Frank Garrett

We have been having a great time at the Garrett so far. Everyday, more and more kids are added to our list and it's awesome! Last week, we played kickball in the gym and it's always great to see the kids getting along and just having fun. After that, we played a game of dodgeball; kids vs. adults! That was one crazy game. At the end of the day, we brought out some pinatas that the kids made, and they got to bust them open. I'm so thankful that God has blessed us with every single amazing child that we have at Urban. I can't wait to see the blessings that are still to come!
 -Julia

WOW,LAST WEEK WAS SUCH AN AWESOME WEEK. WE TOOK THE KIDS TO THE LIBRARY ON THURSDAY AND THEY GOT TO HEAR STORIES ABOUT HEROES AND THEIR FAMILY CULTURE. WE MADE AND WORKED ON PINATAS ALL WEEK AND ON FRIDAY WE GOT TO GO TO THE FRANK GARRETT AND BUST THEM OPEN. THE KIDS HAD SUCH A GOOD TIME GETTING THE CANDY AND EVERYTHING. WE ALSO PLAYED KICKBALL,AND DODGE BALL WITH THE KIDS AND I HAVE TO SAY I ENJOYED EVERY MOMENT OF JUST BEING AROUND THE KIDS AND PLAYING WITH THEM.

Rain, rain, PLEASE go away...

How is it going? Another awesome week here at Urban / FG Center, although I must say, this rain has been ridiculous. But despite the weather it's been a lot of fun this week although. I'm still pretty exhausted from all the dodgeball and kickball games that we've had this week. It's been awesome to hang out with the kids at FG and it's pretty awesome to see the relationships that are being built there. It's pretty amazing what a few games of basketball and dodgeball can do to a friendship. It's been two weeks and I feel like I've known these kids for so much longer. The first few days it felt like it would take an act of Congress to get them to listen to whatever we had to say, and now they listen with little to no persuading from us. I look forward to the many more experiences that will come from this. Cya!

A Field Trip to the Library

Yesterday day our kinder and 1st graders and the opportunity to go the the Bazan Library. They were so excited! They got to have books read to them, and they also got to have a tour. As we were leaving a few of the kids said that they would want to go back. When i asked what their favorite part was, they said the section that had the movies , or the computers that had games for them.

GET IT BIG!

Things have been going very well at the Frank Garrett. Although the program doesn't officially begin until October 4, we still go over to the gym everyday. We have kids from all over the neighborhood that come do homework, play, or just hang out. There aren't a lot who come as of now, but the ones that do enjoy it more and more each day. I love to see the ones who have been with Urban interact with kids they just met. This is just the beginning of an amazing journey. I look forward to going along for the ride!
-K.Smith

Living the Life @ Urban......

Hello World, it's just Ms. Nikki again!!!!!! We have completed another week and each week things are just falling into place. We started off @ Garrett with a handful of kids and now we have expanded to almost triple of what we begin with. Everyday we gain new faces and I think that is wonderful. I look forward to the day when there are soooooo many kids and we say "Gosh when are these kids going home".... We face day to day challenges but unfortunately for the kiddos we over power there issues. But I love it because each individual child has their own personality and character. I look forward to the weeks to come and the new kids, new challenges, new supplies/equipment, the fun games and activities. Go Urban!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Doing what I Love........

Hi everyone! My name is Karla, this is my first time here at Urban Connection. As a resident of the Lincoln Heights, it's a pleasure to be able to give back to my community. I love working with kids and helping them become better students. I look foward to what this year has in store for me and my new Urban Family.
- Karla

I'm Excited !!!!!

Hey my Name Is Alexander Isaac ,Im a student Sociology @ The UTSA This is my First year at Urban and working with Ameri Corps. I had a blast the last couple of weeks at Urban its been great working with the kids and spending time with them. I have been humbled by God's mercy for this opportunity to minster and be mistered to/by the kids and people around me. I loved to just be with the kids and let Christ's love flow. I'm so excited for what God has in-store for the Body of Christ @ Urban , and how He will do a tremendous,perfect work in the Staff and In the kids who attend.

First week!

Well, first things first...my name is Josh (nice to meet you). This is my first time serving with the Americorp/ UCSA program, and it's been really awesome so far. I know your thinking, "But dude...it's only been a week." Well I can tell already that this is going to be an awesomeeee year! I have the opportunity to be a part of the Frank Garret Center project, which I am really looking forward to. I've learned a few things already and am looking forward to the things that God wants me to learn throughout this experience. But here are some tips that I've learned in my first week.

1.) If you see someone in a nice button down shirt, jeans, and work boots, DO NOT call him grandpa. It leads to a horrible beat down that you never saw coming.

2.) There is NO such thing as "too much knockout".

3.) If you lose to the kids at a 3-Point shootout, you will NEVER hear the end of it.

Can't wait for the rest of the year! Cyaa.

Round 3

Hey guys it's Julia again! Well, it's time for my 3rd term as an americorps and I'm pumped! So far, it's been great. We haven't had any problems, except for a little blow up yesterday. But thats ok, it happens. Working with the older kids at the Frank Garrett has been fun. Mainly we just like to shoot hoops with the kids and today I think we are playing dodgeball. Once again God has blessed us with a great group of americorps. I love each and every one of them and I'm so excited to see God use their talents for the people in this community. We are so blessed! -Julia

My name is Nia Ruffin this is my first time with urban connection and im so happy to be here.i have grown to most of the kids and some im still getting to know. The kids are such a joy to be around and i love seeing them when i come to urban connection and inter acting with them.

1st Week @ Urban Connections

Hello, my name is Kuquanda "Nikki" Perkins. This is my first term with Urban Connections. I am delighted to be here. This is an opportunity to give back to the community in which I up-rooted. Urban Connections has given me a chance to be a part of revamping the Frank Garrett Community Center. This is an awesome experience for me. I can give back what was given to me. The Frank Garrett Community Center was formerly known as The Westend Community Center. It was under the direction of Mr. Frank Garrett who coordinated the center for over 45 years. This is why it is now known as the Frank Garrett Community Center. I am here for the children and the community. I am thrilled to be part of Urban Connections/Frank Garrett. The kids are awesome and energetic and I Love It!!!!!!!!!!!!! Take Pride In the Westside!!!!!!

I'm baccccckk!!!

Just when I thought my run at Urban was over, I'm back at it again! At the end of the summer I was a bit sad because I thought it was the end of the road for me, but boy was I wrong! When I got the news that we could now serve 4 terms as Americorps I was ecstatic. I didn't realize how much I loved and missed being at Urban Connection until I had a month away from it. I contacted Randi, let her know that I wanted to come back and the rest was was history. Now I'm back and I must say it feels good to be here! Even though I've been here for almost two years, it feels like I've got a fresh start. We've got a brand new team, new programs, and I'm loving it! I look forward to seeing what God has in store for me and the rest of the new Urban family. Please keep us in your prayers as we fulfill the work of the kingdom. Be blessed and prosperous

-K. Smith

First day with the kids

The first day of UCASA went really good. Some kids who had came for the summer program here at urban came back for this school year program. It was such a joy to see them return, and also to see some new faces. I really feel like they had fun, because i know i did! ;)

Meeting, bonding, and working with new members here at urban is an exciting experenice which should only get better. Can't wait to see how things will go.