June is National Homeownership Month

In 1995, National Homeownership Week began as a strategy of President William Clinton’s administration to increase homeownership across the nation. In 2002, President George W. Bush expanded the observance to the entire month of June.

National Homeownership Month in June shines a spotlight on supporting the American Dream of homeownership. It’s also a time to recognize the organizations that help individuals and families to achieve their goals.

Weather & Wine Fundraiser

The first Weather & Wine class was a huge success! There were beautiful Charcuterie boards of delicious food, there was lots to learn, and good company to share it all with! Wine tasting was offered to those who were interested, along with a history lesson of Stonehaus Winery.

Money was raised for Creative’s program to help those facing financial emergencies and that is the most important part of all. Money raised at this event will help ease the burden of folks in our community who are facing tough times.

If you missed this class don’t despair! We’ll definitely be doing this one again in the fall!

Home tip of the week 

Sometimes it’s necessary to make marks on the wall when hanging pictures. Marking the edges of where the pictures should go makes that task a lot easier! Use white chalk the next time you need to make those marks. The chalk will work well to outline borders and it easily wipes off the wall afterward!

Creative Compassion Cares

Creative has now helped 26 families with rent, mortgage and utility assistance! We have prevented evictions, some of which would have involved children, helped folks keep the lights on, the water running, and more! This wonderful new program by Creative is making a very positive difference in our community.

We are so grateful for the donations to our program. The first week of June has already seen more than $500 worth of donations to the program! In addition, our partnership with St. Alphonsus, Cumberland Fellowship, and Good Samaritans allows each of us to help even more people facing financial emergencies.

If you would like to give to this program just find the donate button on our website. You can also mail checks to 20 Penny Lane, Crossville, TN, 38555. We’ll put your money to use in a way that could change someone’s life.

Money Saving Tip

Consider a barter system among your friends and family to save money! For instance, maybe you are the one they call when they need a squeaky door fixed. You can then call on them for a similar favor as needed. Everyone can help each other in some way, with no money changing hands. Make a list of each other’s talents and see how well it works!

Meet the Creative Crew

This month’s spotlight is on Sarah Halcott, the Executive Director of Creative Compassion. Sarah had this to say about her experience here at Creative:

“I did not even know Creative existed until 2015 when I needed to complete a job placement program sponsored by the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency.  I’m a Crossville native & love the Plateau!  Those 10 weeks turned into a full-time job!  I’ve always said I want to work for the best, and I truly think Creative fits that standard.  We may not have the best facility, but we have the closest staff and greatest volunteers on our Board who care about helping people where we can.  We may not be the most well-known, but we have managed millions of dollars in federal & state grants and brought needed funds to our local area since 1992.” 

Sarah leads by an example that reminds many of us of a lady in the Bible named Ruth. Like Ruth, Sarah leads with kindness and servant leadership. Those of us who know Sarah know her to be a quiet person (well, most of the time. (ha!)) but one need not make a lot of noise to use kindness to change the world, just as the story of Ruth shows us all.

Sarah shared a quote by Achim Nowak that she thinks fondly of. She noted that it describes our nonprofit perfectly, but I think it also does a wonderful job of describing Sarah’s character. The quote reads, “Lead with quiet authority.  Confidence does not shout.”  

Kitchen Tip 

Forget to bring the eggs to room temperature? No worries! Just set them in some very warm water (not hot!) for about 5-10 minutes. Problem solved!

Creative’s Recipe of the Month

Blackberry Icebox Cake

The perfect dessert for those hot summer days when the oven is best left off!

Preparation

Step 1 Measure out 2 cups blackberries from two pints. Slice berries in half lengthwise and transfer to a medium bowl. (Save remaining berries for decorating later.)

Step 2 Add 1/2 cup blackberry jam to bowl with berries. Using a citrus juicer, juice one lemon over berry mixture. Let sit 10 minutes.

Step 3 Using an electric mixer, beat 2 cups heavy cream in a large bowl, starting on low speed and icnreasing to high, until soft peaks form.

Step 4 Beat in 1/4 cup powdered sugar and pinch of salt just to combine.

Step 5 Line a medium bowl (6-cup capacity) with a plastic wrap, pressing into bottom and up sides and leaving plenty of overhang. Line the bottom of bowl with a layer of vanilla wafers.

Step 6 Spoon about 1/4 cup berry mixture over wafers. Scoop 1 1/2 cups whipped cream into a small bowl; cover and save in fridge for later. Spread 1/2 cup of the remaining whipped cream evenly over wafer and berry layers. Repeat layers with wafers (breaking to fit as needed–no one will know), blackberry mixture, and whipped cream, using more for each layer as the bowl gets wider, until you run out of all the components.

Step 7 Bring up plastic overhang to cover and chill at least 24 hours.

Step 8 Unwrap plastic from top of cake and place a large cake stand or platter firmly over it. Flip over and lift bowl away; peel away plastic wrap. (Ta-da!)

Step 9 Using a whisk, beat reserved whipped cream back to soft peaks, then usa spoon to dollop cream all over cake and spread around evenly.

Step 10 Cut reserved berries in half lengthwise and arrange them on top.

Step 11 Slice cake into 8 pieces to serve.

Step 12 Do Ahead: Cake can be assembled 2 days ahead and can also be unfolded and covered in cream 1 hour ahead; either way, keep in the fridge until the last minute.

Creative Around the Community

Earlier in the spring, our Deputy Director, Mark Baldwin, was invited to speak to the Jamestown rotary about Creative and what our organization does. On the 10th of May, Mark visited the group they were very interested in the work we do. They even invited Mark to come back and speak again! They were wonderful hosts and Mark can’t wait to visit them again.

The month ended with Mark attending a Legislative Conference in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. This gave Mark the opportunity to let other legislators from across the state know what we do and why our work is so very important.

A Creative Funny

How do electricians get confused?

They get their wires crossed. 🙂