Posts by Ashley Thornton
What is the Children’s Garden and Outdoor Classroom?
By Ashley Stephens The main focus of the Children’s Garden and Outdoor Classroom is to offer children and adults the opportunity to connect with and learn about gardening, nature, and sustainability. The Children’s Garden and Outdoor Classroom offers ongoing gardening and outdoor classes for children, workshops for adults, and community events. I started the Children’s…
Read More2017 Greatest Hits #10: Stop the Bleeding
(During December we will be reprising some of “2017’s greatest hits” 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 our Google Analytics. It is an intriguing collection that…
Read MoreHow Pride, Persistence, and Programs Tackle PTSD
By Maggie McCarthy Texans are a fierce bunch. I witnessed this first-hand when the local Veterans hospital was under threat of closure in 2003. The Central Texas community mobilized, a blue-ribbon group was formed, Veterans organized and the citizenry signed up to write letters and plead with Congressmen. Their red-blooded pride was understandable as the…
Read MoreWanting to Work in Waco
By Mallory Herridge Ten students walked across a stage Friday, May 19, with hope radiating in their confident smiles, ready for new beginnings. For eight weeks these students have been a part of Gateway, a rapid-workforce development program offered through Skillpoint Alliance of Waco, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in Austin, TX that expanded to the…
Read MoreTime to activate our mediocre super powers
By Ashley Bean Thornton Several years ago my friend Marianne Stambaugh and I were enjoying the Baylor Homecoming parade when the string of snazzy convertibles carrying the “Outstanding Young Alumni” rolled past. When Marianne and I are together almost everything is funny to us, and this struck us as particularly hilarious. We immediately decided that…
Read MoreProfile of High School Graduate
By Christine Holecek The mission of the Heart of Texas P-20 Council is to assist with the collaboration of education, business, and community to maximize the utilization of resources, programs and services for all students while encouraging a culture of life-long learning. We envision that all students can reach their true potential as happy, healthy,…
Read MoreEating is not just about food
By Craig Nash Last year was my first summer to help promote the Summer Meals program in the Waco area, and my favorite story from that time was from a midsummer event the Texas Hunger Initiative arranged at Bellmead’s Brame Park. The park is centrally located, has a splash pad to keep kids and families…
Read MoreIt’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood…And a Beautiful Day for a Civic Life Summit
By Josh Ritter Here is the fundamental problem…most of us have no idea how to get to know our neighbors. The solution is both simple and far-reaching. We must learn to communicate well. The biggest issue is that most people communicate through assumptions based on overly simplistic labels of identity. “Oh, you’re a Republican.” “Oh,…
Read MoreCreative Contagion: how arts blooming in Waco have inspired creative community building throughout Central Texas
By Nicole Metts Ever since I can remember, I have been making art and writing. For me, creating things gives me the balance I need to survive in this stressful world. I was an emotional teen, and my first marriage was a disaster, but poetry and painting got me through it. Everyone needs an outlet…
Read MoreThe Importance of Citizen Science
By Melissa Mullins Have you heard of “citizen science”? Different definitions for this term exist but they typically say something like: “Citizen science is scientific work undertaken by members of the general public, often in collaboration with or under the direction of professional scientists and scientific institutions” or one I like “projects in which volunteers…
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