Batter up! Everyone plays in Challenger Little League!

By James Karney

Let’s go!
Batter up!
We’re tak-ing the af-ter-noon off!
It’s a beau-ti-ful day for a ball game, for a ball game to-day
The fans are out to get a ticket or two
From Wal-la, Wash-ing-ton to Kal-a-ma-zoo

It’s A Beautiful Day For A Ball Game by Harry Simone

Spring is here and baseball opening day pitches are being thrown out from the Big Leagues to Little League.

In the Waco area hundreds of youth participate in Little League Baseball and Softball learning playing skills, teamwork, sportsmanship and character. I’d like to share with you about a division of Little League you probably did not know existed.

Challenger Little League provides the opportunity for children with physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities to play Little League baseball. During the April and May season, 125 area children play on a specially outfitted field with solid surface base paths at the Lake Air Fields with dedicated coaches and buddies guiding them. No matter the ability or skill level, “everyone plays!”

Challenger logoThis year Challenger Little League in Waco celebrates its 25th season with children and teens from age 5 to 18 playing on ten teams. Challenger baseball came to Waco in 1990 as one of the first locations in Texas with 34 children participating that year.

The kids have a great time just being kids playing ball and for parents it’s a little bit of normalcy just sitting in the bleachers with other parents watching their children play Little League baseball like any other parent.

Jamie Home RunMy son Jamie has played in Challenger since 2004 and I’ve been a coach since 2009. It’s been a great experience for both of us. When Jamie first played he’d hit the ball, run down to first base and then keep running straight down the right field line all the way to the outfield fence. Over the years his skill level has increased and he now hits a pretty mean line drive. I look forward to April and May, getting out my glove from high school and playing with the kids.

Challenger would not be possible without dedicated volunteers who manage league operations, coach, serve as buddies or team and league sponsors. Lupe Rosas, Don Deatherage and Michelle McCollum have worked with Waco’s Challenger League from its beginnings in 1990. Others like Coleen Ostrom and Pepper Jones make things run smoothly every year arranging for uniforms, volunteer buddies, fundraisers and more. Each of the ten Challenger teams has two or three coaches. Many of the coaches, like in other Little League divisions, are parents who want to share their love of baseball and sports with their son or daughter.

Brazos 2014At every game you will also find buddies for the players. Buddies play a vital role in the game by being paired up with a player to provide them assistance they might need from pushing a wheel chair, putting on a batting helmet, keeping them focused on the game (and not watching airplanes flying overhead.) and most importantly encouragement.

Some buddies volunteer for the season while others come out for a game or two. These buddies are frequently from other Little League teams or high school baseball and softball teams. Last season members of the Baylor Lady Bear’s Softball team were buddies at one of our games. The buddies also allow parents a period of respite to sit in the stands, visit with other parents and cheer on their little sluggers.

Team sponsors are another part that makes Challenger Little League possible by providing funding to help underwrite costs. For the 2015 season team sponsors are:

Picture1The Don Deatherage Challenger Field is located near the City of Waco’s Cobbs Recycling Center by Lake Air Fields 4 & 5. Games are played Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6pm and 7pm and on Saturday morning’s beginning at 9am. Opening day games are this Saturday, April 18. (Facebook: Challenger Little League in Waco.)

Come on out some evening or Saturday morning and cheer on these great athletes!


James KarneyThis Act Locally Waco blog post is by James Karney. James worked in a library beginning in his sophomore year of high school and after a more than thirty year library career recently retired as Director of the Waco-McLennan County Library.  He’s currently taking a sabbatical working on projects around the house, catching up on reading and doing research on Texas statesman Coke Stevenson.  He has been married to the super amazing and talented Anita Karney for 20 years and their son Jamie is a junior at Midway High School.

If you would like to write a post for the Act Locally Waco blog, please contact Ashley Thornton by email at [email protected] .

 

 

 

Imagine Waco’s Future, Together as a Community

By Alfred Solano

What do new bike lanes, the Hippodrome reopening, Franklin Place, Dichotomy, Lula Jane’s, Muddle, Tinsley Place, Barnett’s Pub, and McLane Stadium all have in common? They’re all recent developments that have collectively changed the landscape of Downtown Waco during the past few years.

In 2010, we, as a community, began to dream and imagine what we want our city to look and feel like. The Imagine Waco plan was developed and adopted. Five years later, we look around and see a new, livelier downtown—one which we proudly call home. However, there is still much to accomplish. As we plan for the next five years of growth and development, we need to update the Imagine Waco plan and include everyone’s voice.

When the Imagine Waco plan was adopted in 2010, goals included activating the riverfront, building connections for people to get around, and creating an organization that implements development in Downtown Waco. More than two-thirds of Imagine Waco’s proposed action items are in the realization process. Over the past five years, public space investments have included improvements to sidewalks and crosswalks, added bike lanes, and new trees that have been added along streets to upgrade the walkways. Future shared spaces will include the transformation of the Heritage Square parking lot and the riverfront. Some of the private sector developments (leveraged by public investments) include Franklin Place, Tinsley Place, the Hippodrome, and Lula Jane’s. A small area planned for the “Near Northside” area around 15th and Colcord resulted in increased public and private investments, including streetscape improvements that beautified the intersection.

Organizational developments included the creation of the Downtown Development Corporation, 1,000 Friends of Waco, and efforts by the Sanger Heights and North East Riverside Neighborhood associations to improve their areas and business districts, according to the Imagine Waco plan.

Behind the scenes, the City of Waco has embedded principles from Imagine Waco into planning and engineering decisions. This paradigm shift has changed the design and the feel of projects and Downtown Waco altogether.

As we look at the first years of Downtown Waco’s renaissance and the series of projects that have been accomplished by private investors and the City during the last five years, we look ahead with excitement and anticipation about what is next for our city.

Five years ago, the Waco community dreamed together…and now it’s time to dream again!

What makes The Imagine Waco plan achievable and exciting is that it is designed by the people who live and work in the Waco area for the benefit of the entire Waco community. We want your dreams and aspirations to be a part of the Imagine Waco update. Next week, there will be severral opportunities for your voice to be heard. Everyone is invited and encouraged to give their input about the future of Downtown Waco.

  • Monday, April 13th, The Jubilee Theater @ 6PM
    (1315 North 15th Street, Waco, TX 76707)
  • Tuesday, April 14th, The Cen-Tex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce @ 6PM
    (915 LaSalle Avenue, Waco, TX 76701)
  • Wednesday, April 15th, The Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce—1,000 Friends of Waco Meeting @ 10AM
    (101 South 3rd Street, Waco, TX 76701)
  • Thursday, April 16th @ The Eastern Waco Development Corporation, 6PM
    (715 Elm Street, Waco, TX 76704)

Is there something that was missed or left out of the initial plan? Are there some good things in Waco that could be made great? What do you want Downtown Waco to be known for? Come share your thoughts and let us know.

Waco’s beautifully diverse culture deserves your continued support. Let’s continue to work together to build up Waco in a way that benefits everyone!


alfred solano 3Alfred Solano was raised in Waco and is the Sales Manager for Texas Document Solutions. He and his wife Rachel are passionate about our city’s current trends and future possibilities. Alfred is the Vice President of the Business Resource Center, Waco’s downtown development corporation. He has served on the Board of Directors since its formation in 2011, representing the Cen-Tex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.

National Poetry Month: Why Poetry Matters

By Jenuine Poetess

every poet

(magnetic poetry & photo by Jenuine Poetess)

April is many things to many people. For some, April is about Autism Awareness & Advocacy. For others April shines a light on the presence of Child Abuse and how to prevent violence against youth in their homes. Some people celebrate their pets in April, other people honor the Earth, still others may go fly a kite. Here at the Arts & Culture blog, we’re celebrating Poetry! Among the myriad of causes, April is National Poetry Month. Established in 1996 by the American Academy of Poets, National Poetry Month strives to not only draw attention to poets and their works but also to inspire others to try their hand at writing verse. Poet Maureen Thorson is credited with initiating the NaPoWriMo challenge in 2003 in which participants endeavor to write 30 poems in 30 days throughout the month of April. If you are feeling ambitious, it’s not too late in the month to begin; check out the NaPoWriMo website for daily prompts and tips!

her ancient

(magnetic poetry & photo by Jenuine Poetess)

As a poet, sometimes I forget that for many people, poetry serves little to no purpose in their daily lives. Actually, this is quite a shocking realization for me to remember. I’ve been writing poems, in some form, since I was a little girl. I was a non-committal open mic attendee for many years after college and wrote every now and then when I was so moved. It wasn’t until I began attending weekly open mics and womyn’s writing circle at Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural in Sylmar, CA in 2009 that I finally claimed my identity as Poet and began seriously practicing the written and spoken-word arts. I quickly found poetry to be my new way of life. I relished the rebellion of breaking grammar rules to arrange words on the page, without a care for punctuation or use of articles. Words themselves became the adornments of my expressions. Pure. Undiluted. Raw. Within this realm of reckless, wild, word-play, I found my own voice. I have known no other liberation so exhilarating as beholding the reflection of myself in the words I have poured upon my pages. I am certainly not the first, no the last to embark on this journey of self-knowing via pen and paper. Science fiction author, Octavia Estelle Butler affirms, “Every story I write, creates me. I write to create myself.”

luis

(photo credit: Luis J. Rodriguez)

Poet W. B. Yeats asserts, “out of the quarrel with others we make rhetoric out of the quarrel with ourselves we make poetry.” It is from within that quarrel with one’s self, that the truest aspects of our soul remain refined, after everything else has burned away. For most poets I know and by whom I am inspired, we write to shed light on truth with very little interest in keeping ourselves or others comfortable. The visceral art of poetry is to be unsilent, to provoke, to protest, to be—unflinching and unapologetic. It is up to the reader to divine meaning, to interpret call to action, to take away value.

royal

(photo credit: Jenuine Poetess)

Without hesitation or embellishment I candidly admit that poetry has saved my life on countless occasions. Whether it is the catharsis of purging my turmoil, heartache, outrage, or euphoria onto the page; or the validation of listening or reading others’ words putting into language thoughts, feelings, moments I too have experienced; or the deep joy of witnessing another come into bloom, finding their own voice and raising the volume to speak, with authority, their truths; writing has saved and changed my life. Mine is not the only testament to this fact. From youth and adults in correctional facilities, to those doing the work in therapy sessions, to cancer patients working through their mortality, to the grieving remembering their loved ones lost, to hearts pounding in love and desire, to joyful wonder captured spontaneous, people world-wide speak fluently the language of poetry.

NV January

(Nuestra Voz open mic @ Art Forum of Waco — January 2015)

Historically, poetry has been a dangerous occupation getting writers excommunicated at best and executed at worst. We have been outcast and exiled, tortured and isolated, we have been misunderstood and hated since the dawn of poetry. I promise you, it is not for the faint-of-heart. Poetry is born out of marrow and mire. It is a Phoenix rising again and again out of the ashes of our souls, the glowing remnants of what has been destroyed. Poetry is our rebirth. We write to know ourselves and we share to know each other. This is how we build community, through our creative expressions. Through speaking our truths. Through listening, with intention, to what each other is saying—deep within our words.

I do not write because it is nice or fun.   Poetry is not a hobby or leisure activity. Poetry is among my personal hierarchy of needs. I must write. When my words are quiet, I feel it; I know it is a grave vital sign of my distress. Poetry is my compass and my map. Poetry is my truest mirror showing me unedited reflections of myself. Poetry is my measure and my portion. Poetry is both a part of me, and something entirely beyond me, all at once.

Get Involved!

  • penneyWaco Poets Society hosts an open mic every 2nd & 4th Saturday at the Art Forum of Waco, 7pm and welcomes the sharing of poems, songs, stories, spoken-word, reflections, jokes, and more!
  • Challenge yourself to write 30 poems in 30 days—yes! haiku count! J
  • Attend readings at the Austin International Poetry Festival featuring Nikki Giovanni April 9th-12th
  • Attend Waco’s Annual WordFest, a part of the Waco Cultural Arts Festival in September 2015
  • Stop by the Waco Poets Society booth any 2nd Saturday at the Waco Downtown Farmers’ Market to try your hand on our vintage typewriter or to play with magnetic words

Resources:

These are some of my go-to resources for practicing, contemplating, and exploring the written & spoken-word arts.

  • NaPoWriMo – prompts and tips for writing 30 poems in 30 days of April
  • Poem Crazy: freeing your life with words – by Susan G. Wooldridge
  • Poetry as Spiritual Practice: using Poetry in Your Daily Rituals, Aspirations, and Intentions – by Robert McDowell
  • Writing the Life Poetic: An Invitation to Read and Write Poetry – by Sage Cohen
  • Skipping Stones is a rich multicultural literary and arts magazine for children and youth

    Jenuine Poetess August 2014Jenuine Poetess is an artist, visionary, and community organizer. In 2010, she founded In the Words of Womyn (ITWOW), an international, grass-roots, written and spoken-word arts project with chapters throughout Los Angeles; Waco, TX; and Lebanon. ITWOW empowers womyn of all ages to give sound to our story and volume to our voice.HOT~ITWOW writing circle meets Mondays from 6-7:45pm at the Art Forum of Waco beginning February 2, 2015.  Jenuine also founded Waco Poets Society which sponsors a local open mic venue in Sanger Heights.  Meeting every 2nd & 4th Saturday at the Art Forum of Waco Nuestra Voz Open Mic invites community to share poems, songs, stories, spoken-word, and other creative expressions!  In 2015, Jenuine along with a number of other artists creating and residing in Waco, co-founded the Central Texas Artist Collective (click link to learn more and get involved).  You can contact her at: [email protected].

How Stella’s Story made me think differently…

By Janae Griffiths

We are all busy people. We go about our days checking tasks off our lists, sometimes putting little thought into what we are actually doing. Often, this is harmless—we get everything done and no one gets hurt in the process. But, for those of us who have the opportunity to walk alongside someone in difficult circumstances or to offer assistance in a unique way, rushing through can do more harm than good.

I had not given this much thought until a few weeks ago, when I met with a wonderful woman named Stella. Stella lives here in Waco, and due to some life circumstances has found herself to be the recipient of multiple social services in our community. She shared with me part of her story—a part that made me uncomfortable. Stella spoke of feeling forced to become her own advocate, of not knowing what resources were available to her or how to tap into them. She felt like she couldn’t find anyone who would take the time to explain the available resources to her.

She told me about how she has sometimes felt like she was just another item to be checked off of someone’s to-do list. She felt like she was falling through the cracks, but had no way to stop it.

“The professionals need to be proactive in spreading information,” she explained. “They need to have the passion to go above and beyond, not just rush through.”

I didn’t know how to respond to her at first. I wasn’t with Stella as she made her way from place to place seeking help. I don’t know how the people working with her actually responded, the words they actually said, the looks on their faces, or the tone of their voices. I don’t know the pressures they were under, or how long their days had been, or even how Stella treated them.   I certainly don’t know their intentions. I don’t know if they felt empathy, or annoyance, or kindness, or frustration. I don’t know if they tried their absolute best to help, or if they did indeed feel like Stella was just “another item to be checked off.”

I only know how Stella felt.

“In some places I felt valued, but in many places, I did not,” Stella explained. From her point of view, the people who worked with her seemed to expect that she would automatically know what was available to her, when she felt like no one had ever clarified what services she qualified for and which she did not. She felt uncomfortable and short on information.

As a graduate student at Baylor School of Social Work, I have spent the past two years interning for various Waco nonprofits and working to address needs in our community. One of the key values of the social work profession—which we are taught right at the start of Baylor’s program—is the inherent dignity and worth of every individual. I absolutely believe that every human has dignity and worth, and I am fairly certain that the Waco nonprofit and social service community as a whole believes the same. But, while I may believe those things in my mind, Stella’s story made me start to think about how much more challenging it is to honor those values in my day to day actions.

Of course social service professionals shouldn’t just rush through their work. We all know that. But, in the day in and day out busyness of the work day, it is easy to do.

Fortunately, Stella is a strong woman with a strong personality. She quickly educated herself on the resources available and became an advocate for herself and others that she knew. But, as she pointed out to me, not everyone can easily become their own self-advocate, especially individuals whose primary language isn’t English.

I deeply appreciate Stella sharing her experience with me. I have been reflecting on her words in the weeks since, and they have reminded me about why I entered the field of social work in the first place. I want to be someone who meets people where they are, recognizes them for who they are, and cheers for them as they take steps to become more. My hope is that I, as a member of the social service community in Waco, can approach my work with a renewed sense of the dignity and worth of each individual I have the opportunity to serve. My hope is that I never rush through my work, but take the time to treat each client with kindness and offer as much assistance as I am able.

I hope that I always remember Stella and how she feels. I hope I always remember how uncomfortable it feels not to have the information you need, how bad it feels to be treated like “another item on the list,” how scary it feels to be “falling through the cracks.” I hope that my actions with each person who comes my way will reflect the values I so fervently believe.


Janae GriffithsThis Act Locally Waco blog post was written by Janae Griffiths. Janae is originally from Chicago, but has been happy to call Waco her home for almost six years! She is finishing her Master of Social Work degree from Baylor University, and currently interns at the Texas Hunger Initiative. She is passionate about issues of poverty and justice, especially in our community.

The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.

 

A Safer, Healthier Waco for Humans and Animals

By Carrie Kuehl

A ribboned birthday gift and the contents of your front seat fly onto the floor as you slam on the brakes to avoid hitting the car in front of you that just slammed on its own brakes. A squatty, blond dog with long ears squeals with the heavy bump of the car’s tire. He dashes to the safety of a front yard, still crying and licking at his paw. He has a bruised shoulder and skinned back foot. You are late for the party, but it’s no big deal.

Sleep has become a rare luxury since the pregnancy. Your toddler is teething and inconsolable. As the two of you finally doze off, two toms and a female begin vocalizing with mating wails which are heard outside the kitchen window, throughout the subdivision, and in the ears of your baby. Sigh…another chance to sleep will come tomorrow night; it’s no big deal.

The ambitious, dream-filled couple from Ohio are trying to decide: will they relocate to Waco or to Greenville, S.C.? They have good job possibilities in both. After a smooth flight they drive along Lake Shore Drive in their rental car. A new future is dancing through their minds when they see a dark shape in the road. It’s the contorted body of a beagle mix, similar to his boyhood best friend who was put to sleep in his arms only a few years before. Three blocks later they meet their realtor at charming little house in a neighborhood with big trees and just the kind of character they were hoping to find. The little house is so cute they almost don’t notice the thick, fluffy dog nosing through garbage and strewing it all over the yard next door and into the street. They do wrinkle their noses a little when the animal waste stench from a porch and yard across the street wafts into their nostrils. The real estate agent dismisses this as common. The couple decides to pursue the opportunity in Greenville. “Drat! I really thought we had them!” the realtor thinks as she hangs up the phone after hearing the news. “Oh well, you can’t win’em all. It’s no big deal.”

If you are still reading, you are likely an animal lover, or even if you aren’t, you have a deep concern and a strong sense of ownership for the future of Wacotown.

In 1988 a group of similarly concerned and dedicated Wacoans got frustrated with the neglect and suffering of animals and the negative effect this neglect was having on our city. When they found they could not get ahead of the problem by spending their free time cleaning poop at the animal shelter, this visionary group took the initiative to begin a spay/neuter program. The goal of this program was to prevent the suffering and dying of unwanted animals by preventing the births of unwanted litters.

That was a quiet year for spay/neuter. The clinic was only open one day a week back then, and they performed about 15 surgeries for cats or dogs a day. Today at the Animal Birth Control Clinic it is common for our licensed veterinarians and supportive staff of veterinary technicians to perform over 50 high-quality, affordable spay and neuter surgeries a day, five days a week. Back then huge numbers of cats and dogs poured into our rescue centers and into the shelter by the dozens daily, now the daily intake rarely goes over 25. And to top it off, our community just celebrated its third month of No Kill (90% or more of the animals exit alive)!

This decreased intake has been made possible because of a perfect mix of donor and taxpayer-funded spays and neuters, and because of transparent communication among goal-focused partners. We all benefit from the safer living and higher quality of life that is the result of this reduced burden on our community.

The next step is upon us. The shelter is being reconstructed to properly care for the remaining cats and dogs who find themselves in need of temporary care. The community campaign, heartily led by Mayor Malcolm Duncan, is wrapping up within weeks. I welcome you to contribute to this project and to support spay/neuter.

The reasons to support spay/neuter and to continue to lift this burden on our community are tangible and intangible, direct and indirect. Here are a few:

  • To enjoy your afternoon birthday party rather than having it derailed by a car accident because the car in front of you hit a stray,
  • To have a peaceful night of sleep and sanity for yourself and your toddler because the feral cat mating “opera” has been taken off of the marquee,
  • To woo young professionals to our Waco neighborhoods instead of giving them a reason to start their bright futures elsewhere.

Quality of life and safety for humans intersects with the lives of the cats and dogs in our city more often than we sometimes realize.  This work must continue.  It IS a big deal, and it affects us all!


carrie kuehlThis Act Locally Waco blog post was written by Carrie Kuehl. Carrie is an enthusiastic Wacoan who began her time at the Animal Birth Control Clinic as a volunteer in 1994. Her BA in Sociology from Baylor, ten years in the financial planning/securities industry, and her passion for the efficiency of spay/neuter prepared her to become the Executive Director of ABC in 2006. In the last few years, Carrie has enjoyed growing the clinic and mentoring additional Texas communities to boost their spay/neuter impact. In her personal time, she enjoys kayaking, houseboating, and being an aunt.

The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.

 

 

 

 

Break through the Baylor Bubble … become a citizen of Waco!

by Christian Bolaños

“Baylor Bubble”   [ bā-lər ˈbə-bull ] –  Noun: A thin sphere enclosing Baylor University and living areas immediately surrounding its campus, from the rest of Waco.

Baylor was my dream school in the sense that it was out of my reach. But, like many who attend, I have parents that work day in and day out to give their children an opportunity to live a life they could only dream of. That, along with financial aid and academic scholarships, has kept me enrolled all four years.

The hefty Baylor price tag pays for a phenomenal faculty and a seemingly limitless number of opportunities waiting to be tapped by students eager to make a difference in the world. Baylor does an outstanding job at educating its students in their respective professions, and does so in such a way that students keep integrity and ethics ever-present and in the forefront of students’ minds. Baylor University’s course offerings include business ethics courses and an entire Medical Humanities degree program. Baylor’s Law School even includes “a study abroad program devoted to the art of advocacy” to ensure that Baylor attorneys represent the interests of their clients in the best manner possible.

There is, however, one inconsistency in all of this. As students we learn all kinds of skills out of textbooks filled with different scenarios, simulations and situations that are supposed to reproduce real life. I believe it’s a great way of teaching; it’s only missing one thing. Real life.

One of my professors offered a solution to this dilemma. We learned to call it “service-based learning,” and it made the biggest impact on me during my entire time in Waco. Despite all of the brilliant professors, state of the art facilities, and wonderful resources available on campus, one of the best, and most underappreciated opportunities that Baylor has to offer us as a valuable teaching lesson lies a few steps right outside of the “Baylor Bubble.”

I strongly believe that community service is the missing link for students. It gives us the chance to apply what we’ve learned in the classroom to real human needs. By breaking down the barrier between Baylor and Waco, we were able to more fully engross ourselves as citizens of Waco and better understand the dynamics of the city. The best thing that students can do during their time at Baylor is to participate as active members of the Waco community. For example, in one class I took, we not only learned the importance of grant writing, but we were actually able to apply for real world grants and actually help non-profit organizations in the area. Nearly every course could be tailored to include some form of service-based learning. I would urge those of you that are in school to come up with ideas with your teacher/professor on how you can take the learning outside of the classroom and do some form of work, no matter how big or small, that leaves an impact beyond that of a letter grade. And for those of you who are not in a classroom, find a place where you can serve. Even if you can only commit to an hour a week, there are plenty of places where you can make a world of difference.

I have gotten involved in the Waco community through an internship at the Public Health District.  Through this involvement I have learned first-hand about the health challenges that many cities face such as a shortage of family practice doctors and lack of access to care among lower income neighborhoods. I have also learned about the things a city can do to promote the health of its citizens, like creating programs and coalitions that serve to raise awareness and educate the general population on health disparities. Because of this understanding I will be a better, more informed citizen, whatever profession I end up pursuing and where ever I end up living. I consider this an extremely valuable part of my education, something that I wouldn’t have been able to experience had I not made the effort to work outside the Baylor Bubble.

Here is how Baylor’s strategic vision, Pro Futuris (“for the future”), describes Baylor’s role as an institution of higher education: “We strive to prepare students to make a difference in our world as citizens and leaders who have the faith and integrity to do what is right in the face of competing pressures and to have a passion to apply their knowledge to ends that transcend mere self-interest.”

Rather than only venturing out to Waco to grab a bite to eat or enjoy the nightlife, we should actively seek out opportunities for not only our growth, but also for the growth of Waco. It should be our duty as citizens to do our part and work towards building a better future. So start early and start now. It is never too late to begin making a difference in your community. And rather than being like the dreadful, monthly visit to the in-laws, community service should be something you (and hopefully your family or close group of friends, the more the merrier!) look forward to doing when you meet up. There are so many different ways to give time, each with its own positive impact on our community. Find something that you like. For a list of ways to serve Waco, click the following link http://www.waco-texas.com/volunteer.asp. Thank you.


Christian BolanosThis Act Locally Waco blog post was written by Christian Bolaños. Christian is an intern at the Waco Public Health Department and a senior at Baylor University. His interests range from biology research and technical writing, to learning more about his rich Latino culture. Focused on helping the community as a whole, Christian ultimately plans to matriculate to medical school to become a surgeon. In the meantime, he plans on graduating in May and either pursue research interests or obtain a writing position in the medical field.

The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.

Behind every champion – a team of volunteers

By Serina Cole

Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.” – Albert Einstein

For most of his young life Matt was excluded from many extra-curricular activities. He’s watched his friends and school mates have the opportunity to play ball, have fun, and live the life of a typical teenager while he sat and watched from the bleachers. Matt has autism and is known to have some very challenging behaviors. He was even turned away by his own school after wanting to join their Special Olympics team. Despite his intellectual disability, Matt has the same range of desires, needs, emotions and dreams as the rest of the population. “I just want to be on the team” — this was Matt’s dream. As a coach and Delegation Coordinator for Special Olympics, I work with a tremendous group of volunteers, and I knew we could help him achieve his dream. We invited him to become a Mosaic Mustang. At our first basketball practice he was so excited it was a disaster. After much patience, practice and encouragement from his team mates, coaches and staff — Matthew excelled at the individual basketball events. Little did I know that Matt enjoyed his time so much he began watching the Winter Olympics at home to learn how to become a true Olympic Champion.

Finally! It was time to compete. Matt carried the torch for our team in front of his friends and family. At every event he gave his all, doing the very best he could. During the medal ceremony, his faced beamed when they placed a gold medal around his neck. Without hesitation, he lifted the medal to his mouth and bit it as hard as he could. Confused by his actions, I later asked him why he did this — “Because, Mrs. Serina, that’s what real Olympic champions do.” In that moment, I realized we had a made a young man’s dream come true.

Throughout March we have been celebrating the possibilities of individuals with intellectual developmental disabilities. In doing so we must also celebrate many unsung heroes that help discover and tap into those possibilities — our volunteers. If it were not for my volunteers with Mosaic, Matt would not know the pride of being a champion.

Volunteers have an enormous impact on the health and well-being of our community. Think of all the ways they make a difference in day to day life. The ability of people to work willingly together for the betterment of their community and themselves is a valuable resource. Some might argue that with all of the economic stress and uncertainty in our country today, how can we realistically expect anyone to be willing to volunteer? This probably stems from the rather outdated perception that only bored, wealthy housewives and retirees engage in volunteerism. But actually, volunteers can and should come from all walks of life from all economic backgrounds, experience and interest. With many families struggling due to lack of time, financial resources or both, can we, as Wacoans really afford to give away our time and talents without compensation? Can we afford not to?

Let’s take a look at some numbers. Nearly 25% of Texas residents volunteer in some form or fashion. This equates to more than 4.8 million volunteers and 586 million hours of service according to data reported by the Corporation for National and Community Service. This is $13.2 billion in services contributed across Texas. Think about the financial impact if we were to replace these service hours with paid staff! These numbers are astounding, but what do they mean to us? Volunteers deliver critical services—from serving as volunteer fire fighters or participating in search and rescue, to delivering meals to homebound seniors or homeless youth. Volunteers tutor, teach, mentor, coach, and support young people with everything from math homework to dealing with personal crises. In my experience with Mosaic, it means an afternoon of arts and crafts, cooking classes, teaching sign language or just simply sharing an hour of your week to be a friend to someone who needs a compassionate ear or kind word.

Volunteering to work with individuals living with I/DD makes a difference to some of the most vulnerable members of your community. There is an overwhelming need for volunteers for this population of individuals, and in Waco there are many opportunities to serve. I encourage you, even implore you, to consider becoming a volunteer for a special needs individual, group or organization. Without our Mosaic volunteers, there would be a void we could not afford to fill.

Finally, here is one way to visualize the impact of volunteers in our community. Imagine if one day, all the volunteers simply did not show up? What would our community, parks, schools, places of worship and most non-profits in Waco look like? What opportunities to grow, learn, and thrive as a community would be lost?

Note: If you are interested in volunteer opportunities working with the I/DD population, please contact Serina Cole, Mosaic of Waco. 254-757-3434 Ext: 209 or [email protected].


Serina ColeThis Act Locally Waco blog post was written by Serina Cole. Serina lives in Cameron, Texas, but commutes over 120 miles a day to fulfill her passion to serve individuals with intellectual developmental disabilities. She has worked as the Community Relations Manager for Mosaic in Waco, to create opportunities for individuals with I/DD to pursue a meaningful life in a caring community, giving a voice to their needs. Serina is very involved in the I/DD community as a volunteer, educator and advocate. She volunteers as the Delegation Coordinator and coach for Mosaic’s Special Olympics team and serves as the Secretary for the Waco Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities. She is a recent graduate of Waco’s Leadership Plenty Institute, Class of 2014-2015. She states she has fallen in love with the Waco Community and how the city embraces the opportunity to serve, love, protect and care for those in need.

The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.

 

 

 

Living the Undocumented American Dream

By Nick Haynes

When I think about it, I never had strong aspirations of living the American Dream. The ideals of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness were simply words that I, like many other people born in the United States, always took for granted. It was not until those “rights” were stripped away that I even noticed that I ever had them, and that I was privileged – privileged not because of anything I have done, but because of where I was born and the color of my skin.

There are those among us who do not take the American Dream for granted. Those who were not born into privilege, or those who were born, let’s say, in Mexico. There are people who are born and live their lives in countries and situations in which they constantly face great difficulty and lack of any opportunity. Some of these people sacrifice everything to travel to the United States which, in theory, is a land of opportunity. I say sacrifice because no matter how difficult one’s circumstances, it is always a sacrifice to leave your home, your family, your culture, your language to go to a place where no one knows you, no one likes you, and no one speaks your language – simply so you can put food on the table. It is truly desperation that drives people to emigrate from their homeland to seek out new possibilities.

This is my wife’s story, and now my story as well. My wife was born in Mexico. Like any other little girl she grew up going to school, playing (and fighting) with her sisters, and putting dresses on dolls. She wanted to be a teacher when she grew up. She had a blackboard which she used to teach her make-believe students. Then one day, shortly after the implementation of NAFTA, her dad lost his job. For several months, the family coped with his unemployment with the little money he earned from selling lotions on the street. But this was no way to support a family of five. Eventually, my wife’s father made the courageous, but difficult decision to move to the United States for work. They had applied for a visa several months earlier, but the wait was more than 20 years – so he came anyway, without a visa. After a year of separation, my wife’s parents made the most difficult decision of their lives. Her mom packed up the family (I say packed because it is a common expression – they actually came with nothing), said goodbye to friends and loved ones, and made the long, dangerous journey to the United States. They hired a man to take my wife, her mother and two sisters across the river, and deliver them to their new home in Waco, Texas. This man could have abused them, robbed them, or abandoned them, which happens to so many families – my wife was fortunate. And so began their glorious life of living in the shadows in the land of opportunity.

Living in the United States was not easy. My wife was ridiculed because she couldn’t speak English. She was told that she always had to lie, always had to hide her true situation. Needless to say, the life of an undocumented teenager trying to stay under the radar is a lonely and isolated life. But the family was together, and they had food to eat. My wife grew up in the Waco school system. She eventually learned to speak English, perfectly. In order to survive she had to work. In order to work, she had to claim that she had work authorization. She eventually went to college, earned an associate’s degree, and began attending church. This is where I come in.

My wife and I met in the spring of 2006 through a small group in our church. We fell in love, and were married in May 2007. Like many other naïve Americans, I was under the impression that if an immigrant, like my wife, married a U.S. citizen, like myself, then she could automatically become a U.S. citizen too. How wrong I was. The problem is that our immigration system is antiquated, broken, and incredibly complex. To make a long story short, my wife was eventually able to become a Legal Permanent Resident. Although, it was an arduous journey which forced us to endure 3 months of separation while she was sent back to Mexico as part of this process. Because of my wife’s status, she can now work legally, have a driver’s license and a mortgage; our lives are fairly normal.

The problem came when we applied for my wife to become a U.S. citizen. We have now been told that because of a box my wife checked on a form when she was working without authorization she cannot become a U.S. citizen, and will eventually be deported. There is no option; she will never qualify for any type of immigration benefit in the United States without a change in the law. Let me be clear about the brokenness of our immigration system: if my wife had robbed a bank, there might be a path for her. If she had murdered someone, there is a way for her to still become a U.S. citizen. But because she did what she had to do, and went to work to put food on the table for her family, in the only land she calls home, where she was raised from childhood, she will never be able to become a U.S. citizen. Our family now faces eventual exile. When we have children, they will be U.S. citizens, but their mother still will face deportation. Despite being a U.S. citizen, I am not free. I cannot live the American Dream. It is difficult to describe, but try to imagine if you can. Though we try our best to live normal lives, the fear and threat of separation and deportation constantly hangs over our heads.

Just for the record, I am unconditionally committed to my wife, and I have absolutely no regrets about loving and spending my life with this woman. That being said, when she is deported I will be deported as well. That means no more holidays with family. We may lose our house, our jobs, and everything we hold dear, except each other. Unfortunately, our story is not unique. Today in the United States thousands, if not millions, of U.S. citizens and their immigrant families are dealing with our broken immigration laws. Wives are being taken from their husbands and parents from their children due to deportation. Our immigration system is broken and it needs to change.

My challenge to you: When you think about immigrants, think about my wife and our story. Think about how this problem is affecting our community. We are your neighbors, your coworkers; we worship beside you in church. Waco, Texas is our home. Also, think about why it is that you may be deserving of the privilege of U.S. citizenship and others may not. What did you do to earn your citizenship? My wife has done everything to earn hers – I have done nothing. Finally, contact your representatives in congress: U.S. Representative Bill Flores – (254) 732-0748; Senator Ted Cruz – (512) 916-5834; Senator John Cornyn – 512-469-6034. Tell them to fix our broken immigration system, to stop separating families, and to allow people like my wife to become U.S. citizens so they can stay in the only land they call home.

To keep up to date with immigration advocacy work in Waco, join our page on Facebook: Waco Immigration Alliance.


Nick HaynesThis Act Locally Waco blog post was written by Nick Haynes. Nick moved to Waco, Texas to attend Baylor University in the year 2000 where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies, and eventually earned a Master’s degree in Social Work. Nick has worked as a Social Worker in Waco for the past 5 years. Nick recently ran for U.S. Representative here in Waco to fight for immigration reform and for others in need of change. He now works at Baylor University. Eloisa immigrated to the United States from Mexico and has lived in Waco for 20 years. Eloisa eventually went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Business, and is now working on a Master’s degree at Baylor University. Eloisa also works full-time at Baylor. Nick and his wife, Eloisa, have been married for 8 years. They do not yet have children, but they have a 5 pound Yorkie named Poptart. Nick and Eloisa both attend Antioch Community Church.

The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.

 

Hope and Healing: Regaining Life from Major Depression

With this post we are kicking off the Act Locally Waco mental health blog.  We hope to post something once a month or so with a focus on mental health.  Stay tuned! — ABT

By Bonnie Goree

Major depression has been a familiar struggle in my adult life. I was just completing junior college when my first episode occurred. I noticed that I could not focus and complete a term paper – my brain felt ‘frozen.’  I had difficulty sleeping and my cognitive skills and mood continuously declined. Another episode occurred in my late thirties, after having major surgery.  The surgery was a shock to my system and drastically upset my chemistry, which led my mood to decline again.  Between 2006 and 2011, I experienced multiple episodes of major clinical depression, requiring hospitalizations, medicine changes, and Electroconvulsive-Therapy (ECT). My struggle with this disorder reached its peak in 2010, when I had to leave my job of almost twenty years as an Early Intervention Specialist at Heart of Texas Region MHMR.  Although I received amazing love and support from my coworkers, at one point I was so depressed that I stayed in bed for 3 days and had thoughts of ending my life. I was feeling so discouraged and hopeless. I had never thought these things would happen to me.

During that difficult time, a friend told me about Mental Health Grace Alliance (MHGA) here in Waco.  I met with the founders of this organization and cried throughout most of our visit. But, their support and unconditional acceptance gave me a glimmer of hope that day. I knew all too well the emotional effects of depression. I would sometimes blame them on my difficult childhood or even see them as a spiritual flaw, but it was not until I was connected with MHGA that I really learned about the physical and medical components of this disorder.  I had never allowed myself to truly believe that a chemical imbalance could be a major contributor to depression and to other mental health diagnoses. In my experience ECT’s had been more helpful than medicine. Since 2011, however, my psychiatrist has found a combination of two meds that thankfully have worked well. In addition to the medicine, I also became involved in the Living Grace Groups through MHGA. There I met others who had been in the same boat as me and were experiencing hope and recovery.

How did God and my faith fit into my times of hopelessness? I had to wrestle and gradually come to terms with this question. I read in the book of Psalms multiple instances where David described ‘dark, hopeless’ days.  I learned that there are many other people in the Bible and in our society that have experienced mental health difficulties. Mother Teresa, for example, wrote in her diaries about her struggles with depression.  I also had amazing support from my church family. The bouts of depression have forged some deep, meaningful relationships that continue to this day.

The last part of the story is my favorite.  Since 2012, I have been back at Heart of Texas Region MHMR as one of the first three Certified Peer Specialists of the organization. We have had the opportunity to create the job from the ground floor as a new service to adults struggling with mental illness.  What an awesome opportunity and privilege I have to offer hope to others!  I can relate and say “I’ve been there and done that.”

My journey to regaining life, hope, and healing has been hard but it is happening!  It has included multiple vital pieces of the recovery pie: staying connected to supportive people, counseling, medical care, healthy eating, exercise, and giving back to help others.  Do I ever have bad days?  Yes. There are bumps along the road, but I have tools to get me through those days now. My faith continues to be a place where I find comfort, as I sense God tell me “We will make it through today together. I am holding you and loving you every step of the way.”

In closing, I would like to encourage those in our Waco community who are struggling with mental health difficulties. Know that there is help available: Don’t be afraid to seek it! If we get sick with the flu, we go to the doctor; so why not get help when facing a mental health challenge? Finally, if you have not suffered with mental illness, be assured that you know people who have. I especially urge those in our local congregations to get educated and seek out resources to offer members who are struggling, as I am aware that not everyone shares my experience of finding support in the church. May Waco be a community where mental health topics are not kept a taboo and where everyone can access the needed support for their own journeys of life, hope, and healing.


Bonnie GoreeThis Act Locally Waco blog post was written by Bonnie Goree. Bonnie has lived in Waco for 24 years. She is from Hurst, Texas. She received her B.A. from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas. She loves animals, and has 2 kitties, Mickey and Jerico. She has 2 nephews, 2 nieces and 2 great-nephews. She loves the outdoors, bike riding, music, and spending fun times with friends.

The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.

 

 

 

My Journey Discovering Autism

by Kristy O’Brien

Do you know what autism is? Fifteen years ago, even though I had worked at the Texas Youth Commission (TYC) and Brookhaven Youth Ranch in West ISD, I had no idea what autism was! I carried on with counseling sessions at TYC and teaching mathematics at Brookhaven as if the boys were average. I had no knowledge of autism interventions, and in the beginning, I didn’t even realize that a few boys were diagnosed with autism. As my curiosity arose, I began to focus my career on Special Education. I went on to graduate school, and accepted a job with Waco ISD. I started teaching a class then called ‘Autism Unit’ at University High School, which is where I met several students that had many strong capabilities, but in different ways. My students began to teach me how to teach them!

With March being National Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (NIDDA), and April being Autism Awareness month, I wanted to share some information I’ve learned during my journey working with individuals with autism. Below you will find a few things I’d like everyone to know.

What is Autism?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a form of Intellectual Developmental Disorder (IDD). Autism is a group of complex spectrum disorders of brain development that typically appear during the first three years of life. Research shows that 1 in 68 children have an ASD diagnosis, 1 in 42 boys, and 1 in 189 girls (CDC, 2014). Autism is a lifelong neurological condition that affects each individual differently, in varying degrees of severity. It affects people of all races and socio-economic status. Individuals with autism are often unable to interpret the emotional states of others; they may fail to recognize anger, sorrow, or manipulative intent. Autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction, communication skills, and sensory integration. Children and adults with autism typically have difficulties in communication, social interactions, and leisure activities.

Strategies for Positive Interactions

Individuals with autism may require different levels of support. It is common for persons on the spectrum to feel easily overwhelmed by interactions and environmental stimuli. As an educator, when I work with children and adults with autism and other IDDs, these are some things I try to keep in mind; these techniques can be applied to everyday life as well.

Use visuals and tactile materials to promote sensory learning

  • Avoid long strings of verbal instruction
  • Let child use a computer instead of writing
  • Protect child from sounds that hurt his/her ears
  • Place child near a window and avoid using fluorescent lights
  • Don’t ask child to look and listen at the same time
  • Use printed words and pictures
  • Generalize teaching
  • Teach Self-Management

 Inclusion Is Important

In addition to the strategies above, I’m always thinking about how I can help students with and without autism have positive interactions with each other. There are several opportunities for students to socialize with peers, both inside and outside the classroom, such as inclusion classes, electives, clubs, choir, and athletics. Yet, inclusive socialization can still be difficult sometimes. In the beginning of my career, it was a challenge getting to know my students with autism. One particular student I had was non-verbal, did not write, nor have any sign language. His name is JD. I learned that he would run out of the classroom. We needed a game plan, quick! I began working with JD on completing assignments, and then we would take a walk or run on the track field. I soon realized that he would be a great athlete for Special Olympics. JD was also able to join the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program at University High School, along with several of his peers. He made new friends and learned new skills: how to wear military uniform, do military push-ups, volunteer, and march in cadence at the Waco Veteran’s Day parade and football games. JD loved his JROTC class the best! JD is now 23 years old, volunteers in the community, and participates with Mosaic’s Special Olympics adult team in Waco.

It is essential that all parents create opportunities to talk with their children about respecting and welcoming peers with disabilities. Inclusive efforts such as Special Olympics ‘Meet in the Middle’ program, which allows young people of all ability levels to join together to serve and lead their peers, schools, and communities, are very important as they provide a means for positive exchanges.

Support During Transition to Adulthood is Needed

Transitions can be exciting and scary. Students and families don’t always know what to expect when the school bus stops coming. It is important that schools and community members collaborate to support families as youth with autism and other IDDs transition to adulthood, so that this can be a smooth process.

As individuals with autism and IDD transition into adulthood, it is crucial that they have learned self-management strategies. This allows students to achieve higher levels of independence in the classroom, as well as the community and workplace. Learning to use the public transportation system is one of the many skills individuals on the spectrum have to learn, since most adults with autism and other IDDs do not drive.

Besides learning at school, students can also learn in in the community by shadowing professionals, interning, and/or working. Unfortunately, employers are too often unwilling to hire individuals with disabilities, due to stereotypical beliefs about specific disability labels. However, job coaching and ‘carving’ the students for job skills will better prepare them for employment and for independent living. Providing internship and employment opportunities for individuals with IDD is one way to help. If you would like to employ or have individuals with IDDs volunteer at your business, you can contact local school districts or organizations such as Special Olympics, Mosaic in Waco, Heart of Texas Autism Network (HOTAN), or The Arc of McLennan County.

Waco, what all can we do to help plan a better future for our next generation? I encourage you to play an active part in making ours be a supportive community to those affected by IDDs. There will be many activities going on locally in celebration of Autism Awareness Month and that will be a great way to become more involved. Together we can bridge the gap for every citizen of Waco, including those with IDDs!


Kristy O'BrienThis Act Locally Waco blog post was written by Kristy O’Brien. Kristy is the Secondary Behavioral Specialist for Temple ISD. She attended the University of North Texas and received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Master of Education in Special Education. Kristy is also a graduate of Tarleton State University, with a Master of Education in Educational Administration. Kristy is a board member for Mosaic in Waco, Heart of Texas Autism Network (HOTAN), Special Olympics, and Community Resource Coordination Group (CRCG) of Bell County. She enjoys being involved in the community and looks forward to new adventures in life. She is a volunteer for Mosaic in Waco, as the Special Olympics coach. Kristy has a vision to motivate, inspire, encourage, and teach the children of today! She is a voice for individuals with disabilities, and advocates for creating an equal opportunity to continue every student’s higher education and involvement in the community.

The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.