At the 12th annual Blessing of the Peacemakers on 28 January, 2018, Tommy “TC” Calvert, Sr. (left) and Mario Marcel Salas were appointed as the 2018 San Antonio Peace Laureates for their fifty years of community activism for peace and justice. Thanks to NOWcastSA, you can watch the entire 2-hour ceremony online. Every Wednesday we bring you a news roundup of Compassionate San Antonio. You, too, can use the hashtag #compassionateSA. Get the stories as they happen by following us on Twitter @compassionNET1.
Seen on KSAT 12, 24 January, 2018
District 10 Councilman honored for ensuring equal access to deaf community
Clayton Perry pushing for accessibility at City Council meetings.
Seen on KSAT 12, 24 January, 2018
Disturbing new human trafficking film features SA case
“We’ve got to start caring about the people that we don’t normally care about and asking questions and then to be willing to act on that information.”
Seen on KSAT 12, 24 January, 2018
Life ‘forever changed’ after arm severed during vicious pit bull attack
She said that this is about “responsibility, community safety and an obligation we have to each other.”
Found on the SA Parks & Rec web site
Jammin’ Jams Fruit & Nut Tree Adoption
Promoting food security, canopy coverage, and helping beautify our community.
Read in the Express-news, 24 January, 2018
Parker keeps alive tradition of unselfish Spurs stars
“Nobody over there believes they are bigger than the group, and they are willing to do what is best for the group. And that is what your team should be.”
Seen in the Express-News, 25 January, 2018
NCAA Final Four to leave legacy in Alamo City
Initiatives include Read to the Final Four, a program that seeks to inspire more than 6,700 third-graders from 68 local schools to accelerate their reading and increase achievement.
Heard on Texas Public Radio, 24 January, 2018
Private Company Aims To Lift San Antonio Schools, But What Happens After Grant Ends?
Historically, charters and districts are more likely to compete than share information. But Rodriguez said getting more students to college is a win for everyone.
Found on the SAISD Twitter feed, 25 January, 2018
Students from @CASTtechSchool designed and published original coloring books to brighten the hospital stays of young patients at @childrenshospsa. The books were designed based on input from patients last fall. Yesterday, the students presented the books to hospital staff.
Seen on Spectrum News SA, 26 January, 2018
Homeless advocates spend night on streets counting number of those in need
As many as 500 volunteers combed San Antonio taking a census of people living on the streets or in emergency shelters.
Also heard on Texas Public Radio, 25 January, 2018
San Antonio Homeless Agencies Conduct Annual Point-In-Time Count
The San Antonio area received $9 million earlier this month from HUD to help fund homeless services.
Also seen on KSAT 12, 26 January, 2018
Department of Human Services: Free resources available to help homeless people
As of last year’s census, there are about 2,800 homeless people living in the city of San Antonio.
Seen on Fox 29, 26 January, 2018
San Antonio mom who lost 16-year-old son to suicide traveling state with story
“To make sure kids understand that there’s a soul behind every screen and you never know what kind of day or battle the person on the other side is facing so always choice kindness.”
Read in La Prensa, January 25, 2018
Leading the way in District 7
Ana Sandoval: “One of our biggest and most pressing challenges is reducing poverty in our city and reducing the gap between our richest and poorest neighborhoods.”
Seen in the Express-News, 25 January, 2018
Feds back S.A. whistleblower on VA transplant problems
“Mr. McBride deserves praise for bringing forward the numerous barriers to lifesaving organ transplants for veterans.”
Seen on Spectrum News, 26 January, 2018
New program brings battlefield strategies to local trauma centers
Under the Brothers in Arms program, every rescue helicopter will be fully stocked with lifesaving whole blood.
Found in the FOLO Media weekly newsletter, 27 January, 2018
By the Numbers
“All the data shows it isn’t about poor people, it’s about people who happen to be in poverty.”
Found in the New York Times, 26 January, 2018
With or Without U.S. Funding, Unesco Celebrates American Cities
“We made the case that we have all these amazing traditions and we need to protect, reclaim and prioritize traditional foods.”
Seen on Spectrum News, 28 January, 2018
Big Brothers, Big Sisters in need of male volunteers
About 70 percent of boys involved in the organization are currently without a big brother.
Seen in the Express-News, 29 January, 2018
Remains from Auschwitz victim laid to rest in San Antonio
“We stand before mystery as we offer thanks to God, that we may tell their story,” said Rabbi Samuel Stahl.
Seen on Kens 5, 29 January, 2018
Antonian Prep high school students give back after tragic deaths
The school will be honoring him on Tuesday with a blood-drive. They are hoping to encourage others to give back.
Seen on KENS 5, 28 January, 2018
S.A. cycling community offers help after teen fatally shot
Dante Jones: “We can donate to the cause to make sure nobody dies for stealing bikes. It just doesn’t make any sense.”
Read in the Express-News, 29 January, 2018
San Antonio woman finds strength helping other grieving parents
Craven soon realized that her pain had a purpose — that she could offer comfort and support to other parents suffering through the loss of their own baby or young child.
Seen on KSAT 12, 29 January, 2018
Animal Care Services says it rescued 12,688 animals in SA in 2017
ACS saw a 91 percent placement rate and a continued commitment to public safety with more than 30,000 animals brought into the shelter.
Heard on Texas Public Radio, 28 January, 2018
In San Antonio, How Does Where You Live Affect Your Opportunities?
What can be done to make San Antonio a more stable, livable city?
Found in the Rivard Report, 30 January, 2018
Sandoval: Public Health, Budget Equity is Critical to SA’s Future
“I think it’s important that we have really passionate community residents who get involved,”
Seen on KENS 5, 30 January, 2018
SAPD training to handle mentally ill citizens following two deadly officer-involved shootings
More resources are needed to help the mentally ill, who, at times, need to wait six months before they can get help, increasing the chances of an escalated encounter with police.
Seen on Spectrum News, 29 January, 2018
Local organizations work to help victims of human trafficking
If you’re a victim of human trafficking or know of someone who needs help, you can call Centro Seguro’s 24/7 hotline at 210-340-8090.
Found in the Rivard Report, 30 January, 2018
Following $25M Gift, UT Health SA Cancer Center Renamed After Mays Family
“My parents’ vision has always been to strengthen the community in which we live, which is what we hope the [Mays Cancer Center] will do,” by providing a place close to home for patients to receive treatment.
Also seen on KSAT 12, 30 January, 2018
Mays Family Foundation donates $30 million for cancer care
The gift will help recruit and maintain key faculty members and support top quality cancer care, research and new drug discovery.
Also seen on Spectrum News, 30 January, 2018
New era of cancer care sparked by Mays Family Foundation gift
The announcement of this gift falls of the eve of the go-live date of the affiliation between UT Health San Antonio Cancer Center and Houston’s MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Found in the Rivard Report, 31 January, 2018
International Music Festival Bridges Nations Through ‘Universal Language’
“The founder was a Russian Jew. I’m an Indian Muslim. We’re performing in a Catholic church. That’s America, right?”
Seen on KENS 5, 31 January, 2018
Growing safe, affordable housing
Prospera Housing Community Services Executive Director Gil Piette told the group the goal is to give residents safety, economic stability and help with educational goals.
Found on the UTSA Web site, 31 January, 2018
Rotary Global Education Grant will help UTSA senior bring clean water to Africa
“My goal is to wake up in the morning and walk through rural areas in Zambia and see children going to school instead of gathering water for their families.”
Read in the Express-News, 30 January, 2018
Amid political uncertainty, SAC welcomes undocumented students
“I’m not in here representing a political position,” Vela said. “I’m here representing our students, and undocumented students are our students.”
Found on the Haven for Hope Twitter feed, 31 January, 2018
Haircuts at Haven
Haven for Hope recently had stylists led by John Nunez, from @BeautyOAcademy providing haircuts to 20 residents!
Seen on Texas Public Radio. 30 January, 2018
High Demand For Pre-K 4 SA Continues As San Antonio’s Population Grows
“We know that high-quality pre-k sets children on a track for success, and so we’re trying to make that available for as many families as possible.”
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
