Trick or Treating Safety Tips

With Halloween right around the corner, kids are itching to spend the spooky night with friends. In a sweet treat across America, Dr. Anthony Fauci gave the green light for outdoor trick-or-treating this year.

A little pre-planning and precaution can keep everyone safe and smiling. Obviously, for younger children under 12, adult supervision is highly recommended. But if your child is ready to Trick or Treat with their friends, here are some tips to keep them safe.

1. Carry flashlights (Many hardware stores have mini-LED flashlights for around $2). Also, consider reflective tape or glowsticks.

2. Designate check-in times and updates via a phone call.

3. Only visit homes that are visited by others and have lights on.

4. Walk—don’t run—from house to house using sidewalks when possible.

5. Be aware of and avoid open flames like candles in jack-o’-lanterns.

6. Stay on streets that have other trick-or-treaters.

7. Advise your child to NOT eat any candy that has been opened in any way. Bonus points if you can get them to wait to eat anything until they get home so you have time to inspect it.

8. Remind them of your favorite candy so they save you a few.

9. Do not approach dogs you don’t know. Always ask the owner's permission before approaching dogs you do know.

10. Do not talk to anyone driving by in a car. Review this with them: If an adult needs help they should be asking another adult, not kids. They have permission if approached by someone in a car to yell “No!” and run in the opposite direction the car is facing, then contact their trusted adults immediately.

Halloween can be a ghoulishly good time but being safe during the festivities is important. Hopefully, these trick-or-treating safety tips set you up for a spectacular, spooky holiday.

Grow with Family Promise:Google Partners with Family Promise to Strengthen Career Skills

One of the most challenging parts of finding a better-paying job is acquiring the skills needed to check off a company’s “Job Requirements” list. In most cases, these skills are learned in an academic setting, which can quickly become a financial burden. For a family that’s still getting back on their feet, that money is unavailable, which leads back to lower-paying jobs and a vicious cycle.

But now, thanks to a grant from Google, Family Promise will soon be offering free courses and certifications through Grow with Google. Grow with Google is an initiative to give Americans the digital skills they need to land the jobs they want, advance their careers, and grow their business.

Per Google’s website, “Since 2017, more than five million Americans have grown their businesses and careers with help from Grow with Google’s training and in-person workshops. And through a network of more than 7,500 partner organizations—including local libraries, schools, and nonprofits—more people across the country have access to our free online tools and flexible programs.”

Family Promise of Greater New Braunfels is excited to add Grow with Google certifications to our program offerings. Already, our Community Initiatives have included childcare and job training, financial literacy, food assistance, furniture and clothing donation, and health and wellness programs. Over the past seven years, we’ve provided shelter, meals, case management, homelessness prevention, and stabilization services to over 242 family members. More than 95% of families in our shelter program secure housing because of our case management and community support.

Keep an eye on future newsletters and blogs for information on how to sign up for Grow with Google and more opportunities to assist FPGNB!

Meet The Family: Michelle Luhrs

Michelle Luhrs was one of the first members to bring Family Promise to fruition in New Braunfels. Once FPGNB was official, she served as the coordinator for Unity Church before transitioning to the Board. She currently serves as Board President in her second term.

Michelle first became involved while looking for a way to give back not only money but time to her community. Rev Tutor at Unity pointed her toward the Family Promise program and invited her to the early meetings.

When not supporting FPGNB, Michelle is a mother of three, working full-time for Workplace Resource, a commercial furniture provider in San Antonio. Her hobby is remodeling old homes.

“[Family Promise] is fulfilling to be able to provide a secure place for families,” she says. “It is so much more than giving them shelter and food. Family promise teaches people how to manage money, find a stable job, secure childcare, and transportation, so they are set up for success. FPGNB has had a wonderful impact on my life.”

Michelle shared her most memorable moment with us: “One Sunday when we were late converting a Sunday School room to a bedroom for a Mom and her two daughters. My children were there, and I was stressed about running late and being a little short with them. The Mom and her daughters arrived and came into the room while we were still in there. The Mom started crying and hugged me, thanking us so much for creating a beautiful space for her and her daughters. She couldn’t stop telling me how grateful she was to have a safe, beautiful room to sleep in. I’ll never forget the look on my children’s faces watching this happen and the way it changed our perspective forever. It helps us to feel so much gratitude for the things we take for granted, and it shows how a simple act can have a bigger impact than we could ever imagine.”

She looks forward to building on the relationship FPGNB has with the churches and finalizing plans for a transitional home.

Thank you, Michelle Luhrs, for your work and dedication to FPGNB!