Austin Child Guidance Center has entered into a contest with other non-profit agencies across the United States in order to win $25,000 for improvements to our Children’s Healing Garden! This will help ACGC to purchase a rain-harvesting system for irrigation, as well as create a meditation labyrinth. Every day in March, please go to the following website (http://www.refresheverything.com/childrenshealinggarden) and vote for the ACGC Children’s Healing Garden project! You simply click on the “Vote for this Project” button at the bottom of the page, log in with your email address and a password (you can opt out of receiving any emails from Pepsi), then return to the page and cast your vote! Please be aware that you vote AFTER you log in with your email address!

While you’re thinking about the garden… On Friday, April 23, join us for the United Way Spring Day of Caring. We will meet at 9am at United Way Capital Area to kick off the start of our first spring work day in ACGC’s Children’s Healing Garden. Around 10am, we’ll head over to ACGC to begin trimming, mulching, weeding, and spreading granite. We’ll work into the afternoon, but stay as long as you are able. ACGC will provide tools, but be sure to bring your own sunscreen and water! If you’re interested in helping out, please contact Laura Whitekettle (lwhitekettle@austinchildguidance.org) or Sarah Jones (sjones@austinchildguidance.org). You can also sign up on the United Way Hands on Central Texas Website (www.handsoncentraltexas.org).

Austin Child Guidance Center is now offering walk-in therapy services for children, up to age 17, and their family members, on Tuesdays (11 a.m. to 12 p.m.) and Fridays (3 p.m. to 4 p.m.). Mental health professionals are available to talk with youth and families who are struggling. Walk-in services are open to current clients as well those children and families in the community who have been unable to access traditional, ongoing therapy due to waiting lists; parents who are concerned about their child’s behavior and are seeking advice are also welcome. For training purposes, sessions may be observed by ACGC therapists and staff. Walk-in services will be offered on a sliding fee scale (no insurance). For more information, please contact us at (512) 451-2242.

Do you want to help children navigate life and help the relief effots in Haiti? Join Austin Child Guidance Center’s Pace Pals for Kids in the 2010 Austin Marathon! Due to the disastrous event in Haiti on January 12, 2010, ACGC has expanded its goals for this year’s race. Keeping in mind our mission and dedication to improving the lives of children and families, we are extending our mission overseas to those children and families suffering in Haiti by contributing 20% of our total donations from the Austin Marathon campaign to the American Red Cross International Relief Fund in the efforts to provide aide to Haiti.

YOU can help by: (1) donating online (www.active.com/donate/austinchildguidance or www.austinchildguidance.org) or (2) volunteering at the water stop on race day, February 14, 2010 (sign up at www.doitsports.com/volunteer/join-protected-group.tcl?event_id=159567 - use the password “26″ to log in and sign up).

By contributing to this event, whether financially or with your time, you can help children and families that are struggling through some of life’s most difficult times, in both Austin and Haiti. The goal of treatment at Austin Child Guidance Center is to relieve the mental health issues faced by children and youth, with the help and support of their parents, siblings, grandparents, teachers, and friends. Current relief efforts in Haiti are focused on basic needs, such as food, shelter, and medical attention; eventual support will be needed to address the issues of grief, loss, and trauma. Austin Child Guidance Center addresses similar issues as we continue to work with survivors experiencing Post- Traumatic Stress from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. We have seen the overwhelming and devastating effects of disaster, but also know that change and healing are possible. By contributing 20% of our Austin Marathon donations to the Haiti relief efforts, we invite you to help us reach out to those families affected in Haiti’s tragic earthquake, while also helping the children and families in our community.

Questions? Check out the 26 Miles for 26 Charities website for more information about the charity arm of the Austin Marathon (http://www.youraustinmarathon.com/26for26), or contact Zack Flores at (512) 451-2242 or zflores@austinchildguidance.org. We look forward to your support!

Are you or do you know a parent of a child with ADHD? Austin Child Guidance Center is accepting referrals for parents of children age 4-11 years who have been diagnosed with disruptive behavior disorders, such as ADHD and ODD, and who are interested in an education and support group. Beginning Monday, February 1st, the group will meet every Monday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Child care is available at Austin Child Guidance Center during the meeting time. Please call (512) 451-2242 for more information.