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Boy Scout builds indoor tree house at Family Crisis Center

Cleburne Times-Review - 12/12/2019

Dec. 11--When feeling unsure about their surroundings, it's important for children to have a place of their own where they feel safe and secure.

One local boy scout -- Anson Fender, 14, of Joshua -- recently planned and built an indoor tree house inside the Family Crisis Center of Johnson County, so young clients can feel more at ease when attending therapy sessions.

Hopeful to soon be an Eagle Scout, Anson began planning for this project as a member of Boy Scout Troop No. 183 in October.

"I sketched the blueprints and planned out what lumber we would use," he said. "The most challenging part was giving out orders to people doing leadership because I typically don't do that. I'm usually the one that's the follower."

Anson had a lot of paperwork to fill out including what tools would be used, estimate costs and who the project would benefit, which was to give the kids a place to play and where they can feel safe and secure.

After getting his plans approved by the Boy Scouts and the center, Anson got down to business.

In total, 17 people worked under Anson's direction to build the tree house, logging just over 267 hours over 19 days.

The total cost of the tree house was $1,529.57. Anson said he really loves the outcome of the project.

"Seeing how much the kids love it," he said.

His dad, John Fender, said while they were building they couldn't keep the center's kids out of the way.

"They wanted to play on it while we were building it," he said.

The new tree house was built inside the center's play therapy room.

FCC Program Director DeAnne Derrick said play therapy is defined as a method of counseling that utilizes play as a means of communication with children that attempts to resolve psychological challenges.

"The children we serve at the crisis center have experienced trauma of various levels -- emotional, sexual and physical -- in their lives," she said. "Getting some children to open up can prove challenging for therapists from time to time.

"When the child clients we serve at the center walk into the play therapy room for the first time and see the tree house, they gasp for air. The level of excitement is overwhelming for them and us. It breaks the initial barrier for lack of participation and communication and the healing process begins right away."

Anson attended a board review Tuesday evening to see if he will be the troop's next Eagle Scout.

This story will be updated when the Times-Review receives his results.

Derrick said everyone at the agency is so thankful to Zonta of Johnson County for providing the financial means, and Anson with Troop 183 and his father, Brian, for working to complete the project way above their expectations.

"We know the tree house will be enjoyed for many, many years," she said.

Zonta President Dianna Ward said the club was pleased to provide funds to assist Family Crisis Center to help the residents.

"The addition of a playhouse for the children will surely make their stay more enjoyable, despite the circumstances," she said. "Zonta's mission is to empower women through service and advocacy, and by helping the children, we are enabling the mothers to direct their focus on healing and providing for their family."

Ward said the club's dinner and casino night fundraiser -- Winter Frolic -- allowed them to bring attention to the needs of FCC and donate a portion of the proceeds to help the families they serve.

"Zonta's second annual Winter Frolic is set for Feb. 15, at the Cleburne Conference Center," she said. "Please make plans to attend and support empowering women in our community."

For information about the Winter Frolic, visit Zonta Club of Johnson County on Facebook.

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(c)2019 the Cleburne Times-Review (Cleburne, Texas)

Visit the Cleburne Times-Review (Cleburne, Texas) at www.cleburnetimesreview.com

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