Posts by Ashley Thornton
True Confession: I don’t want to be a mentor.
By Ashley Bean Thornton I have a confession to make: I don’t want to be a mentor. I know what the research says about the potential benefits of mentoring: better academic performance, better school attendance, positive attitudes, decreased likelihood of getting involved with drugs and alcohol, decreased violent behavior and on and on. Even more…
Read MoreNeighbors Working Together for Impact
by Alexis Christensen, Community Organizer, Waco Community Development Corporation Saturday morning a group of Sanger Heights’ and Brook Oaks’ residents went round robin to share what drew them to the meeting. Smiles and nods of understanding could be seen around the circle. Concern for their beloved communities brought unfamiliar people together to work for change. The…
Read MoreOpen Letter to Our New Student Neighbors
By Sgt. Patrick Swanton, Spokesman for the Waco Police Department Let me be one of the first to welcome y’all to our city…Waco. There will be others that do that as well, such as the Waving Man, the Prophet, even the Statue of Liberty and the Wise Guy on Valley Mills Drive. The Waving Man…
Read MorePromise and Hope and Back-2-School Jam
The flyer said: “Back-2-School Jam! – School uniforms, backpacks, and supplies for kids who need them! Entertainment and free food provided! Pre-registration costs $3.” When I arrived at 8:00 a.m. — an hour early — to set up the Act Locally Waco tent, there were already plenty of families waiting. At 9:00 a.m. Pastor Gaylon Foreman…
Read MoreBlah, Blah, Blah…Waco Police Starting to do More of That!!
By Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton, Spokesman for Waco Police Department What!!?? The police want people to LIKE and FOLLOW us??? Absolutely! Recently the Waco Police Department has opened up several new lines of communication with our citizens. We have jumped feet first into the hi-tech world of Social Media and so far have been greeted…
Read MoreAustin, Schmaustin…
By Ashley Bean Thornton We had a terrific day in the Act Locally Waco tent at the Waco Downtown Farmer’s Market yesterday. The music was especially good. My friend MG was volunteering in the tent with me, and she and I couldn’t help dancing around a little bit in between visiting with friends, eating breakfast…
Read MoreNot another Pro-Life/Pro-choice Debate! – Taking responsibility for Respect…
By Ashley Bean Thornton When I opened up Facebook this afternoon my friend CS had posted a link to a video with the note: “For my friends on BOTH sides of the “pro-choice” “pro-life” debate. This amazing dialogue is one of respect, intelligence and progressive thoughts on the reality of the debate. I highly encourage you…
Read MoreWaco Research and Technology
By Jodi Terwilliger-Stacey Waco is the research and technology corridor between Dallas and Austin. It boasts top quality education in science, technology, and engineering at its local colleges and universities – Texas State Technical College (TSTC) (offering students approximately 100 certificate and degree areas), McLennan Community College (MCC) (offering students cutting-edge technology and opportunities for field…
Read MoreI speak math; you speak math; let’s all speak math!
By Ashley Bean Thornton I was lucky enough to get a tour of the BRIC (the Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative) a few weeks ago. It is inspiring! As an old English major I love the symbolism of the BRIC, representing our hopes for a prosperous future, rising from the ruins of the Old General…
Read MoreWhat do we want for Waco?
By Ashley Bean Thornton Sometimes people wonder about the things that get included in the Act Locally Waco newsletter. Why do we include things like “Art on Elm” or “Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes” or “First Friday Downtown.” What do these things have to do with reducing poverty? It’s because poverty is not a…
Read More