Polk County News - Breakout

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By Emily Banks Wooten
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G.R.A.C.E. Pregnancy Outreach has an immediate need for a volunteer receptionist. Tasks will include greeting clients, answering the phone, data entry, social media posting and scheduling appointments.

“We are looking for an individual who has a heart for parents in need of our services. It must be someone dependable, trustworthy and trainable,” Executive Director Misty Nettles said. Applications may be picked up at 414 S. Washington in Livingston.

G.R.A.C.E. Pregnancy Outreach offers prenatal care, education, community referrals, peer counseling and materials assistance to Polk and 18 other surrounding counties and all the services are free. The program operates out of its location at 414 S. Washington in Livingston.

Pregnancy tests, Medicaid referrals and limited ultrasounds are offered. Additionally, referrals for housing, job searches, childcare and food are also offered. The group works closely with Oasis Resale Shop and Habitat for Humanity Resale Shop to provide needed items for the clients.

“We know this is a low socioeconomic area but we want our moms and our dads to have an abundant life,” Nettles said, adding that the program is a non-profit and relies heavily on donations.

G.R.A.C.E. Pregnancy Outreach is a big proponent of education. A variety of classes are offered including prenatal, childbirth, parenting, breastfeeding, newborn care, postpartum and much more. Also offered is a program called “Earn While You Learn,” which allows clients to accumulate points through the classes and then spend the points on baby and maternity items. Series of classes are offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Also on staff are a client service coordinator, a social worker and two lactation consultants who are also certified childcare consultants.

“We get a lot of girls that are scared to death and don’t know what to do so they come to us because everything we do is confidential,” Nettles said, adding, “We’ve really been able to see some beautiful transformations.”

The phone number is 936-327-8440 and the Facebook page is G.R.A.C.E. Pregnancy Outreach Inc.

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The Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce has issued a release to alarm businesses in the area that are receiving phone calls from Liberty Marketing. The company is stating that they are creating a county map to be distributed by the chamber office.

This map will not be distributed by the Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce. In the past, the chamber has asked Liberty Marketing to let businesses know which chamber of commerce will be distributing their map. According to the local chamber, they are misleading businesses. This map will not be distributed by the Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce located in Livingston and serving the Greater Polk County and surrounding area. The chamber is not telling businesses to refrain from advertising on the map, that is a choice. However, the money collected is not staying local and the chamber is not aware who will distribute the map. 

The Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce is getting ready to produce its official Polk County Map, that will be published by the Polk County Publishing Company. Jessica will contact chamber members to see if they wish to buy an ad. This map will be distributed by the Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce.

Those with questions may contact the Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce at 936-327-4929 or contact Jessica with Polk County Publishing Company at 936-327-4357 ext. 1014.

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From Enterprise Staff

The American Legion Post #312 will remember the sacrifices of four brave chaplains with a reenactment ceremony at 2 p.m. on Feb. 5. The ceremony is free and open to the public.

On Feb. 3, 1943, during World War II, an American troop ship, the SS Dorchester, left New York in route to Greenland. In the early morning hours, the SS Dorchester was torpedoed by the German Submarine U-223 off Newfoundland in the North Atlantic. There were four Army chaplains aboard – Father J.P. Washington, Rabbi Alexander D. Goode, Reverend George L. Fox and Reverend Clark V. Poling.

These four chaplains, also referred to as the Immortal Chaplains, amid chaos, freezing cold and fear, helped soldiers don life vests and board lifeboats. When all of the life jackets were gone, these four Chaplains, without hesitation, selflessly gave up their own life jackets to soldiers. Of the 902 soldiers, Navy, Armed Guard crew and civilian passengers on board, only 230 survived. When last seen, the chaplains had joined arms, were praying and singing hymns as they went down with the ship.

The American Legion Post #312 is located at 816 U.S. Hwy. 59 Loop North in Livingston.

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From Enterprise Staff

The Local Board for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) has received notice of an award of federal funds made through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for this jurisdiction to assist Polk County residents with utility costs, food and nutrition services and shelter.

The Local Board will receive applications for funding from qualifying Local Recipient Organizations (LRO) meeting the following criteria; LROs must: 1) be private, voluntary non-profits or units of government, 2) have an accounting system, 3) practice nondiscrimination, 4) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and 5) if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board. Qualified organizations are urged to apply for this program by submitting applications to:

Emergency Food & 

Shelter Local Board - Phase 40

Attn: Jennifer Thompson

Polk County Judge’s Office

 410 E. Church St., Suite E

 Livingston, Texas 77351

Applications will be available on the Polk County website by Feb. 1 and must be received no later than 1:30 p.m. Feb. 15, at which time the Local Board, consisting of representatives from affiliates of the voluntary organizations comprising the National Board, will meet to consider applications received, select Local Recipient Organizations to be funded, and determine the distribution of funding.

Further information on the program or applications may be obtained by contacting the office of Polk County Judge Sydney Murphy at 936-327-6813.