By Gwendolyn McKnuckles
When I was a child my brothers and I would visit Waco and Valley Mills for the summer. We did this for many years until we reached the age we no longer needed babysitting in the summer time.
I was one of 9 cousins, 8 of which were boys. We stayed on the farm with my grandfather and grandmother, Robert and Sadie Slaughter. We were collectively taken care of by my aunt Marilyn Slaughter Thomas and my sister Joyce Vance Gregory. We ate, slept, played, fought, and disrupted the normal flow of life for them during that time.
On certain days, my two brothers and I would visit my uncle and aunt, A.J. and Jean Montgomery, and their son Alfred in Waco. During these summers, I fell in love with Waco. From a child’s eye view, there was something about Waco that drew me in. I would like to think it was because everyone seemed to know each other and have history. I was surrounded by people who grew up together to the third and fourth generation. It felt good to walk into a place and everyone knew your people and you knew theirs.
When my wanderlust brought me to Waco in 2011 at the age of 57, I felt it was a dream come true. In a sense, I felt I had come home. Perhaps surprisingly though, since coming here to live, I have often felt at a loss for connections to my community, for ways to be an active part of its growth and prosperity. I am often questioned, “Where you from?”, “Who are your people,” “What church do you attend?” My responses have often elicited, “Oh, you are not from around here.” At those points, I have felt left out and disconnected.
Sunday, I felt particularly disenfranchised and wanted to feel a part of something without being questioned. My childhood memories of going to church in Waco include Toliver’s Chapel on Elm Avenue. On this particular Sunday they celebrated their 122 year anniversary. I remember going to church with my Aunt Jean Montgomery and seeing my Uncle A.J. sing in the choir. My Uncle Gerald and Aunt Dorothy taught in the Sunday school and my Aunt Sadie worked in the church. My cousins were junior ushers and filled in other capacities. But, because we were only visiting for the summer, we were relegated to sit on a bench and watch quietly. I have great memories but still felt adrift and apart.
Sunday, I sought a place to feel a part and solidify my time and transition to Waco as home. I sat in the back of the church and visited the caverns of my mind remembering the days when Toliver’s Chapel seemed bigger, taller, and grander. I experienced the pride of remembering how my family worked in their various capacities and I felt at home. I was very grateful no one asked me who were my people or where I was from, or called out, “Oh, you are not from around here” (as if it explained why I didn’t fit.) I left rested and renewed in my quest to become an active positive influence in my community. I felt once again Waco is my home and I am here to stay.
Gwendolyn McNuckles moved to Waco, Texas in 2011. She is a proud to call Waco her home. Gwendolyn’s background is in human resources. She enjoys public speaking, teaching and community service. Gwendolyn is the proud owner of Connections and Reflections, an event planning company that works with individuals and organizations to plan any size event.
By Dawn Broadwater
Working for Skillpoint Alliance as Waco Program Coordinator has been both a challenge and a life changing learning experience for me. In January 2017, Mallory Herridge, Waco Program Director and I faced some daunting tasks: We needed to find a qualified HVAC/Construction Core Instructor and then test and interview potential candidates. Doing so helped us resolve some personal stereotypes that only men can be successful in the construction trades! We put together a diverse class of both men and women who are learning how to be HVAC Technicians. By diverse, I mean all ages, races and backgrounds.
Prior to stepping up to the challenge of coordinating our first HVAC/Core Construction class, the only ‘Tools of the Trade’ we were experts at purchasing were mascara, eye shadow and lipstick. Fast forward two months and we can shop for tools and specialty supplies with the best of them! Our first class project was completed at Maker’s Edge, which is a makerspace and DIY prototyping studio here in Waco. The class made a chair and constructed a stand to hold an air conditioner unit. Two of our students were so dedicated to their success that they donated a small refrigerator and an air conditioning unit for extra learning.
Our Instructor, Mr. Ric Staton, has over 20 years’ experience in the HVAC field. He has owned and operated an HVAC business in Bastrop and taught HVAC at National Institute of Technology in Austin. He brings humor, integrity and a vast portfolio of knowledge to our program. Next on our HVAC Wish list is a ‘teaching trailer’ to hold our supplies and also serve as a workstation. Ideally the trailer should be covered and 8 x 8 through 8 x 24. The students would be able to practice hands on skills and apply what they learn in class. Another item on our class ‘wish list’ is a used A/C Condenser and Furnace Unit. To date, we are grateful that this wish has been fulfilled by Capstone Mechanical.
Skillpoint Alliance has been providing ‘Rapid Workforce Development’ training to participants in Austin since 1994. They expanded to Waco in 2015 with a few pilot classes and are now finding a permanent home here in Waco. Their office and classrooms are located at the Barron’s Branch Apartments on Colcord. Skillpoint is attempting to help residents who have a desire to obtain a certification in such fields as HVAC/Core Construction, Medication Aide and Certified Nurse’s Aide. Mallory, who started as Director in 2016, states “although Skillpoint has only been in Waco a short time, this ‘Rapid Workforce’ model has already been identified as an integral piece of the puzzle when it comes to increasing the financial security of our citizens.”
The Skillpoint Alliance Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning training is an eight week specialty course that prepares participants for work as an HVAC Apprentice. Students spend the first three weeks of the training completing the Construction Core program, which earns them certifications needed for entry-level positions in the construction trade. The course then covers building codes, pipe fittings, diagnosing malfunctions and air duct systems. It includes hands-on experience and instruction from dedicated instructors about aspects of HVAC systems for commercial, industrial and residential buildings. HVAC continues to be one of the fastest-growing service occupations due to heightened awareness of fuel conservation and environmental concerns.
Participants earn certifications for: NCCER Level One HVAC, NCCER Core Construction, EPA 608 Universal Certification, TDLR HVAC Technician Registration, OSHA 10 Certification and First Aid/CPR Certification.
Soft skills training, resume work shops and interview preparation also prepare our students to enter the work force. Engaging community partners to help collaborate with the needs of our students during their training has proved beneficial. As we move into September, our second HVAC class is getting ready to learn the ‘tools of the trade’! Four of our students from our first HVAC class have secured employment in the HVAC/Maintenance Field. (And, yes, one of those newly employed is a woman.) We are excited for all of them and wish them the best! We currently have a few openings for our upcoming HVAC class that starts on Monday, September 11th. Potential students are encouraged to call our office ASAP to schedule assessment testing and interviews to be considered.
As we continue to expand and grow, we hope to serve many more Wacoans with an opportunity to learn and obtain certifications that offer a living wage, debt-free. We desire to collaborate with local HVAC and Construction companies to provide information and support for our students. ‘Lunch and Learn’ opportunities from local employers’ help our students learn about prospective companies that are hiring in the area. For more information visit our Website @ www.skillpointalliance.org or stop by and visit: 817 Colcord Avenue Waco, Texas. Our office phone: 254-732-0620
As the Skillpoint Alliance/Waco Program Coordinator, Dawn is responsible for coordinating and carrying out the activities for programming in the Waco region including: Classroom Management, Participant Coordination and Data Management. Prior to joining Skillpoint,Alliance, Dawn worked at Mission Waco as a Program Coordinator/Job Trainer/Job Developer for Waco Homeless population. She has previously worked as a Staff Respiratory Therapist, Respiratory Therapy Department Manager and Clinical Evaluator for Promise Hospital of Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona and Clinical/Didactic Instructor for a Respiratory Therapy Program at Apollo College in Phoenix, Arizona. Dawn moved to Waco with her husband, Tom in 2011.
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 Holly Tate
“The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born – that there is a genetic factor to leadership. This myth asserts that people simply either have certain charismatic qualities or not. That’s nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born.” – Warren G. Bennis
Like most worthwhile things in life, becoming a good leader requires hard work, not just good genes. The more time we spend learning about and developing the characteristics of leaders, the greater our capacity to lead and serve others. Becoming a leader in Waco is all about taking our citizenship to the next level by becoming thoughtful, creative problem-solvers and visionaries for our communities. The LeadershipPlenty® Institute-Waco is one of the most impactful learning experiences available in our community for those who are interested in their personal leadership development and understanding of the diversity and complexity of Waco.
This FREE six-month program offers individuals the opportunity to develop and enhance leadership skills to become better leaders to work more effectively within their respective organizations and the greater community. When I participated in the program in 2015-2016, I loved getting to meet people from all different walks of Waco life and hear their perspectives and passions about the challenges facing our neighborhoods and organizations. I learned very quickly that there were not always neat and tidy solutions to addressing these complex and ambiguous challenges—and that’s ok! Through relevant readings, case discussions, introspective exercises, engaging speakers and panelists, group discussion, and networking opportunities, we all gained a broader understanding of leadership best practices, organizational culture and dynamics, and gained a deeper appreciation of our vibrant and changing community. While the topics we discussed were extremely relevant to Waco, they also challenged the way we approach national and global issues because they gave us a skill set that was so much bigger and more impactful than just a localized approach.
My friend, and fellow LeadershipPlenty graduate, Megan Pike really enjoyed and appreciated the module on Communicating for Change, which taught us about effective press releases and engaging the media. This was a really practical session that has helped her in her professional work as she consider rolling out new programs and how to best engage the media regarding these programs. But it was the final session, Facing the Challenge of Racism and Race Relations
That was most profound for her. “Watching a portion of RACE: The Power of an Illusion has totally rocked my world to the point of sending me on a pilgrimage to better understand our nation’s history around civil rights and race relations. I have been able to share this video series with a number of people with the hopes of spreading awareness and inspiring people towards acts of conciliation around race relations.”
When I think back on my LeadershipPlenty experience, I think of all of the ways that it has helped encourage me to use my skills and talents to engage with my community in new and creative ways. Being a part of LP has also connected me with a network of peers and mentors representing both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, as well as community and school volunteers, retired individuals, people who are new to our community who are all passionate about our city, it’s capacity for awesomeness, and the active role each of us plays in making Waco wonderful for years to come.
If this sounds like something you’d like to experience for yourself, The LeadershipPlenty® Institute-Waco is now accepting applications for it’s 2017-2018 cohort! Apply by Tuesday, August 15th to be a part of this unique (& FREE!) opportunity
Visit www.todaysactiontomorrowsleaders.org to learn more. Questions? Contact Catherine Haynes Bauer, Director of Leadership Development and Engagement at Waco Foundation, at [email protected].
Holly Tate has called Waco home since 2009, and is a 2016 graduate of the LeadershipPlenty Institute-Waco. She is the Assistant Director for Missions at Baylor University—engaging faculty, staff, and students in opportunities to actively integrating their faith with service and learning all around the world. As a result of LP, she got connected to Act Locally Waco as a place to use her PR skills, and now volunteers behind the scenes for Act Locally Waco as our social media guru.
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 Mary Duty
The morning I read was just like the good old days of teaching. Up at 5:30, out the door by 7, I was on my way to the guest reader at the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School at Baylor University. The school was held at Cesar Chavez Middle School (CCMS) . Dr. Lakia Scott invited me to read. She worked with student reading programs at CCMS for a couple of years. She began to develop a vision for a comprehensive summer reading program, and the Freedom School filled that bill.
CDF Freedom School is a program that develops literacy, civic engagement, and advocacy training. Based on a similar program from the days of the Civil Rights Movement, these schools develop a curriculum that involves active reading and researching on a topic of interest and then helps students develop a response to their research.
Every year at Freedom School there is a day set aside for a social action project. Last year it was studying, researching and conducting voter registration drives. This year’s theme for the National Day of Social Action was Child Hunger. Students began to read about and research the problem of child hunger around the world, in the United States and locally. Guest speakers came to talk to the scholars about child hunger. From there students were encouraged to write speeches and letters and discuss ways to help solve the problem. With the help of their teachers, they organized a March and a Rally in downtown Waco, complete with a trip to City Hall to visit with elected officials. I could not wait to meet these young scholars.
I was brought to the gym. The kids came in and gathered around. And then magic filled that space. The overly loud PA system began to play the Quincy Jones version of the Hallelujah Chorus. The kids didn’t mind. They began to move around the room and sing and sway to the music. Teachers joined in. What a way to start the day! This is how every day started at Freedom School. They also engaged in a few minutes of “recognition” time where scholars and teachers call out people for good work or good deeds from the day before. Guest Readers, joyful music and an attitude of gratitude set the mood.
As the music faded away the scholars sat in a semicircle and waited for me to read. I read a book about the childhood of John Lewis. They had just finished reading Lewis’s book, March.
After reading the book and answering questions the students went to their classrooms to read and work on writing and poster making. The day I read was the day of the big march downtown. We went from room to room with a member of the staff and what I saw was nothing short of spectacular. Large colorful posters and banners littered the floor. Speeches were on the tables, ready for their last revision. The excitement about showing their work was evident in every room. One teacher had worked with the students on their silent demonstration that showed the number of children that go hungry at night. One young man told me of how the body that has not been fed reacts to school the next day. Concentration suffers. Kids don’t master new ideas. Schoolwork suffers. He was serious. Every kid deserves a chance, he said.
At about 2 p.m. I drove to Heritage Square. The kids marched. They carried their posters. They were blessed by Virgil, Waco’s praying man. After about 30 minutes in the hot summer sun, they gathered in the shade of the arbors at Heritage Square. Townspeople came. Baylor students showed up. Parents of kids were in the crowd. The students made speeches and at the end they explained what their plates represented. The young man that told me about how kid’s minds don’t work well when they are hungry finished his speech with a plea to the crowd. “We all can help.”…..and looking out over the grownups he added “You could give money.” He had grown to understand that if the programs that kids rely on for food are in the federal budget cuts, then we must look to our community…our civic organizations and churches to pick up the slack. Everyone smiled and nodded when he finished. Then, row by row, in complete silence they filed by and dropped their empty plates in a trash can. Symbolic of the number of kids that go without, they made a powerful statement with a peaceful and gentle voice.
As quickly as it began, it was over. They gathered their water bottles scoured the area for trash and loaded on the bus to go back to Cesar Chavez. I walked away transformed by what I witnessed. In education jargon, it is called “integrated, thematic learning.” This was that kind of learning at its best. At the March and Rally, kids showed off their knowledge of science, history, and mathematics. They did it with reading, writing and speaking skills. And their work held deep meaning to them. Their attitude toward their fellow man, their view of themselves and their place in the world will be forever changed for the better.
The CDF Freedom School at Baylor held a grand “Finale” program on their last day of school. The crowd was full of proud parents and friends. Dr. Marcus Nelson represented WISD. It was a celebration of what was done at this year’s Freedom School. Scholars danced and sang. They performed a play based on the story of the eagles that thought they were chickens.
At the close there was a final “recognition” time. One student from each class came forward to read a note to their teacher. The first young man made it through about three lines of his prepared remarks and then the tears began to flow. He was overcome with his feelings about what this Freedom School meant to him. Every child that followed let the tears flow. The recognitions were raw and real and cut to the heart of what good teaching is. Finally, as they danced their final dance, this next generation of politicians, doctors, lawyers, teachers and citizens let it all go. Through their tears and laughter and promises, this first class of Freedom School graduates go forward to change the world. Thanks to this powerful Baylor/Waco ISD partnership, these scholars found their voice.
Mary Duty is a long time Waco educator and business owner. She is a chronic volunteer and seeker of truth and justice. The Chair of Mclennan County Democratic Party, Mary is the mother of 5 incredible Wacoans and grandmother to 7 adorable grandkids. She is the wife and soulmate of Waco businessman, Roland Duty.
By Caitlin Giddens
If the Waco 52 Pop-Up Gallery isn’t on your summer bucket list, you’re missing out. This inspiring pop-up gallery, hosted by Creative Waco, will feature local art, live music, farm-to-table dinners, weekend yoga classes and more.
The pop-up gallery is not a new concept, but it’s new to Waco’s Cultural Arts District. This short-term gallery, lasting from August 3 to September 2 at 712 Austin Avenue, will bring together visual artists, performers and more to showcase Waco’s creative potential.
The gallery space will feature 52 pieces, all created by local artists, that depict Waco and McLennan County. Next to the gallery, you’ll find a retail area, offering framed prints and locally handmade items, and Luna Juice Café. The pop-up events calendar includes a Gospel Brunch, a calligraphy class, art classes and even poetry and philosophy events.
Creative Waco is also offering Mini Residencies lasting one to four weeks for visual artists. All Artists in Residence are invited to participate in a weekly “Happy Hour Review” of work in progress each Thursday at 5 pm. Creative Waco hopes this will be a wonderful opportunity to build community among artists, receive valuable feedback on work and connect with buyers and art lovers from Waco and beyond.
The Waco 52 Pop-Up Gallery isn’t just an art collection — it’s a gathering place for creatives and an evening hangout spot. It’s an example of redeeming hope and forging community. To see a calendar of events at the Waco 52 Pop-Up Gallery, visit www.creativewaco.org/waco52/. If you’re interested in hosting an event at the gallery, email [email protected].
Caitlin Giddens is a local English teacher and writer. She graduated from Baylor University’s Honors College in 2013. When she’s not teaching or writing, she enjoys leading yoga and barre classes at Yoga Pod Waco.
By: Clint Weaver, United Way of Waco-McLennan County Board President & 2016 Campaign Chair
Last year, I had the privilege to serve as the United Way Waco-McLennan County Campaign Chair. Currently, I serve as the agency’s Board President. Like so many others, I support our local United Way because of a fundamental belief in the organization’s unique ability to meaningfully impact the most pressing issues facing our community. Consider several statistics that illustrate our challenge.
- 26.5% of McLennan County children live below the Federal Poverty Line
- 24.5% of McLennan County individuals are un-insured
- 19.8% of McLennan County individuals are food insecure
- 49.2 of every 1,000 teens in McLennan County become pregnant
- 478.3 of every 1,000 individuals in McLennan County experience domestic violence
*Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Our local United Way seeks to address these issues and others by harnessing the power of the community one donor at a time. Historically, this has been accomplished through workplace campaigns. Each year, thousands of workplace donors across our community answer the call to help their neighbor. These women and men, by generously giving a portion of each paycheck, are the life-blood of the annual United Way campaign. Last year, workplace donors enabled our local United Way to contribute nearly $2,000,000 toward programs accomplishing the following:
- 20,549 low-income McLennan County children received access to Early Childhood Education Classes, and quality afterschool and summer school programs.
- 33,753 low to un-insured families and individuals in McLennan County received access to medical pre-screenings, health exams, prescription assistance, and physical, emotional, and mental therapy.
- 150,498 meals and bags of groceries were provided to children, families, and individuals in McLennan County living below the Federal Poverty Line.
- 4,602 low-income pregnant girls and women in McLennan County received access to prenatal care, resource assistance and post-pregnancy parenting classes.
- 22,344 families and individuals experiencing family crisis and domestic violence received access to shelter, resources, counseling, and case management.
Last year, over 41,000 McLennan County families benefited from United Way funded programs. As evidenced by these statistics, a gift from one individual, when pooled with donations from co-workers and neighbors, has the ability to positively impact thousands of lives. This is the purpose of the United Way: to unite multiple individual donors and leverage their collective resources to generate lasting impact in the community. Generations have been made stronger, more self-sufficient, and have risen above poverty’s limitations because of the collective might of work place donors.
For nearly 90 years, United Way of Waco-McLennan County has focused on strengthening our community and creating opportunity for every citizen through inspired and informed philanthropy. All too often, people equate philanthropy with great wealth and large donations. My experience with last year’s campaign opened my eyes to the main street philanthropy that occurs around us each day. Without public recognition or fanfare, work place donors continually, year-after-year, provide the resources needed to support their neighbors in need. These are the philanthropists who empower our work and truly exemplify what it means to live united. I am humbled by their steadfast belief in our mission. On behalf of the United Way of Waco-McLennan County board and staff, our United Way funded agencies, and the thousands of lives positively impacted each year, I say thank you to these amazing women and men for the difference they make in our community. I am #ProudToLIVEUNITED.
A financial advisor since 2006, Clint joined Stifel in 2014. Clint makes it a priority to place his clients’ interests first and use his knowledge and experience to continually adapt to their rapidly changing industry. Clint’s community involvement includes serving on the Executive Board and Foundation Board for the United Way and on the boards of the Heart O’ Texas Fair and Rodeo and the REACH Therapeutic Riding Center. He is a member of the First Baptist Church of Waco and is active in the Baylor Bear Foundation. Clint and his wife, Casie, have two children: Jack and Tessa.
By Rachel E. Pate
2017 has seen a summer filled with action-packed heroic blockbusters. From Wonder Woman and Spiderman to the Justice League and Guardians of the Galaxy, there’s a big screen hero for each one of us. I recently watched the new Power Rangers movie and was transported back to my childhood, embracing every character and rooting for the heroes. There was one scene, however, that despite all the movie majesty just didn’t play to my adult sensibilities.
Spoiler alert…
It’s the scene in which Billy, the quirky super-smart blue ranger, was tragically drowned by the evil villainess Rita – who, by the way, was quite a bit more fierce than her predecessor on the original television show. The remaining rangers pulled his lifeless body from the water; they laid him on his back and looked on hopelessly at his motionless frame. That’s when the “adult alarm” sounded in my head, and I immediately questioned why no one attempted to perform CPR on Billy. This sad situation in the movie was eventually rectified by their great and mighty mentor Zordon, but real-life heroes have only seconds to think and react. The first responders of the community, our firefighters, law enforcement and emergency medical personnel, save lives daily with sometimes only moments to spare.
On Saturday, July 8th between the early morning hours of 3 a.m. and 4 a.m., an unnamed hero sprang into action to save a fellow citizen. Curtis Jefferson of Rockford, IL, was staying at a Waco-area hotel and was headed through the lobby when he said he witnessed two patrons, a man on crutches and a woman, administering CPR to the front desk attendant. The manager had suffered an apparent heart attack while assisting the customers and the gentleman on the crutches leapt over the desk to perform life-saving measures. The two patrons were able to provide aid to the hotel employee until the ambulance and paramedics arrived. In Mr. Jefferson’s words, “The (male) patron saved his life by performing CPR.” It was in speaking with the female patron afterwards that Mr. Jefferson learned that the mysterious man on crutches was in fact a trained first responder, a firefighter paramedic, and he’d vanished after all the commotion died down without any hoopla or cheering fans. He simply did what needed to be done and moved on.
There are tons of local heroes who suit up daily to battle real world crises; burning blazes, horrific accidents, medical emergencies and more. Often times, their stories go unannounced and these heroes return home after work to manage their lives as ordinary citizens. They deserve our support and thanks.
They are due our appreciation for their willingness to answer the call whether on-duty or off.
They are actually due much more than our gratitude, but we can offer at least that. The Cen-Tex African American Chamber of Commerce will host its first We Say Thanks- First Responder Appreciation Event on Tuesday, July 25th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Hilton Home2 Suites located at 2500 Bagby Avenue in Waco. The event will feature local first responders and include networking and catered refreshments.
Rachel E. Pate is a native Wacoan and 1999 graduate of University High School. She currently works as the Public Relations person for the Cen-Tex African American Chamber of Commerce and serves as Coordinator for the Esther’s Closet program for women. She’s also a proud mom of one, lifelong member of Toliver Chapel (TCMBC) Church, lover of the great outdoors, avid sports fan and dedicated wearer of Converse’s Chuck Taylor shoes.
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 Katie Schaeffer
Jimmy Dorrell, CEO at Mission Waco, believes that “creation care” is not a side bar issue, but rather, “Christian justice demands that the creation must be protected, because every thing and every person is made in the image of God.” That is why he has worked tirelessly to put together Mission Waco’s Urban REAP (Renewable Energy & Agriculture Project). The project has commercial composting, rainwater harvesting and purification, solar power, an aquaponics greenhouse, raised grow beds, and a small training center for groups to come learn as a part of Mission Waco’s effort to be about “creation care.”
The passion Jimmy has about the privilege and responsibility God has given mankind to care for and harness his good gift of creation, and not abuse it for personal gain is based on the cultural mandate found in Gen 1:28, where he believes we receive God’s expectation that everyone should be good stewards of creation. Jimmy was also profoundly influenced in this area by the teaching of theologian Francis Schaeffer, who among many things, wrote Pollution and the Death of Man (1970). Jimmy recently posted on Urban REAP’s facebook page, a quote from the book, in which Schaeffer suggests that many in the church need an ecological conversion, “lamenting that much of evangelical Christianity had adopted a dualistic view of the world that did not take nature seriously.” He posted “For Francis Schaeffer, our shared finiteness created a bond of common grace with the rest of creation that calls for responses of stewardship, regardless of one’s religious worldview.” In another post, Jimmy expresses why creation care is so important, “Statistics profoundly show global deterioration of God’s perfect ecology that affect basics of food, water, land and weather”. He hopes that Mission Waco’s efforts in addressing these issues, will encourage individuals and corporations in Waco and the country to think about their impact on our ecology and what changes they can make to be better stewards of God’s great gift.
Ground breaking for the Urban REAP project, which was funded mostly through a generous grant from Green Mountain Energy Sun Club, began on January 18th, 2017. Every month since has seen the anticipated additions of the project come together. Just this week, 315 Hybrid Striped Bass fingerlings were added to the aquaponics system, which will provide organic produce to Jubilee Market, and up to 500 lbs of fish and 720 pounds of crawfish annually. Next week the commercial composter arrives which will turn biodegradable waste from Jubilee market, local restaurants and businesses into compost. This compost will be available for purchase at the upcoming greenhouse nursery behind Jubilee Market.
Come see and learn about all of these developments at Urban REAP’s Grand Opening on August 22nd from 10am-12pm. Those who can’t make it are always welcome to drop by for a quick tour and sign up to be a volunteer! All this news and much more can be found on Urban REAP’s Facebook page: mwurbanreap, and Mission Waco’s website.
Katie Schaeffer and her husband Rick consider it a real privilege to be managing Mission Waco’s amazing Renewable Energy Agricultural Project (REAP). Katie and Rick came to Waco at the end of 2015, from CA. This week they are moving into a house they have been renovating, just a few blocks from Mission Waco and are really looking forward to being part of the neighborhood community. Katie is happiest being in nature and tending to plants, and eating good food with friends and family. She and her husband Rick are also grateful for the privilege and deep joy of raising two sets of twin boys, who are now amazing 23 & 24 year old men. That is Tony in the photo with Katie. He is her “angel” volunteer who is there everyday she is, and the reason the aquaponics greenhouse is so beautiful and well run.
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.
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By Scott Bland
It has been about 16 months since I was approached about helping to put together a Construction Science program at the Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy (GWAMA). There has been an amazing the amount of progress that has been made since that time a year ago.
We have received approval from the Waco ISD school board to create the Construction Science program at GWAMA with the first classes starting in August of this year. The team of people tasked with getting the program off the ground has succeeded in receiving about $200,000.00 in cash and in kind donations from the private sector to help renovate the space at GWAMA and secure the necessary tools and supplies.
Most impressively, our team, in conjunction with the Texas Association of Builders and Representative Doc Anderson, has succeeded in proposing and passing state legislation that removes the liability insurance concern regarding businesses employing paid student interns while they are in the program. This is exciting not only for the Construction Service program, but it allows all the GWAMA programs to incorporate the paid internship model for its high performing students. Not to mention what this means to career and technical programs all over the state. In a legislative session that has seen a record number of vetoes and a special session, this was an amazing accomplishment.
I believe we are seeing a turn in the general public’s perception of technical and career education. We have ignored and stigmatized this segment of our educational system for so long, the workforce shortage has reached crisis levels. This has resulted in ever increasing costs of both residential and commercial construction. The trickle down effect means the costs of housing and essentially all goods and services go up as a result to offset those costs.
The field of construction has seen a dramatic change as well. Building a home or commercial building is no longer as simple as putting up four walls and a roof. Advancements in technology mean that we can now build structures that are extremely energy efficient and wired into all the current digital demands and capable of advancing into the future with the changing technical capabilities. This means that not only do we need more workers in construction; we need highly educated workers in the workforce.
This means that our construction workforce must be better educated than ever before. The Construction Science program is the gateway to introducing our young students to a dynamic and ever changing industry that is as challenging and rewarding as any industry in our country. Our program is designed to direct students into post-graduate certification and degree programs with the background they need to be successful.
While attitudes towards jobs in the trades are seeing a dramatic turn-around, we need another common belief to begin to change as well. With the high cost of secondary education going even higher every year, the concept of the 4-year degree needs to be re-evaluated. With the senior year paid internship allowing our students to develop relationships with employers in the construction industry, it should be an easy transition from high school to advanced education while continuing to earn a wage. The shortage of qualified workers provides a strong incentive for companies in the industry to work with a young student’s work and school schedule, giving the student an opportunity to earn that advanced certification or degree without student loans.
However, working while learning comes with a cost in terms of time. Instead of thinking along the line of a traditional 2-year advanced certification or 4 year degree program, students (and their parents) should be thinking along the lines of a 4 or 6 year educational term. It should be obvious that a debt-free 6 or 7 year degree is much preferable to a 4 year degree and $150,000.00 worth of student loans.
In just a little over a year we have created a program from scratch and succeeded in passing legislation in the process. We have raised more money than the cost of a typical college degree in that time as well and seen attitudes and opinions regarding career and technical education finally begin to change. In August we will see our first students begin the journey towards changing their lives and our industry for the better.
For more information about the Construction Sciences Program, visit the website or contact Donna McKethan, Director of Career and Technical Education. Her email address is [email protected].
Scott Bland was born and raised in Waco. He is an alumnus of Baylor University. He worked for Highland Homes in the Dallas area from 1998 to 2001, then joined the United States Secret Service as a Special Agent after the 9/11 attacks. He retired his commission in late 2006 to return to Waco and take over the family business, Jim Bland Construction, where he has served as Owner and President of the company for the last 10 years. He is currently the President of the Heart of Texas Builder’s Association as well as a member of the Board of Directors for the Greater Waco 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.
By Kathleen Geiger
Have you noticed that almost everything you buy comes with an owner’s manual? I recently bought a pasta maker and the manual was a 35-page detailed booklet describing the ways to use the equipment and what to do if I wanted a certain “noodle” outcome. In contrast, when we have children there is absolutely no manual, paperwork, leaflet, or website given that tells us how to parent in a way that would enable our children to have a particular outcome. So it’s tough, trying to figure out how to parent when there are so many opinions about what is right and wrong. When asked what we hope for our children, what we want the outcome to be, most parents say they want their children to be happy, healthy, and a functional member of society. But how does that happen?
I believe the healthiest parenting model is one which recognizes the critical importance of the parent-child relationship. The way you relate to your child now sets them up for how they will relate to others in the future. And how we relate to others has everything to do with being happy, healthy and a functional member of society. The way we develop and maintain relationships has to come from somewhere. Who do children spend the most time with during their development? Us! The parent or major caregiver. Through your relationship with your child, you teach them how to relate to teachers, family, and friends. Telling your child how to relate appropriately does very little, but YOU relating to your child, being relational, has everything to do with what his/her future relationships will look like.
A relational parenting approach is one which focuses on the critical importance of the parent-child relationship. It means having a deep desire to be closely connected to your child. Your strength as a parent lies in the relationship. Children who are deeply connected have less behavioral difficulties, less academic failures, and are significantly less involved in substance abuse and sexual risk-taking.
The brain is a social organ—that is, it is constructed and built through experience. From the moment we are born, we begin taking in the world around us. What we experience becomes a reference for how the world works together. Humans have a biological NEED for closeness. Being close to your child may be the most important tool you have for ensuring your child’s overall development. So what are the components of relational parenting?
Developing a Bond – A bond is the connection formed between two people. A bond happens, when over time, parents show a desire to listen to their child’s thoughts and feelings. It means listening more than talking. It means being actively involved. It means having uninterrupted time together. Bonding requires focus and intention. When parents and children are actively engaged the potential for strong connection is powerful. Together parents and children create intimacy – literally, as my grandmother would say, “in-to-me-you-see.” Bonding is something we cultivate. Preoccupation with electronics is the opposite of close connection. There are times when your relationship in person is much more important than the on-line ones. Setting the limit so you can get close in the now means no cell phone, no computer, no Netflix, no Pinterest, no Facebook, no Instagram, no snapchat…at times when being together is more important. When parents desire to know their child’s thoughts, feelings, intentions, wishes, and worries, that child will feel valued and grow to have a strong sense of self-esteem. Together, this creates their ability to form strong relationships with others throughout life. Your child comes into the world wanting a relationship with you….literally needing and hungering for it. You as the parents are the ones that make the decision whether to foster a nurturing relationship.
Being a parent who “gets it” — “Getting it,” means being more concerned with how your child feels than how you feel. A desire to understand your child’s feelings through words, body language, and facial expressions helps you understand your child from the inside out. Being the mirror and reflecting back to your child what you are hearing is powerful. Showing empathy is also important. You can do this by thinking of a time when you felt the same feelings and sharing that experience with your child. You may not understand fully, but you can get close to understanding by seeing the world through their eyes. That doesn’t mean you are in agreement with everything your child thinks, it means that you better understand where your child is coming from – all important for good communication. That’s what being relational is all about!
Having their back – This includes being available, responsive, and reliable. Your child needs to know they can come to you for comfort and support under stress. Feeling safe within the family relationship allows children to take risks to become independent. There is no time when a child should be completely independent and manage things entirely on their own. They need you all along the way. Growing up happens incrementally. It takes many years of trial, error, and practice for children to develop the multitude of skills needed to live independently. An important skill that is sometimes overlooked in parenting is helping a child learn to manage their emotions – soothing sadness, calming down anger, slowing impulsivity, and managing fears and anxieties. Difficult emotions such as fear, anger, shame, and grief become less overwhelming when a child knows they have a secure person at home who will help them feel safe and “regulated” again.
Giving up the need to be “right” – You can win the battle and lose the war this way. Being right is about showing power, demanding your child have your viewpoint, and agreeing with everything you think. This leaves little room for your child to share their own feelings without being judged. Seeing your child’s view as valid does not again mean you are permissive; it means that you allow differences without feeling threatened as a parent. When a parent stops needing to be right, they are able to see the child’s behavior in a broader context. For example, misbehavior is oftentimes about something much bigger – something your child does not know how to communicate appropriately. Holding a respectful limit with your child (the discipline part) while desiring to understand the emotions behind the behavior (the relational part) is a top priority.
A relational parenting approach is your choice. It is hard. It takes time and thought. It takes a lot of energy- especially at the end of the day. But the payoff is huge. It is more fun. Your child wants to spend time with you throughout life. But, most importantly, it is this relationship that gives a child a sense of his/her self-worth, competence, lovability, value, and the ability to continue to have relationships with others and to be a happy adult. And, isn’t that what it’s all about?
Relational Parenting
- Affirm rather than criticize
- Nurture rather than neglect or abandon
- Set limits rather than indulge
Kathleen Geiger has been licensed by the Texas Board of Licensed Professional Counselors since 1990 and has been in private practice in the Central Texas Area for close to 25 years. Kathleen has many areas of expertise and provides psychological services for individuals, children, adolescents, couples, and families. She works with children is play therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and enjoys working with teenagers, adults, and families in various methods of counseling practice. She is trained in Developmental Trauma work by Pia Mellody and has earned her certification as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. To learn more about Kathleen, her practice, or to contact her, please visit: www.kgeiger.com.