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COMMUNITY Always Good News! Press

ISSUE 103 JUNE 2021

Monte Alto Elsa Edcouch La Villa Alamo Donna Weslaco Progreso Mercedes Hidalgo County Governor Abbott Reappoints Five To Launches Vendor Texas Historical Commission Enrollment Tool

INSIDE

Governor Greg Abbott has reappointed Monica Zárate Burdette, Lilia Garcia, David Gravelle, John L. Nau, III, and Tom Perini of the Texas Historical Commission for terms set to expire on February 1, 2027. The commission provides leadership and coordinates services to support projects commissioned by county historical commissions, historical societies, agencies and institutions interested in the preservation of archeological and historical heritage. The commission also acts as a clearinghouse and historical information center.

Monica Zárate Burdette of Rockport is the former owner and chef

at The Inn at El Canelo Ranch in Kenedy County. El Canelo Ranch, originally established in 1864, has served as a center for cultural heritage and land stewardship under the care of Burdette and other family members. She is a former board member of the Museum of South Texas History in Edinburg, where she chaired the committee that produced “Mesquite Country,” a cookbook which won a national award. She also chaired the committee that founded the “Wild in Willacy” Nature Festival of the Raymondville Chamber of Commerce. Burdette has retired to Rockport and continues to engage in various historical preservation efforts See TEXAS pg.5

Ministry

Hidalgo County has launched ConsiderMe, an online vendor enrollment solution, offering an Men’s health awareness equal opportunity for all providers of goods and services to ade- Small Business Support quately fulfill the needs of county government. La Villa I.S.D. The new tool is a development by the county to help fulfill the need to secure qualified vendors and allows potential vendors consideration for Hidalgo County projects. Local, state and national vendors can apply by using the online registration form.

Edcouch-Elsa ISD

Pride Fire Education Classifieds

Pg.2 Pg.2 Pg. 3 Pg.4 Pg.6&7 Pg.9 Pg.11 Pg.12

The tool will also help county de See VENDOR pg.5

UTRGV receives historic $40 million gift The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley received a transformative $40 million gift from philanthropists MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett to enhance its mission of student success and expanding educational opportunities. UTRGV President Guy Bailey said the grant will provide much-needed scholarship money for students not just as they enter college, but throughout their educational journey.

gift, and the support we continue to receive from many others, will help UTRGV continue to transform the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.” Scott and Jewett recognized UTRGV based on its success as the second-largest Hispanic Serving Institution in the country and its proven ability to transform the lives of underserved students through higher education.

“This is truly a significant day for UTRGV that should be celebrated by all of us. We are extremely grateful to Ms. Scott and Mr. Jewett for their incredible generosity,” Bailey said. “This

Recently, UTRGV ranked first in Texas and fifth nationally in the performance of Pell-eligible students; first in Texas and 11th nationally in the performance of first-generation students; and

second in Texas and 29th nationally in the social mobility of our students. UTRGV is also the first among national public universities with the lowest student debt.

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Historic Mercedes Cemeteries Memorialize European Immigrants On the corner of Anacuitas and Mile 1W roads, two historic cemeteries sit catty-corner to each other. One is fairly well known with its historical connection to one of the oldest churches in the Diocese of Brownsville. It’s Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery. Its origins go back to 1910 when four acres were donated by Capisallo Town & Improvement Company. The cemetery was named for the parish church in Mercedes – Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church. On the adjoining corner of Anacuitas and Mile 1 W, there’s another ceme-

tery – nearly as old – and also tied to a historic church in Mercedes. The Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery was established in 1913 on land donated by the American Rio Grande Land & Irrigation Company. This cemetery, like its Catholic counterpart across the

street, has ties to a historic Mercedes church. The Evangelical Lutheran Emanuel Church was organized in Mercedes in 1910. It was first known as the German Evangelical Lutheran Church and today is named the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church. These two century-old churches – Lutheran and Catholic – and the cemeteries tied to them speak to the pioneering spirit of Mercedes. They are also a testament to the first residents and immi-

grants who shaped and formed Mercedes. “As the city, (Mercedes), grew, there also grew a need for the immigrant population from the Midwest to join together in worship,’’ says an online history on lutheranmercedes.com “There were families of German heritage who moved south with the promise of land and a rich future in agriculture.’’ The legacy of those early European immigrants is honored at the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery. See MERCEDES pg.8

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2 Chronicles 20:1-12

JUNE 2021 ISSUE 103

Men’s Health Awareness Month

June is Men’s Health Awareness. Health is defined by Merriam-Webster as “the condition of being sound in body, mind or spirit; especially freedom from physical disease or pain.” While physical health is extremely important, mental health is just as crucial for us to maintain and care for. In fact, the 2 go hand-in-hand with each other. When a person’s Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, faced an enormous challenge as three mental health is struggling, physical health may also decline. For innations simultaneously threatened to attack. The king immediately stance, taking some time for ourselves and reducing stress in positive sought the Lord’s help. Notice that the bulk of his prayer focused on ways can allow for more energy to complete a jog or physical workout. God’s greatness—acknowledging His almighty power, authority over Some important ways to improve overall health include the following: all nations, past acts of faithfulness on Israel’s behalf, and willingness eating healthy, quitting smoking (if you are currently a smoker), getting to hear the prayers of His people when they cry out to Him. appropriate sleep, limiting alcohol consumption, exercising regularly and managing stress in healthy and alcohol-free ways. These same truths should be the foundation of our prayers. He is still According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30% of men the sovereign, powerful God who has proven Himself faithful and ages 18 and over consume 5 or more drinks in a day at least once a year promises to listen to our prayers. We should never underestimate the Lord’s interest in our affairs. He will help His children today, just as He while 15% of men currently smoke cigarettes. UNIDAD Coalition is working in collaboration with community stakeholders to provide inhelped Jehoshaphat. formation regarding positive ways to deal with stress and ways to live a It’s easy to think our problems are unimportant to God, but He doesn’t healthier alcohol and drug-free life in Hidalgo County. If you would like to learn more about what the coalition is doing, visit our website, www. feel that way at all. Whatever concerns us concerns our Father. So when we, like Jehoshaphat, rely fully on the Lord, He will help us. And bhsst.org or email us at eurbina@bhsst.org. remember: No matter how great our challenges are, God is greater. Everyone faces challenges in life, whether financial, vocational, relational, physical, or spiritual. When trouble comes, as it inevitably will, we should waste no time in bringing it to God.

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JUNE 2021 ISSUE 103

Small Businesses and Nonprofits Impacted by Covid Can Now Apply for Support from Multi-Million Dollar Fund

Small business owners and nonprofits across the South can begin applying today for very low interest loans of up to $100,000 and free business support Distribution/Circulation through the Southern Opportunity and Resilience (SOAR) 15,000 distributed monthly Available FREE at numerous locations Fund—a new program created by a diverse group of commuin nity lenders aimed at helping Mercedes Edcouch small businesses and nonprofits Weslaco Elsa navigate and rebuild from the Donna La Villa Covid-19 health and economic Alamo Monte Alto crisis. La Blanca Santa Rosa San Carlos Progreso The SOAR Fund is launching with more than $50 million in initial commitments —provided by philanthropic, private and corporate investors—and aims to eventually lend $150 million or more to small businesses www.thecommunitypress.org and nonprofits with fewer than 50 employees in 15 southern

Call us today! 956-292-1590

and southeastern states. The loans are designed to reach the smallest of small businesses and those that have been historically underbanked, including those in rural areas and those owned by women, people of color, and immigrants. These businesses often struggle to access capital from traditional sources but are critical to providing jobs and supporting economic recovery in communities across the South. The Fund works with and through local Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), which have been serving the types of un-and underinvested businesses the SOAR Fund aims to help for decades. “The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated an already uneven recovery

from the Great Recession. Southern states had slower economic growth, lower labor force participation, and higher unemployment than the rest of the country, partially driven by the historic lack of corporate and philanthropic investment in the region,” said George Ashton, managing director at Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), which manages the Fund. “The SOAR Fund will tackle these issues head-on by addressing structural barriers to economic opportunity by providing capital to Southern small businesses and nonprofits that need it now.” Eligible applicants will be matched with a participating lender that will assist the business owner with the application and provide advisory support. See APPLY pg.10

5 Life Lessons I Learned from My Father there. College is the perfect place to practice this. Whether inside or outside of class, I’m always looking for learning moments, and I welcome new experiences.”

on, the benefits will follow you throughout your life and career.

Madison is right (of course). Taking a risk will have one of two outcomes: The situation will work out positively or it won’t. Either way, you’ll learn something. It’s true for everyone from students to leaders; learning should never end.

“When I showed up to college for my freshman year, I saw frantic students everywhere, trying to manage all of their newfound responsibility. I must have stood out, because I wasn’t really sweating the small stuff. I felt mentally prepared, and that made a huge difference.

2. Stick to your goals. My oldest daughter Madison was excited to be interviewed for this article because, as she so bluntly put it, she’s had “a very unusual upbringing.”

choice? Here’s some of the advice that still rings true for Madison today, and could apply for your life and business as well.

You see, she was raised by a coach (me)—a dad who spent many professional hours working with CEOs and entrepreneurs learning how to be better leaders and how to make their businesses run more efficiently. Naturally, some of those lessons and discussions made their way to the dinner table from time to time.

1. Prepare for each moment to be a learning moment.

Fast-forward to present day. Madison is in college, majoring in theatre performance. Some might say it’s a far cry from the world of business, but could the business lessons we adapted for home throughout her childhood apply to her current career

“Growing up, Dad taught my sister and me that, to be adaptable and successful, we had to be prepared for learning moments, which might not always be comfortable. Success never comes without taking risks, and there will always be surprises along the way. Dad taught me to use every experience in my life as a foundational moment—not to be stopped by adversity, to look for and learn from the lessons from any situation and build from

“From my early teenage years, Dad encouraged me to set goals, whether it was something as simple as picking up a hobby, trying a new sport or learning a new skill. Setting measurable goals didn’t have to be rigorous, they just had to be things that were important to us and could be achieved. “To this day, I still keep a list of goals. Although I’m not quite as organized as I would like to be—classes and social plans often bump me slightly off track—I still make it a priority to outline the steps necessary to reach my goals and watch how I’m progressing.” The goals you set in life shouldn’t be too lofty. They should be attainable, actionable and forward-looking. Everyone gets sidetracked, but if you learn the value of proper goal-setting early

3. Preparation is the key to lower stress.

“I’m almost through my first year, and I still feel prepared, because I had all the goal-setting, money and time-management skills established before I left home. And, yes, I will admit to Dad (and the world) that it’s due in part to the skills I learned growing up.” Naturally, hearing that makes a dad proud. Priority management in particular is something that many people in business—even company leaders—still have not mastered. The earlier you learn it and practice it, the better.

4. Give people your support, but give practical and real advice at the same time.

See LESSONS pg.8

La Villa

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JUNE 2021 ISSUE 103

Early College High School

Congratulations Valedictorian Yesenia Garcia

Joslynn N. Contreras Miah M. Contreras

Jasmin Garcia

Brittany Garza

Carlos D. Maldonado Savanah Martinez

Alexis Reyes

Salutatorian Ashley Marron

Tracy Contreras

Kendra Diaz

Damien T. Felix

Alexia L. Gonzalez Keana D. Hernandez Sherlyn Hinojosa

Alberto A. Perez

Ismael Perez

Loren M. Pogue

Class of 2021

Tristan E. Reyna Christopher Rivera

Natalie Rivera

Senida Rubalcaba

Kaylynn M. Felix Esmeralda Florrido

Sebastian Lopez

Marco Macias

DyAnna R. Ramirez Bethanie L. Rendon

Leila Serna

Jesselen A. Tijerina Kassandra Vallejo

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TEXAS continued from pg. 1 around Aransas and Kenedy Counties. Lilia Garcia of Raymondville is a lecturer of history at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). She is also involved in the Early College Program through UTRGV bringing college level courses to high school students for full college credit. She was formerly on faculty at Saint Joseph’s Academy in Brownsville, teaching art history, Texas history and AP US history. She is an Advisory Board Member of the Museum of South Texas, member of the Brownsville Historical Association, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston. Garcia received a Bachelor of Arts in political science and Ibero-American studies and a Master of Arts in history from Southern Methodist University. Garcia attended Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London, England, where she did post graduate work in art and art history and later worked for Christie’s in New York City. She has been

published in various history journals, as well as been a speaker throughout Texas focusing on the dynamics of South Texas and various South Texas individuals. In addition, Garcia is a fifth generation Texas rancher. John L. Nau, III is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Silver Eagle Beverages, one of the nation’s largest distributors of Anheuser-Busch products. His commitment to service is apparent through a broad spectrum of participation in civic, community, and philanthropic organizations in Texas and throughout the country. His current involvement includes chairman of the Texas Historical Commission, National Park Foundation Board of Directors, American Battlefield Trust Board of Directors, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation Board of Directors, Baylor College of Medicine Board of Trustees, Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History Board of Trustees, University of Hous-

ton Board of Visitors, Honorary Trustee of Texas Heart Institute, Honorary State Trustee for the San Antonio Parks Foundation, and Advisory Council member to the Center for Big Bend Studies. He also serves as a Board Member for Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park, Houston Police Foundation, San Antonio Zoo, and The Admiral Nimitz Foundation. Additionally, he is the founder and president of The Nau Foundation. Nau received a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Virginia, where he previously served on the Board of Visitors, a position appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia. He will continue to serve as the chair of the Texas Historical Commission. Tom Perini of Buffalo Gap is the owner/operator of Perini Ranch Steakhouse. He is a member and past president of the Texas Restaurant Association, a member of International Association of Culinary Professionals and the

James Beard Foundation. He is a former board member of the American Red Cross, St. John’s Episcopal School in Abilene, and the Ben Richey Boys Ranch of Abilene. Perini grew up proudly surrounded by historians. Locally, Perini serves on the board of the Buffalo Gap Historic Village, the Fort Chadbourne Foundation in Bronte, Texas, and various committees of the Buffalo Gap City Council, including Planning and Zoning. He graduated from Peacock Military Academy in San Antonio and attended the University of North Texas. David Gravelle of Dallas is a branding/marketing consultant. He is a member of the Dallas Friday Group and Town and Grown. He is a former member of the Texas State Historical Association, Dallas Assembly, and the Dallas Museum of Natural History. Gravelle received a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University.

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JUNE 2021 ISSUE 103

Proper Emergency Kit Essential to Hurricane Preparedness cy-preparedness kit that you can use at home or take with you in case you must evacuate. At a minimum, you should have these basic supplies: Water: one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home). Having the proper supplies on hand is key to being prepared during this year’s hurricane season, which lasts through the end of November. Keep your supplies in an easy-to-carry emergen-

Food: non-perishable, easy-toprepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home). Flashlight.

Extra batteries.

Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies).

First aid kit.

Cell phone with charger.

Medications (7-day supply) and medical items.

Family and emergency contact information.

Multi-purpose tool, like a Swiss Army knife.

Extra cash (ATMs might be inoperable).

Sanitation and personal hygiene items.

Extra fuel for generator and car.

Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible).

Depending on your family’s

See HURRICANE pg.10

Mercedes continuedfrompg.1 “Gravestones bear the names of many Germans, Norwegian, Finnish and Russian settlers who immigrated to this area from the U.S. Midwest,’’ says a Texas Historical Commission plaque at the Lutheran cemetery.

Grande Valley.’’ Under the swaying canopies of elm and mesquite trees, the family names of these European immigrants and their families are written on gravestones, along with those of Hispanic families.

Mathew Haapoja, a U.S. Navy veteran who served in World War I. He lived to be 100 years old, being born on Feb. 5, 1894 and dying on Feb. 6, 1994. There are also family plots such as those of Henry and Margaret Riesterer.

This cemetery, the state marker notes, “has served Lutherans (from) throughout the Rio

The oldest one goes back to 1913 and is that of Wilhelm Schumacher. There’s a gravestone for

“In loving remembrance of Clara Hahn,’’ reads one gravestone, stating she died on Jan, 25, 1920 and

was only 23 years old at the time. These European immigrants, and their descendants, left touchstones in Mercedes that are memorialized under the old elms of the Valley’s first Lutheran cemetery.

VENDOR continuedfrompg.1 partments easily locate qualified vendors for county projects. It allows vendors to identify competitors and it allows the public to view qualified vendors. Potential vendors must submit and update their application annually to remain eligible to do

business with the county. Vendor registration forms are online. For more information regarding vendor registration, contact the Purchasing Department at 956318-2626.

LESSONS continued from pg. 3 “Growing up, when my dad gave advice, he always made it clear that he had our best interests at heart. And it was clear that he had the skills and experience to back up what he was telling us. However, sometimes the advice he dished out was not the advice I wanted. In fact, sometimes it was downright annoying and was most certainly not always fun. But looking back, I know he was teaching me the exact lessons I needed at the moment, and that has been important for me to realize. I now do that same thing for others.”

but also be there when you need help or a dose of reality—offering real counsel to make you a better leader. Just as Madison said, a true mentor isn’t there to hurt you, but to give you the right advice at the right moment.

No matter how old you are or what your position, it’s important to surround yourself with people who will not only build you up

“Thanks to his busy professional life, Dad had to learn how to prioritize time for himself and his family, and it took work. Of all the lessons I’ve learned from

5. Value your friends and your family. Make time for both. “Luckily, I was raised by a dad who had crazy hours and an insane day-to-day schedule. People ask me, ‘Why is that lucky?’

him, this is the one I remember each day. Dad put relationships first, and in addition to setting aside time to make sure he was available to all of us, he also made it a tradition to take my sister and me on individual father-daughter trips each year (something we still do).” This lesson can’t be overstated, and I had to learn it myself: It’s imperative that you don’t get too caught up in business and forget to make your personal life a priority. Set aside dedicated time for your personal well-being and for family. It might seem cumbersome in the beginning, but doing so will actually increase your productivity at the office, which is a win-win.

It’s gratifying to watch Madison as she continues to benefit from the skills she learned as a youth. Aside from being humbled by such an amazing daughter, I’m grateful that my informative (at times maybe incessant) lessons have stayed with her through childhood, teenage years and into college. This will give her a head start as she enters the business world, and she’ll be at an advantage wherever she goes. Take a moment to look at how you can learn a little bit every day. Be prepared. Set goals and work to attain them. Get help along the way where you need it, and always put people first. Madison has a head start. Are

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JUNE 2021 ISSUE 103

How Education, Authenticity and Acceptance Can Give Students PRIDE

Disha Jain, vice president of talent development at IDEA schools, is a proud lesbian, Indian-American woman. The journey to find this inner confidence and strong identity was not always a clear one. Her family immigrated from Delhi to Virginia, and she spent her childhood in Prince George’s County Maryland where she began learning English in elementary school. Growing up, nothing else seemed to matter in Disha’s household except going to school and becoming a doctor. Being Indian, but also trying to assimilate into American culture, became a big identity struggle for her. “We didn’t talk about anything else – current events, different identities – we didn’t talk about anything,” Disha said. “We talked about being Indian and getting an education. That’s all I would remember.” Dating and relationships were also not things discussed in the Indian community. For Disha, even just attending prom was a big deal. Dating was not a thing she ever thought about because her life was all about accomplishing goals. Dating was definitely not on that list.

were in middle school, Prince George’s County was the poorest county in Maryland, which equated to low-performing schools. Luckily, Disha’s 7th grade science teacher recognized that her family needed some support. She recommended the family speak English together at home, monitor what the kids were accessing at school and move to a new high school. That much-needed advice put Disha on a completely different trajectory. Fast forward five years, and Disha was accepted into Pennsylvania State University. However, in her first year, she was very close to getting kicked out of school because of low performance. In addition to not feeling prepared for college, Disha was away from her family for the first time. She felt lost and experienced another “identity crisis.” “I wasn’t sure what I was doing with my life,” Disha said. “I just didn’t know how to handle myself by myself. All of a sudden, I’m in this community where I’m exposed to so much, and it was like information overload. For the first time, I started asking myself questions like, ‘Who am I?’” With hard work and the help of advisors, Disha got back on track, graduated with honors and was ready to go to medical school. Growing up, it was nailed into her head that she had to become a doctor. Then, plans changed. Disha decided not to go to medical school, and for the first time, shared that medicine was not her dream – teaching was.

“I was in a space where I wasn’t exploring other parts of my identity and that wasn’t a focus,” Disha said. “Everything in my head was like, ‘You’re going to get an arranged marriage, your parents are going to set you up because you’re Indian, and this is just how it happens, right?””

“My middle school science teacher and my high school advisor made a significant impact on my life, and I’m still in touch with both to this day,” Disha said. “I knew I loved science and math, and I thought I could go teach those subjects to students and be the teacher that my teachers were to me when I was in school.”

Education was always an important value in Disha’s family – her father was a high school drop-out and her mother did not finish college in India. However, working hard and ensuring a better life for their family was always the goal, coming to the United States to have an opportunity at the American dream.

Disha joined Teach For America and moved to Houston in 2006. It was in Houston that she met a gay person for the first time. She did not know any LGBTQ+ people in Maryland when she was growing up and didn’t know any at Penn State. Although, she wasn’t ever really thinking about it.

When Disha and her brother

“I realized I had been ignorant

about so many things,” Disha said. “My friends said we should go to a gay pride parade, and I’m like, ‘What? That’s a thing? What is this?’ We laugh about it now, but I remember asking why they would be going to a gay pride parade if they are not gay. In that moment, I realized that people of all walks of life are just celebrating together, and my eyes were opened.” Disha learned about the significance of Pride and its commemoration of an important event in history and in people’s lives. Pride brought people together to celebrate life, love and being one’s most authentic self. Disha started spending more time with her friends who identified in the LGBTQ+ community and became roommates with a man who identified as gay. At this point in her life, however, she still did not have the courage to come out – there was still work to be done on figuring out her identity. Then, came the move to New Orleans. “I fell in love with this woman in New Orleans, and it was the first time I thought to myself that I liked girls,” Disha said. “I was twenty-five when I had my first girlfriend. I had past relationships with men, but they were always just platonic, nothing romantic. I didn’t know I was gay growing up, and now, all of a sudden, I realized who I was – I definitely like women.” Before she could come out to her parents, Disha’s mom passed away suddenly in 2010. She had been out to her friends for four years but was still fearful about what her family would think. She knew she had to talk to her dad. Six months later, Disha and her cousin sat down with her dad to share the news. Her dad’s reaction – “What about kids?” A reaction she did not expect. “I had just told him I was gay, and the first thing he said was about kids,” Disha said. “In that moment, he didn’t care if I was going to date women or men, he just wanted to be a grandpa. My dad has been great – he’s super supportive, and I couldn’t have asked for anything more. He told me he loved me and that I make him proud. I didn’t have to hide things from him.” Disha knows this happy ending

with her family makes her one of the fortunate ones. This is why education is so important for her. In her role as vice president of talent development at IDEA, Disha works with teachers and students to create safe spaces. She wants to pass on the love she received from her family to students and staff who need it. “It’s not easy coming out no matter what community you are from – the Indian community, Black community, a religious community, any community,” Disha said. “By being out, I am able to provide those spaces, and it is a privilege.” Disha explained that never once at IDEA has she felt like she had to hide who she is. Being focused on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), IDEA wants to be able to train staff on inclusion practices, making Disha’s role of providing trainings in partnership with the DEI team so critical to the IDEA mission. “I don’t believe you can meet your true potential unless you have fully been able to be your authentic self,” Disha said. “When you’re hiding parts of who you are, you’re not learning to your fullest potential, you’re not teaching to your fullest potential. There’s a part of you that’s not out there, a part people are missing.” Disha’s responsibility is to create conditions in which students and staff can thrive. Period. Being authentic, real and transparent and encouraging that in our IDEA leaders has become so important. From gender identity to sexual orientation to race and more – Disha believes when we create programming for educators and leaders to talk about inclusion, safe spaces, decision-making, judgement and more, our community can truly say we are a Team & Family. One hundred percent of families need to feel safe and supported, and this can start at home. “We need to build awareness and have culturally responsive materials in our schools and in our homes,” Disha said. “Diverse children’s books and other literature with LBGTQ+ characters are a great access point for us to talk to children of different ages. Another resource for middle and high school students is clubs. LGBTQ+ clubs allow students to have a safe space.” See IDEA pg.10

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APPLY continued from pg. 3 Applicants will be able to sign up online and get matched to a lender in less than five minutes.

“We encourage all small businesses and nonprofits that have been impacted by the Covid pandemic and need a hand in rebuilding to apply now,” said Patrick Davis, Vice President of Program Strategy and Development at Community Reinvestment Fund, USA, which is hosting the Fund’s online platform. “This is affordable capital that can help small business owners and nonprofits hang on and rebuild, which is vitally important to all of us. Nonprofits provide crucial services and support to our communities and small businesses create jobs and provide valuable economic activity. Strong southern small businesses and nonprofits will lead to a strong economic recovery for southern communities.”

HURRICANE

Thirteen CDFIs are originating loans purchased by the Fund, including Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE), Accion Opportunity Fund, Ascendus, BCL of Texas, Black Business Investment Fund, Communities Unlimited, LiftFund, NCIFund, NDC’s Community Investment Loan Fund, Pathway Lending, People Fund, Southern Bancorp Community Partners, and TruFund Financial Services. As a collaborative, these lenders have full reach across the region, have served on the front lines of the economic crisis and have decades of experience providing high-touch lending and advisory services to small businesses and nonprofit organizations. The CDFIs are supported by leading technical assistance and business support organizations including Winrock International, LISC’s local offices and national rural program, and Small Business

JUNE 2021 ISSUE 103

Majority, which will help with outreach, education, and handson business advisory services. Calvert Impact Capital is arranging and LISC Fund Management is managing the Fund. The SOAR Fund covers: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. Catalytic initial grants and loans have been provided by Capital One, Ceniarth, the Jacksonville, Florida-based Chartrand Family, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, F.B. Heron Foundation, Fidelity Charitable with support from CapShift, the Grove Foundation, the Heifer Foundation, JPMorgan Chase, Mercy Investment Services, Microsoft,

the Ms. Foundation for Women, North Berkeley Wealth Management clients, Winrock International, and Woodforest National Bank. “To ensure an equitable recovery across the south driven by the region’s entrepreneurs, we need all hands on deck,” said Caroline Yarborough at Calvert Impact Capital. “We are grateful to all of the community lenders, corporations, banks, foundations, and other investors who have come together to ensure that the south’s small businesses have access to flexible, affordable capital so they can continue driving economic opportunity and resiliency in their communities.” For more information and to apply, visit: www.TheSoarFund.org.

continued from pg. 8

requirements, you may need to include: medical-care items, baby supplies, pet supplies and other things, such as extra car and house keys. Additional supplies might include towels, plastic sheeting, duct tape, scissors and work gloves. Resources that offer additional information on putting together emergency kits are online athttps://www.ready.gov/ and http://www.redcross.org/get-help/ prepare-for-emergencies/be-redcross-ready/get-a-kit.

GET YOUR BUSINESS MORE TRAFFIC! CALL 956-292-1590 FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SPECIAL PROMOTIONS & FREE SOCIAL MEDIA

IDEA continued from pg. 9 Exposing our kids and ourselves to the diversity that is out there is the best piece of advice that I can give.”

dents and staff are and give them the opportunity to explore that. We need to be able to love each other for who we are.”

At the end of the day, IDEA’s mission is ensuring that 100% of our students get to and through college. This means knowing the whole student and providing them the resources they need to succeed.

Disha has an important message for any student at IDEA and beyond who is struggling with their identity – be all of you. You are seen.

“You know, we are not in the business of telling people who they are or what they should be,” Disha said. “We are in the business of being kind and accepting. We’re not going to have equity unless we accept every part of who our stu-

“I see you, I hear you, I want to talk to you – please reach out,” Disha said. “If you don’t think there’s anyone else out there, I’m here – find me, Disha Jain. We love you, we care about you, and I want you to be your authentic self, no matter what space you are in.”

THECOMMUNITYPRESS.ORG

JUNE 2021 ISSUE 103

Fire Education Goes Mobile

Whether it’s a local school district or business looking for fire extinguisher training for their custodians, or fire departments looking to train their firefighters on the procedures in the event of a gas leak, South Texas College Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence (RCPSE) continues to offer new and exciting options for those seeking essential safety training. STC RCPSE recently purchased and received a new training vehicle that will enable additional training for students. The equipment is set to enhance their skills in the Fire Science program as well as Continuing Education courses. Equipment props consist of the fire car itself, along with a special pan that can be used for fire extinguisher training, and a flange used for training in the event of a gas leak. STC RCPSE staff, assisted by the fire academy cadets conducted a live fire demonstration on May 5, which marked the launch of the new equipment, according to STC RCPSE director Jose Mo

roles. The event was attended by several fire agencies to receive first hand knowledge on the training props.

they are, the safer our communities will be.” STC Interim President Dr. David Plummer.

STC is now among only 16 in the state with the equipment, Moroles said.

“We are hoping that all these agencies can reach out to us for training, or we can also make plans to take the training to them,” he said.

“This is open to people like custodians with the school districts or businesses with their employees who can come and perfect the way on how to properly use fire extinguishers in the event they need to address a fire at their location,” Moroles said. “Overall, at the end of the day, this is valuable training that we are truly fortunate to have at South Texas College’s Center for Public Safety Excellence to provide for everybody in the Valley including those statewide. STC Interim President Dr. David Plummer Today’s demonstration of our new equipment is an excellent example of how South Texas College and its STC Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence continue to identify equipment and training needs that support our fire safety professionals...The better prepared, and the better trained

Sara Lozano, STC Dean of Business, Public Safety and Technology says this is just the start of a partnership with local entities that hints at big things for the future in the region. “We invested in this equipment to support fire trainings at the Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence,” Lozano said. “It is just part of our commitment to bringing exceptional training to the Rio Grande Valley. With the support of our local entities and the partnership we have with the City of Pharr, we know that this is just the beginning of greater things to come!” Implementing the new equip ment goes back to one of the key priorities established by former STC president Dr. Shirley A. Reed, who emphasized the re-

gional portion of STC’s RCPSE, according to Moroles. By following Dr. Reed’s example, STC interim president Dr. David Plummer said he continues to support this goal. “Today’s demonstration of our new equipment is an excellent example of how South Texas College and its STC Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence continue to identify equipment and training needs that support our fire safety professionals,” Dr. Plummer said. “We have established good rapport with our regional fire departments who continue to assist the STC Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence in this endeavor, and we look forward to providing these opportunities in our academic programs to enhance the skillset of our next generation of fire safety professionals in the region. “The better prepared, and the better trained they are, the safer our communities will be,” Dr. Plummer said.

THECOMMUNITYPRESS.ORG

JUNE 2021 ISSUE 103

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