The Dublin community is invited to the old Memorial Stadium (located on Camden Street) Saturday, March 21 as Community Connections Cohorts hosts a free soccer camp and resource fair for the community.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. kids from pre-K through 8th grade will be able to learn and practice soccer skills on the field.
This will be followed by a free lunch as Dublin Family Worship’s Feed My Sheep ministries will be serving their signature tacos at no cost from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
After lunch, the kids will get to scrimmage and a number of local resources and organizations will be set up with activities and information for those in attendance. This will continue until the event ends at 3 p.m.
The free family friendly event was actually organized as a way for CCC to put local residents who might be in need with resources like help with gasoline or food. CCC is a group of local leaders trying to identify and meet the needs of the Erath Community. Their efforts are supported by Texas Health Resources as part of a Texas Health Community Impact grant award.
In listening to local needs, CCC director Kristy Allen said they often heard how Dublin was underserved with Erath resources focusing on Stephenville so they were trying to meet the needs of Dublin and organize an event that would interest.
“We knew how much soccer was wanted in this town,” said organizer/CCC volunteer Cojack Martinez. “We didn’t realize how big it would be.”
As of Tuesday morning, 85 kids were enrolled in the camp. Families can continue to register throughout the week as well as the morning of the event.
Martinez and Allen said the event has also drawn a lot of volunteers including multiple coaches and parents offering to assist.
Even with the excitement for the soccer activities, they stressed the event is open to anyone (particularly those needing help) and there are things to appeal to everyone including the free food, booths from local organizations and activities such as art exercises from Cross Timbers Fine Arts Council.
In volunteering with CCC, Allen and Martinez have been meeting with other community representatives gathering data on the needs of Erath residents which has made them see the need in the community.
“I always thought I was helping by being a coach, but I think [volunteering with CCC] is even more helpful,” said Martinez. “We get to help people who are maybe not eating at home or get electricity for them if they are without it.”
Allen agreed saying that as the executive director of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for the Cross Timbers Area, she sees a lot of people when ‘they are already in crisis.’ “This organization offers the opportunity to build up a support system,” said Allen. “We want people to know there is hope and healing available… that there are resources available and they are not alone.”
Martinez said pride often acts as a barrier in people getting the help they need.
“We want to try to lower the bar—make it easier for them to ask or accept it,” said Allen.
“We’ll try to get resources for everyone that need them,” said Martinez, noting that CCC offers services to all of Erath County. “Even if there are others [at the event] from out-of-county, we’ll try to connect them with something that can help them in their area.”
CCC meets the first Monday of every month at 9 a.m. in the Dublin Public Library with Granny Clark’s providing breakfast. Allen and Martinez encourage anyone who cares about the community and able to attend to join. Allen said the meetings often result in local leaders learning about other efforts and offers a chance for organizations to collaborate for the local community.
For more information on the group, visit Community Connection Cohorts on Facebook. For information or to register for the camp, scan the QR code below or call/text Martinez at 254413.9303.