(This post is a part of a regular series “Trails & Trials,” a monthly adventure series inspiring others to experience the physical, mental, and social benefits of cycling, running or swimming in Central Texas. For more posts in this series, click here: Trails and Trials. – ALW)
By Natasha van der Merwe
“Have you ever decided to train for a triathlon but just didn’t know where to start? We’ve got the training group you’ve been looking for. You’re not going to get left in the dust with this training plan!”
It’s the ideal welcome to someone new to the sport. Training for one sport is hard enough, let alone 3 sports that require a bunch of different equipment and skills.
When I was introduced to the sport 10 years ago, my first stop was the local bike/ triathlon store. I hoped that they would have the solutions to what I would require and how I would go about making triathlon my new sport. They had that and more. I left that day with a new bike, bike shoes, helmet, and swimming goggles and a list of all the local triathlon clubs in my hand.
I proceeded to contact each club and was kindly invited to try a group run, swim or bike session of my choosing. I picked a swim session, and pulled up to the pool to find 30 other people ranging mostly from 30-50 years in age and in all shapes and sizes, chatting with each other about their previous races as they were about to hop in the pool. The energy was felt through the entire session, not only from the triathletes, but the enthusiastic coach who knew a brand new triathlete had been born and hooked for life. Triathlon really is life changing once you experience it.
If you are getting serious about triathlon or simply want to get more acquainted with the sport, here are my reasons why you should start by joining a triathlon club.
Community.
Perhaps the most obvious reason to join a triathlon club, is the community that goes along with it. Many people find that triathlon not only offers a fun pastime, but also a great group of people who can eventually turn into good friends. Triathlon clubs and groups are known for being very accepting, and having a ‘more the merrier’ attitude. They will welcome you with open arms and guide you every step of the way.
Training Motivation.
You will find a wide range of ability levels in every triathlon club. Some people will be competitive veterans preparing for an IRONMAN triathlon. Others will be fresh learners just hoping to finish their first race ever. Encouragement will be abundant. If you are looking for a way to stay motivated, a triathlon club will provide the accountability and inspiration you need when facing those dawn breaking wake up calls and early morning sessions before work.
Workout and Race Tips
Very few of us have time to figure out the best way to train for an upcoming race. You can get some ideas from reading blogs and articles from professional triathletes or coaches or reading triathlon training books. The best resource is the network of personal experience passed from one athlete to another. Triathlon clubs provide that network and are a great place to take advantage of knowledge from others that have been there and done that. Many triathlon clubs also have a newsletter, blog, and forum for easy online notes sharing and learning opportunities.
Opportunity to Teach
For experienced triathletes, one of the most rewarding benefits of being part of a triathlon club is the opportunity to pass experience on to newer participants. Even someone who has done just a handful of races will have hard-learned lessons that a newbie would be very interested in learning. While reading articles from websites is a great way to learn, there is no substitute for being taught by someone who has previously done it. It is a way to pay the sport back. Everyone who has participated in a number of triathlons, once had a mentor who helped them get past the first one or two. Now it can be your turn to be the mentor.
Check out your local triathlon club – Waco Tri club – www.wacotriclub.org . I am sure they would love to have you come try a workout and get to know the members before taking the leap into the endurance world. Warning – there is typically no turning back, but it’s the most rewarding leap you will ever take.
Natasha van der Merwe is originally from South Africa. She is mom to a 19-month old girl, former professional tennis player and tennis instructor, and a professional triathlete representing Bicycle World and Waco Running Company. She has multiple top 10 finishes in Ironman and 70.3 events around the world. She is Director of Team Programs for Bicycle World, Texas
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.
(Gloria Conatser, a student at Waco High, was one of 25 students nationwide selected to present their National History Day documentaries at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture at this year’s National History Day event. In today’s blog post she shares a bit about what this opportunity meant to her. — ALW )
“Those who don’t know history are bound to repeat it.” – George Santayana
By Gloria Conatser
I have always bothered my teachers with my questions, and the best of them have humored my curiosity. National History Day has allowed me to pursue the answers to my questions myself. In the past six years since I began creating documentaries, every question that I have been able to answer has uncovered ten more for me to follow. Every year, this year especially, my products have been about revealing the events that shaped today.
A big recurring theme in every corner of history is the presence of conflict, and this year’s National History Day theme, “Conflict and Compromise” could be interpreted in many ways.
The approach that I chose to take was one that highlights the dark angle of compromise. Merriam-Webster describes it as, “a concession to something derogatory or prejudicial.” The title of my documentary this year is “3/5ths to Thirteenth: The American Compromise of Black Livelihood.” As I explored the 3/5ths Compromise and Thirteenth Amendment, and outlined their modern implications, I learned that the livelihood of Black Americans has been compromised throughout our history by people who don’t have to face the consequences.
National History Day has given me the opportunity to exercise mental muscles in a way that is not a standard in the public education system. I have had the freedom to analyze hidden histories, create a product that reflects my research, and hold my own among academic leaders from the local to the national level.
During the week of National History Day, I had the opportunity to present my documentary at the new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. A few days before flying to Washington D.C. I was notified that my work had been selected. The day after National History Day judging I was featured in the Smithsonian and offered an experience that I never would have been able to dream of.
The ultimate takeaway from these years as a National History Day student has been experience: experiencing perspectives that I would otherwise be blind to, experiencing locations many can only dream of, and experiencing the fulfillment of earning these opportunities myself. Practically speaking, I am as capable as most people, and vice versa, but the difference is that I am aware of my abilities and the potential for impact that I have, and that has made all the difference.
Gloria Conatser is a rising senior at Waco High. This is her fifth Year competing at National History Day. Gloria hopes to study engineering or biology and ultimately become an Astronaut. She also aspires to help create a more equal future through her career.
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.
by Rebecca McCumbers Flavin
Election Day is right around the corner, and the League of Women Voters of Waco wants you (YES, YOU!) to be a Waco, Texas voter! In this blog post, we provide a step-by-step guide with something for everyone – from first time voters to those who have never missed an election.
You are not registered to vote in McLennan County, Texas
Good news – there is still time! The deadline to register or update your registration before the 2018 General Election is Tuesday, October 9. You are eligible to register if you are a U.S. citizen who will turn 18 years old by election day. You may submit your registration as early as two months before your 18th birthday. If you are a college student, you may register to vote at either your school address or your home address. LWV-Texas has a great website with step-by-step instructions to help students register to vote. If you are a convicted felon, you may register to vote once you have completed your punishment phase, which includes any court-ordered period of incarceration, parole, supervision, or probation, as explained on the Texas Secretary of State’s website.
There are several ways you can register:
- Fill out the registration online, print it, and mail it in: While Texas does not have online voter registration, you can use this online tool to fill out an application on your computer. Simply print, sign, and stamp your application and mail it to: Elections Administrator, Kathy E. Van Wolfe, P.O. Box 2450, Waco, TX 76703-2450. If you do not live in McLennan County, you will find a list of all Texas county voter registration officials’ mailing addresses at this link.
- Obtain a hard copy registration application: Voter registration applications are available at the McLennan County Elections Office, located at 214 N 4th Street, Suite 300, Waco, TX, 76701. Applications are also available at libraries, government offices, and high schools.
- Get a voter registration application mailed to you: You can request a postage-paid voter application form using this link.
For all of these options, make sure your application is postmarked by Tuesday, October 9 so that you are registered in time for the General Election on November 6th. Once you have submitted your registration, you are one step closer to being a Waco, Texas voter! See #3 below to make your plan to vote.
You are registered to vote in McLennan County but have not voted in a while, you are not sure if you are registered, or you recently moved and are not sure if your address is up-to-date
The first step is to check your voter registration to make sure it is up-to-date with your current address. You will be asked to enter your date of birth along with either your Voter ID number or your Texas Driver’s License number. Alternately, you can enter your name, county, date of birth, and ZIP Code. If you are not registered or need to update your registration, see #1 above. If you are registered, see #3 below to make your plan to vote.
You are registered to vote in McLennan County
It is never too early to make your plan to vote! Do the voter “two-step,” and make your plan for the General Election.
Step 1 – Plan when and where to vote:
In-person voting:
We recommend that you make an appointment with yourself to vote.
Plan when: Early voting begins Monday, October 22nd and continues daily through Friday, November 2, 2018. Election Day is Tuesday November 6. That means you can vote anytime beginning October 22nd until Election Day EXCEPT for November 3, 4, and 5. On the McLennan County Elections website you will find the schedule of times when the polls are open each day during early voting. On Election Day all polling places are open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Plan where: On the McLennan County Elections website you will find a list of early voting locations, if you plan to vote October 22 – November 2. There is a longer list of polling places for Election Day. In McLennan County you may vote at ANY of the designated voting centers. Check out the lists, and choose a site that is convenient for your daily commute to work, school, or running errands.
Plan to have the proper ID: Texas law requires that you present a photo ID at the polls. You will find the list of acceptable photo IDs here. If you do not have one of the required photo IDs, you may present an alternate form of supporting identification. You will also be asked to complete “Reasonable Impediment Declaration,” as described here.
Ballot by mail:
Determine if you are eligible: If you are 65 and over, are disabled, are going to be out of the county, or are in jail, you may apply for a ballot by mail.
Apply: For voters 65 and over and disabled voters, if you already submitted an annual application for a ballot by mail, you do not need to reapply. Your ballot will be mailed to you after September 4. For those who are not 65 and over or disabled, you will need to submit your application by Friday, October 26. Note that is the deadline your application must be received, not the deadline it should be post marked. We recommend mailing your application at least one week in advance to be safe.
Submit your ballot: Ballots should be submitted by 7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 6. See step 2 below as you complete your ballot.
Step 2 – Learn about the candidates:
Visit VOTE411, an online voters’ guide provided by the League of Women Voters Education Fund. At VOTE411 you can see races on your ballot and compare candidates’ positions side-by-side; candidate information for the General Election will be available in October. You may even print out your ballot with candidate choices and bring it with you to the polls. Note: while you may bring a paper copy of your voters’ guide, you may not bring your phone or electronic device into the voting booth.
Now that you are prepared to be a Waco, TX voter, share your plan with a family member or friend and help them make their plan to vote, too!
Rebecca McCumbers Flavin serves as Co-Communicator for LWV-Waco, leading the taskforce that focuses on voter registration and get out the vote activities. Dr. Flavin is also a Senior Lecturer in Political Science at Baylor University. The League of Women Voters (LWV) is a non-partisan organization that for nearly 100 years has advocated protecting the right to vote and encouraging the exercise of that vote. The Waco chapter was reformed in 2017 as a League-at-Large under LWV-Texas. In the past year LWV-Waco has hosted several events, including a voter candidate forum for the March 2018 Primary, voter registration drives, a movie night, and an educational walk co-hosted by Waco Walks. To join or learn more about LWV, follow us on Facebook by searching for League of Women Voters of Waco, or contact the local chapter at [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 [email protected] for more information.
Footnotes:
[1] The Comparative data is reported in the University of Texas’ “2018 Civic Health Index.” Voter turnout and registration statistics are those reported by the Texas Secretary of State’s office.
By Carla Pendergraft, Director of Marketing, Waco Convention & Visitors Bureau
What’s up with the pineapple? The pineapple has long been recognized as a traditional expression of welcome and hospitality throughout the South. Appearing on all sorts of décor, including gateposts, door knockers, and fountains, the fruit symbolizes those things we appreciate in a home: warmth, welcome, friendship and hospitality. So it is not surprising that we have chosen the pineapple as the symbol of a new Waco Tourism Ambassador program!
“Be a Pineapple”
There is an old saying that we should all be like pineapples: stand tall, wear a crown, and be sweet on the inside. We are asking Wacoans to be pineapples! If we are more like a pineapple to our visitors (around 2.5 million annually), WE will become part of their lifelong memories. A happy visitor spends more money in our economy, thereby creating more jobs for Wacoans. Over 5,700 people are employed in the tourism industry in McLennan County – that’s a lot of jobs! Wacoans that love our City are what create the memories people remember.
In the soft launch of this program we have received so many great ideas to move forward and had so much enthusiasm from residents, merchants and new organizations to Waco. So many have asked to be involved and offered their help, we appreciate it!
Making Visitors Feel Welcome
Need ideas? Here are a few ways Wacoans can make sure visitors feel welcome:
- When you see someone who looks a little lost, offer your assistance with directions.
- When you hear people ask about what there is to see and do in Waco, offer your recommendations and suggest something fun that Waco has to offer! Not sure about what’s going on? Visit the Convention and Visitors Bureau website at: https://wacoheartoftexas.com/
- If you own a business, use a pineapple as a conversation starter with visitors. Maybe a stencil of a pineapple on the side of your building with the hashtag #wacopineapple, or a real pineapple at the front desk.
- When you see someone who looks like a tourist, reach out to them and ask them where they are from! Start a conversation! We have had visitors from all over the world recently.
There are so many ways to help people have a wonderful visit to Waco.
How the Program Works & How to Get Cool Swag
Just reach out and help a visitor in some positive way. Catch a photo of you and the visitor, and then nominate yourself (or someone else) at whatswiththepineapple.com. We’ll send those selected a Waco Tourism Ambassador t-shirt or a pin.
Visitors to Waco can get involved, too. If someone in Waco goes the extra mile to make them feel welcome, the tourist can nominate them as a Waco Tourism Ambassador. Photos are needed so we can celebrate! Let’s build that hashtag of positivity online!
The EVENT
We are launching the campaign with a free event, August 31st at the Waco Convention Center, Brazos Room South. Join us from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a brief program at 3:30 p.m., and a performance by Waco’s own, Holly Tucker who will unveil a new song specific to this program. We’d love to see as many Wacoans there as we can!
Share Your Waco Pineapples
Do you see a pineapple that a business is using as a conversation starter with visitors? Or have you spotted a pineapple used in an architectural element? Share them with us by posting on Facebook or Instagram, and use the hashtag #wacotxpineapple!
The Pineapple in History
Christopher Columbus encountered the pineapple on his second voyage to the Caribbean region. Due to its rarity, expense, and striking beauty, it became a special gift for gift-giving occasions. Dinner guests served the exotic fruit felt particularly honored by a hostess who obviously spared no expense to ensure her guests felt special. Over time, it becomes incorporated into decorative elements in the home and in public spaces.
The Pineapple in Waco
Waco has long been a crossroads for travelers to Texas. The historic Suspension Bridge, built in 1870, allowed travelers to safely cross the Brazos River.
Pineapples appear as decorative elements in at least two downtown Waco locations: a wrought-iron fence in Indian Spring Park, and the Waco Foundation fountain in Heritage Square. If you find pineapples featured elsewhere in Waco, be sure to take a photo and let us know.
Want to be an extra in a video with Holly Tucker?
We’re shooting a scene with Holly Tucker for our ‘Welcome to Waco’ Tourism Ambassador campaign video and we need some extras for a shot on Austin Avenue. (You don’t have to do anything but clap and smile and it won’t take long at all.) We’ll be walking Austin Avenue in front of the Hippodrome. Everyone is welcome, wearing uniforms is fine. Dogs and kids are also welcome.
- Date: August 21
- Time: 10 AM – 10:45
- Location: In Front of the Hippodrome
Carla Pendergraft is the Director of Marketing for the Waco Convention & Visitors Bureau, the official destination marketing organization for the Waco area. She has worked since 1990 in various positions within the Convention Center and CVB. She has a master’s degree in business from Texas State University. Her early career was with Citicorp Diners Club in Chicago, Illinois in management and marketing communications. Carla is the proud grandmother of Aviana, who is 6 years old, and a newborn granddaughter named Rose.
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.
By the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce Staff
What is it about Waco that makes it so appealing to new businesses? At the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, our economic development team is constantly working to grow the economy through the attraction of new businesses to the region and the expansion of our existing industry base. Having already announced $119 million in new industrial investment for 2018, the level of interest in the community is strong. Not only has Waco become a desired destination for visitors, more businesses and individuals are taking notice of our strong assets and choosing this city as the ideal location for both professional and personal success. In fact, McLennan County is outpacing the seven-county region, Texas and the U.S. in labor force, making Waco a magnet for talent and commerce.
Here are five things that we think make Waco a great place to do business:
1. Waco is centrally-located. Waco’s location in the “Texas Triangle” positions the community as a central point for connectivity and growth. Identified as one of 11 mega-regions in the United States, is roughly formed around the D/FW region, Austin, San Antonio and Houston, with Waco located right in the middle. A recent article published by D Magazine in Dallas, indicates this region is home to more than 20 million people and produces nearly $1.3 trillion a year in economic output, ranking 17th among world economies. Interstate 35 also plays a big part in Waco’s economic success, providing easy access throughout Texas and the United States.
2. Waco is home to five outstanding, diverse institutions of higher education. Waco is fortunate to have higher education opportunities for people of each and every walk of life, which is important to businesses who are looking for a strong talent pipeline. Baylor University, the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of Texas and the largest Baptist university in the world, offers a combined 258 baccalaureate, masters and doctoral programs, according to the Baylor website. McLennan Community College (MCC) offers multiple associate degree programs at affordable costs that are designed to be transferable to bachelor’s degree programs at senior-level institutions. Through its partnerships at the University Center at MCC with universities across Texas, including, Texas Tech University at Waco and Tarleton State University Waco, students can easily transition into affordable bachelor’s degree programs without having to leave Waco. Texas State Technical College (TSTC) is the technical training college for Texas. Headquartered in Waco, this diverse two-year technical college focused on student success in learning and preparation for future careers offers over 40 associate’s degree and/or certification programs and boasts a high student job placement rate after graduation.
3. Waco provides an awesome quality of life. The cost of living is affordable, and the business climate is supportive and welcoming. With initiatives like Start Up Waco, partnering with resource providers across Greater Waco to provide knowledge, work space and access to capital, entrepreneurs will have more connectivity into the Waco-McLennan County entrepreneurial ecosystem than ever before. Already, new businesses are popping up across the community and finding success entering the marketplace. Waco is home to an abundance of natural resources, including the Brazos River and Lake Waco. Cameron Park is one of the largest municipal parks in the state, with beautiful trees, a natural habitat zoo, access to the Brazos and Bosque rivers, and a huge network of trails that vary from beginner to expert level.
4. Waco has a strong spirit of collaboration. Waco believes in partnering for success. Few places see local governments, the business community, education institutes, and non-profit organizations working together on common goals for growth and success. We all are working together to grow and diversify our economy and create prosperity for everyone.
5. Waco’s flourishing tourism market is evidence of what an incredible place Waco truly is. With over two million visitors every year, it’s obvious that people enjoy visiting Waco. Visitors see Waco in a different light – they meet the kind, loving community of people who live here; they interact with the positive, supportive businesses; they have wonderful experiences that keep them coming back again and again.
Waco has transformed into a truly vibrant community that is primed and ready for new businesses to put down roots. We’re experiencing a very unique, exciting time here in Waco, and we are so thankful to have opportunities to show off our city.
Written by Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce Staff.
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.
By Jaja Chen
I often hear individuals make comments about teachers that make it seem as if they have it “well off” because of having summer vacations. While having summer off is a crucial part of teachers’ self-care and work-life balance, we often do not sit and consider the amount of energy, finances, or even time that teachers dedicate throughout the school year – year after year – to managing their classrooms and educating our children daily.
Oftentimes, teachers’ own self-care goes by the wayside because of the immense amount of needs they must tend to in their classrooms, amongst students, and to meet all the tasks and demands they face as a teacher – even outside of the classroom. This can lead to summer being used to “catch up” on sleep, health, and self-care.
While summer can be a huge part of teacher self-care, my hope is that summer is not the ONLY time when teachers are able to take care of themselves.
Here are three ways we as a community can seek to support our teachers in self-care as they return to the new school year:
1.) Honor and encourage our teachers – Coming from a Taiwanese background, educators are highly honored, valued, and esteemed. The culture of honor that East Asian cultures place on teachers is something we can learn from. How can we honor and encourage our teachers throughout the school year? Rather than making comments about how good they have it or how they shouldn’t complain about difficulties on the job due to having summer off, how can we seek to listen to and support our teachers as they deal with ongoing work-life stress?
2.) Support healing from secondary trauma & burnout – Compassion fatigue is a common experience amongst helping professionals and is a combination of secondary trauma and burnout. Secondary trauma occurs when we continually hear about or witness, directly or indirectly, traumatic events that occur to others. Working with students and families daily exposes teachers to traumatic events and can lead to secondary trauma. Burnout, on the other hand, is feelings of ongoing exhaustion and helplessness due to inefficiencies experienced in our jobs. When our teachers experience compassion fatigue, do we judge them or do we seek to understand? Do we point them to resources, such as individual counseling, or do we shame them? As administrators, do we seek to create policies and school cultures that enhance and support teacher self-care? Are we open to our teachers taking time off for their mental health or do we stigmatize mental health recovery?
3.) Volunteer for local school efforts & initiatives – Ensuring that our students and schools are successful and thriving is a community effort. Teachers are not the sole guardians for our children’s mental, emotional, physical health, and educations. We all have a role to play in our communities as we support teachers in their self-care. Part of this is seeing how we can play a role in supporting school initiatives, school events, and to inquire about ways to support schools as volunteers. Recognizing that we have a part to play in supporting our schools helps reduce the burdens placed on teachers to be everything to our children. Ways to be involved include supporting mentoring and tutoring programs that non-profit organizations-including Communities in Schools (CIS) and Prosper Waco – host for local schools. Local churches may also have after-school programs or book clubs to support children such as the STARS Mentoring Program.
The success of our schools requires a community effort.
What are ways you can support your local school today? And if giving of your time and/or finances is not a possibility, are there ways to connect with a fellow teacher and to encourage them as they begin their new school year. My hope is that the task of teacher self-care is seen as a community effort, not just placed on teachers themselves to figure out. There are ways that our culture and perspectives can hinder teachers from thriving in the amazing work they do. Let’s strive for creating a culture of compassion, authenticity, and empathy, as opposed to shame.
Jaja Chen, LMSW, CDWF is a private practice therapist in Waco through Enrichment Training & Counseling Solutions specializing in trauma, compassion fatigue, maternal mental health, and difficult life transitions. As an EMDR Trained Therapist, Jaja’s passion is walking alongside helping professionals whom are healing from PTSD, depression, anxiety, secondary trauma, and burnout. Jaja can be contacted via email at [email protected] or via webpage at http://enrichmenttcs.com/meet-jaja-chen/
By Luann Jennings
This fall Creative Waco, our local arts agency, will debut an eight-week course in business skills for visual, performing, and literary artists and arts students, along with three special professional development workshops.
The course is based on Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists, developed by Springboard for the Arts in St. Paul, Minnesota. I had the privilege of visiting St. Paul in July (where the high temperature was 83…) to be trained in the curriculum, and I’m excited to share it with Waco’s artists and creatives. I’ve been teaching arts business development and entrepreneurship for a number of years, and the Work of Art program is a terrific framework for starting your creative career or moving it forward. Springboard’s instructors have taught the Work of Art content “at arts organizations, libraries and colleges in over 80 communities in the Upper Midwest, and [it has been] replicated across the country by artists, arts organizations, and colleges and universities.”
The eight sessions will cover career and business planning, goal-setting and productivity, communicating about your work, pricing, record-keeping, legal issues, and more.
We’ll also hold three additional workshops using the Work of Art material. The first will be a free introductory session on Why Artists Need Business Skills, to help potential participants decide whether Work of Art is for them (date and location TBA).
Then, in November, we’ll hold two special workshops. On Saturday, November 3, we’ll cover Marketing, Branding, and Promotion; and on Friday evening, November 16, we’ll talk about Fundraising and Grantwriting, with a special emphasis on the Creative Waco AMP Grant and Texas Commission on the Arts grants. Those registered for the eight-week course may attend the Marketing and Fundraising workshops for free, but registration will also be open to those not enrolled in the course.
Work of Art will meet weekly beginning the week of September 23 and will conclude the week before Thanksgiving. Participants may attend either a morning or weeknight session. The days and location are still being decided, but if you want to learn more when we have the info, sign up for Creative Waco’s enewsletter, follow us on social media, or write to me at [email protected] and I’ll send you the info as soon as I have it.
Luann Jennings is the Project Manager for Artist Professional Development at Creative Waco. She is a theatre director and has been working in arts leadership, entrepreneurship, and education for a long time. Luann and her husband Chuck, a jazz guitarist you can find playing locally, moved to Waco from New York City two years ago to invest in the arts community and cultural life here.
by Tabitha Ferguson
Most people think of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, as being something that happens to someone after they return from war…but, the trauma that causes PTSD can be a lot closer than we think, and the PTSD caused by this kind of trauma is the most marginalized and stigmatized silent-growing epidemic in society. People are quick to throw out a diagnosis like bipolar disorder, depression, personality disorder, anxiety disorder, etc. without really doing a thorough assessment and understanding what physically happens to someone who experiences trauma.
Here are some examples of trauma that can cause PTSD: childhood trauma, abuse, neglect (not being wanted, verbal, psychological abuse and bullying, divorcing parents, growing up with substance abuse parents), sexual abuse, domestic violence, loss and abandonment through death or divorce.
PTSD is an invisible illness with symptoms including uninvited memories (flashbacks), deregulated emotions such as anxiety and fear, depression, anger, chronic heartache, insomnia, and night terrors all at once or sporadically. I’ve lived with this disorder my whole life and although I’m no longer broken or suffer with constant symptoms, I still have to address my bruises to maintain my freedom. There was a time, however, that my mind was plagued with uninvited memories and deregulated emotions. This paralyzed me.
I’ve suffered with depression and anxiety since I was as young as 10 years old. I smoked my first cigarette at the age of 11 years old and turned to food for comfort. I’ve suffered with eating disorders, drug addictions, nicotine addictions, self-harm and suicide attempts — all because I didn’t know how to cope with not being loved the proper way. People just assumed I was born with mental illnesses since my mother projected those lies on me to collect a disability check on me. The consequences of her actions retraumatized me, and I believed the lie that something was wrong with me for over 30 years.
When I was moved to two different treatment facilities the summer before my sophomore year, all I remember was the pain I felt because I blamed myself for all the mistreatment in my life. I couldn’t speak fluently about what all I experienced my 15 short years of life back then. All I could do was hurt, medicate, and misbehave. I also believed there was something wrong with me and the same message reverberated in my mind over and over until it took root. “I’m unworthy. I’m not lovable. There must be something wrong with me because my own family doesn’t even want me.” People just saw the behavior attached to those thoughts without knowing the depth of my pain and loaded me up on psych medication as they pushed me straight into the judicial system. I was raised by the systems, and I will never know what it’s like to have loving, supportive parents. I’ve had to grieve this reality as I learned how to parent my two boys alone.
A little over 10 years ago my life was forever changed when someone gave me Joyce Meyer’s book, “Battlefield of the Mind.” For the first time in my life the seed of hope was planted in my heart as I read someone’s story similar to mine. Joyce Meyer also offered a solution that wasn’t your typical quick fix this world tries to offer. At the beginning of my recovery, I was simply just learning how to self-regulate my emotions and function in society. I had no clue that I suffered with PTSD because I was trapped in all of the lies growing up. As I’ve mentioned before, everyone else minimized the abuse and trauma I lived through, so I minimized it as way to cope with it. This was not healthy. I found ways to escape the trauma by dissociation which caused suppressed memories that I’ve had to finally deal with as they’ve surfaced over the years. I also suffer with memory loss in certain seasons of my life growing up. Joyce’s book unlocked the prison in my mind I suffered with my most of my life. I began a new journey with God and I began to see change.
This was the beginning of my newfound life, and I began processing the hurt I kept locked away for so long. I began to take a look at the lost little girl within me and addressed the wounded child from within.
Here I am 10 plus years later moving past a painful past and traumatic childhood as I’ve grieved all my losses. All it ever boiled down to was this – I wanted to be loved and accepted. I wanted to hear something positive about myself instead of all the voices around me that kept restating that I wasn’t loved and valued. I’ve spent more years taking care of the mentally ill mother who abused me growing up than I did receiving love. I’ve also stood in the way of my mother who tried to commit suicide and visited her in mental institutions instead of being loved and supported throughout all of my own pain and suffering. This isn’t something medication can fix. This was a wounded soul that only God could heal. Since then, I have had to learn how to simply receive love from the godly women that God has put in my path of restoration.
The reality I lived in and survived is still happening to young ones today. Backgrounds like mine make one a prime target for human trafficking and the street life. Mental health agencies need to understand the depth of pain and suffering a person has gone through before just throwing a medication at dysfunction and abuse. I’m convinced our modern day slavery is mental health, and it’s evident that we have a crisis that needs to be addressed holistically if we ever expect to see real change and freedom. We weren’t designed to carry the burdens of this world. Because someone’s transparency changed the direction of my life, I share openly unapologetically to give others the same hope I received over 10 years ago.
My name is Tabitha Ferguson and I was born and raised in this city. I share my story openly to help others find the same hope, healing, and restoration I found 11 years ago from a traumatic childhood.
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.
By Minister Sandra Henry
History and Birth of the Cattleya Foundation of Hope
May 22, 2015, I went to Baylor Scott and White Hillcrest Medical Center for my annual mammogram. This time it was different, I was diagnosed with breast cancer! My first reaction, as I tried to listen to the doctor explain medical procedures, was the fear of death but God spoke to me with the words, “Fear not, all is well.” Throughout my traumatic experience, with the love of my husband Joseph, love and encouragement of family, friends, cancer survivors and my church, Abundant Love Fellowship Church, I was strengthened by faith to persevere.
In August 2015, I planned a Celebration of Life luncheon at the Spa at Canyon Oaks in Crawford, Texas, where my family, friends, local community partners and cancer survivors came to celebrate my life journey. I watched in awe as God’s vision and plan began to unfold in such a miraculous way. So many people attended this event that I knew God was about to do an amazing work. At that moment, I said yes to God’s Will for my life journey.
On February 15, 2016, I met with Sister Shelia Ross (who attended the event in August), Sister Toria Smith-Loughridge, Sister Lisa Ware, and Sister Sandra Montgomery at Panera’s in the Central Texas Marketplace Shopping Center. We prayerfully discussed plans of establishing a local cancer foundation in Waco for all cancers. We formed a board and started this foundation with our own money. We have worked diligently to plant seeds of hope in cancer survivors and continue to passionately serve the McLennan County community. The Cattleya Foundation of Hope has now grown to twenty-two members.
We adopted the orchid as our symbol because of its strong roots and its ability to persevere through adversities, its beauty, and grace. We adopted the color purple because of its royal heritage; the color gold because it represents courage and passion; and the color ivory/cream because it represents elegance, warmth, and tranquility (peace).
Our core values are Christ first, compassion, commitment, communication, courage to be steadfast and unmovable, excellence in all we do, integrity, accountability and transparency, service, and teamwork (unity).
Our mission statement: We are a team of Christian women and men who understand the plight of those recently diagnosed, cancer survivors continuing on their journey, and those who are in the fight to regain their health and wholeness. We stand together to provide spiritual and emotional support for those who have been diagnosed with cancer and are continuing on their journey. We stand together to give hope, faith and life to men, women, and children cancer survivors and their families.
We are unique because spirituality, prayer, and love are the essence of our foundation and our service to cancer survivors in this community. In Cattleya, our cancer clients are not alone!
Cattleya Whispers of Hope Programs
After completing a confidential assessment application, we may provide transportation and/or bus passes for doctor appointments and treatments. We may sit with cancer clients to give relief to their primary caregiver, which is important to everyone affected by cancer.
How do cancer survivors learn about our services? We receive our clients through Scott and White Hillcrest Medical Center – McClinton Cancer Center; Community Cancer Association, and through word of mouth.
Cattleya has partnered with McClane Children’s Hospital in Temple, Texas, because it is the nearest facility available to McLennan county children who have been recently diagnosed with cancer and our children cancer survivors continuing on their life journey.
Last year, Cattleya was able to visit the children at McClane Children’s Hospital during October for the October Harvest and December for Christmas expressions of love. On both occasions we were inspired by the smiles and their willingness to grasp life with all she has to offer. These courageous children and their families are why we are in this fight to end cancer in our world.
We brought socks, gloves, blankets, newly donated books and gift cards. During Christmas we also brought donated snowmen outfits for the children to wear and have fun!
This summer, through fundraising, we were able to give a monetary donation to their Dreamcatcher Camp. This is a week-long camp that allows the children to spend time in an environment where they can be a kid, have hope and enjoy having fun. If any of you readers would like to contribute to Dreamcatchers, please contact McClane Children’s Hospital or go on their website.
Celebration of Life
Each year, Cattleya hosts “A Celebration of Life” through fundraising and donations. This event is to honor those recently diagnosed with cancer, cancer survivors continuing on their life journey, family members of those who stand with cancer survivors, and family members of those courageous warriors who have transitioned home.
This is a night we celebrate life, plant seeds of hope, and inspire one another to continue the fight. We welcome our community to come and support our courageous women and men as we continue our life journey. We offer a catered dinner, inspiration from a local speaker, and gifts for our cancer survivors. It is a special time set aside for us to pamper cancer survivors in a special way.
It is also a time for us to reach out to our community in support for the programs and services that we provide throughout the year for our cancer clients.
Cattleya’s wish list is simple. We need a facility where women, men and children cancer survivors can come and read a book, write a journal, enjoy a time of serenity. A place we can transform into a tranquil setting and build programs for cancer survivors in Waco, Texas. If you have a place to offer to us, please contact Min Sandra Henry at [email protected].
And finally a quote from Maya Angelou
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
This Act Locally Waco blog post was written by Minister Sandra Henry. Min. Henry serves as associate minister of Abundant Love Fellowship Church, Dr. E.L. Ross, Pastor. She has been a member for 3 years. Min Henry preached her first sermon at the New American International Baptist Institute and Seminary in Harker Heights, Texas in December 2012 and received her license in March 2013 at Pleasant Olive. She received her Master of Theology and Doctor of Theology at NAIBI Seminary. She is an honorably discharged veteran from the United States Army with four years of active service. Min Henry and her husband, Joseph Henry, relocated to Waco, Texas in 1985 after he retired from the United States Army with 20 years of service. Min Henry is retired from Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office with twenty-four years of service. They have four children, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Bro and Min Joseph Henry love the Lord and they serve Him together. Min Henry’s focus is a faithful and humble servant rooted in the word of God.
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.
By Wendy Gragg
“What’s in a name?” Shakespeare asked.
We at City Center Waco would answer, “more than you might think.”
If you’ve strolled or cruised through Downtown Waco recently, you may have seen new banners on light poles. There are 37 of them, and they have one of the following four designations: Austin Avenue District, Silo District, River District and Elm Avenue District. Each banner also says Downtown Waco, A Cultural District.
Sure, Downtown Waco has had banners before, showing support for United Way and Baylor University or encouraging people to explore the city. But the new banners have altogether different purposes, which we hope will serve Downtown well in this era of increased tourism. We envision this happening in a couple of ways.
First, we want the banners to serve as a beacon of sorts. Downtown Waco is very spread out with pockets of activity separated by stretches of nothing. If you are new to the area and see that there are more banners farther down the street, they may pull you in that direction, toward shops and eateries, etc., in a district you might not have explored had you not seen the banner in the distance.
Second, they identify districts. Once again, because Downtown Waco is so spread out, sectioning it off helps us be able to talk about what is where, better than if we were just lumping everything under the umbrella of Downtown Waco. Also, as downtown development continues, we will likely find these districts take on their own personalities, shaped by the businesses that call those areas home.
You see this in larger cities all the time. Take San Francisco, for instance: the Union Square area is known for chain stores, the Mission neighborhood is known for murals and Bayview is up and coming with a lot of warehouses and new restaurants. Waco is not San Francisco but the basic concept remains the same. Name a place and you can more easily direct someone to it. Also, as the area grows, there are opportunities for collective marketing as businesses come together to market the neighborhood.
The Public Improvement District, which is funded through a voluntary “tax” paid by property owners in the very core of Downtown Waco, has literally bought into the idea of promoting districts as a way to encourage people to explore more of Downtown. The banners are only one of several ways the PID is identifying the districts. You may remember colorful, artistic maps that evolved from temporary signs to an art-and-wayfinding system on utility boxes. These early versions are giving way to the third generation of downtown district wayfinding: artist-designed steel kiosks. The unique district kiosks grew from the PID’s original concept to include a hand-drawn map and solar lights thanks to the championship and financial support of the CVB and Creative Waco. Next to come will be building lights that carry the banners’ colors for each district into the evening hours and beyond.
Don’t miss the larger picture, though. By creating these visual connections between locations in a district, drawing the eye to districts a few blocks away during both day and night, and providing maps that give greater context to Downtown Waco as a whole, the PID and its partners are doing more than just promoting the districts themselves. They make all of Downtown Waco more attractive, as adventurous visitors join locals in braving those “between” places, venturing on foot along pathways that were previously untraveled. The blossoming of areas along Mary and Jackson is in some ways the early fruits of activating more and more of downtown. Perhaps the districts will have most fully done their job when they are no longer separated by inactive space and Downtown Waco feels full, active and connected.
City Center Waco (acting as staff to the Public Improvement District) invites you to an open meeting on Wednesday, August 15 from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM at City Center Waco, 801 Elm Avenue. The purpose of the meeting will be to gauge interest on the part of property owners within the Public Improvement District to participate in the second phase of the Downtown Lighting Project. Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/516276048811067/
Wendy Gragg, Director of Communications for City Center Waco. City Center Waco helps drive development in the CITY CENTER, made up of Downtown Waco and the surrounding neighborhoods.
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.