December 2004 E-Newsletter

Thank you(!) to all the hundreds of faculty, staff, students and community volunteers who helped make 2004 the Center's best year ever!  You are the real heroes of the Buena Vida revitalization that are helping us reach out to the community and fulfill the mission of a community university.  Also, a very special thank you to all the Center staff: Armand Mathew OMI, Alma Garcia, Magda San Roman, Lisa Yingling, Sandy Elizondo, July Espinoza, Lisa Gonzalez-Yingling, Mauricio Saenz, and Andy Flores.  Y'all are awesome!  May you enjoy the true spirit of Christmas this year as you celebrate the holidays with family and loved ones.  Thank you for all you do!  

Joe Zavaletta, Jr.
Director

Kids Voting - Master Minds

The Kids Voting Brownsville was a great success--over 40,000 kids across Brownsville voted in the November general election--80% voter turnout!  The Master Minds events seemed to galvanize the attention of kids all over Brownsville. (For more information, visit our website and click ""Kids Voting").

The Scholarship of Engagement

• Professors Veronica Galvan Ph.D. and Renee Rubin Ph.D. (School of Education), recently submitted a community-based article for publication entitled "Transforming Attitudes Through Service Learning." 

• Professor Gregg Murray, Ph.D.  (Social Sciences) implemented a research proposal during the general election entitled, "Increasing Voter Turnout in the Hispanic Community: A Field Experiment." The results will be presented at the 2005 Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference in April.

• Professor Sally Trenfield, (Fine Arts) used a mini grant to purchase drums, tambourines, cymbals and music books for her project at Putegnant Elementary entitled, "A Festival Celebration: A Service Learning Project Integrating Fine Arts into the Curriculum."

Life Skills at the Detention Center

The Center, in collaboration with the Cameron County Detention Center (CCDC) in Buena Vida, started a new "Life Skills" educational program with federal inmates that is being taught by Professor Sonia Cunningham, MSN. For more information, visit the website and click "News."

Shop-n-Learn

Collaboration with Ms. Norma Garza and Success by Six to create an interactive learning environment at a neighborhood grocery store in Buena Vida. Families will be given useful tools and information they can use before, during and after shopping to add learning and informed decision making to their shopping experience. (See "News")

Applications for Kenedy Scholars

The Center invites applications for the Kenedy Foundation Scholars program, an exciting new scholarship to assist the Center in neighborhood revitalization and community-based research. Deadline to submit an application to the Financial Aid office is December 16, 2004.

16 de Septiembre Celebration

Sept. 16, Mexico’s Independence Day, UTB/TSC’s Center for Civic Engagement hosted a celebration in collaboration with the Costumes of the Americas Museum at the Good Neighbor Settlement House. Parents and children of the Buena Vida neighborhood gathered and enjoyed the celebration with pan dulce and chocolate caliente.

Family Literacy Nights at Longoria Elementary

Drs. John Sutterby, Renee Rubin and Michelle Abrego (School of Education) are beginning the fourth year of assessing and tutoring young children in literacy at Longoria Elementary School in Brownsville.

Dr. Yznaga and Center Host Luncheon for Moms and Daughters

Dr. Selma Yznaga (School of Education), and a great advocate for the women of Buena Vida, hosted a Mother-Daughter luncheon at Johnny Carino's.

Center Awarded Compassion Capital Grant!