Mayor Ron Nirenberg awarded Baghdad Cellist Karim Wasfi with the San Antonio Emissary of the Arts, noting “Karim’s work through his instrument is an effort to show that understanding and peace and love of culture is much more powerful than the fear that is brought on through terror.” Wasfi was in town for a concert hosted by Musical Bridges Around the World Friday. Every Wednesday we publish this compassionate news roundup. If you want the news faster, follow us on Twitter @compassionNET1. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #compassionateSA so we can find YOUR compassionate acts!
Found in the Current, 16 January, 2019
GoFundMe Warns About Fake Fundraisers for Baby King Jay Davila
Castle Ridge Funeral Home will pay for King Jay’s funeral, while nonprofit Any Baby Can is donating the site for his final resting place.
Found on KENS 5, 16 January, 2019
Fake fundraisers claim to accept donations for baby King Jay Davila’s burial
People instead should give to non-profits who are trying to raise a voice against child abuse.
Found in the Express-News, 16 January, 2019
San Antonio area program hitches health, nutrition to Bible study
35 San Antonio congregations incorporate Bible study, nutrition lessons and physical activity in things like Healthy Vacation Bible School and cancer and obesity prevention curriculums.
Found in the Rivard Report, 16 January, 2019
In Shutdown’s Fourth Week, USAA Donates $15 Million to Aid Coast Guard
The San Antonio-based financial services giant is making the donation to Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA), which will offer interest-free loans of $1,000 to Coast Guard members with dependents and loans of $750 to those with no dependents.
Seen on KENS 5, 16 January, 2019
USAA donates $15 million to Coast Guard families during government shutdown
The U.S. Coast Guard did not receive their mid-month paycheck this week due to the continuing shutdown.
Found in the Express-News, 16 January, 2019
USAA donates $15M to help Coast Guard personnel during shutdown
The Coast Guard is under the Homeland Security Department, which hasn’t been funded for the current fiscal year.
Seen on KENS 5, 16 January, 2019
Texas nonprofit steps up to help federal workers
Volunteers at the Guadalupe Community Center say they will do as much as they can for as long as they can to pitch in and help their fellow Texans.
Seen on WOAI 4, 16 January, 2019
Local food banks giving away care packages to government workers impacted by shutdown
The SA Food Bank, 5200 Enrique M. Barrera Parkway, is giving away care packages with perishable and non-perishable foods Monday-Saturday from 8-3 p.m.
Seen on Spectrum News, 16 January, 2019
Local Food Banks Open Care Centers for Federal Employees
Application assistance for SNAP and other programs will also be available with additional documents.
Seen on KENS 5, 16 January, 2019
San Antonio dads launch program teaching young girls life lessons through softball
Project Phoenix also provides academic tutoring and mental health counseling to prepare girls both academically and emotionally to knock it out of the ballpark.
Seen on KENS 5, 16 January, 2019
An advocate and coach for the special needs community
Melanie Cawthon is founder, chair & Kindness Coach of disABILITYSA. “When you think of inclusion, she’s the person you go to.”
Visto en Telemundo 60, 16 de enero de 2019
Morgan’s Wonderland creará atracción para los pacientes de Alzheimer [Park will create attraction for Alzheimer’s patients]
Se utilizará una subvención de Servicios Humanos y de Salud para la Fundación Benéfica WellMed para crear una atracción para los pacientes de Alzheimer y sus cuidadores.[A Health and Human Services grant to WellMed Charitable Foundation will be used to create an attraction for Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers.]
Found in the Rivard Report, 21 January, 2019
Local Strays Soon Could Serve As Veteran’s Best Friend
“One of the reasons for the selection of the larger dogs is for mobility issues – so we can help a warrior get out of a chair, off the ground, support when they’re walking.”
Seen on Spectrum News, 17 January, 2019
Animal Care Services and K9s For Warrior to Open Training Facility
200 ACS pets are expected to work their way through the training program to become PTSD service animals throughout the country.
Found in the Express-News, 17 January, 2019
Stray San Antonio dogs to become K-9 aides for veterans under new city plan
“These dogs are going to be saving the lives of veterans, and these veterans are saving the lives of these dogs.”
Visto en KWEX 49, 19 de enero de 2019
La ciudad de San Antonio inicia un proyecto para ayudar a perros sin dueño y veteranos discapacitados [The city of San Antonio starts a project to help dogs without owners and disabled veterans]
Este plan pretende entrenar a perros adultos que permanecen en refugios sin lograr ser adoptados, para que se vuelvan animales de servicio destinados a veteranos discapacitados a lo largo del país. [This plan aims to train adult dogs that remain in shelters without being adopted, so that they become service animals for handicapped veterans throughout the country.]
Found in the Rivard Report, 17 January, 2019
City Council Adopts New Principles for Public Participation
While public input meetings play an important role they don’t represent the entire community – just those who have time to attend.
Heard on Texas Public Radio, 17 January, 2019
San Antonio Adopts Principles for Public Participation
Among the list of principles are meaningful, transparent, respectful, inclusive, accessible, informative, responsive, timely, convenient and continuous.
Seen on KENS 5, 17 January, 2019
Tim Duncan spotted handing out food on San Antonio’s west side
“No press crew, just a legend in cargo shorts and a fishing cap.”
Seen on KSAT 12, 17 January, 2019
Local businesses offer discounts, freebies to federal employees during government shutdown
Here’s a list of some of those offers.
Found in the Rivard Report, 17 January, 2019
San Antonio Organizations Lend a Helping Hand During Government Shutdown
To support those affected, businesses and organizations around town are offering free or discounted goods and services.
Heard on Texas Public Radio, 17 January, 2019
What Can The Holocaust Teach Us About Resistance?
How do we talk about hate in our communities? What can we learn from Holocaust survivors’ stories?
Found in the Rivard Report, 18 February, 2019
Working at SA Lighthouse for the Blind: ‘I Never Thought I’d Be Able To Do Something Like This’
“There is 75 percent unemployment in the blind community, and this is not because people don’t want to work, it’s because of the stigma.”
Found on KENS 5, 17 January, 2019
Bike San Antonio pushing for protected bike lanes, physical barriers
“These are people who are just trying to get from point A to point B. Do they not deserve to get there in one piece?”
Seen on FOX 29, 18 January, 2019
San Antonio tuxedo rental worker helps grandfather dying of cancer
“She gave my dad dignity. She gave my dad hope. She gave my dad strength. She offered grace and love. Not everyone does that.”
Visto en Telemundo 60, 17 de enero de 2019
Niña “milagrosa” salva vidas incluso después de la muerte [“Miracle” girl saves lives even after death]
La pequeña Chevelle Sándoval murió de una condición médica, pero sus órganos serán donados a las personas que los necesiten. [Little Chevelle Sándoval died of a medical condition, but her organs will be donated to people who need them.]
Found in the Heron, January 18, 2019
What San Antonio’s $1 million displacement policy would address, not address
The three-year Risk Mitigation Policy, which taps into $1 million taken from the city’s general fund, intends to address city-wide displacement and lessen the traumatic effects of relocation.
Seen on KSAT 12, 18 January, 2019
Joint Base-SA volunteer celebrates 30 years of service
Helen Wells, a 94-year-old Air Force veteran, said you’re never too old to help your community and country.
Found in the Express-News, 18 January, 2019
San Antonio’s 2019 peace laureates named
Nickie Valdez, Rebecca Flores and Patricia Castillo will be recognized at the Blessing of the Peacemakers, a free event at 3 p.m. Jan. 27 in the Whitley Theological Center on the campus of the Oblate School of Theology, 285 Oblate Drive.
Seen on WOAI 4, 18 January, 2019
San Antonio church builds “transition homes” to help the homeless
Pastor Robles Of Last Chance Ministries says that a qualified homeless person will live in each home for 3 months.
Found in the Rivard Report, 19 January, 2019
MLK March a Reminder that Diversity Strengthens San Antonio’s Community
Councilman Manny Palaez: “Every single person who shows up marches to remind the world that our diverse experiences, creeds, beliefs, skills, and perspectives fuel community instead of degrading it.”
Found in the Times of India, 17 January, 2019
Sikhs In US Offered Free Food To Thousands Of Workers Affected By Government Shutdown
The Gurdwara menu which includes lentils, vegetables, rice and tortillas helped the employees in San Antonio, Texas.
Found of the Alliance of American Football blog, 18 January, 2019
Commanders lend hand to Operation Homefront
Good Morning America donated 8,000 Lego sets which will be sent to military families at 19 locations in Texas and Louisiana.
Seen on KENS 5, 19 January, 2019
SA places of worship, community members house homeless during cold
“You should think about what you need to go outside and that’s what’s needed for them: scarves, hats, coats, nice warm beanies.”
Found in the Express-News, 20 January, 2019
Scooters and the homeless — some parallels to think about
So how can the city, which claims to be a “City of Compassion,” have such an urgency to fine and cite the homeless and downtrodden and not urgently cite scattered scooters companies that have more resources?
Found in the Express-News, 21 January, 2019
Speakers encourage community, faith leading up to MLK March
“We’ve done well in purging racism and hatred from our laws and institutions, but to realize Dr. King’s dream we must purify our hearts and minds.”
Found in the Rivard Report, 21 January, 2019
UT Health Helping Doctors in Underserved Areas Provide Specialty-Level Care
Twice a month, a team of infectious disease specialists gathers in an online forum that connects the specialists with physicians in rural, remote, and underserved communities throughout Texas to educate them on how to treat patients whose medical needs are outside their scope of practice.
Found in the Rivard Report, 21 January, 2019
To Fulfill King’s Dream, Living ‘Together in Community’ Is Crucial
Prophets look beyond the “isness” of existence to the “oughtness.”
Seen on WOAI 4, 21 January, 2019
‘The Miracle Factory’ helps special needs students excel beyond high school
The Edgewood ISD Burleson Center for Innovation and Education is a gateway to life for young adults with special needs, by creating an environment where teenagers can learn all sorts of marketable skills.
Seen on WOAI 4, 21 January, 2019
Hundreds of thousands march to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Mayor Nirenberg: “Together, we are building a city of compassion. We are building a city of equality. We are building a city of justice. The spirit of MLK is alive & well in our community, especially on this day of reverence & remembrance. In a fractured world, San Antonio stands apart & we shall overcome.”
Found in the Express-News, 22 January, 2019
San Antonio Spurs give an assist to beat hunger at Champions Against Hunger Dinner
“This is a great cause,” Mills said. “At the end of the day these are the kinds of things that make us a better person.”
Found in the Rivard Report, 22 January, 2019
San Antonio On Track for Most 2020 Community Goals, But Transportation Issues Worsen
“How do you change a city? You ask the people there what matters to them. You listen. You plan. And then you move – together.”
Seen on KENS 5, 22 January, 2019
San Antonio radio host performs at hospitals, classrooms off the air
He plays songs he writes on the ukulele, guitar, and kazoo. His tunes “I love to play the ukulele in my jammies” and “When you eat lasagna, don’t get any on ya!” are fan-favorites.
Seen on FOX 29, 22 January, 2019
VIA offering free unlimited rides to Alamo Colleges students, faculty and staff
All students and staff need to do is show their school I.D. to the bus operator.
Found in the Rivard Report, 22 January, 2019
VIA Now Offering Free Rides to Alamo Colleges Students, Faculty, Staff
“U-Pass actually provides an accessible, affordable, and dependable means for transportation to ensure that each and every one of our students and faculty are able to make it to school on time, able to pick up their kids from child care on time, and able to make it to work.”
Found in the Express-News, 22 January, 2019
Most Alamo Colleges students get free rides on San Antonio area VIA buses
The district said the U-Pass could also alleviate the parking crunch on some campuses.
Visto en KWEX 49, 22 de enero de 2019
Las familias de la organización 100 Club, que ayuda a los niños de policías y bomberos caídos, reciben una gran donación. [Families of the 100 Club organization, which helps the children of fallen policemen and firefighters, receive a large donation]
Los fondos benefician a las familias de los oficiales y agentes que mueren en cumplimiento del deber.[The funds benefit families of officers and agents who die in the line of duty.]
Found on Texas Public Radio, 22 January, 2019
Cellist From Baghdad Brings Music Message To San Antonio
“It’s proven scientifically that the brain functions in a different way — obviously a better way — when there’s a certain level of engagement to music and to practice and to playing an instrument.”
Seen on KSAT 12, 22 January, 2019
Adaptations giving wounded veterans freedom in their own home
Adapt-A-Vet has already adapted about 18 homes in San Antonio, and now they’re working with veterans around the nation.
Found in the Express-News, 23 January, 2019
San Antonio’s Fuerza Unida celebrates 29 years of fighting back, empowering the voiceless
They’ve set up a sewing cooperative to help members find work; a food pantry and a community garden. They also sponsor an annual Summer Youth Leadership program that teaches young people leadership skills.
