Above: Precinct 4 Commissioner Tommy Calvert & State District 119 Rep. Roland Gutierrez delivered toys to families at Highland Park Elementary School on the southeast side. Many, many toys delivered, meals served and good deeds acted this week!
Found in the San Antonio Current, 20 December, 2017
Faith and Discourse Combine in Weekly Beer and Bible Meet-ups
“You have to have convictions, you have to have solid beliefs, or else you’re just nothing, you’re watered down.”
Found on the St. Mary’s University Website, 29 November, 2017
Irreducibly Human
Without wanting to diminish some of the heinous crimes committed by inmates, we still, in love, have to see them as people, James Greenaway, Associate Professor of Philosophy and the first St. Mary’s University Charles H. Miller, M.D., Chair in Human Dignity said.
Seen on KSAT 12, 21 December, 2017
Making a home for children who age out of foster care
“Having a support system like our supervised independent living program is so important because everybody knows how hard the first semester of college can be and we just want these kids to be successful.”
Seen on KSAT 12, 21 December, 2017
South San student pays it forward during holiday season
In 2006, the school donated a bike to the Sanchez family, after they lost everything in a house fire. “It meant a lot to me, that people, that people just pitched in, for me,” Sanchez said. “So we wanted to do that for other children.”
Heard on Texas Public Radio, 20 December, 2017
San Antonio Prioritizes Education, Treatment And Prevention Of AIDS
This month, San Antonio became the fourteenth municipality in the U.S. to join the Fast Track Cities initiative – an international agreement to accelerate local response to AIDS.
Seen on KSAT 12, 21 December, 2017
BCSO sheriff works out with kids to instill healthy habits
Organizers also hope the event will help foster a positive and fun relationship between law enforcement officials and students.
Seen on Fox 29, 21 December, 2017
Group delivers much-needed holiday cheer to domestic violence survivors
“There is life without violence and there is a place for them to go take care of their children.”
Found on The Trace, 21 December, 2017
The Texas Woman Bringing Holiday Cheer to Children Who’ve Lost Parents to Guns
“I know I’m not the only kid out there who has lost their mother or father to gun violence,” MaKayla said. “We all have the same pain and my aunty is helping them.”
Found in the Express-News, 22 December, 2017
Homeless who died remembered
In the San Antonio area, 65 homeless people died in 2017, ranging in age from an infant to 79 years old.
Commentary found in the Rivard Report, 21 December, 2017
On Failed States and Innovative Cities
Cities can leverage their market and civic power to fund the future through transformative investments in innovation, infrastructure, and inclusion.
Found on the Salud America Web site, 22 December, 2017
Grad Student Gifts San Antonio with “Geography of Poverty” Map
“Clearly, there is something to this “geography of poverty” concept — and my hope is that by examining it more deeply through the hardship index, we can start a conversation about overlapping, concentrated disadvantage that can broaden the meaning of the “equity lens” for San Antonio,” [Lily] Casura said.
Seen on FOLO Media, 20 December, 2017
San Antonio’s Muslim-led, free healthcare clinic
The doctors who run the El Bari clinic see healthcare as a right — and they’re determined to make it available to the most vulnerable.
Found in the Express-News, 22 December, 2017
Elf Louise’s sleigh ride of yuletide kindness
Louise Locker created the program in 1969 with a belief in the better nature of humankind and a dream to make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged children.
Seen on Univision 41, 22 December, 2017
Voluntarios se preparan para servir a más de 15 mil personas en San Antonio [Volunteers prepare to serve more than 15 thousand people in San Antonio]
Durante la Fiesta anual de Compartir este sábado también se ofrecerán vacunas contra la gripa sin costo alguno. [Flu shots will be offered at no cost during the annual H-E-B Feast of Sharing this Saturday.]
Found in the Express-News, 22 December, 2017
Make a resolution to sterilize your pet
Those who are willing can help make San Antonio a better community for both people and pets.
Found in the Express-News, 23 December, 2017
A pachuco Christmas on the West Side
Even in the darkness there is a little light glowing within our hearts to show the humanity of people.
Seen on Fox 29, 23 December, 2017
San Antonio ‘hot cops’ calendar raises money for a good cause
More than $20,000 was raised and donated to schools affected by Hurricane Harvey.
También visto en la Univision 41, 23 diciembre, 2017
La policía de San Antonio hizo un calendario cuyas ganancias beneficiaron a víctimas del huracán Harvey[The San Antonio police made a calendar whose proceeds benefit victims of Hurricane Harvey]
Este calendario reunió cerca de $21,000, que beneficiarán a tres escuelas que fueron dañadas en este desastre. [This calendar took in about $ 21,000, which will benefit three schools that were damaged in this disaster.]
Seen on KENS 5, 23 December, 2017
Elves bring affordable Christmas to east side
“We’re not just giving a hand out. We’re giving a hand up,” said Charles Foltz with SA Heals.
Found in the Rivard Report, 23 December, 2017
In a Hungry San Antonio, Thousands Gather for H-E-B Feast of Sharing
“Today people are enjoying a meal that not only nourishes their bodies, but their spirits, too.”
Also seen in the Express-News, 23 December, 2017
H-E-B’s Feast of Giving Unites Volunteers and Guests
For 25 years, H-E-B’s annual Feast of Sharing dinner has been a favorite tradition for thousands of volunteers, a mammoth display of corporate charity by a company known for such things and, for some, a sobering tableau of the profound poverty in San Antonio.
Found in the Express-News, 23 December, 2017
Southside ISD kids get tamales, presents and a visit from Santa Claus
The festivities were part of a partnership between the school district and the nonprofit Forward in Fitness, a program funded by philanthropist Kym Rapier to combat childhood obesity.
Seen on Spectrum News, 22 December, 2017
Children’s Shelter asks donors to remember teens this year
Right now, the Children’s Shelter is nearly at capacity. Around 60 kids will wake up here Christmas morning. About a year ago, this shelter began caring for teenagers up to 16 years old, too.
Seen in the Express-News, 24 December, 2017
Economic segregation in San Antonio: how we got here, is it real?
Yes, we have been deemed “most segregated city”, but unlike others, we can do something about it at the local level.
Found in FOLO Media, 24 December, 2017
Former gang members nourish the barrio they once harmed
The Vietnam War lifted these former gang members out of one of the West Side’s most notorious neighborhoods and gave them a new perspective on the world.
Read in the Express-News, 24 December, 2017
District 5 councilwoman aims to help housing on West Side
The pilot will educate, empower and link clients to community partners to increase economic development opportunities, enhance financial empowerment and wealth-building for low- to moderate-income families.
Seen in the Express-News, 24 December, 2017
Foster mother adopts daughter through Children’s Shelter program
Libby Querry is one of the individuals and 70 families who took 93 children into their homes this year through the Children’s Shelter foster care treatment program.
Seen in the Express-News, 25 December, 2017
‘No one here is unimportant’
The Catholic Worker House at 626 E. Nolan St. has been feeding stomachs and souls since 1985, seeking to provide relief to those who are aimless, anxious, lonely and hungry.
Seen in the Express-News, 25 December, 2017
Class probes controversial topics through hands-on learning
The goal of the course, said teacher Ryan Sprott, is to develop students’ critical thinking skills and help them engage in respectful discourse about difficult — and often polarizing — topics.
Seen on Fox 29, 25 December, 2017
U.S. Veteran receives small Christmas miracle thanks to other vets
“The fact that we were able to do this, as a charity job, through Guns to Hammers, makes it just that much sweeter,” said JR Smith.
Seen on KSAT 12, 24 December, 2017
Haven for Hope gives gifts to children of parents in recovery programs
Participants away from family members, friends for months
Seen on KENS 5, 24 December, 2017
SA family gets Christmas surprise after losing everything in fire
“You don’t expect someone you don’t know to come and actually, and bring us stuff. But yes, it’s nice.”
Found in the Rivard Report, 25 December, 2017
For Mentally Ill, Finding Purpose in Work at a Clubhouse All Their Own
The hoped-for payoff is that members will thrive on their sense of belonging and feeling needed, which in turn helps control symptoms of their mental illness.
Found in the Rivard Report, 25 December, 2017
The Christmas Magic of Elf Louise
A core of volunteers has enabled the Elf Louise Christmas Project to grow from serving 65 children to more than 20,000.
Found in the Express-News, 25 December, 2017
At long last, Alamo Bowl hits charitable mark
For several years, we have argued the bowl, a charitable nonprofit, could do more for the community. And the bowl has responded.
Found in the Express-News, 25 December, 2017
Struggle not a stranger for UTSA’s student regent
Jaciel Castro: “That, to me, is the most valuable to giving back — to receive from others their love and care. To listen to them and hear their voices.”
Seen on MYSA, 25 December, 2017
El Pollo Loco serves up free Christmas meals for San Antonio homeless
Atour Eyvazian: “I just feel people’s pain. A lot of places are closed today, and these folks, they need food.”
Seen on KENS 5, 25 December, 2017
Plumbers save Christmas gatherings every year
“I love what I do. It might be a nasty job but you have to find compassion in what you do. And I do.”
Seen on KENS 5, 25 December, 2017
Temple spends Christmas giving back to first responders
“We like to be able to give back to our community, and this year we are delivering meals to first responders, fire stations and police stations around San Antonio.”
Seen on KSAT 12, 25 December, 2017
SAPD officers keep busy surprising families with presents, food on Christmas day
“We gave the bags and visited for a little while. When we left the father was in tears thanking us for the help.”
Found in the Rivad Report, 25 December, 2017
‘Never Give Up:’ A Holocaust Survivor Shares her Story
“Don’t be a bystander,” she tells her audience.
Seen in the Express-News, 25 December, 2017
Texas Power Brokers: Elf Louise Executive Director Bill Harrison
“We’ll have about 4,500 to 5,000 volunteers walk through this door right over here behind you, this year, to work this project.”
Seen in the Express-News, 25 December, 2017
New year is a great time to give
Philanthropists give and give again not until it hurts, but until it feels good. This is a great time to resolve to join the ranks of philanthropists, sharing more of your time and money.
Seen on Fox 29, 26 December, 2017
Christmas elf delivers toys to sick patients at Children’s Hospital of San Antonio
“Elf Emily” collected dozens of toys and stuffed animals to deliver to children who were unable to spend their Christmas at home with their families.
Found on ESPN, 27 December, 2017
Spurs’ Gregg Popovich: ‘Pretty simple’ why I prioritize charity work
“Because we’re rich as hell, and we don’t need it all, and other people need it.”
COMPASSIONATE SAN ANTONIO . .
. . . is a grassroots movement that promotes, supports and celebrates San Antonio’s commitment to be a world-class compassionate city: one where the civic government, the religious and volunteer organizations, the businesses, the community and its educational institutions come together to recognize the importance and value of compassion in the life of a city and by doing so create an ethos of compassion and a safety net for its most vulnerable citizens. #compassionateSA
