The photo above is from #MeToo to #WeWill, a male led effort to stop interpersonal violence, held at the P.E.A.C.E. Initiative on January 6. We found it on their Facebook timeline. “The time is now to get int he game; to act and move towards a more respectful, peaceful, productive society free of interpersonal violence and sexual assault & harassment.” This is our weekly roundup of San Antonio’s compassionate news. You can also follow us on Twitter @compassionNET1 and use the hashtag #compassionateSA.
We found the photo of Goober and his owner on the Haven for Hope Twitter feed. Dog owners experiencing homelessness can stay at Haven and keep their furry friend.
We missed this story when it came out in October, but it is so, so relevant this week.
Found on the Downtown San Antonio Blog, 27 October, 2017
Aimee Lopez: Music Creates Compassionate Cities
“They have to be diplomats. They have to listen and have empathy, compassion, and patience. All these skills are what it takes to be in an orchestra.”
Read in the Express-News, 3 January, 2018
Hit by a drunk driver, Southside teacher gives sixth-graders a lesson
“It’s like somebody threw a rock in a pond. They didn’t see the ripple effect.”
Seen in Out in SA, 3 January, 2017
Pride Center Finds Permanent Home Near Main Avenue Strip
District 1 Councilman Roberto Treviño said he was proud of the establishment of “a new home for the Pride Center right in the heart of our compassionate city.”
Seen on KENS 5, 3 January, 2018
Furniture For A Cause closing after helping SA’s homeless for 14 yearsYou can still donate items through SAMMExpress which will go towards furnishing homes of people getting back on their feet.
Also seen on KSAT 12, 3 January, 2017
SAMMinistries to close Furniture for a Cause store
Nonprofit blames online sales for flagging donations.
También visto en Univision, 3 enero, 2018
Organización de ayuda a la comunidad cierra una tienda por falta de donaciones [Community aid organization closes a store for lack of donations]
Seen on KSAT 12, 3 January, 2017
Dozen immigrants rescued from semi trailer on East Side
An SAPD officer working patrol was flagged down by someone who had called 911 to report a trailer with “individuals in it.”
También visto en Univision 41, 3 enero, 2018
Autoridades de San Antonio investigan el hallazgo de una docena de inmigrantes en un camión [San Antonio authorities investigate the discovery of a dozen immigrants in a truck]
Seen on KENS 5, 3 January, 2017
South Texas begins 2018 with critically low blood supplies
The blood center is featuring “Texas Strong” as the theme for National Blood Donor Month, to build on the community’s response to blood donation needs following devastating events such as hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, and tragedies in Las Vegas and Sutherland Springs.
Seen on KSAT 12, 3 January, 2017
SA nonprofit receives influx of call for help after increase of house fires
The Burned Out Survivors’ Fund helps people after fires.
Seen on Fox 29, 3 January, 2018
The Health Collaborative and Getting Fit in 2018
The Health Collaborative has a free family fitness program called the Healthy Me, Health We program.The program begins again on January 8, 2018 and is free.
Seen on News4SA, 3 January, 2018
San Antonio SAFFE officers training to use Nextdoor app to better connect with community
More than 60 SAPD San Antonio Fear Free Environment Unit officers will learn how to monitor and post on the app to better improve communication between neighborhoods and police.
Found on LinkedIN, 4 Januuary, 2018
7 Civic Challenges for the CivTechSA Residency Program
CivTechSA’s goal is to connect industry, local government, and students to build real, lasting solutions for San Antonio.
Seen on KSAT 12, 4 January, 2018
SA’s Center for Refugee Services in desperate need of supplies
“They are very low income and it comes down to do we eat or do we get diapers, it’s going to be eating.”
Seen in the Rivard Report, 4 January, 2018
SAPD Reports 6% Decrease in Violent Crime, Fewer Homicides
Mayor Nirenberg said the city was committed to becoming the safest big city in the country.
Seen on the Rivard Report, 5 January, 2018
Daryl Davis: Fulfilling MLK’s Dream by Engaging the Most Hateful
“I have never set out to convert anybody,” said Davis, the keynote speaker at Friday morning’s DreamWeek breakfast that kicked off the annual citywide summit celebrating King’s legacy with cultural events, panel discussions, and other civic gatherings. “I set out to find out how people can hate me when they don’t know me.”
Seen on KSAT 12, 5 January, 2018
San Antonio kicks off 16-day summit known as ‘DreamWeek’
More than 200 events set to promote harmony, understanding.
Seen on Spectrum News, 5 January, 2018
SeaWorld San Antonio rescues turtles from frigid waters
“When I know these animal are in trouble, I’m willing to get over there and help these guys.”
Seen on Univision 41, 5 January, 2018
Programa para ayudar a artistas inmigrantes en San Antonio [Program to help immigrant artists in San Antonio]
Adriana Gallego de NALAC invita a la comunidad de artistas a desarrollarse profesionalmente con talleres de finanzas, derecho, mercadotecnia y más. [Adriana Gallego of NALAC invites the artist community to develop professionally with workshops in finance, law, marketing and more.]
Read in the Express-News, 6 January, 2018
Revival of Dignowity Park sparking change on the East Side
“It’s very eclectic, which is a very good thing in the world we live in today. It’s going to take all of us to make things happen.”
Seen in the Express-News, 6 January, 2018
Prejudice, stereotypes take emotional and physical toll
People who show a high degree of self-compassion tend to be resilient, more productive and creative and have better interpersonal relationships, [Cynthia] Phelps said.
Read in Out in SA, 6 January, 2018
Community Groups Plan DreamWeek Events
Now in its sixth year, DreamWeek, which this year takes place from January 5 to 20, is a series of events that focus on fostering “the free exchange of ideas on universal issues affecting the human race.” The ultimate goal of DreamWeek is to advance “the voices of tolerance, equality and diversity.”
Heard on Texas Public Radio, 5 January, 2018
Child Care Offered For Students At UTSA Downtown Campus
“That’s a win for that family and that’s a win for the community, and so that’s something we care about and very much in line with our values as a church.”
Also seen on KENS 5, 8 January, 2018
UTSA Downtown offering evening child care
The U.S. Department of Education reports that student parents graduate at less than half the rate of their classmates. A big reason involves childcare.
Also sen in the Express-News, 8 January, 2018
UTSA’s first evening child care center opens downtown
“When I saw other students going through the same thing I was, I knew I had to do something.”
Read in the Texas Monthly, January, 2018
Texans of the Year
Tim Duncan for his work helping the people of his native Virgin Islands recover after storms devastated the area and his holiday-season commitment to feeding San Antonio’s hungry & Charles Butt for donating $150 million to support public schools in Texas and for committing his family’s company, H-E-B, to performing invaluable disaster-relief work across the state.
Read in the Atlantic, 7 January, 2018
Low-Income Communities Are Struggling to Support Churches
The disadvantaged communities that are most in need of the services churches exist in part to provide cannot afford to start and sustain those churches—and thus they are not getting them.
Read in the Express-News, 7 January, 2018
Education, more tickets help ACS make headway on San Antonio’s roaming dog problem
“There’s always going to be loose dogs, but education-wise, people have learned to take better care of their animals.”
Seen on KENS 5, 7 January, 2018
Community members hosts plate sale to help elderly couple who lost home in fire
Lucille Garcia says after nearly 50 years of marriage they have to start from scratch just weeks before their anniversary.
Found in the Rivard Report, 7 January, 2018
Cocktail Conference Celebrates 7 Years of Spirits, Charity for Children
Philanthropy is at the center of the cocktail conference, as 100 percent of the proceeds benefit local children’s charities such as ChildSafe, The Children’s Shelter, Clarity Child Guidance Center, HeartGift San Antonio, TEAMability, and Transplants for Children.
Seen on Univision 41, 8 January, 2018
Anuncian programa piloto para combatir el abuso infantil en San Antonio [Pilot program announced to combat child abuse in San Antonio]
La concejal González en conjunto con otros grupos anunciaron un programa piloto para combatir el abuso infantil luego de que se reportara un incremento en dichos casos en San Antonio. [Councilwoman Gonzalez and other groups announced a pilot program to combat child abuse after an increase in such cases was reported in San Antonio.]
Also seen on Fox 29. 8 January, 2018
Neighborhood advocates working to prevent child abuse
“We know that this particular model, the promotoras program, is the most effective way to deal with issues like this – social issues,” Councilwoman Gonzales says.
Seen on Univision 41, 7 January, 2018
La película “We are stronger”, que habla sobre estrés postraumático, llega a San Antonio [The movie “We are stronger”, which talks about post-traumatic stress, arrives in San Antonio]
Norma Jean González Guerrish, voluntaria de la cinta “We are stronger”, nos habla sobre el estrés postraumático y la importancia de detectar los síntomas a tiempo. [Norma Jean González Guerrish, volunteer of the film “We are stronger”, talks about post-traumatic stress and the importance of detecting symptoms in time.]
Seen on the NEISD Twitter feed, 8 January, 2018
Scouts build gardens over winter break
Members of Girl Scout Troop 869 spent some of their time over the winter break worked to bring gardens to the Tejeda Middle School campus.
Seen on KSAT 12, 8 January, 2018
San Antonio Library announces events for Holocaust remembrance
“We need to value differences (and) value others because hate is a very destructive force and the Holocaust is a reminder of what hate can come to,” Ramiro Salazar, director of the San Antonio Public Library, said.
Found on the NEISD Twitter feed, 9 January, 2018
Reagan HS dancers hold clothing drive for women’s shelter
This philanthropy effort involved 70-plus dancers in an effort to promote recycling and compassion.
Seen on Fox 29, 9 January, 2018
Meals on Wheels warns of risk of elderly malnourishment
The nonprofit cooks up about 4,000 meals a day but knows with one in six seniors at risk of going hungry, there are many more people who need the help.
Heard on Texas Public Radio, 8 January, 2018
Urban-15 Tells Another Side Of San Antonio Through ‘Hidden Histories’ Film Series
“Everybody contributed to make San Antonio what it is.”
Seen on Univision 41, 8 January, 2018
La ‘Dream Week’ busca dar más opciones de salud a la comunidad LGBT de San Antonio [‘Dream Week’ seeks to give more health options to the LGBT community of San Antonio]
Barbie Hurtado, de Dream Week SA 2018, nos habla sobre un evento que tiene el objetivo de promover la salud física y mental entre la comunidad LGBT de San Antonio. [Barbie Hurtado, of Dream Week SA 2018, talks about an event that aims to promote physical and mental health among the LGBT community of San Antonio.]
Heard on Texas Public Radio, 9 January, 2018
What ‘Smart City’ Means: San Antonio Launches Committee On Innovation, Technology
Mayor Nirenberg: “What we have learned from the map of the digital divide in San Antonio is that it tracks very well with socioeconomic disparity.”
Seen in the Express-News, 10 January, 2018
San Antonio rescue dog inspires with one eye and a semicolon face
Most days he’s with Boyd at South Texas Veterinary Ophthalmology, where he lifts the spirits of clients worried about their own dogs needing an eye removed by serving as lovable, living proof it can all be OK.
Seen in the Express-News, 8 January, 2018
Program helps ‘later’ years be fun
The National Council on Aging & Anthem Inc. are working with local organizations to bring more Aging Mastery classes to the SA area as part of their commitment to older adults and the community.
Seen on KENS 5, 10 January, 2018
DreamWeek event highlights women’s equality
Sadie’s sister, Jada Williams, says she can see evidence of the Civil Rights movement today. “I feel like I experience equality.”
Seen on KSAT 12, January 10, 2018
Red Cross installs free smoke alarms for San Antonio residents
Sound the Alarm is a nationwide effort aimed at helping reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by house fires.
Seen in the Current, 10 January, 2018
Lasting Legacy: DreamWeek Ushers in San Antonio’s 50th MLK March
In a city that historically compromises, heals and ameliorates conflict well, it still surprises some to know that, every year on the third Monday in January, our MLK March is one of the largest, if not the largest, in the nation.
