The Board of Directors of Caritas of Waco is announcing that the organization’s Executive Director, Buddy Edwards, will retire effective May 31, 2020. Edwards’ retirement comes after over twelve years of service with Caritas—first as Assistant Executive Director and then as Executive Director since December 1, 2008. The Board will undertake a search for Edwards’ replacement.
“It has been the highest of honors to have served with Caritas of Waco and to have played a part in helping to meet the needs of people who face the difficulties of poverty and homelessness,” said Edwards. “It has been a pleasure to work with an exceptional board of directors, an outstanding staff and many committed volunteers all of whom believe in the mission of Caritas,” Edwards added.
Among the enhancements to Caritas that took place during Edwards’ tenure include a major capital campaign resulting in a significant upgrade to the agency’s facilities; creation of the organization’s Case Management Program that provides pathways out of poverty for Caritas’ clients; implementation of a “Healthy Pantry Initiative” that offers an array of nutritional food items in the Caritas Pantry and a dietitian to provide guidance on healthy eating; and provision to Caritas clients of a variety of educational programs such as GED classes, financial literacy classes and nutritional education classes.
“On behalf of the Caritas Board of Directors, we congratulate Buddy on his well-deserved and earned retirement,” said Colin O’Neill, Immediate Past President of the Caritas Board of Directors. “Caritas has benefitted mightily from his steadfast leadership and compassion for the vulnerable of our community,” O’Neill added.
Caritas of Waco is a non-profit, 501(c) (3) organization that serves McLennan County and the surrounding area by providing individuals and families with urgent support and long-term solutions to poverty.
By Jessica Wheeler-Macias
Over the last 6 years, a group of concerned community members has been striving to reduce substance use and misuse in Waco and surrounding communities. The Voices Against Substance Abuse, or VASA, community coalition consists of representatives from various community sectors, such as education, law enforcement, faith-based organizations, community services, substance abuse prevention programs, businesses, local government, volunteers, parents and youth, all working to reduce the use and misuse of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana and prescription drugs among youth and young adults. The coalition’s efforts in addressing these issues target the communities as a whole through the use of environmental strategies such as media campaigns, presentations and policy development.
The coalition is currently conducting a media campaign targeting a specific method of alcohol misuse: binge drinking. For clarification, we’ve provided answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding binge drinking and its effects.
What is binge drinking?
The simplest answer to this question is that binge drinking is the consumption of an excessive amount of alcohol in short period of time. However, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines binge drinking as the consumption of 5 or more standard drinks for men and 4 or more standard drinks for women in a single setting at least 1 day in the past 30 days. A standard drink would be 12 ounces of beer, 8 ounces of malt liquor, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80 proof distilled spirits of liquor.
How dangerous is binge drinking?
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has identified binge drinking as the most common, costly and deadly pattern of alcohol misuse. Alcohol affects many of a person’s vital functions, leading to slurred speech, unsteadiness, altered perceptions and slow reactivity. For a young person, alcohol can alter the development of their brain, causing lasting damage to memory, motor skills and coordination. The amount of alcohol consumed and how quickly it is consumed, amplifies the amount and onset of the effects of the alcohol. Binge drinking is associated with many health problems, such as accidental injuries, violence, sexually transmitted diseases, unintended pregnancy, chronic diseases, cancer, memory and learning problems and alcohol dependence. Binge drinking is a serious problem, but it is preventable.
Who is binge drinking?
According to the CDC, 1 in 6 US adults, most commonly between the ages of 18 and 34, binge drinks about four times per month, consuming about 7 drinks per binge. That’s 17 billion total binge drinks consumed by adults annually. However, it’s not just adults that are binge drinking. The CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey-2017 states that, nationwide, 13.5% of high school students were binge drinking.
Is binge drinking the same as alcoholism?
Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence, is a chronic disease that affects all aspects of a person’s life and continues despite serious health, legal and family problems. Binge drinking is a harmful pattern of alcohol misuse that can contribute to alcohol dependence but can be stopped.
How can binge drinking be prevented?
There are several environmental strategies that can help prevent the excessive use of alcohol, including:
- Pricing strategies, such as increased alcohol taxes;
- Limiting the number of alcohol retailers and the days and hours of alcohol sales;
- Consistently enforcing laws against underage drinking and impaired driving; and,
- Screening and counseling for alcohol misuse.
However, the first step is educating individuals and communities about the dangers of alcohol use and misuse through presentations, media and substance abuse prevention programs.
Jessica Wheeler-Macias is the Voices Against Substance Abuse Community (VASA) Coalition Coordinator a program of VOICE.
Jessica has worked in the field of drug prevention education for the past five years and has a decade of experience working as a certified elementary school teacher in the State of Texas. She is the mother of 9- year-old Max Macias and 8-year-old Will Macias. Drug Prevention and community partnerships are her passion and she is happy to assist in providing your groups with presentations, booth events, as well as collaborate with your organization to create fun drug-free community events.
For more information, resources, to schedule a presentation or if you are interested in joining the Voices Against Substance Abuse (VASA) coalition please contact VOICE at 254-741-9222 or [email protected].
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 a[email protected]for more information.
Press Release
WACO, TX (January 9, 2020) – The City of Waco, with input from Creative Waco, has engaged Keen Independent Research to examine the feasibility of creating a center for performing arts in Downtown Waco. This study requires a thorough exploration of the market for arts in the region, needs of local organizations, operating/capital costs and revenue potential, operating models, potential synergies and collaboration between organizations, components of a potential multipurpose facility, and a plan for implementation.
To best serve the Waco community, the feasibility study welcomes rigorous public participation. Keen Independent requests that residents from Waco and its surrounding communities complete a virtual workshop. The virtual workshop takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete and a direct link is available here until January 31st, 2020.
Keen Independent also invites you to participate in an open house where you can meet with study team consultants, learn more about the project and share your insights. This open house on January 13 will be hosted at The Cooper House, 1801 Austin Ave., and will go from 6:15pm to 7:15pm.
If you are unable to participate in the virtual workshop or open house, Keen Independent encourages interested participants to reach out to the study hotline at 254-307-2669 or email [email protected].
For more information about this feasibility study, visit the Keen Independent website. Keen Independent is a national research firm with expertise in arts and culture. Alex Keen, Keen Independent COO and Senior Consultant is leading the study. Keen Independent is joined by Victor Gotesman Performing Arts Facilities Planning, Theatre Consultants Collaborative and Venue.
By Stacy Burger
Laura Hays, program director of the Cosmetology Department at McLennan Community College, answered our questions about this department and this exciting career path.
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.
Tell us about the MCC Cosmetology Department generally.
The MCC Cosmetology Department began in the late 1970s. The department is a training facility which teaches all aspects of the industry, including all hair-related skills, manicuring, pedicuring, skin care and business-related skills. Our students schedule is Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and currently takes about 16 months to complete.
We also offer an Esthetician Program which is a specialty course that teaches only the skin care aspect.
In addition, we serve the community through our full-service MCC Salon and Spa.
What services does the Cosmetology department offer?
We offer facials, waxing, lash and brow tinting, haircuts, manicures, pedicures, haircuts, clipper cutting, hairstyling, perms, relaxers, braiding, hair color, highlighting, etc.
We teach a diversity of hair textures and styling to our students, which enables them to be skillful with all types of hair.
The program offers two specialized certifications. Can you explain what those are?
The Cosmetology certification allows a person to practice and perform all aspects of the industry.
The Esthetician certification allows a person to only practice and perform skin care related skills and waxing services. I am currently the program director of cosmetology, but I also teach the esthetician program as well.
Both programs have a state examination upon successful completion of the courses, which include a written and practical exam. Those who pass are issued a license by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. I am happy to share that for many years we have had a 100% pass rate!
What does the application and admissions process look like?
A prospective student is asked to come by the Cosmetology Department, located at 4601 North 19th Street in the Community Service Center, Building B, to fill out an application. We like this personal approach to be able to answer questions and give the person a tour of the facility.
A reading assessment is required due because of the requirement for passing the state written examination. We choose our students by this score. If a candidate scores lower than the minimum score, we offer a reading support class through MCC’s Adult Education and Learning Department at no charge to the candidate. Upon successful completion of this class, and if space is available, the candidate may enroll. If space is not available in the current enrollment, the candidate is guaranteed a place in the next enrollment. This has proven to be a hugely successful practice for all candidates to be able to enroll with the support for success.
Once accepted in the Cosmetology Program, the students will follow the College procedures for admittance.
We receive over 100 applications every semester!
What have customers said about the salon and spa at MCC?
We are told we are the best kept secret in Waco!
Tell us about one thing you try to focus on with your students in the department.
This is an easy one to answer: professionalism! There is a lot of great talent that unfortunately doesn’t get utilized due to a lack of professionalism. A percentage of a student’s grade is based on professionalism.
Appearance, grammar, customer service, communication, cell phone etiquette, etc. are all areas of importance to our instruction.
Visit www.mclennan.edu/cosmetology for more information about the program and salon services.
Stacy Burger is a Marketing and Communications Intern at McLennan Community College. She is a senior at Baylor University studying Marketing & Public Relations and hopes to work in sports or entertainment. As a Colorado native, she enjoys all things outdoors.
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 a[email protected]for more information.
Prosper Waco is pleased to announce the hiring of Ferrell Foster as content specialist for care and communication. In this role, Foster will develop, coordinate and execute projects and initiatives that advance benchmark indicators in health for Prosper Waco. He will also implement a network of partnerships to build and strengthen a continuum of care for behavioral health services in Waco while also creating communication plans and coordinating communications projects.
“The best opportunities in life are those you feel drawn to out of your core principles,” Foster said. “I feel this draw to the work of Prosper Waco because of my desire to serve people and their communities, especially those facing serious challenges.”
Foster added that he counts it a great privilege to join Suzii Paynter March, the Prosper Waco staff, and leaders of the Waco community in the important work they are doing. “I’m especially excited about the collaborative nature of Prosper Waco,” he explained. “Communities do not successfully address difficult issues without both leadership and collaboration; I see both of these at work in Waco and in Prosper Waco.”
Foster has professional experience in managing projects and institutional relationships through his work the past 10 years with the Christian Life Commission in Austin. His CLC work has required him to work in a variety of cooperative partnerships related to ethics, justice, human care, and public policy. He has also spearheaded the CLC’s new efforts regarding mental health.
Prior to his work with the CLC, Foster served as managing editor of a daily newspaper, public relations director for a graduate school, and director of communications for statewide organizations in Illinois and Texas. He holds degrees in journalism, political science, and biblical studies. His doctorate from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene focused on justice issues, specifically on African American perspectives.
“An important part of my work with Prosper Waco will be in facilitating collaboration around mental health. This is important to me both personally and professionally,” Foster stated. “I am thankful to be able to come alongside those in Waco who are already working on mental health and be of service to them.”
Prosper Waco is a collective impact initiative focused on addressing issues facing the Greater Waco community in the areas of education, health and financial security. As a facilitator and convener, Prosper Waco encourages collaboration amongst existing nonprofits, city and county governments, businesses, foundations and churches to build on and increase the effectiveness of current efforts and develop new strategies to bring about measurable and sustainable positive change within the focus areas for the members of our community. For more information, please contact [email protected].
Prosper Waco is pleased to announce the hiring of Hermann Pereira as senior content specialist for education. In this role, Pereira will implement strategic approaches to engage the Waco community in collaborative work for the measurable betterment of education, deepen the engagement of Prosper Waco’s partners in education, coordinate and mobilize community working groups and manage Prosper Waco leadership projects related to education. Along with these tasks, Pereira will work to ensure Prosper Waco’s accountability to funders through grant management, planning, reporting and budgeting; while also serving as a liaison with community leaders in Waco and state and regional educational organizations. Pereira will provide assistance in building partner capacity in data collection and interpretation as he works with Prosper Waco research and evaluation staff as they analyze and interpret data for shared measurement.
“We welcome Hermann Pereira to the work of Prosper Waco. Waco already knows him as a proven champion for children, their education and their hope for a bright future,” said Prosper Waco CEO Suzii Paynter March. “Waco is preparing educational pathways for success and we look forward to Hermann’s leadership for years to come.”
Pereira has spent the past 14 years in education in a variety of roles such as teacher, coach, director, assistant principal, and principal. In his most recent role Pereira was the principal of Connally Career Tech Pathways in Technology Early College High School as well as the Career and Technology Education Director at Connally ISD. His leadership has earned his campus and district a number of grants and recognitions from the Texas Education Agency, University of Texas STEM Center, Educate Texas and Texas State Technical College. He also spends his summers as a National Staff Developer for Advancement Via Individual Determination. He has led professional development in leadership, curriculum, culturally relevant teaching, and career and technology. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Masters in Educational Administration from Baylor University.
Pereira believes community partnerships are the vehicle to creating sustainable solutions. He serves as the chair of the Prosper Waco working group Heart of Texas P-20 Council which brings together representatives from the independent school districts (ISD), McLennan Community College, Texas State Technical College, Region 12 Education Service Center, industry, chambers of commerce and government. The organization works to promote streamlined, transparent degree pathways for students to move quickly and successfully through their education and on to college and/or a career. Hermann is active with the United Way of Central Texas and was a founding member of the Young Leaders United affinity group. He serves on the City of Waco Parks and Recreation board and the Centex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce board as well. Hermann was recently recognized by the Waco Chamber of Commerce as one of the “Top 40 under 40” individuals in the community and Educator of the Year by the Centex African American Chamber of Commerce.
“I am excited about what is in store for 2020. I have been a passionate educator for the past 14 years in the Waco area so this opportunity is a natural progression in my career,” Pereira said of his new role. “Working at Prosper Waco will allow me to advocate and bridge the gap for all students in Waco.”
Prosper Waco is a collective impact initiative focused on addressing issues facing the Greater Waco community in the areas of education, health and financial security. As a facilitator and convener, Prosper Waco encourages collaboration amongst existing nonprofits, city and county governments, business, foundations and churches to build on and increase the effectiveness of current efforts and develop new strategies to bring about measurable and sustainable positive change within the focus areas for the members of our community. For more information, please contact [email protected].
by Ashley Bean Thornton
One of my favorite things to do in the world is edit the Act Locally Waco blog.
December is a wonderful, but hectic, month for most of us. Because of that, it has become our tradition to give our beautiful bloggers a month to focus on family, friends and the joys of the holidays rather than on meeting our blog deadlines. So, for the month of December we will have one or two new posts, but mainly we will be reprising “2019’s greatest hits.”
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 gives at least a little insight into the interests and concerns of Act Locally Waco readers.
I hope this list inspires you to go back and re-read your personal favorites. There have been so many terrific ones… but of course they couldn’t all be in the list of the 10 most opened. I would love for you to reply in the comments or on the Facebook page with a note about some of your favorites.
We will be reposting these in the next few weeks between now and the new year — but I know some of you are “list” people who would like to see them all at once. So, I offer the list below, with thanks to everyone who has written for the blog this year, with pride in what we have created together, and with no small amount of wonder at the beautiful complexity that makes up our beloved community! Enjoy!
Think of it as a Christmas present from your community to you, and invitation for you to write in 2020! – ABT
10. I Make Kids Cry by Michael Jeter
9. Runaway Rock Star by Kamayah Miles
8. The MCC Cosmetology Salon is Getting a Makeover by Mandie Meier
7. The Tool Shed thrift shop: a new Waco store to benefit Friends for Life by Easton Preston, MSW
6. Reflections on Leadership Waco by Austin Meek
5. Eating Gluten Free in Waco by Ellie Triplett
4. On Rivers and Rye: a Farmers Market Update by Bethel Erickson-Bruce
3. A letter from a First Generation Mexican Immigrant, Naturalized Citizen, US Patriot by Reyna Reyes
2. MCC Alum Sweetening up the Neighborhood! by Phillip Ericksen
1. Thinking about how Waco would respond to an influx of immigrants by Grecia Chavira
They say an elephant never forgets, and Brenda Gay’s Friends will never forget her elephant loving legacy.
When her son, Nathaniel Gay, was born in 1977, Brenda Gay got him his first stuffed animal – an elephant. Her love for elephants grew over the next 42 years. She laughingly blamed Nathaniel when her elephant collection became – well – elephantine! Her collection now contains over 6,000 pieces. She explained that her love for elephants came from the loving nature they have toward their own families, and the fact that the mothers take great care of their babies and form incredibly strong bonds with them.
A veteran, Sergeant Brenda Gay is known as BJ to her friends. They describe her as loyal, dedicated, trusting, courageous and an inspiration – as well as more than a little bit stubborn.
Towards the end of 2017, Sergeant Gay started to lose her voice. She had already lost a significant amount of weight. Family and friends chalked it up as a side effect of recent thyroid surgery.
In February of 2018, Brenda was sent to an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist (ENT) after the speech therapist noticed worsening of speech and swallowing. The ENT said the symptoms, including slurred and abnormal speech, tongue twitching, and poor pitch control were possible signs of a neurological disorder such as bulbar ALS. Brenda was referred to a neurologist for further testing. The tests eventually resulted in official diagnosis of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Brenda was given a life expectancy of 3-5 years.
Since that diagnosis, Brenda has completely lost her ability to speak, and swallow food. She has become weaker in her extremities. ALS is a cruel disease. Brenda’s nerve cells will continue to break down and prevent her muscles from functioning.
To honor Brenda’s Life Journey and her passion for family and Elephants and to raise awareness for ALS, her friends and family are hosting an event to display her 6,000-piece elephant collection – a hobby rooted in her love for family and motherhood. Their goal is to raise funds for the ALS Association and the Cameron Park Zoo, and to share a bit of Brenda’s life and legacy with others.
Do you love elephants? You can view this amazing collection December 7, from 1 to 4 PM at 2460 Flat Rock Rd in Waco. Enjoy the collection and leave a small donation for ALS Research and for the Elephants of Cameron Park Zoo. Well done Sergeant Gay!
by Stacy Burger
College students face many responsibilities throughout their time in college. These can include navigating parenthood, work-life balance and insecurities of finances, housing and food.
The Completion Center at McLennan Community College is free to all MCC students to help them reach their full potential. Success coaches help students develop a balance between academics and the outside circumstances in their life.
“They want to see you succeed in school,” MCC student Alexis Escobar said. “That’s the ultimate goal. But if they notice you’re having troubles in your personal life they want to take care of that, as well.”
Each success coach has an area of emphasis. Some specialize in coaching single parents or first-generation college students, while others coach students with financial pressures or general academic struggles.
“We help students be their genuine self,” success coach Starlen Roddy said. “Everything we do here is centered around the student whole-heartedly.”
A lot of times, students struggle with understanding the idea behind spending thousands of dollars on a college education, when they could be working and making money instead. The Completion Center combats those thoughts to help students understand their purpose.
“Everybody here is trying to get students in the right mindset of, ‘You’re here for a reason and you need to finish it out,’ ” MCC student LJ Curtis said.
Success coaches, who meet with multiple students a day, say students leave the Completion Center feeling proud of their purpose and more confident in their skills.
“They definitely changed my mindset about school in general,” Curtis said. “They’ve just helped me understand why I’m here.”
Following their time at the Completion Center, students come back with success stories due to the support they received from coaches.
“After meeting with a success coach, students come back and tell us stories about how, not only did they survive the semester, but they’re looking forward to graduating and being able to tell their kids how they overcame certain things,” Roddy said.
It isn’t just a place to get help with academics. It is a place filled with coaches that want each student to succeed, be happy and fulfill their purpose. Coaches also connect students with resources available to them across campus and in the community.
For instance, all MCC students have free access to tutoring and the campus counseling center. Paulanne’s Pantry also provides food free of charge to students, and students may apply for emergency grants of up to $250 from the MCC Foundation.
“It became like a family to me,” Escobar said.
Success coaches also encourage students to stop by the Completion Center even if they don’t know exactly what they want to do next.
“If you don’t know your goals let us walk with you in order to help you get there,” Roddy said. “Give us the opportunity to not only assist, but to welcome you with open arms.”
Stacy Burger is a Marketing and Communications Intern at McLennan Community College. She is a senior at Baylor University studying Marketing & Public Relations and hopes to work in sports or entertainment. As a Colorado native, she enjoys all things outdoors.
By Rae Jefferson
Communications Director, Family Health Center
On most treatment days, Ever makes popsicle stick puppets of creatures that eat, stomp, and breathe fire on cancer. The characters, with carefully drawn outlines, consist of crayon shading and physical features he remembers well.
He points to a couple crayon dashes on one puppet. “Those are his eyes.”
He points to a nearby line. “That’s his nose.”
Then his little finger moves to a cluster of scribbles an inch away from these facial features. “I just did that for fun.”
When Ever was three, his mother and father, guided by parental instinct, went to their primary physician at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Clinic, one of 14 clinics in the Family Health Center network. After a series of tests, Ever was diagnosed with leukemia. He’s been undergoing cancer treatment at McLane Children’s Hospital – Temple ever since.
It was evident early in his treatment that art would be an important weapon in Ever’s fight against cancer. When given the opportunity to draw before treatments, Stefanie and her husband noticed an improvement in their son’s ability to cope with the stress of pokes, prods, and strong chemicals used in cancer treatment.
“I feel happy and calm,” Ever said.
Most of Ever’s drawings consist of monsters and animals to which he assigns special cancer-fighting abilities. His Child Life Specialist recognizes the value of this process and helps him by writing names and powers on the back of each drawing and laminating the creations so Ever can keep them. Now, Ever has a special art supply box waiting for him when he goes in for treatment.
His sisters, who often accompany him to treatments, have also benefitted from the art supplies. It helps pass time and enables all three of the children to practice creativity.
Stefanie is the project manager of ArtPrenticeship, a creative internship program that teaches high school students how to manage a large-scale mural project from concept to completion. These students work alongside local artists to pitch and design murals to clients around Waco. This summer, one of two ArtPrenticeship teams painted a mural titled “The Color of Health” on the side of MLK Community Clinic – the very clinic in which Stefanie’s children, including Ever, receive primary care.
Stefanie said the decision to paint MLK Community Clinic was an easy one for ArtPrenticeship program leaders to make. Although clinic staff at MLK Clinic don’t treat Ever for cancer, they remain sensitive to how they can make visits more enjoyable for a child battling medical trauma from enduring years of unpleasant procedures.
“He processes these things through art no matter where he goes,” Stefanie said. “His providers, whether at MLK or McLane, they’ve always immediately clued into that. All of our doctors have received pictures that he’s made.”
Apart from the personal connection, Stefanie said MLK Clinic was the right choice because it exposed the high school-aged apprentices to conversations about health and wellness in Waco. Professional artists participating as program leaders and teachers also benefitted.
“They are creatives and self-employed,” Stefanie said. “They didn’t know some of the services FHC provides for people without insurance.”
Join Family Health Center, Creative Waco, and ArtPrenticeship for an upcoming celebration of art and health. Movie at the Mural is from 5:30-8 p.m. this Friday, Nov. 22, at Martin Luther King Jr. Community Clinic. The free event will begin with a plaque unveiling at the mural, and at 6 p.m. will segue into an outdoor screening of “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” with popcorn, cookies, and a hot cocoa station.
Rae Jefferson is a creative, Netflix binger, and marketing professional, in that order. Originally from Houston, she stuck around Waco after graduating from Baylor University with a B.A. in Journalism, PR, & New Media and a minor in Film & Digital Media. Now she’s the Communications Director at Family Health Center, where she gets to spend each day serving Waco. When she’s not working, find her at home snuggled up with her dog-daughter, Charlie, watching “The Office” for the hundredth time.
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 a[email protected]for more information.