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Greeting Creators!

It’s October and the last quarter of 2025!
Do you have your Halloween costume ready yet?

What’s your favorite candy?🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬

Snickers Bar
Liccorice
Candy Corn
Peanut M&Ms?

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)

October is National Disability Employment Awareness month, an annual recognition of the positive impact of people with disabilities in the workforce. This year’s official theme is “Celebrating Value and Talent.”

Let’s take a look into the journey of one of our new Americorps Members who is working with a disability, Mayci Hinkle.

Living and working with multiple disabilities is deeply meaningful to me. I’m often met with questions like, “Why are you still working?” or “If you’re that sick, shouldn’t you stop?” But the truth is, my disabilities do not define who I am. Above all else, I am a person — one with goals, dreams, and a desire to contribute meaningfully to the world around me.

Having a job gives me a sense of purpose. On difficult days, when I wake up in pain or overwhelmed by a flare-up, it would be easy to stay in bed and let the day pass. Those moments can easily spiral into deeper mental health challenges. But instead, I remind myself, “Yes, I hurt — but I love what I do.” That mindset helps me push through, and I find a deep sense of reward in doing so.

Like most adults, I have financial responsibilities. Choosing not to work would place the full burden on my fiancé, which could strain our relationship and overall well-being. While work does come with challenges — and there have been many days when I’ve pushed myself too far — I’ve learned that the environment you work in makes all the difference.

As a new AmeriCorps member serving with Killeen Creators, I’ve found an incredibly supportive and understanding community. While I still experience flare-ups, my colleagues have shown compassion and encouragement during those difficult moments. I’m truly grateful to AmeriCorps and Killeen Creators for allowing me to be part of a team that values inclusivity, empathy, and the importance of creating a safe space.

Here, I’m not seen as just a diagnosis or a limitation. I’m seen as a whole person — capable, driven, and resilient. And that makes all the difference.

AMERICORPS CORNER

Here are some words from one of our newest Americorps Members, Cristina Morales, on how she learned about this opportunity and why she wanted to be a part of the team.

I first discovered Killeen Creators while I was out DoorDashing. I came across one of their community gardens and little free libraries, and noticed a schedule of upcoming events. That simple encounter sparked something in me.

At first, I just attended a few art classes. One day, I decided to do something that felt scary for me. I asked if I could share my poetry. That moment opened the door to deeper connection and healing. Soon after, I spoke with a member and asked how I could volunteer. They encouraged me to lead Sharing Our Stories, and I did that for a few months.

From there, I wanted to go further, so I asked how I could apply to become a member. That’s when I learned about the opportunity to serve as an AmeriCorps member through Killeen Creators.

Now, I’ve gone from DoorDashing by a garden, to volunteering, to attending classes, and finally officially becoming an AmeriCorps member.

For me, Killeen Creators has been more than just a space, it's a community that nurtures creativity, offers belonging, and gives people the chance to grow while giving back. It’s proof that when people come together to create, they don’t just make art, they make change. 💚

COMMUNITY GARDENS

Come see our booth at the Friday Night Fall Night Market this month and on the first Friday of November! We’ll have fresh produce and items crafted in our studio. Every dollar spent at our market goes back into the community and will be another opportunity for you to support our mission!

Save the Date!!

We’d like to invite you to join us for a Texas Arbor Day celebration on November 7th, 2025 at Bundrant Garden at 10am.

We will be planting a tree in honor of a local community member and will be partnering with the Killeen Garden Club for this event.

LIMITED EDITION TEE SHIRT

To celebrate 5 amazing years serving our community we’ve created a special, LIMITED EDITION 5-Year Anniversary shirt! We’ll be selling them at the Yard Sale for $20 to support our Community Gardens! We hope you love the design as much as we do and come get one while you can!

Sustaining member

NEW MEMBERSHIPS of $20 or more/month get a T-Shirt!

CREATOR STUDIO / RECOVERY CLUBHOUSE

Here is our Spooktacular October Calendar! While we honor drop-ins if there are open seats, we encourage you to sign up on Eventbrite to make SURE there's room.

Reserve Your Seat!

MEMBERS - the Members code for Eventbrite is KCMembers25

Blurb about Domestic Violence

Spotlight on SOME CLASSES AT KILLEEN CREATORS

Mosaic class Thursdays 1pm-3pm.

Come join us to learn the magic of mosaics with small projects like light switches, picture frames and even tile decor!

OAR the FIRST & THIRD Fridays of each month 4pm-6pm!

This is the Intake & Referral Form for OAR Writing Class. If you are interested in joining us for this program. The form will take you through the expectations and the sign-up process!

Here is a video from our Facebook of one of the OAR Sessions to get you an idea of what this program is all about!

Come join our SOS Class: Sharing Our Stories Writing Prompts on Thursdays 11am-12:30pm!

This is an amazing moment to reflect, heal, and connect through words. All you need is your notebook and an open mind!

CALL FOR ARTISTS!

2026 Hearts of Killeen Call for Artists

Are you an artist? Do you have something to say about “Overcoming”? Would you like bragging rights AND a $3,000 cash award for painting YOUR winning "Overcoming" themed painting onto the 4x4 ft heart sculpture (which WE'LL provide and later install) in Downtown Killeen for generations to enjoy!

If YES, then this CALL FOR ARTISTS is for YOU!!

The Hearts of Killeen Sculpture Series is an annual juried contest created and coordinated by our Community Art Initiative (CAI) to support local artists and celebrate the hearts and cultures of Killeen. Each year we will select a theme and promote a Call for Submissions for art reflecting that theme to adorn a heart sculpture created locally by CAI member, Perry Draper (owner of the Art and More Store). Each year, the winning art and sculpture will be unveiled at the annual Celebrate Killeen festival.

Please contact Outreach@killeencreators.org with any questions, and thank you for helping us CELEBRATE ART & OVERCOMING!!!!

Our Community Art Initiative and the Hearts of Killeen Sculpture Series are made possible through funding from the City of Killeen.

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Did you know that we have an election coming up this month? Our Board Chair, Tess Griffin (pictured at Right) is a strong advocate for civic engagement and assuring every citizen has information needed to vote.

Not everyone knows that we vote every November, not just on even-numbered years, let alone WHAT we vote on. So we are sharing a recent non-partisan article from the Texas Tribune highlighting the important amendments being voted on this fall.

Starting October 20th, Texans will be voting on 17 constitutional amendments. Yes, Seventeen! That’s all the more reason you should be doing your research now.

Stay-Tuned NEXT MONTH for following Updates:

KC’s new Urban Ag & Art Mobile
Operation Art of Recovery (OAR) Expressive Writing Highlights
Harm Reduction & Narcan Access Saves Lives - How YOU can help
Giving Tuesday Annual Fund Drive

REMINDER - In honor of KC’s 5th Anniversary, we’re giving away LIMITED EDITION TEE SHIRTS to every NEW Sustaining Member of $20 or more per month!

DONATE

Killeen Creators

701 N 10th St, Killeen TX 76541|254-213-2210

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