A group of San Antonio College students spent Valentines Day at Ronald McDonald House baking. Fun and civic engagement! We publish this compassionate news roundup every Wednesday afternoon. If you want to get the news sooner, follow us on Twitter @compassionNET1. And don’t forget to use the hashtag #compassionateSA so we can find YOUR compassionate news!
Saturday was the annual Basura Bash, when thousands of volunteers, including this group from Latino Outdoors, clean up the river and its tributaries,
Found Express-News, 13 February, 2020
Disconnect’ exists between city officials, service organizations when it comes to San Antonio’s homeless
One option that needs more publicity, officials acknowledge, is the San Antonio Community Resource Directory, a kind of map-based app that pinpoints services for San Antonio’s homeless and impoverished residents.
Seen on WOAI 4, 13 February, 2020
UT Dentistry providing free oral health care for over 250 Edgewood ISD students
The free clinic for second graders is being hosted for National Children’s Dental Health Month.
Found in the Express-News, 13 February, 2020
San Antonio Community Resource Directory connects homeless with services they need
With more than 600 organizations offering services to San Antonio’s homeless and impoverished population it can be hard to keep track of them all, let alone know where the services are located and the hours they’re open.
Seen on Spectrum News, 13 February 2020
San Antonio Teacher Fights for Fellow Dreamers
” I spread the message of hope, and have faith, and know that through hard work, anything is possible.”
Found in the Rivard Report, 13 February, 2020
The Magical Piñata Teaches Sharing, Centers Culture
Cucha, a selfish and lonely girl, is visited by Señor Cumpleaños who offers her a chance to exchange her gifts for a truly great gift that promises further gifts within.
Found in the Express-News, 12 February, 2020
Anonymous $5k donation pays off a thousand NEISD students’ school lunch balances
“There are programs and resources for free meals but often we forget about the students who are above the qualification requirements but still struggle to pay for it.”
Found in the Current, 12 February, 2020
Someone Anonymously Paid the Cafeteria Debts for Elementary Students in San Antonio School District
“The NEISD community amazes me with their consistent generosity to help students have the resources they need to focus on getting a great education.”
Found on Texas Public Radio, 13 February, 2020
Donor Clears Students’ Lunch Debt At North East Elementary Schools
Glosson said North East ISD caps unpaid school lunch debts at $15 for elementary students, limiting the amount of debt families can accumulate.
Seen on KSAT 12, 14 February, 2020
Words from the wise: San Antonio seniors offer tips on lasting love
“Respect each other, trust each other and love each other.”
Seen on WOAI 4, 14 February, 2020
Bexar County sets aside $7 million for mental health programs
The goal of this funding to get people care before a crisis in their life send them to jail or the emergency room.
Seen on KSAT 12, 14 February, 2020
500 free trees to be given away at Confluence Park event
Trees can increase property value and help reduce energy consumption in addition to helping control flooding and protecting the Edwards Aquifer.
Found in the Express-News, 17 February, 2020
Photographer’s portraits display San Antonio’s diverse population
“It’s being able to show people for how they want to be represented. I feel that’s a part of diversity and inclusion as well.”
Found in the express-News, 17 February, 2020
Classroom libraries at San Antonio’s Southwest High School help turn students who ‘hate’ books into readers
“Teachers learn what students like and what they want to know more about, so they can recommend books to them.”
Seen on KSAT 12, 17 February, 2020
Bartender shares history of alcohol abuse to inspire others
She mentors others battling addiction and encourages them to keep fighting every day.
Visto en KWEX 41, 14 de febrero de 2020
Personajes de Disney visitan clínica para alegrar a cientos de niños hospitalizados en San Valentín [Disney characters visit clinic to cheer up hundreds of children hospitalized on Valentine’s Day]
Los pacientes en el hospital pudieron ver de primera mano a los personajes, compartir con ellos y crear dinámicas.[The patients in the hospital were able to see the characters first hand, share with them and create dynamics.]
Found on KSAT 12, 17 February, 2020
Parkinson’s patients taking punches at the disease during weekly boxing classes
Longtime nurse and program co-founder says boxing is a proven way to help Parkinson’s patients.
Found in the Current, 17 February, 2020
UT Health San Antonio Will Head Statewide Opioid Addiction Initiative
They will get $7.2 million in state funding to oversee a statewide program to treat opioid addiction that will provide “compassionate, evidence-based” care regardless of patients’ ability to pay.
Found in the Express-News, 15 February, 2020
At Kenney’s Food Store, the friendships go back decades
Certain people still can buy on credit, he will go the extra mile for shut-ins and if he recognizes a teenage “beer runner,” he will call the family instead of the police.
Seen on WOAI 4, 18 February, 2020
Owner of local soul food restaurant offers families, community members a second chance
“We understand everyone has a past and we just try and motivate people to know that they can do better in life and succeed even when luck hasn’t always been on their side.”
Found in the Rivard Report, 18 February, 2020
Rey Saldaña Leaving San Antonio to Lead National Education Nonprofit
Communities in Schools, the nation’s largest dropout prevention organization, has 1.5 million students and operates in 2,300 schools in 25 states and the District of Columbia.
Found in the Express-News, 18 February, 2020
San Antonio ex-councilman Rey Saldaña moving to D.C. to lead national education nonprofit
“The thing about potential is that you don’t really know you have it until somebody tells you you have it,” Saldaña said.
Heard on Texas Public Radio, 18 February, 2020
Former San Antonio Council Member Selected As CEO For Same Nonprofit That Helped Him As A Student
Saldaña said his goal is to help Communities in Schools fulfill its potential to disrupt the influence of poverty on the lives of students in San Antonio and across the country.
Found in the Texas Observer, 17 February, 2020
SA Embraces Mandaean Refugees
About 2,500 Mandaeans live in San Antonio, which, along with Boston and Detroit, is one of the largest concentrations in the nation.
Seen on FOX 29, 19 February, 2020
From streets to the classroom, local artist giving kids a chance through murals
“If I can jump in there and intervene and give them direction in life, that’s pretty much my whole goal.”
