80 Fort Brown, Brownsville, Texas 78520 | 956-882-8200

Community E-Newsletter

Greetings Community Leader,


I received permission to forward you this email from Ms. Norma Garza, Success By 6 Coordinator.  Enclosed is the latest e-newsletter from the UTB/TSC Center for Civic Engagement. Success by 6 and The Center for Civic Engagement will be partnering in new literacy initiatives in the Buena Vida neighborhood in 2004.  If you wish to "opt out"from receiving these monthly newsletters, please let me know and I will remove you from my email list. 
Thanks,
Joe Zavaletta
Center For Civic Engagement

Joe Zavaletta, Jr., J.D.  Interim Director
jzavaletta@lexopolis.com  /  Tel.   956-574-6757 /   www.thecce.us
Please visit our website to volunteer (or offer to contribute) online!!!

Report to The Community


December 5, 2003

Thank you(!) to all the hundreds of faculty, staff, students and community volunteers who helped make 2003 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 my staff: Armand Mathew OMI, Claudia Rojas, Guillermo Chapa, Alma Garcia, Lisa Gonzalez-Yingling, Jennifer Godfrey, Isabel Govea, Christy Buitureida, Sandra Cruz, Susanna Canabal, Regina Sustaeta, and art interns Claudia Ortiz and Nereida Ramirez.  Y'all are awesome!

Please join us on Saturday, December 13th, from 10AM - 2PM, (click here for a "flyer") as we host the 50th anniversary of the Good Neighbor Settlement House, located at 13th St. and E. Tyler.  For 50 years the Good Neighbor house has provided free meals and vital health care services to thousands of homeless individuals and needy families.  There will be games, food, music, a very special "Children's Holiday Dessert Contest" and, of course, a "Happy Birthday" ceremony.

Below you will find a year end report of 2003 highlights and 2004 planned initiatives. 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!

2003 Highlights

  • Service Learning: Over 400 students this year volunteered in classes with Professors Michelle Abrego, Mike Boster, Kathy Bussert-Webb, Sonia Cunningham, Anthony Daboub, Lydia Diaz, Betsy Freeth, Veronica Galvan-Carlan, Marvin Lovett, Manuel Medrano, Paula Parson, Renee Rubin, Jim Storbeck, John Sutterby, James Telese, Suzanne Urbis and Lucy Willis.

  • Thanks to the leadership of Armand Mathew, OMI, BISD-UTB/TSC signed a Memorandum of Understanding giving the Center authority to implement the KidsVoting curriculum across the entire school district.  UTB/TSC is the only university in the state, and possibly in the country to initiate KidsVoting into a local school district.

  • Co-sponsored a “Teach, Learn and Service” conference with School of Education.

  • Started the Art and History Academy at the Buena Vida project.

  • Started the Wellness Clinic with Selma Yznaga, Ph.D., LPC, Michelle Lazorko, M.Ed., LPC, Alma A. Munoz, M.Ed., LPC, Rene Atkinson, M.Ed., LPC.  Will be meeting at the Good Neighbor Settlement House beginning January, 2004.

  • Started the Buena Vida Business Association with MBA students and faculty.  Will be meeting at the Cueto building beginning January, 2004.

  • Organized the BV business owners to visit and petition City Hall for painting and road signs on 14th St and Tyler.

  • Hosted a Buena Vida “Block Party” at the BV Project on Nov. 22nd.

  • Will Host 50th Birthday Party for Good Neighbor Settlement House on Dec. 13th.

  • Moved into new campus outreach office next to Bookstore.

Looking ahead to Spring 2004...

  • Continue and expand Service Learning in H(ealth), E(ducation) and B(usiness) initiatives.

  • Eight CCE Scholars that will donate 80 volunteer hours/week:  Ms. Maria del Socorro Avalos (Music), Ms. Patricia A. Barrera (Art), Mr. Ernesto Infante, Jr. (Biology/Environment), Ms. Gayatri Nandigam (Computer Science), Mr. Joe Lee Rubio (MBA), Ms. Margo J. Salas (Math) Mr. Alejandro Salinas, Jr., (Marketing) Mr. Adam Sovkoplas (Music).  I've already met with this dream team of President's list students and they are eager to get going on everything from starting a Boy Scout Troop to building a Community Garden.

  • Spring Break 2004 “Get a Tan—AND a Life!! Volunteer with CCE” Campaign for UTB/TSC students and staff, in partnership with Community Development Corporation of Brownsville.

  • Fundraising for, and Implementation of, KidsVotingUSA curriculum in BISD.

  • Expand the Wellness Clinic with both counseling and nursing services.

  • Partner with SuccessbySix in new latino literacy and leadership initiatives.

  • Community Garden and Cooperative at Good Neighbor house.

  • HEP (GED) for adult migrant workers starts at Good Neighbor house.

  • Move to the Cueto Building, 13th and Madison early January.

MISSION

The UTB/TSC Center for Civic Engagement is a member of Campus Compact and is committed to help empower and raise the quality of life for allresidents of our community beginning with the Buena Vida-Downtown neighborhood. The CCE  is partnering with the neighborhood residents, the City, community agencies, local businesses and volunteers to provide:(1) community-based learning for UTB/TSC students, (2) community leadership, civic responsibility & family business development and (3) the greening of homes, neighborhoods and parks. The CCE's main offices will be located at the Cueto Building, (13th and Madison).

CAMPUS COMPACT

UTB/TSC is a member of the National Campus Compact and, under the leadership of Dr. Juliet V. Garcia, a founding member of the Texas Campus Compact.  Campus Compact is a coalition of 860 public and private, two- and four-year college and university presidents located in 45 states and the District of Columbia. These presidents are committed to:

  • Academic Excellence

  • Moral Maturity

  • Civic Responsibility

by helping students develop the values and skills of civic participation through involvement in public service.  Campus Compact's primary purpose is to support campus-based public and community service in higher education. Its convening force is the recognition of the urgent need for higher education to focus on its civic purpose and educate the leaders of tomorrow by connecting future leaders with the world of today.

The Texas Campus Compact is committed to a partnership between campuses and the communities, as well as to assist faculty who seek to integrate community engagement into their teaching and research. By creating a supportive campus environment for community service, colleges and universities can best prepare students to be active and involved members of society.

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