Homeschool Support Groups

Please contact Lubbock Homeschool News if you know of a support group that is not included here. If I've made an error in describing a group you represent, please let me know. These listings are in alphabetical order.

Descriptions include links to each group's website, Yahoo Group, and email contact. Click on the pertinent link to be taken to that resource.

Please note: In these listings, inclusive means for the most part an organization is open to all homeschoolers. Exclusive means for the most part the group's activities are for members only; usually such groups have a group constitution or equivalent. Exclusive groups usually do not mix activities with other homeschool groups, even though members often belong to more than one group. In many cases, exclusion of non-members seems to be an administrative policy, rather than the preference of group members. (See my note at the bottom of this page for more information.)

Empressd
This Yahoo Group serves as a vehicle for homeschoolers to disseminate information about schedules, classes, and other pertinent stuff here on the South Plains of Texas and in Eastern New Mexico. Empressd is nice place to have discussions about the latest homeschool book you've found or ask for advice. Empressd holds a monthly Mothers' Day Out. No dues. Inclusive.

FICHE
A Christ-centered network of families who have chosen to educate in the home environment. Their mission is to equip their children to function as Godly, mature, and productive citizens. Contact information: www.geocities.com/fichewt/index.html,
806-766-7762, FICHEWT@yahoo.com. Exclusive.

GRACE
Growing Relationships and Christian Education, a support group geared to Crow relationships between home school kids and moms and study a topic while we build these relationships. GRACE offers 2 "lesson" meetings, 1 field trip and 1 moms night out per month, as well as holiday parties and a Spring Field Day. Fees are by semester. Contact information: Grace home page and gracelubbock@yahoo.com. Exclusive.

HELPS
HELPS (Hands Extended Lending Parents Support) is a mentoring group, for new or nearly-new homeschooling families as well as families facing new challenges in their homeschool endeavors. Meets monthly on the 3rd Thursday evening, August - June. Taught by veteran homeschool parents. $25 one-time materials fee for lifetime membership. Contact information: HomeschoolingHELPS@yahoo.com, HELPS home page, or 766.6790. Christian-based. Inclusive.

LAHE -
Lubbock Area Homeschool Exchange
The Lubbock Area Homeschool Exchange Yahoo Group is a free classified ad service and all Lubbock-area homeschooling families are welcome to join us in free-cycling (giving away...free), trading or selling (at a bargain price) anything you wish but especially homeschool related items. No item is too large or small! Just keep it legal and family friendly!! Go to the LAHE Yahoo Group to sign up. Free service. Inclusive.

LAUGH -
Lubbock Area Unschoolers Growing at Home
Lubbock Area Unschoolers Growing at Home, is a free homeschool support group serving the Lubbock and surrounding areas. There are currently over 80 families in our membership from a variety of cultures, backgrounds, religions and homeschool styles. We welcome all Lubbock-area homeschooling families to join us. Please go to the LAUGH Yahoo Group to sign up. LAUGH offers field trips, play days, park days, and Moms' Night Out. LAUGH activities are inclusive, and guests are welcome.

Lubbock Homeschool Association
LHSA is a Christian homeschool support group. Check their website or Yahoo Group for more information. Send an e-mail to membership or visit any activity . Very activity-oriented with a science co-op, science fair, drama classes, teams in One Act Play competition, fields trips, etc. Yearly dues. Exclusive.

Lubbock Homeschool
Christian Athletic Association
LHCAA is a Christian umbrella group for several area sports, including basketball, football, soccer, swimming, volleyball, and track. Check out www.lhcaa.com for more information.

Lubbock Homeschool Rebels
Lubbock Homeschool Rebels is a liberal and free-spirited group of homeschoolers that want to change their world through community service and projects. Open to all homeschoolers whether secular, religious, schooled, or unschooled. It’s a place you can hang out, chat, and serve others. Feel free to advertise businesses and classes. Future plans include activities, field trips, and community projects. All suggestions welcome. Free to join and inclusive. Contact info: Yahoo Group home page, Chrystal Goodwin: ilovemykids79336@yahoo.com or Leah Weller: leahjoy26@yahoo.com.

SPCHEA
The South Plains Christian Home Educators Association (SPCHEA) is a Christian homeschool organization. They offer field trips, Bible Studies, SAT standardized testing, some sports, such as tennis camps, and an online newsletter. SPCHEA's website is www.spchea.com. $21 yearly dues. Most activities and the newsletter are exclusive; one field trip is allowed for non-members considering joining.

Smoothing the Way
Smoothing the Way is a support ministry for the first year homeschool parent, offering monthly seminars about homeschooling taught by veteran homeschoolers. Contact for more info:
806-766-6790 or email. A detailed class schedule is available at: www.smoothingtheway.com. Yahoo Group. Dues. Exclusive.

SupportHOSE - Support Helping Others Succeed Everyday
Support Helping Others Succeed Everyday (HOSE) is a private homeschool prayer group. The only purpose of this group is to facilitate prayer for homeschoolers. All prayer requests are completely private and confidential. Anyone can request prayer by sending an email to SupportHOSE@yahoogroups.com. Dues: unknown. Exclusive.

REGIONAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Heart of West Texas
HEART of West Texas is a centralized network of homeschool resources for West Texas. It is a support group for support groups not individuals. The stated purpose of HEART of West Texas is: 1. To provide leadership support for groups located in West Texas. Support is to include encouragement, sharing and training. 2. To be the central reference for those groups by posting groups’ descriptions and contact information via the HEART website, maintaining a calendar of upcoming and ongoing homeschool activities and opportunities, and by keeping a current listing of outside enrichment providers. 3. To provide regional organization of large scale venues that are non-biased and with an open atmosphere. Contact information: 806.766.6790 or homeschooling@heartofwt.org. Exclusive. HEART holds an annual curriculum sale on the first Saturday in June. Exhibitors are members or pay a minimal fee; attendance is free and open to all homeschoolers.

Home School Legal Defense Association

TAFFIE - Texas Advocates for Freedom in Education
Created in 1993, TAFFIE is the oldest Texas homeschool mailing list and is open to anyone interested in topics related to homeschooling in Texas. TAFFIE has both an announcement list for events and a general discussion list. The TAFFIE website includes information on homeschooling in Texas, statewide events, and support group information, and many other homeschooling resources. Inclusive.

Texas Home Educators
The Texas Home Educators (TexHmEd) is a Yahoo Group and website that serve Home Educators of Texas in discussions of homeschool styles, philosophy, books, curriculum, events, and laws in a Christian atmosphere. Although discussions will sometimes stray from the direct purpose of home schooling, it usually does not stray from our children's interests. TexHmEd has been serving the community since August 21, 1998. Inclusive.

Texas Home School Coalition

*Note:
I have tried to be absolutely neutral on this website and on the Lubbock Homeschool News Yahoo Group about any and all local support groups. When I have listed groups as exclusive and inclusive, it is from that group's description or constitution. (I had no idea what "inclusive" and "exclusive" meant when I began homeschooling. I learned the hard way that support groups can be rather like different denominations of churches - that's the closest analogy I can think of.)

I belong to several support groups, and "pick and choose" carefully among activities. Like many homeschoolers, we're so busy, we don't have time for many outside activities. It's important to try different groups and see which one fits. Correspond with the other list members and compare notes.

Unfortunately, there's a history of homeschool groups in Lubbock in that many of the groups are splits from other groups. Sometimes it helps to know that when approaching other groups. I've put my foot in it a few times not knowing one group was at odds with another. I still don't know the full history of the Lubbock homeschool groups, except I wish someone would write a history so those of us who were late on the scene would understand the connection!

The differences between the support groups and the unwillingness of some groups to acknowledge the activities of another or to share information with non-group members is the main reason I created Lubbock Homeschool News. Some groups are unwilling to share information about other groups, and whether a teacher belongs to a group or not affects whether they can (with or without paying) advertise their class.

Hence, Lubbock Homeschool News... It is not a support group, but an information resource (an online interactive newsletter/calendar, if you will). For information on Lubbock Homeschool News and its role, click here.

Liz Bilbro