February 2008

• Manos de Cristo's Queen of Hearts Ball was an astounding success. With tickets sales up by more than 40%, 23 table sponsorships, the most amount of area ministers in attendance, EVER and an incredible venue the ball will not soon be forgotten! We look forward to improving on this event each year! Join us next February as we gather to benefit the non-profit that is so near and dear to all of our hearts.

• Manos de Cristo's Queen of Hearts Ball will be a wonderful way to spend Valentine's Day away from the crowds. Please join us February 15, 2008 at the Omni Hotel Downtown. There will be an incredible dinner, spectacular live auction and our featured musical guest, The Sophisticates are sure to impress. From the dessert buffet to the candy bar, the evening should have a little something for everyone. Please contact us via email at fdevelopment@manosdecristo.org to make your reservation today. $100 per person.

December 2007

• Our Annual Christmas Families Program was bigger and better than ever! Many programs throughout our community provide toys to their clients during the holidays; at Manos, we were afraid that many of our clients were going without a Christmas meal. We were able to match over 90 families for adoption this holiday season more than tripling our usual 28 families. Each family received a basket filled with all the necessary items for a beautiful holiday meal, and each child was given a toy, game, or article of clothing and in some cases all three. The response from the community was amazing.

November 2007

• McCormick & Schmick’s Restaurant, Downtown opened its doors on Saturday, November 3, for our Harvest of Blessings: Volunteer Appreciation to honor the individuals that make such a huge difference at Manos. The meal was beautiful! Many of our volunteers are so busy when they are at Manos that is was nice for staff, board members and volunteers to have some time with one another. Valerie Thurman was our guest speaker and she shared some pearls of wisdom that she has gathered in her 38 years of non-profit work. Thank you again to all of the individuals who make what we do at Manos possible.

October 2007

Read Manos’ Newsletter:
Newsletter Issue #5 - Special Edition Christmas Newsletter…
Newsletter Issue #4
Newsletter Issue #3
Newsletter Issue #2
Newsletter Issue #1

Forget about those diets, Manos de Cristo is now taking orders for our annual Christmas Tamale Sale. We offer four varieties, pork, bean, chicken and jalapeno/pork, for only $9.00. Orders may be placed through your church Tamale Sale coordinator; by calling the Manos de Cristo office at 477-7454 or by emailing Please arrange to pay for your order when it is placed. Pick-up date for the tamales is Friday, December 7 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. Let us place the largest order we ever have!

We are opening our doors for the second event in our Chocolate fundraising series, “Chocolate, Art & Salsa”, on October 18. With thirteen new chocolatiers, thirteen new artists and some amazing salsa music, it should be a party for all five senses. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for students/children and all proceeds will go to benefit our Education Program.

September 2007

• New! GED Classes at Manos de Cristo, we are very proud to announce that we will be partnering with Austin Community College in providing free GED classes, any person 18 years old or older living permanently in the U.S. who did not finish high school can enter our Adult Basic Education/GED classes.  17 year-old students may attend with a copy of a withdrawal letter from the last school they attended. 16 year-old students may attend with a copy of an official court order and a withdrawal letter from the last school they attended. Classes begin Wednesday, October 10, 2007, Monday-Wednesday Evening Classes 6:00-9:00, at Manos de Cristo
  

August 2007

• How a Small Change Will Make a Huge Difference at Manos de Cristo, On August 6, 2007, the Manos de Cristo Board named Julie Ballesteros as the new Executive Director. Ballesteros was promoted from Program Director to ED because of her vast knowledge of the organization and her achievements in improving the Basic Needs and Education Programs. The Manos Board and Staff are energized about the decision and the new direction of the organization. Under the new leadership, Manos will continue offering invaluable services including affordable dental care, free education classes, and basic needs to the underserved residents of Austin.
  
• The English as a Second Language (ESL) and Computer classes will start August 27. The ESL classes will be held Monday and Wednesday mornings (9:30 am-11:30 am), Tuesday and Thursday evenings (7:00 pm-9:00 pm). The computer classes will be held Monday and Wednesday evenings (7:00 pm-9:00 pm) along with Friday mornings from (9:30 am-11:30 am).
  
• We are looking for volunteers who teach Computer Classes either Tuesday or Thursday evenings (7:00 pm - 9:00 pm). This is a wonderful and rewarding opportunity to practice your Spanish, no experience necessary! Training and materials will be provided. The classes meet from August through December. For more information email at mdc@manosdecristo.org or call Manos de Cristo's main phone: (512) 477-7454.
  
  
• Food, Fun & Fellowship @ Fleming’s was a grand success! With over 130 people in attendance, we enjoyed wonderful food, an incredible atmosphere, and superb service. Please stay tuned for our next brunch location announcement.
  
• After a very busy Back-to-School, hundreds of volunteers, thousands of school supplies, and millions of raindrops, we were able to serve 1,584 children who might otherwise have returned to school unequipped. The overwhelming support we had from our churches, corporations and private donors both monetary and in-kind contributed to the success of the program. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

July 2007

• Amy’s Ice Cream is partnering with Manos to make our Back-to-School Program the most successful ever, it is a two-fold project. As you will notice in all 11 of Amy’s stores there are bins that are collecting school supplies for our program: binders, notebooks, markers, crayons and white glue. They will deliver all of the school supplies to us during our sorting week and they will leave one coupon in each backpack so that all 1500 children can visit their nearest Amy’s and enjoy free ice cream! What a beautiful testament to our program! Make sure you enjoy some ice cream from Amy’s during these hot summer months and thank them on behalf of Manos!
  
• Chocolate, Art & Opera went so well that we are clueing you in on the second in the series which will benefit the Education Program at Manos. There will be a brand new group of artists featured, a curious spin on chocolate and amazing music for our, “Chocolate, Art & Salsa,” event which will take place Thursday, October 18.

April 2007

• Since the early 90’s, Manos de Cristo has offered our Back-to-School Program to pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students for two weeks each year at the end of July and beginning of August; when each child receives two sets of clothing, including socks and underwear, and a backpack with grade-appropriate school supplies. Through this program, Manos de Cristo helps meet the needs of impoverished families by providing them with the necessities to begin the new school year. From the year 2000 through 2006, Manos de Cristo has prepared 7,648 children for school. In 2007, we expect to provide at least another 1,500 children with the supplies and the confidence they need to begin the year. Please direct your questions to mdc@manosdecristo.org.