Issue X: February

February is a beautiful time of year! It marks the celebration of Black History Month, Valentine’s Day, the Super Bowl, Random Act of Kindness Day, and World Day of Social Justice. It is a time of reflection, kindness, love, and empowerment. I’m also excited to celebrate my 28th birthday at the end of the month! That being said, this will be an impactful month for our community. One of our first actions as a Council this month, was the approval of funds directed at addressing some of our community’s most pressing needs as a result of the pandemic. This

includes programs aimed at addressing mental health in our community, homelessness, youth and senior services, food access and insecurity, and access to education and opportunity, and economic hardship. Our most important priority as Councilmembers is ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our community. These programs and services will represent some of the greatest and most significant investments in our city’s history and will safeguard our community’s fu ture. In this newsletter, we are excited to share this spending plan. Also, read the next page to see how District 2 will have streets comparable to the northside! Brace yourself for a

newsletter jam-packed with information! Please let us know if you have ideas or feedback for future editions of our monthly newsletter. We want to hear from you! If you are ever in need of services, have questions, or just want to speak to a friendly person, our doors our open and phones are working. As always, it is the privilege and honor of a lifetime to serve you.

Yours in service,

Councilman, District 2

COUNCILMAN JALEN MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ

The District 2 team delivered Valentine’s Day flowers to the District 2 Senior Center !

What’s New in District 2?

EVENTS

SCHAEFER LIBRARY EVENTS

Outdoor Family Story Time

March 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29 (10-11am)

Let’s share stories, songs, rhymes and more at an interactive program for children 5 and younger. Bring chairs or blankets if you’d like, and we’ll meet on the playground. Stay for play time after the program.

Let’s Build: LEGO Time

March 1, 15, & 29 (4-5pm)

It’s time to build! Join us and be creative with LEGOs! Recommended for school-age children. Bring a camera to take a picture of your masterpiece!

Teen Time

March 7, 14, 21, & 28 (5:30-7:30)

Come hang out during Teen Time. Play games, make crafts, and enjoy spending time with peers! Drop in and leave whenever you want/can. For teens ages 13-18.

MOLLY PRUITT LIBRARY EVENTS

Free Jam Fridays

[Every Friday] (4:30-5:30pm)

A casual venue for musicians and enthusiasts to bring their instruments, play on the ones we provide, and discuss all things music!

Teen Anime Hour

[March 8] (4:30-5:30pm)

Students can hang out, relax, &watch/discuss anime. Activities like button-making and anime bingo will also be offered on occasion.

CARVER LIBRARY EVENTS

Introduction to Computers

March 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29 (10-11:30am)

This orientation will get you prepared for future learning of computers by focusing on mouse and keyboard training in a fun and comfortable learning environment.

Chair Yoga

March 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29 (10:30-11:30am)

Chair yoga is a great way to exercise. It involves using stretching, meditation, and/or breathing techniques with the aid of a chair. Chair yoga is the perfect place to start for yoga beginners.

Community Story Telling

March 4 (11am-1pm)

Help us preserve African-American heritage for generations to come. We invite you to share your experiences with us - the places, foods and events/celebrations that are meaningful to you. Held each 1st Saturday of the month. Free and open to the public.

Words

Library Events & Word Search

What’s New in District 2?

PROBLEM:

SOLUTION:

City Council passed a Responsible Bidder Ordinance on January 6, 2023.

Contractors with a history of poor work or delayed projects will not be considered for future contracts. This will encourage contractors to work as diligently as possible with good faith efforts to complete work ahead of schedule (and high quality) or risk losing the opportunity for future work on city projects.

“Construction projects are not done well and aren’t finished on time!”

Infrastructure: A Road to Equity!

District 2 once had the worst infrastructure in the city. Because of the Equity Formula, that is changing!

In 2017, District 2 had the worst infrastructure in the city. Our average Pavement Condition Index (PCI) score, which measures the quality of our roads, was a 64.74 out of 100. The highest score was in District 9, on the north side of town, at 78.05.

In 2022, District 2 ranked 7th of 10 districts, with a score of 73.10. After evaluating the results of the equity formula, we’re taking it further and expediting the timeline to achieve a PCI score comparable to the northside!

By 2030, because of a new formula proposed by our District 2 office, all districts will reach a score of 82. In seven years, we project District 2 will have a score of 82.26. District 9 will have a score of 83.92.

This is the closest to achieving equity we’ve ever been!

to view the infrastructure project schedule for ‘23-’27!

What’s New in District 2?

In January, Animal Care Services embarked on a pilot program and launched right here in District 2!

During this program, ACS officers canvassed every census tract in District 2 (yes, yours too!), four days a week with the intention of identifying violations addressing them, and providing resources to address the root cause of the issue to prevent recidivism, rather than issue citations. Very few citations were given and they were for egregious behaviors and unwillingness to comply with animal welfare regulations.

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unchipped animals were microchipped, including cats and dogs in our neighborhoods animals were found free of restraint and returned to their owner, microchipped, and documented pet owners provided in-person education and supporting documents pet owners received tangible resources such as collars, leashes, and pet food!

In 2022, Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez and Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda co-authored a proposal for an ACS Master Plan! This will be heard at the Public Safety Committee.

Animal Care Services Update

Based on calls we receive to our office, it is clear that Animal Care Services is a high priority for District 2 residents. It’s far too common we hear concerns of neighbors scared to walk their pet because a pack of stray dogs is roaming the street. Experts tell us the solution is clear: spay & neuter! Our Animal Care Services team is operating at a rate that far exceeds their existing resources and performing far more surgeries than their facilities are designed for. As a part of the ‘22-’27 voter- approved bond program, the city will fund an Animal Care Hospital! In the interim, as a part of this year’s budget, we are renovating our existing play yards and adding four more to improve the adoption experience and adding a new building for pets that have placement but are waiting for homes!

In addition, this year we are adding nine new staff members to our existing ACS clinic to meet the needs of the over 5,600 injured pets that arrive on our campus and five members to our brand new customer service team focused on providing real-time responses to resident questions, allowing our operations staff to focus directly on life-saving programs. We are also increasing our budget for spay/neuter!

Among other initiatives, our Community Animal Support & Assistance (CASA) Team consisting of five members is working hard to reduce recidivism, prevent owner surrenders, and educate residents on humane pet care. You can learn more about their work on the previous page!

March 4: Lincoln Park (9-11am)

March 18: Copernicus Park (9-11am)

What’s New in District 2?

With the goal of addressing decreased economic security for residents, $2.5 Million will be allocated to organizations such as Catholic Charities, Family Service Association, Goodwill Industries, San Antonio Community Resource Directory, YWCA, Aid the Silent, Boys & Girls Club, Child Advocates San Antonio, Christian Assistance Ministries, Form Communities, Inc., and San Antonio Metropolitan Ministry.

ESTIMATED IMPACT: $2.5M

24,000 residents served; 1,200 will obtain or improve employment status; 300 households will experience improved financial security; AND 15,000 residents experience improved access to services through technology, language access, and new programs!

With the goal of addressing social isolation for older adults, food and resource insecurity, and increased responsibility on informal & unpaid caregivers, $5 Million will be allocated to organizations such as Morningside Ministries, Older Adults Technology Services, San Antonio OASIS, SW Outreach for Older People, King’s Compassion, San Antonio Food Bank, San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind, Texas Diaper Bank, the Salvation Army, Alzheimers Disease & Related Disorders, Family Service Association, Meals on Wheels, and Texas Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

ESTIMATED IMPACT: $5M

13,000 seniors served; 18,000 rides provided to seniors; 5,000 seniors will be connected to resources to improve isolation with 75% reporting improved social connection; 3,800 seniors connected to resources with 85% reporting improved food & resource security; AND 2,000 seniors connected to training/ services with 75% reporting improved alzheimers/dementia care & awareness.

Pandemic Response & Recovery

The City will increase education, workforce, and career opportunities, housing stability, and resources for youth, by supporting Big Mama’s Safe House, American Indians in Texas, Boys & Girls Club, Child Advocates of San Antonio, UTSA, Chrysalis Ministries, Communities in School, Healy-Murphy Center, Pride Center, SA Youth, Seton Home for Pregnant Women, Culturingua, Girls Inc., Musical Bridges Around the World, the DoSeum, Texas Research & Technology Foundation, YMCA, YWCA, Youth Code Jam, and more!

ESTIMATED IMPACT: $9.9M

9,700 youth served; 800 foster youth will access education/work programs; 220 at-risk youth will demonstrate improved soft skills or job readiness; 500 opportunity & homeless youth achieve education milestone; AND 7,000 youth participate in enrichment with 1,500 expressing interest in STEM/STEAM!

The City will address the increased social isolation, anxiety, depression, and suicide in school aged youth, older adults, and those experiencing homelessness with the support and partnership of agencies like Big Mama’s Safe House, Artvango Therapeutic Services, Boys & Girls Club, Center for Health Care Services, Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas, Children’s Shelter, Communities in School, Empower House, Family Service Association, Rise Recovery, Meals on Wheels, American GI Forum, Autism Service Center, & more!

ESTIMATED IMPACT: $22.7M

12,000 residents served; those served experiencing decreased depression, increased wellbeing, increased knowledge of resources, reduction in diagnosis waitlist, improved service access, increased wellbeing, 22,000 older adults connected to online resource navigation, experiencing improved housing stability, engaged in group therapy and/or counseling, or engaged in substance abuse treatment!

tough conversation about homelessness.

Here in the District 2 office, one of our most complex challenges has been finding shortterm, mid-range, and long-term solutions to the crises that have left many of our residents without shelter. At the same time, we recognize that homelessness is a symptom and result of our societal flaws and it can be hard to look at, or live near. There are very real and serious health and safety concerns for people who live near encampments, and it is worse for those who live in them.

We are seeing the impacts of the rising cost of living, negative mental health outcomes, the global COVID-19 pandemic, the lack of access to affordable housing, transportation, education, economic opportunity, healthcare, etc., and numerous other challenges in our city. No city has eradicated

homelessness, but we have to do our best to ensure that everyone in our city can feel safe in their neighborhoods, access vital services, and sleep comfortably at night.

We are commited to dedicating substantial resources to provide relief, such as establishing a team of outreach workers, increasing funding for community organizations conducting further outreach and building trust with those experiencing homelessness, investment in increased shelter and housing for those impacted, and our 2022-2027 housing bond will ensure historic investment in permanent supportive and affordable housing, Still, sometimes it can feel like none of it is enough and it isn’t moving the needle fast enough.

I spent a full day with our District’s Homeless Outreach Coordinator, Alicia Mitchell, and we visited encampments, dropped folk off at the Resource Hub at Jacob’s Chapel, distributed food, hygiene kits, and other resourc es, and, most importantly,

spoke to the people living in the encampments. One thing we learned is that abatements, or encampment sweeps, are ineffective at solving the problem.

The people at encampments have their belongings thrown away, their trauma is resurfaced, and, at the end of the day, they have no where else to go so they find a new place to set up camp. We need compassionate solutions that are going to make a difference and address the root causes. We’d like to encourage you to fill out the survey on the next page to help us understand the kind of solutions you would like to support.

We are reminded that an unsheltered resident may not have a house or address, but San Antonio is still their home and they’re still my constituent.

Yours in service,

Homelessness: A Complex Problem

You can bring your completed survey to 2805 E Commerce!

Below, you will find programs and services. Please share the services you’d like to support or learn more about. This is not an exhaustive list, so we’d love to hear more ideas you may have!

On a scale of 1-10, how likely are you to support these programs?

Routine Waste Pick-Up at Encampments

Securing dumpsters/solid waste bins at known encampments and setting a pick-up schedule

Low-Barrier Shelters

Increasing access to shelters that remove barriers, such as sobriety requirements or pet bans

Professional Encampment Cleaning Service

Contracting a professional cleaning service that specializes in homeless encampments

Mobile Showers & Portable Restrooms

Scheduling mobile showers to visit encampments or otherwise increase access to service

Homeless Outreach Coordinators

Increasing the number of outreach coordinators that are connecting clients with resources

Rental & Emergency Assistance

Expansion of our emergency housing assistance funds to prevent evictions

Substance Abuse/Mental Health Counseling

Providing counseling and psychological services to those experiencing homelessness

Shipping Container Homes

Establishing communities with low-cost shipping containers repurposed as temporary shelters

Dedicated “Tent Cities”

Developing areas where encampments are permitted and establish permanent services

Re-Purposing Hotels for Shelter

Purchasing hotels in various parts of town to house individuals and provide services

Permanent Supportive Housing

Developing housing with affordable housing assistance and wraparound services

Collaboration with Landlords

Establishing a housing program with assistance by coordinating w/ owners of vacant properties

What other ideas do you have that we may explore?

For more information on any of these programs or to share more ideas, please reach our office at 210.207.0950 or Council.District2@sanantonio.gov.