Food Give-Away targeting WORKING FAMILIES

The East Cleburne Community Center is hosting a special food distribution offering on Saturday, March 29th targeting working families. We host a monthly distribution on the 4th Wednesday of each month. We will have that again this coming Wednesday, March 26th. 

Many families, even though one or two parents are employed, may still experience hardships and may find a small contribution of groceries helpful. They might also find it difficult to stop by our fourth Wednesday food distribution, due to their busy work schedule. 

The Tarrant Area Food Bank has made it possible for our organization to add this 2nd grocery offering to the WORKING FAMILIES of Johnson County. 

"As we work to get more food to our communities, we’re identifying new opportunities to distribute even more! One way we’re doing this is by offering additional mobile pantry distributions on the fifth Saturdays of the month for all Mobile Partner Agencies. We know that adding another distribution may come with challenges, especially around volunteer availability. However, even a smaller-scale distribution on a fifth Saturday can make a big impact for families who rely on these services."

            Nye Howard, Agency Services Coordinator, Tarrant Area Food Bank

In addition to partnering with the TAFB, our friends at Salad and Go have given us a grant to add more protein commodities to our grocery boxes. Last month, we were able to give chicken, sausage links and other protein rich items to families in need. We look forward to continuing the added protein to all of our distributions throughout 2025. At this time, the extra food distribution on March 29th is a one-time occurrence. Please connect with our Facebook page for up to date information about our programs and events. 

Volunteers are asked to arrive at 11 am. The distribution of food boxes begins at 1:30 pm. Commodities are limited. Identification is not required, but families must register using a Tarrant Area Food Bank form.

Texas Health Resources partners with the East Cleburne Community Center's Summer Day Camp

Several representatives from Texas Health Resources Johnson County, Community Health Improvement division presented their message of healthier lifestyles to the children attending the East Cleburne Community Center’s 2024 Summer Day Camp. The students learned about nutrition, exercising, fresh food benefits, and much more. Led by Annette Jacobs and her team, the campers left with a wealth of knowledge and joyful moves to keep the heart beating happily.

ECCC sets date for Summer Day Camp

The East Cleburne Community Center will host the 2024 Summer Day Camp July 15-19. Kids from age 5-10 and teens from 11-17 are welcome to camp with their friend during this exciting week of exploration, activity, and excitement. The camp is FREE to all kids. Field trips are planned (some with attendance requirements) and a lite breakfast and healthy lunch is offered. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page for updates.

To register, please fill out this form 2024 ECCC Summer Camp Registration Form (google.com)

National Partnership for Student Success Community Collaboration Conference - Hosted by The East Cleburne Community Center

The East Cleburne Community Center invited special guest to a collaboration conference Thursday, September 21st, at Cleburne High School.

Members from Cleburne ISD, the Marti Foundation, Hill College, Texas Workforce Commission and other community partners gathered at the Sting Bistro at CHS to discuss opportunities to collaborate with various stakeholders and agencies to improve the student education experience. The challenges students and educators are facing following pandemic distance learning, limited resources, unfunded mandates, student detachment and various changes resulting for pandemic closings were chief topics during the conference. 

Keynote speaker, Arthur Hawkins, addressed the audience and challenged them to see the potential in every student and be prepared to go “All the Way and Then Some.” Hawkins has served as an educator, school administrator, Christian leadership mentor, coach, financial literacy facilitator, motivational speaker, and creator of a few non-profit organizations. Specifically, Hawkins is the founder of All the Way and Then Some, a mentoring group in the Greater Atlanta metropolitan area. 

The ECCC  is one of 21 awardees, out of 120 national applicants, to receive a grant from the National Partnership of Student Success to set the stage for community collaboration for improving the academic success for all students. The National Partnership for Student Success (NPSS), a diverse coalition that connects nonprofits, school districts, state and local education agencies, federal agencies, philanthropy, and national and community organizations to support increased access to and implementation of student support programs, provides technical assistance and research to enhance program effectiveness, and helps to recruit AmeriCorps members and volunteers to the effort. The core organization of the NPSS consists of the US Department of Education, AmeriCorps, the Biden Whitehouse, and the John Hopkins University Everyone Graduates Center. These institutions and agencies are coalescing to answer the call of President Joseph R. Biden for Americans to become tutors, mentors, success coaches, post-secondary transition coaches, and wraparound/integrated support providers. In pursuit of this goal, the NPSS focuses on these five key, evidence-based areas to support the needs of students both in and out of school.

Their belief is that all students deserve the opportunities and support they need to succeed drives their fortitude. Despite the heroic efforts of schools, educators, and families, the pandemic exacerbated educational and mental health challenges and widened long-standing inequities and opportunity gaps. This coalition works to reduce those negative factors and improve the student learning environment.  

Read more about the work of the National Partnership for Student Success and how you can get involved by clicking here: partnershipstudentsuccess.org

Congratulations to our 2023 Scholarship Awardees: Bianca O'Bryant & Trinity Granger

Pictured from left to right: Valerie Mason (Executive Director), Bianca O’Bryant, Trinity Granger

Ben & Carla Oefinger accept role as Honorary Chairs at 2019 ECCC Awards Banquet

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Honorary Chairs, Ben & Carla Oefinger, ECCC’s 2019 DL Barrett Awards Banquet

Photo courtesy of Jessica Pounds, Cleburne Times Review

The “couple that keep on giving” continue to support local organizations.

Ben & Carla Oefinger stepped up to the plate when asked if they would serve as honorary chairpersons for the East Cleburne Community Center’s 2019 DL Barrett Awards Banquet. Serving is not uncommon for the Oefingers. Deeply embedded in education for many years, the have served in many capacities throughout the Johnson County Area and beyond.

The Oefingers said they were humbled and honored to serve in the role of Honorary Chairpersons for the event. They have supported the ECCC Awards Banquet for many years & Ben has served as the Master of Ceremony for the event. His unmistakable voice has set the tempo of the event with authority. In this new role, they are counting on their community to get behind their effort and support the programs offered by the East Cleburne Community Center.

Sponsorships and seats for the event are available by contacting the ECCC or going to the EVENTS page at eastcleburnecc.org. The DL Barrett Awards banquet is set for Saturday, February 23rd, at 7 pm. Local individuals and organizations will be recognized for outstanding community, humanitarian, and public service. The organization and the Oefingers look forward to a great night with all of Cleburne contributing and involved in a great way!

You may contact the ECCC at 817-556-3716

ECCC Announces 2016 Awards Banquet Honorary Chair

The Honorable Mayor of Cleburne, Scott Cain, and his wife, Chris Cain, will serve as the honorary chairmen of the East Cleburne Community Center's annual DL Barrett Awards Banquet and Silent Charity Auction. The event is slated for February 27, 2016. It will be held at the Cleburne Conference Center at 7 pm.

Mayor & Mrs. Cain have supported the ECCC for many years. They are thrilled to serve at this year's event. 

"It is an honor to serve as the honorary chair of the 2016 East Cleburne Community Center’s D. L. Barrett Annual Awards Banquet.  For the past 29 years, the East Cleburne Community Center has improved the lives of many by offering a variety of programs and services for the community.  Today, the Center is a vital part of our community," wrote Mayor & Mrs. Cain.

As honorary chairs, Cleburne's first couple will greet the audience at the banquet. The Cains will also invite and encourage friends, relatives, and community supporters to be a part of this event. Several service organizations and individuals will be recognized for their outstanding humanitarian and community service. Two scholarships will also be awarded to graduating seniors.

Sponsorships and tickets are available through the ECCC office. Local businesses may also contribute to the silent charity auction. Everyone has an opportunity to support the event.

Please join us in showing support for the East Cleburne Community Center.  Please join others in our community by giving of your time, talent and resources.  No matter how large or small your donation of money or time, it takes the entire community to make a difference. Together we are Cleburne Strong!       - Mayor & Mrs. Scott Cain

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Mayor & Mrs. Scott Cain