Posts by Debrah Wright
Christmas in July
By: Elizabeth Riley This July, we are striving to find ways that reinvigorate the Christmas spirit of lighting the world through giving at the halfway point of the year. Perhaps you’ve been bogged down with mid-year reviews at work, anxious over the outcome of assessments, or tired from wrangling children all summer long. Get outside,…
Read MoreFreedom Ain’t Free
Breaking the Emotional Chains that Bind Us BY: Darryl W. Thomas, Jr. When we celebrate Independence Day, we pledge pledging allegiance under a banner that declares our freedom. Yet, for countless Americans, freedom is merely surface-deep. Emotionally and psychologically, they remain imprisoned — not by walls or guards, but by trauma that echoes in their…
Read MoreUnseen Battles: A Call for Fathers to Protect Their Peace and Family
By Darryl W. Thomas, Jr. A Battle Worn Long After the War What if I told you that men are five times more likely than women to apply a permanent solution to a temporary problem? Would that shock you? Afterall, we as men like to get the job done, right? Well in this case it…
Read MoreWaco Strays and Adoptable Pets
By Elizabeth Riley Spring is the season of rebirth for all creatures alike, leaving our summers filled with numerous displaced animals throughout the streets of Waco. On any walk or drive around town, these animals are bound to cross our paths, seeking help and a little bit of love. Texas summers are sweltering hot, with…
Read MoreBalancing the Burden: Young Men’s Mental Health in an Age of Expectations
June is a month where we celebrate Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month! As demands surge — school, work, college, extracurriculars — young people are increasingly bearing mental health strain especially young men aged 16–24. Among men of color, the pressure is profound: suicide ranks as the third leading cause of death for Black males aged…
Read MoreJuneteenth in Waco
The second weekend of June is busy for all of Waco! As summer temperatures return after a week of rain, expect neighbors and tourists alike to be soaking up the sun, tearing up the town, and gathering together in community. FUN FACT: The earliest documented Waco celebration occurred in 1876, which included a two-thousand-person procession…
Read MoreHope for the Underdogs:Empowering Texas Youth Through Literacy and Leadership
Written by: Darryl W. Thomas, Jr. In the heart of Texas, a transformative movement is taking root—Hope for the Underdogs, a summer initiative by Committed 2 Win. This program is more than a seasonal project; it’s a lifeline for justice-involved youth, aiming to break the cycles of illiteracy and recidivism that have long plagued our…
Read MoreFrom Caps to Clarity: How Mental Health Awareness Shapes the Class of 2025
A Crisis in the Shadows As graduation caps soar, a sobering reality grounds us: during the 2020–2021 academic year, over 60% of college students met the criteria for at least one mental health problem, according to the Healthy Minds Study, which collects data from 373 campuses nationwide (Lipson et al., 2022). This statistic underscores the…
Read MoreSummer Reading: Waco’s Tiny Libraries
As summer kicks off, kids will be running around in the bleak Texas sun for hours on end. However, when the kiddos get home, they are still seeking entertainment from family and friends. The most vital activity children should engage in this season is reading! Literacy rates in our highly educated country continue to drop…
Read MorePassing the Torch: Honoring Legacy and Welcoming New Leadership in Waco
WACO, Texas — At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Council Member Alice Rodriguez concluded more than 26 years of service as she passed leadership of District 2 to Isabel Lozano. Rodriguez’s final meeting featured a mariachi performance and a reception in her honor, highlighting her decades of dedication to South Waco. Mayor Jim Holmes also announced…
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