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Avenues for Hope & School District: Helping Homeless Students with Funds

2024-12-09

During the holiday season, the act of giving takes on a special significance. In Twin Falls, Idaho, money donated during this time plays a crucial role in assisting those less fortunate within the community. One such group are the vulnerable students in the Twin Falls School District.

"Holiday Giving: Empowering Twin Falls Students"

Identifying At-Risk Students

At-Risk Coordinator Jenny Herzog has identified 309 students who meet the federal definition of homeless. These students come from families facing home insecurity or living in motels or campers with friends. In some cases, they are separated from their families and living with others. Last May, the number was 396, but Herzog explains that they are still gathering data and the numbers could rise again by May.

Herzog and her team work hard to identify those at risk and bring them in. They have a list of community resources to refer these students to and also offer family health services within the building.

They also strive to connect families with housing. The district receives federal dollars for this purpose but can only use them for academic matters. Whether it's providing school supplies, backpacks, or helping them join extracurricular programs or take driver's ed, they are there to assist.

Partnering with Avenues for Hope

The district has been partnering with Avenues for Hope for four years to raise money for their Angel Fund. This locally funded program covers items that federal dollars cannot. Hygiene items like lots of laundry soaps are provided, and laundry cards are especially in demand as many of these students, living in motels or trailers and couch surfing, don't have access to laundry facilities, and the cost is significant.

Covering these items frees up a family's budget, allowing them to focus on other expenses. The money raised makes a big difference as more people reach out.

It also helps the students focus on their education and worry less about their appearance. As Eva Craner, Director of Public Relations, points out, mental stress can prevent students from achieving academically. By providing the necessary support, these students can reach their highest potential.

Goal and Campaign

Their goal is to raise $5,000, and the campaign runs from now until Dec. 31. Every dollar counts as it makes a significant impact on the lives of these vulnerable students.

San Antonio, Texas has witnessed a harrowing incident where a neighbor stepped in to prevent a car theft only to end up in the hospital with a gunshot wound. This incident has left the community shocked and questioning the nature of such events.

In the Heart of San Antonio, a Neighbor's Act of Bravery Had Devastating Consequences

Confrontation at Farmsville Drive

On Monday morning, officers arrived at a home on Farmsville Drive, not far from Marbach Road. There they found a man lying on the ground, suffering from a gunshot wound in his back. According to SAPD, the man and his father had confronted two individuals who were attempting to steal a car from a neighbor across the street. Both sides were armed with guns and engaged in a tense standoff.

The man was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition. It remains unclear whether the thieves, who fled the area in two separate cars, were also injured during the shooting. The sound of gunshots had initially been mistaken for something else by Bryan Castellon, who only realized later what had happened. He opened his door to see patrol cars rushing into the neighborhood.

The Value of a Life vs. a Car

Nina McCauley, the owner of the car in question, was shocked to learn that her neighbor had come so close to losing his life over it. “I hope he’s OK. I’ve been praying that he’s OK,” she said. “The car’s not worth it. Take the car. You can always get another one, but you can’t get another life.”

In hindsight, McCauley couldn’t help but wonder if things could have been different if she had been outside that morning, as she usually was. She believes that by being present, she might have deterred the thieves from targeting the car.

Investigation and the Search for Shooters

Investigators immediately targeted areas where they believed they might find evidence. They searched the neighborhood for any possible security video and checked the car for fingerprints. As of early Monday afternoon, they were still looking for the shooters who had managed to get away.

This incident has raised questions about the safety of neighborhoods and the lengths to which people will go to protect their property. It serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of life and the importance of being vigilant.

Bowl season has officially kicked off, bringing with it a plethora of exciting matchups and postseason action. With the college football regular season in the rearview mirror, teams have now been confirmed for the postseason, and fans are eagerly awaiting the start of the action. Here's a detailed look at all the bowl games for the 2024-25 season.

Uncover the Thrills of Bowl Season 2024-25

How Many Teams Made Bowl Games in 2024-25?

Including the 12 teams that made it to the playoff, a remarkable 84 programs will be competing in postseason play. This showcases the wide reach and significance of bowl games in college football. It's a testament to the hard work and talent of these teams throughout the regular season.The playoff teams add an extra layer of excitement, as they battle it out for the ultimate championship. But the rest of the 84 teams also have their chance to shine on the bowl stage.

How Many Bowl Games Are There?

There are a total of 47 bowl games in the 2024-25 college football season. This includes the four College Football Playoff first-round games, four quarterfinal games, two semifinals, and the national championship. The quarterfinal and semifinal games will have official bowl names, adding to the excitement and prestige. However, the first round and national championship will not have specific bowl names.Each of these bowl games offers a unique opportunity for teams to showcase their skills and compete for a coveted trophy. From the early December matchups to the final showdown in January, bowl season is a celebration of college football.

List of College Football Bowl Games for 2024-25

December 14th:- Cricket Celebration Bowl: Jackson State vs. South Carolina State, 12 p.m. ET. This game brings together two talented teams and is a great way to kick off the bowl season.- IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl: South Alabama vs. Western Michigan, 9 p.m. ET. A tribute to veterans, this game showcases the spirit of the sport and gives back to those who have served.December 17th:- Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl: Memphis vs. West Virginia, 9 p.m. ET. Two strong programs going head-to-head in a battle for bowl glory.December 18th:- Boca Raton Bowl: Western Kentucky vs. James Madison, 5:30 p.m. ET. A matchup between two conference rivals, with plenty at stake.- Art of Sport LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk: California vs. UNLV, 9 p.m. ET. A game in the heart of Los Angeles, with a star-studded host.December 19th:- R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: Georgia Southern vs. Sam Houston, 7 p.m. ET. A southern showdown between two solid programs.December 20th:- StaffDNA Cure Bowl: Ohio vs. Jacksonville State, 12 p.m. ET. A midweek matchup that adds to the excitement of bowl season.- Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl: Tulane vs. Florida, 3:30 p.m. ET. A local rivalry with a lot of pride on the line.- CFP First Round: Indiana at Notre Dame, 8 p.m. ET. The first round of the playoff kicks off with a high-stakes matchup between two storied programs.December 21st:- CFP First Round: SMU at Penn State, 12 p.m. ET. Two teams with strong offenses looking to make a statement.- CFP First Round: Clemson at Texas, 4 p.m. ET. A clash of two powerhouse programs in a battle for bowl supremacy.- CFP First Round: Tennessee at Ohio State, 8 p.m. ET. A showdown between two conference leaders in a must-win game.December 23rd:- Myrtle Beach Bowl: Coastal Carolina vs. UTSA, 11 a.m. ET. A game in a beautiful location, with two teams looking to make a name for themselves.- Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Northern Illinois vs. Fresno State, 2:30 p.m. ET. A unique bowl game with a local flavor.December 24th:- Hawai’i Bowl: South Florida vs. San Jose State, 8 p.m. ET. A Pacific Rim matchup that brings together teams from different parts of the country.December 26th:- GameAbove Sports Bowl: Pittsburgh vs. Toledo, 2 p.m. ET. A midweek game that adds to the excitement of the postseason.- Rate Bowl: Rutgers vs. Kansas State, 5:30 p.m. ET. Two Big Ten teams going head-to-head in a battle for bowl bragging rights.- 68 Ventures Bowl: Arkansas State vs. Bowling Green, 9 p.m. ET. A matchup between two mid-major programs with a lot to play for.December 27th:- Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Navy, 12 p.m. ET. A game that honors our military, with two tough teams competing.- Birmingham Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. Vanderbilt, 3:30 p.m. ET. A SEC showdown between two traditional programs.- AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Texas Tech vs. Arkansas, 7 p.m. ET. A battle between two teams from different conferences, with a lot at stake.- DIRECTV Holiday Bowl: Syracuse vs. Washington State, 8 p.m. ET. A west coast matchup with two teams looking to end the season on a high note.- SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl: Texas A&M vs. USC, 10:30 p.m. ET. A prime-time game in Las Vegas, with two powerhouse programs going head-to-head.December 28th:- Wasabi Fenway Bowl: North Carolina vs. UConn, 11 a.m. ET. A game in a historic stadium, with two teams looking to make some noise.- Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe bowl: Boston College vs. Nebraska, 12 p.m. ET. A Big East vs. Big Ten matchup in New York City.- Isleta New Mexico Bowl: TCU vs. Louisiana, 2:15 p.m. ET. A southwestern showdown between two talented teams.- Pop-Tarts Bowl: Iowa State vs. Miami, 3:30 p.m. ET. A matchup between two teams with a lot of pride and tradition.- Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop: Miami (OH) vs. Colorado State, 4:30 p.m. ET. A unique bowl game with a celebrity host.- Go Bowling Military Bowl: East Carolina vs. NC State, 5:45 p.m. ET. A game that honors our military, with two conference rivals competing.- Valero Alamo Bowl: BYU vs. Colorado, 7:30 p.m. ET. A matchup between two teams with a lot of talent and potential.- Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl: Marshall vs. Army, 9:15 p.m. ET. A military-themed bowl game with two tough teams going at it.December 30th:- Transperfect Music City Bowl: Iowa vs. Missouri, 2:30 p.m. ET. A game in Nashville, with two teams looking to make a statement.December 31st:- Reliaquest Bowl: Alabama vs. Michigan, 12 p.m. ET. A national championship preview as two powerhouse programs face off.- Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl: Louisville vs. Washington, 2 p.m. ET. A west coast vs. east coast matchup with a lot of excitement.- Cheez-It Citrus Bowl: South Carolina vs. Illinois, 3 p.m. ET. A SEC vs. Big Ten matchup with a lot of history.- Kinder’s Texas Bowl: Baylor vs. LSU, 3:30 p.m. ET. A battle between two SEC powerhouses in a high-stakes game.- VRBO Fiesta Bowl (CFP quarterfinal): Winner of SMU/Penn State vs. Boise State, 7:30 p.m. ET. The first CFP quarterfinal game, with a lot on the line.January 1st:- Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl (CFP quarterfinal): Winner of Clemson/Texas vs. Arizona State, 1 p.m. ET. Another CFP quarterfinal game, with two talented teams competing.- Rose Bowl (CFP quarterfinal): Winner of Tennessee/Ohio State vs. Oregon, 5 p.m. ET. A classic matchup in the Rose Bowl, with two top teams going at it.- Allstate Sugar Bowl (CFP quarterfinal): Winner of Indiana/Notre Dame vs. Georgia, 8:45 p.m. ET. The final CFP quarterfinal game, with a lot of excitement.January 2nd:- Taxpayer Gator Bowl: Duke vs. Ole Miss, 7:30 p.m. ET. A SEC vs. ACC matchup with a lot of pride on the line.January 3rd:- Servpro First Responder Bowl: North Texas vs. Texas State, 4 p.m. ET. A game that honors first responders, with two teams looking to make a difference.- Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech, 7:30 p.m. ET. A Big Ten vs. ACC matchup in a bowl game with a lot of history.January 4th:- Bahamas Bowl: Buffalo vs. Liberty, 11 a.m. ET. A game in the Caribbean, with two teams looking to end the season on a high note.January 9th:- Capital One Orange Bowl (CFP semifinal): 7:30 p.m. ET. The first CFP semifinal game, with two teams fighting for a spot in the championship.January 10th:- Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (CFP semifinal): 7:30 p.m. ET. The second CFP semifinal game, with two more top teams competing.January 20th:- College Football Playoff National Championship: 7:30 p.m. ET. The ultimate showdown, as the best teams in the country battle it out for the national championship.