Posts by Ashley Thornton
Read locally Waco: How Living at the Zoo Leads to Trouble
Read Locally Waco is a project to promote literacy in Waco. Throughout the semester we will post stories that use sight words our children are learning in Waco ISD. You can print these stories and lists of words to use with your children or with other children in your life. This week’s story uses words…
Read More“Special” to “All:” Join the Pride
by Bill Gaventa This month is Autism Awareness Month. The Heart of Texas Autism Network sponsors a number of wonderful activities in pursuit of recognizing children and adults on the autism spectrum as full members of our communities. Last month was Developmental Disabilities Month and well as national Traumatic Brain Injury Month. March also included…
Read MoreTowny: 1 EASY Way to Benefit Yourself, Your City, Your Neighbor TODAY!
By Hannah Franzen Spending locally matters more than you might think. Local investment, as you Act Locally readers probably already know, helps to create jobs, support vital community services, and strengthen economies. So, high-five! When you spend your hard-earned dollars at Cheddar Box or La Fiesta or Katie’s Custard or other locally owned businesses —…
Read MoreThe Northern Triangle: Using an exhibit to spark an important conversation about the refugee crisis
By Andrew Patterson, Kristopher Ruiz & Caroline Capili 400 hundred years ago, immigrants from all over the world boarded ships to escape persecution, to start a new life. A life free from fear, a life with endless possibilities, a life with hope for a better future. Today, that same thing is happening with children ranging…
Read MoreThe Story of Jesus Said Love and an invitation to carry fire
By Emily Mills Have you ever watched a fire burn, mesmerized by the flames, rightfully fearful of its power? Have you seen a small flame light up the night, or the tiniest spark begin a raging forest fire? Fire can bring both massive destruction as well as health and life to a community. Fire is…
Read MoreLow-to-no fee bank accounts help build financial Security
By Christina Helmick April is National Financial Literacy Month! An important aspect of financial literacy is understanding the importance of avoiding high-cost financial services like check cashing or payday loans. Did you know that people who don’t have bank accounts are about six times more likely to use check cashing services than those that do?…
Read MoreMental health: We can all do our part to eliminate stigma
By Cynthia Cunningham Stig·ma: /ˈstiɡmə/ noun A mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person. Synonyms: shame, disgrace, dishonor, ignominy, opprobrium, humiliation, (bad) reputation Can you imagine a world where you were shamed for having a diabetes? Ostracized for having cancer? Can’t imagine this ever happening? Is this because you know that…
Read MoreArt Advice for the Faint of Heart – Dive in!
By Gracie Arias “This isn’t for the faint of heart” have you ever heard that before? That’s what I feel like sometimes in this journey of supporting an artist. I have seen Carlos, my husband, also known professionally as “The Masterpiece,” grow in his artistic abilities in the 10 years I have known him. I…
Read More“What is Wrong with this kid?” — Creating Healing Connections with Kids who have Experienced Trauma
By Brooke Davilla “What is wrong with this kid?” as a caregiver, teacher, tutor, pastor, have you ever found yourself thinking that? Maybe you are working with a child and you just can’t seem to get through…their behavior is baffling to you…you’ve tried everything you know how to do, but you just can’t seem to…
Read More2018 Greatest Hits #5: “What Were You Wearing, Waco?”
(During these last few weeks of December we will be reprising the Top 10 Most Opened Blog Posts for 2018 from the Act Locally Waco blog. I couldn’t possibly pick my favorites – so I used the simple (cop out?) approach of pulling up the 10 blog posts that got the most “opens” according to…
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