On Friday, May 9, the board of directors of Connecting Caring Communities unveiled the W. Craig Turner Award in honor of Hardin-Simmons University president Craig Turner.

Linda Carleton, director, presents the award to Dr. Turner

The W. Craig Turner Award is in recognition of Dr. Craig Turner's vision for a community of neighbors helping neighbors and his willingness to lend his leadership and support for the development of a community renewal program in Abilene, Texas. The establishment of Connecting Caring Communities (CCC) is a direct result of Dr. Turner's generosity in sharing the success of the pilot program at HSU with the entire Abilene community. CCC now exists to further develop the renewal of neighbors helping neighbors and mutually enhancing relationships as the foundation for a sustainable community.

The award will be given to an outstanding person, family, or partner who exemplifies the practice of this vision in a remarkable way. The recipient will be determined by the board of directors from nominations made by staff or others directly involved with one of the three Connecting Caring Communities strategies: Caring Team, Haven Houses, or Internal Care Unit (Friendship House) neighborhoods.

The CCC board of directors chose to honor Turner as he takes a new role outside of Abilene. Turner has been an invaluable resource, supporter, partner, and encourager for CCC since its inception. Dr. Turner said he was humbled by the honor and grateful for the great work Connecting Caring Communities is doing in Abilene.