a grocery store environment.  This allows them the opportunity of an uplifting experience with encouragement to better themselves. The center currently serves 1250 families, including many new clients brought in by the challenging of today of today. The clients come from not just Marble Falls, but from surrounding counties, too.  One of the newest clients is an 85 year old retired nurse, never expecting to need help, but welcomed to the center.

Barbara King is very involved in the client education program, Learn for Life.  Clients come in seeking a better life, needing encouragement and useful life lessons.  This program offers the opportunity to make positive and lasting changes.  Their success can cause a ripple effect as their friends, neighbors and families can see their progress.  In 2022, there were over 5000 client interactions for this program which teaches education and literacy / nutrition, health and wellness / and spiritual outreach. 

The Helping Center has an impact on adults and children.  Scholarships are given to high school graduates for college and during the summer months the center ensures that that students on summer break do not go hungry.  Thanks to charitable local stores like HEB, the center is able to feed a family for a week at a cost of $15. 

 Keep an eye out for the Helping Center Book Drive as they collect new and gently used children’s books. 
Thanks to The Helping Center and to the generous community for the help and opportunities given to our less fortunate neighbors.

Each year, the Texas Democratic Women honors outstanding achievements by women in local chapters. In 2023, three women from HLDW were recognized at the TDW annual convention. Congratulations to Rose Anna Butler, Sandra Chapman and Laura Rippy, HLDW members who have gone above and beyond in their service to their organization and community.  

The picture below shows just some of the Highland Lakes Democratic Women who have been honored with Star Awards over the years.  Thank you to all of these great members.

Highland Lakes Democratic Women were well represented at the Texas Democratic Women's annual convention. From left, Ravelle Kundinger and Nancy Hill, Fundraising Co-Chairs, Susan O'Brien, TDW Board member, Shirley Schmidt, past president and Ann Stevenson, HLDW Vice President.

Please join us at Hidden Falls Bistro and Bar, 220 Meadowlakes Drive, Meadowlakes 78654
on Thursday February 23 at 11:30 am, check in at 11:15 am.

Please email RSVP to Connie Stein, connie.stein@me.com by Monday February 13.
Or use the MAKE RESERVATION Button below.

Our speaker this month will be Sarah Rosen Garrett, a Registered Play Therapist (RPT-S) and licensed psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience with children and families. Sarah began her career as a special education teacher with Teach for America and was twice awarded Teacher of the Year. Garrett has specialized, advanced training in play therapy, sandtray therapy, art therapy, Child-Parent Relationship Therapy and Trauma-Focused Equine Therapy.

In addition, she is trained in crisis and suicide intervention, and the treatment of trauma, including witnessing a traumatic death, and child abuse, neglect and sexual assault. Sarah is a member of NASW and the American Association for Play Therapy.

Upon moving to the Texas Hill Country in 2005, Sarah first worked as a CASA volunteer, and recognized the need for high-quality, affordable mental health care in rural Central Texas, as well as parenting support and classes. Sarah’s passion for providing exemplary mental health care for all children and families led her to create Camp Phoenix and the Phoenix Center in 2007. Sarah Rosen Garrett is the Founder and CEO.

Highland Lakes Democratic Women welcomed Christian Fletcher, Executive Director of the Marble Falls Economic Development Corporation to their January meeting. Mr. Fletcher shared news and plans about growth in the Marble Falls area. The presentation explained about the upward trend in growth, sales tax collection and hotel tax payments. The number of visitors to this area has skyrocketed over the past few years, slowing down a bit in these economic times.

Mr. Fletcher stated that most of the growth will be developments in the vicinity of the 281 and 71 intersection.  The builders involved are Lennar, DR Horton, Pulte and others. Each development will have restaurant and retail build outs along with all the housing. 

Much of the growth of the area has been from Williamson and Travis counties.  These new arrivals are raising the trends for income, employment and education; which in turn adds to the tax money collected and that becomes income for the county and the city to pay for improvements. The availability of water is of great importance in managing this growth. Plans are going into effect now to insure this area always has enough water to supply any growth there is.

There are new businesses moving in and major growth in the parks for recreational opportunities.  A new hotel and conference center, light industrial area on 281 south of the city and a new sports complex are planned that will bring visitors to the city.  But, alas, no Target.  

The city of Marble Falls website https://www.marblefallseconomy.com/ has information about current stats and coming plans.
  
Highland Lakes Democratic Women meet the 4th Thursday of each month at Hidden Falls Bistro, 220 Meadowlakes Drive, Meadowlakes 78654. All are welcome. 

For details, please contact hldwtexas@gmail.com or 
facebook.com/highlandlakesdemocraticwomen

We invite you to attend the HLDW meeting Thursday January 26, 2023 at 11:30 am, check in at 11:15 am. Cost is $20 per person, payable at the door.

We are meeting at Hidden Falls Bistro and Bar, 220 Meadowlakes Drive, Meadowlakes 78654.