Posts by Ashley Thornton
Top 10: Reflections on Leadership Waco
Top 10 “Most Opened” Blog Posts of 2019: # 6 By Austin Meek As someone who thought he knew a lot about this city before starting Leadership Waco, I finished the Greater Waco Chamber’s year-long training course with a more robust and nuanced view of the issues and opportunities facing Waco than I’d ever dreamed…
Read MoreUnited Way Impact: Who is ALICE?
By Madison Fraser ALICE is someone you already know. They are your next-door neighbor, your cashier at the grocery store, your waiter, an office worker, and many of the other people who keep our economy running. ALICE cannot always pay the bills, has little or nothing in savings, and is forced to make tough choices…
Read MoreOur Community Our Future: Collaborating to serve the mental health needs of young people in our community
By Kelli McAdams The Heart of Texas Region system of care, “Our Community Our Future (OCOF),” was created in the Fall of 2015 when a committee of community stakeholders came together to look at the mental health needs of children and adolescents in our community. The intention of the “system of care” is to create…
Read MoreSalvation Army and Art Center of Waco team up to showcase works by homeless artists
The Salvation Army of Waco and The Art Center of Waco have teamed up for the HeART of the Homeless initiative. This program is funded by City Center Waco and Creative Waco to provide for expressions of art to be created by the homeless and others who are served at The Salvation Army Community Kitchen. …
Read MoreEast Waco Voices: Getting East Waco Back on its Feet – Move East Waco 2019!
By Khristian Howard If you have been around Waco for a while, you may recall “Move East Waco,” the fitness series that got East Waco up and active two summers ago. We are thrilled to announce that exciting six-week campaign for health education, fitness, and community will be back this summer to continue the impact…
Read MoreJune 13, 2019: Symposium Focuses on Suicide Prevention & Connecting Schools to Mental Health Resources
Press Release Bringing educators, mental health providers and others together to learn and take actionable steps to save lives, regarding what is considered “the preventable epidemic” among American youth, is the focus of the 14th Annual Teen Suicide Prevention Symposium. Education Service Center (ESC) Region 12, Cedar Crest Residential Treatment Center (Platinum Sponsor), Providence Ascension…
Read MoreWould you take a few minutes to help the City of Waco earn $500,000 for sidewalks?
By Ashley Bean Thornton The City of Waco is diligently working on applications for grants that would help pay for walking and biking infrastructure for Waco, particularly in areas near our public schools. These are huge grants from Texas Department of Transportation’s 2019 Call for Projects for both the Safe Route to School (SRTS) Program…
Read MoreLetter Carriers’ “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive to Benefit Local Food Pantries
As part of the 27th annual “Stamp-Out Hunger” food drive, McLennan County, Texas, letter carriers will be joining forces with the National Association of Letter Carriers on Saturday, May 11th, for the largest one-day food drive in the nation. The drive assists millions of families in the United States who are struggling to put food…
Read MorePaulanne’s Pantry helps MCC students fight food insecurity
By Cheyenne Atchison Thirty-six percent of students at 66 surveyed colleges and universities do not have enough to eat, according to a Temple University and Wisconsin HOPE Lab study. Food insecurity among college students is a growing concern across the United States, and universities are working to find solutions to address this problem. McLennan Community…
Read MoreMay is National Bike Month: What’s the status of biking in Waco?
By Christine Miller The month of May is National Bike Month. This is Waco’s second year promoting and hosting community events to highlight and celebrate the possibilities of the bicycle and the many reasons we ride. National Bike Month is a shared experience by all communities, #BikeJoy, to build a more Bicycle Friendly America for…
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