Community Renewal International

Happy Friendship House Friday!

Let's spread love like confetti and create unforgettable memories for kids in our community. Co-host a birthday party at a Friendship House near you and provide a cake, ice cream, or your favorite dessert for a sweet celebration! Click the link below to sign up:

Click on the link below to sign up:

https://forms.gle/7Gip69XhBfTEBuo76

For three decades, Community Renewal has been building a movement of hope, connection, and change! Through the power of positive and caring relationships, we’ve worked to strengthen the bonds within our neighborhoods, uplift those in need, and create a true sense of community. From small beginnings to a city-wide transformation, our journey has been one of support, growth, and love for Shreveport and beyond.

Join us as we celebrate 30 years of making a difference together! Let’s reflect on the impact we’ve made, honor the friendships built, and look forward to the future we will continue to shape—side by side.

Tickets are complimentary, Thank you for registering.
https://communityrenewal.us/join-us-for-30-years-of-caring

Ready to make a difference and connect with others who are passionate about serving the community? 🌟 Join us for a relaxed and inspiring lunch where you can network with fellow changemakers from all walks of life—businesses, churches, and organizations alike!

This is your chance to grow your network, share ideas, and get the latest scoop on community happenings. Let’s come together, support each other, and strengthen our bonds in a fun, friendly setting. 🌟

RSVP AT THE LINK BELOW:
https://communityrenewal.us/circle-of-caring

🎉We’re halfway through the Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Award competition, and we’re still in the running for up to $200k in grants! 🎉 Your support is crucial to help us continue making a big impact in our community.

If you haven’t already, please download the app and cast your vote. Every vote counts, and we need everyone’s help to get us across the finish line!

🌟 https://www.chick-fil-a.com/appdownload 🌟

VOTING INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Sign in to your Chick-fil-A One account (or
create one) in the Chick-fil-A App
2. Select ‘For You’ at the bottom of the screen
and look for the True Inspiration Awards card
3. Click the 'Vote Now' button
4. Select "SOUTHWEST REGION"
5. Cast Your Vote for: Community Renewal

🌟 Join Us for National Night Out! 🌟

On Tuesday, October 1st, 2024, neighborhoods throughout Shreveport are coming together for National Night Out, a powerful event designed to strengthen our communities and take a stand against crime and drugs!

This night is all about us, the community—celebrating our neighborhoods, fostering connections, and showing that when we stand united, we’re stronger. Whether you want to host, attend, or support a block party, your participation makes a difference! Let’s build closer bonds, support local anti-crime efforts, and make our neighborhoods a safer, more connected place to live.

🗓 Mark your calendars!
📍 Host a Block Party: Sign up here: https://www.shreveportla.gov/454/Shreveport-National-Night-Out
🎉 Let’s celebrate our neighborhood together!

🎉 Get ready for an exciting day of fun, competition, and community spirit at our Pickleball for Good Tournament! 🎉

Join us on October 5th at Pierremont Oaks Tennis Club for a day filled with thrilling matches and great company. This event is perfect for players of all levels, so grab a partner and form your two-person team today!

🏓 Event Details: 📅 Date: October 5th
📍 Location: Pierremont Oaks Tennis Club
👫 Teams: 2-person teams (Must be 18+)

Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner, we want you to be part of this fantastic community event. Don't miss out on the fun and the chance to connect with fellow pickleball enthusiasts!

Register now to secure your spot and get ready to serve up some good times!
🔗 Registration link and information below.

Let's make this tournament one to remember! See you on the courts! 🎾✨

Are you passionate about making a difference in our community? 🤝✨ Whether you’re involved through a business, church, or organization, the Circle of Caring Breakfast is your chance to connect with like-minded individuals who share your drive to help others!

🗓 Date: September 19, 2024
📍 Location: First Methodist Church. 500 Common St. Storer Building
⏰ Time: 8:30 AM

Come together to network, learn, and support each other in a vibrant, welcoming environment. Let’s grow our relationships, share what’s happening in the community, and uplift each other in our mission to make a positive impact. 🌟

RSVP to let us know you're coming below:
https://communityrenewal.us/rsvp-for-the-next-coc-meeting

🚨 We Need Your Vote! 🚨

Community Renewal International is excited to be in the running for Chick-fil-A’s True Inspiration Awards! 🌟 We have the chance to win up to $200,000, which would allow us to continue transforming communities through positive and caring relationships. But we need your help to make it happen!

🗳️ Need to know where to start? Download the app with the link below and follow the instructions on the graphic.
1.Download the Chick-fil-A App: Download Link: https://www.chick-fil-a.com/appdownload

🕒 Voting is open now through September 30th, so don’t wait! Your vote will directly impact the communities we serve, helping us continue our mission of building caring communities and fostering real change. 🙌

Thank you for your support—let’s win this together! 💛

🌟 Earn Your HiSet Diploma and Build a Brighter Future! 🌟

Community Renewal's Adult Renewal Academy offers FREE opportunities for adults to improve their education, learn valuable life and job skills, and work toward earning their HiSet diploma (equivalent to a high school diploma). Plus, you'll gain Biblical values to help create a better life for you and your family!

If you or someone you know is interested, contact us today to sign up!

📞 Call: (318) 425-3222
📧 Email: Mary Humphries, Coordinator Millender’s Office Assistant

Let’s take the first step toward your future! 💼📚

"Compassion heals, criticism wounds."

In our interactions—whether with family, friends, or even strangers—it's easy to react with criticism when tensions run high. But what we often forget is the power of compassion. Compassion isn't just a soft gesture; it’s a force that heals relationships, builds trust, and stirs understanding.

Criticism, on the other hand, can tear down self-esteem, damage bonds, and create lasting wounds. It's tempting to point out flaws or mistakes, but what if, instead, we led with compassion? A kind word, a bit of patience, or an offer to help can make all the difference. It’s in these moments that we remind others (and ourselves) that we’re human and imperfect—but also worthy of understanding and grace.

Let’s choose words that uplift and actions that inspire. After all, compassion is the key to mending divides and nurturing positive, lasting connections.

💬 How have you seen compassion make a difference in your life? Share your thoughts below.

💖 Happy World Grandparents Day! 💖

Grandparents are the heart of our families and communities, sharing wisdom, love, and guidance that makes everything better. 🌟 Their stories shape us, and their care teaches us lessons that last a lifetime.

Let’s celebrate the incredible role they play in our lives today and every day! 🎉👵👴

Tag your grandparents or a grandparent figure who inspires you! 💫

🎉 Get ready for an exciting day of fun, competition, and community spirit at our Pickleball for Good Tournament! 🎉

Join us on October 5th at Pierremont Oaks Tennis Club for a day filled with thrilling matches and great company. This event is perfect for players of all levels, so grab a partner and form your two-person team today!

🏓 Event Details: 📅 Date: October 5th
📍 Location: Pierremont Oaks Tennis Club
👫 Teams: 2-person teams (Must be 18+)

Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner, we want you to be part of this fantastic community event. Don't miss out on the fun and the chance to connect with fellow pickleball enthusiasts!

Register now to secure your spot and get ready to serve up some good times!
🔗 Registration link and information below:
https://communityrenewal.ejoinme.org/MyPages/PickleballTournament

Let's make this tournament one to remember! See you on the courts! 🎾✨

Exciting news! 🎉 Check out Rick Rowe’s interviews about Community Renewal International’s nomination for the True Inspiration Award. Don’t forget to show your support by voting for us! Download the app and select Community Renewal International. Your vote makes a difference!

https://www.chick-fil-a.com/appdownload

ArkLaTex Made: Community Renewal International SHREVEPORT, La. - Keep your fingers crossed for Community Renewal International. The Shreveport non-profit has been nominated for the Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Award.

🚀 Exciting News! 🚀

Tune in later today for an exclusive interview with Rick Rowe as he sits down with Community Renewal International and the Owner Brian Russell of Chick-fil-A, on Youree Drive. They’ll be discussing the prestigious True Inspiration Award, where Community Renewal is competing for a chance to win up to $200,000! 🌟

Out of 2,600 applicants, Community Renewal was selected as one of only five finalists in the Southwest Region.

Don't miss this chance to hear more about their incredible journey and to cast your votes on the app: https://www.chick-fil-a.com/appdownload

📅 Stay tuned for the interview. You won’t want to miss it!

💥Community Renewal International was selected as a regional finalist for Chick-fil-A’s True Inspiration Awards. 💥

As 1 of only 5 groups selected in the Southwest Region of the U.S., Community Renewal is eligible to receive a grant of up to $200,000.

The True Inspiration Awards® program was created in 2015 to honor the legacy of Chick-fil-A® founder S. Truett Cathy. The True Inspiration Awards® provide grants to nonprofit organizations working to strengthen our communities.

Last year, Chick-fil-A awarded $5.48 million to 51 organizations across North America, including Canada and Puerto Rico. This year, Community Renewal will be one of those recipients with a chance to receive up to $200,000.

Shreveport is fortunate to have Chick-fil-A’s Brian Russell in our community. Brian is the Owner-Operator of the Youree Drive Chick-fil-A location and is the one who actually nominated Community Renewal for the True Inspiration Award.

So, beginning TODAY September 3 – September 30, the public can vote for the finalists. Voting will count toward final scoring and grant amounts. We need your help!

Please take a moment and cast your vote today!

Don't have the app? Download it here: https://www.chick-fil-a.com/appdownload

🌟Happy Labor Day!🌟 Today, we celebrate the amazing mix of talents in our communities. From tech experts to healthcare heroes, teachers to tradespeople, every role adds a unique spark to our world. Let’s high-five every worker who makes a difference, big or small. Here’s to the incredible diversity and hard work that keeps us all thriving! 💪

🎉 **Let's Finish Strong** 🎉

August is almost over, but there's still time to make a difference! Thanks to the incredible partnership with Sportspectrum, many middle and high school students at the Friendship Houses in Shreveport and Bossier will be stepping to school this year with brand-new shoes! 👟

We’re so grateful for businesses like Sportspectrum that care about our community and invest in our youth. Let's rally behind them and keep the support going strong in these final days of August! 🙌

🎉 Get ready for our Community Renewal Pickleball for Good Tournament! 🎉

Join us on October 5th at Pierremont Oaks Tennis Club for a day filled with thrilling matches and great company. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner, we want you to be part of this event. It's perfect for players of all levels, so grab a partner and form your two-person team today! 🏓

📅 Date: October 5th
📍 Location: Pierremont Oaks Tennis Club
(578 Spring Lake Dr, Shreveport, LA)
👫 Teams: 2-person teams (Must be 18+)

Register now to secure your spot and get ready to serve up some good times!
Let's make this tournament one to remember! See you on the courts! 🎾✨

🔗 Registration link and information below: https://communityrenewal.ejoinme.org/MyPages/PickleballTournament

🌟 **Join Us for Monday Morning Inspiration!** 🌟

Looking for a way to start your week feeling inspired and connected? Join us every Monday at 9 AM for our Community Renewal Monday Morning Inspiration meetings!

Hear from our dedicated staff and amazing community members as they share the good things happening in our community—and the challenges we face together. You'll leave feeling more connected to the people living and working around you and motivated to take action.

Check out a few highlights below! 💪

See you next Monday at 9 AM in the CRI office. 838 Margaret Place Shreveport! 🗓️

Happy Friendship House Friday!

Let's spread love like confetti and create unforgettable memories for kids in our community. Co-host a birthday party at a Friendship House near you and provide a cake, ice cream, or your favorite dessert for a sweet celebration! Click the link below to sign up:

Click on the link below to sign up:

https://forms.gle/7Gip69XhBfTEBuo76

"Build bridges, not walls. Seek connection over conflict."

In times of tension, it's easy to fall into the trap of focusing on what divides us. But in our communities, where we live, work, and raise our families, it's more important than ever to seek connection over conflict. When we build bridges—whether through understanding, deep listening, or simply respecting different viewpoints—we create stronger, more resilient communities.

It's not about avoiding tough conversations or ignoring differences; it's about approaching them with a mindset of unity rather than division. We don't have to agree on everything, but we do need to value the relationships that hold our communities together. Every connection we make, every act of kindness, and every moment of empathy strengthens our neighborhoods and towns.

Let's make a conscious effort to reach out, listen, and understand. Let’s choose to be bridge-builders, not wall-builders.

Together, we can create communities where connection is stronger than conflict. 💪🏽🌍

As a new school year gets underway, several eager-to-learn people came to join us Thursday to learn more about Community Renewal! We are always happy to share what we know about Connecting People, Changing Lives and Transforming Communities!

✨️Meet Antoinette Needhom✨️

All through her teenage years, Antoinette Needhom kept fighting the same battle over and over again – a struggle against the hopelessness that kept pulling her down.

She had her first baby at 16 and was unable to finish high school. Her childhood dream of becoming a teacher was fading away. “I felt lost. I was existing, but not living. I was in a dark place and I started searching for a way to cope,” the Shreveport native said.

After one unsuccessful attempt to earn her high-school diploma, Antoinette dealt with fears of living alone and failing her children. She knew something had to change before it was too late.

A friend told her about Community Renewal’s Adult Renewal Academy. Now married and regaining some of the hope she had lost, Antoinette and her husband started classes at the ARA, graduating in 2021.

“They helped me learn how to dream again and have hope for a better community and a better life,” she said.

Moving forward with mentors and a new dedication, she then became Allendale neighborhood ambassador and knew that she was finding a new purpose in life with Community Renewal. She is now the community coordinator at the Barksdale Annex Friendship House, overseeing the Kids Club.

“I pray that they will never lose the desire to learn because education is the master key to many things in life,” she said. “I pray that my testimony will inspire them and encourage them to do the right thing.”

Antoinette sees families in her area dealing with poverty, low education, broken homes and other issues. “I pray they can reach whatever dream they have regardless of whatever odds might be stacked against them. I do not want them to ever feel like they are alone,” she said. “I want them to be encouraged and be involved in the community because we are better together.

“We all come with our flaws, but if we can just see beyond the flaws, we can see the beauty in people and help them reach their potential. If we can extend grace and care to another person, we can make the world a better place.”

Get ready for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate 30 incredible years of connecting people, breaking barriers, and building a brighter future for all generations!

Join us as we honor our legacy and look forward to an even more vibrant tomorrow. We are thrilled to welcome a very special guest, The Ambassador of Mexico to the U.S.A the honorable Esteban Montezuma Barragán, who will inspire us as our keynote speaker. Come be a part of this milestone celebration and witness the power of community in action. Let’s make history together!

Date: October 17th, 2024
Location: Shreveport Convention Center,
400 Caddo St. Shreveport
Social Hour: 5:30 PM
Dinner Served: 6:30 PM

All tickets are complimentary. Thank you for registering!
https://communityrenewal.us/join-us-for-30-years-of-caring

Join Us for Pickleball 101!

Ladies of Community Renewal International, it's time to grab your sneakers and get ready for a morning of fun and friendship! Whether you're a seasoned player or a complete newbie, this event is for you.

📅 Date: August 17th
⏰ Time: 10 AM
📍 Location: The Pickle Pen

Come learn the basics of Pickleball in a lively, supportive atmosphere. This is a multi-generational free event, so bring your daughters, mothers, grandmothers, and friends! It's the perfect opportunity to make new connections, enjoy some friendly competition, and, most importantly, have a blast!

Let us know you're coming by registering below:
https://communityrenewal.us/sign-up-for-pickleball-101

🎉 **Exciting News!** 🎉

We are thrilled to announce a special partnership with Sportspectrum ! Thanks to their generosity and commitment to our community, many middle and high school students at the Friendship Houses in Shreveport and Bossier will be receiving brand-new shoes just in time for the school year! 👟

Partnerships like this one are vital to our mission of supporting and empowering the next generation. We believe that when businesses come together with a heart to serve, our entire community thrives. 🙌

We encourage everyone to show their support for Sportspectrum —a business that truly cares about making a difference in the lives of our youth. Let's come together to uplift those who are investing in our future! 💪