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ISSUE 102 MAY 2021

Monte Alto Elsa Edcouch La Villa Alamo Donna Weslaco Progreso Mercedes City of Elsa to create employment opportunities for local residents

INSIDE

The City of Elsa’s Pacific Trails Park Project held its groundbreaking ceremonies with news of a new development strategy. The new development will be undertaken at an abandoned railroad

property located between VFW St. and Arcadio Padilla St. that the city acquired three years ago.

The project will include a 1.5 mile long multi-surface exercise and bike trails system, a complete

recreational area that will have beach volleyball courts, a water splashpad, a complete array of Ministry Pg.2 playscapes, family outdoor recreational facilities and an eateries/ food court area. Funding for the PP Loan Pg.3 project has come from numerous sources to include local contributions, two $500,000 grants from Pg.4 the Valley Baptist Legacy Foun- Edcouch-Elsa I.S.D. dation and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, as well as another $150,000 in-kind labor Monte Alto ISD Pg.6&7 and machinery use contribution from Hidalgo County Commissioner David Fuentes.

See ELSA pg.5

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

Mental Health

Pg.8

Voces of a Pandemic

Pg.9

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 through the Southern Opportunity and Resilience (SOAR) Fund—a new program created by a diverse group of community lenders aimed at helping small State Veterans Homes Pg.10 businesses and nonprofits navigate and rebuild from the Covid-19 health and economic crisis.

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 and nonprofits with fewer than 50 employees in 15 southern and southeastern states. The loans Mobile Fire Education Pg.11 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 sup- Classifieds Pg.12 porting economic recovery in communities across the South.

See SUPPORTpg.5

House Bill 786: Requiring 9-1-1 dispatchers be trained to coach CPR over the phone Trained 9-1-1 dispatchers would be able to help a bystander who has a cell phone or landline to provide life-saving Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, more commonly known as CPR, until paramedics arrive, as a result of House Bill 786 jointly authored by Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg.

House Bill 786 was approved by the Texas Legislature on Monday, May 3, 2021 and signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday, May 15, 2021.

It becomes effective on Wednesday, September 1, 2021.

“CPR – or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation – is an emergency lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating. Immediate CPR can double or triple chances of survival after cardiac arrest, according to the American Heart Association,” Canales explained.

A bill analysis of House Bill 786 found that there were concerns about the low rate of survival for people who experience sudden cardiac arrest outside of a

hospital setting.

“Evidence indicates that early administration of CPR has a positive impact on a patient’s chance of survival. When a person dials 9-1-1, they are in communication with a dispatcher who then directs paramedics to arrive at the scene. It has been suggested that if 9-11 dispatchers and other licensed telecommunicators received CPR training they would be able to coach the caller through administering CPR while the paramedics are en route, thus giving the patient a better chance of recovery,” according to the Senate Research Center. “House Bill 786 seeks to require telecommunicators to receive this training as part of their initial licensure training and on an ongoing basis as part of their continuing education.”

The Senate Research Center provides quality, specialized, objective research and information to the Texas Senate and Office of the Lieutenant Governor. https://senate.texas.gov/src.php See 911 pg.8

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MAY 2021 ISSUE 102

JOHN 3:1-21

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;

2 this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."

3 Jesus answered and said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?"

5 Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, `You must be born again.'

8 The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

9 Nicodemus said to Him, How can these things be?"

10 Jesus answered and said to him, Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?

11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you

do not accept our testimony.

12 If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

13 No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man. 14 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.

20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

21 But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God."

Salvation isn’t something we can claim because we were born to believing parents or have attended church. Jesus warned that many would call Him Lord without actually belonging to Him (Matt.

7:22-23). To become a genuine believer in Jesus Christ, we need the following: • An understanding of the gospel. In order to believe and receive the good news of Jesus Christ, a person must have an understanding of his or her hopeless, sinful condition. It’s also necessary to recognize Jesus’ death on the cross as the sufficient sacrifice required to remove all sins.

• A definite turning point. When someone understands the gospel, he or she will turn from sin in repentance and toward God in faith and obedience.

• A changed life. Changing direction from our old fleshly lifestyle makes way for new life in Christ. Believers have a changed heart, and the sins we once loved, we now hate.

By grace, God’s salvation is offered to all who will believe and receive it through faith. Those who follow Jesus don’t often trudge through the practices of religion out of habit. Instead, their worship and joy are a vibrant response to the personal relationship they have with the Lord.

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Competition in Relationships: How to Know When You’re Crossing the Line Competition may bring a fair amount of excitement and drive to your life and your relationship.

Although playfully keeping track of who does the dishes each night or who can fold the laundry the fastest can be healthy fun, allowing it to overshadow every aspect of your life can be detrimental.

15,000 distributed monthly Available FREE at numerous locations Competition is in your biology. in

Edcouch Elsa La Villa Monte Alto Santa Rosa Progreso

Mercedes Weslaco Donna Alamo La Blanca San Carlos

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MAY 2021 ISSUE 102

Stemming from the desire to pass our genes down to the next generation, competition can be seen throughout the animal kingdom and can help explain all kinds of weird behavior.

Our culture reinforces competitive beliefs through business, sports and even in our families, where we may feel like we have to compete with a sibling to earn a parent’s praise or attention. As we become adults, competitiveness becomes ingrained, and we can

start to see everything as a zero-sum game, where if someone else wins, you automatically lose.

Look within.

When we’re in a relationship, we’re supposed to be two adults interacting as adults, but that is not usually the case when we’re angry or scared. Events that happened in our childhood influence the way we see things now. When we’re upset, we are often reacting to current situations with a childhood fear.

More often than not in those stressful situations, our inner child takes over and can see only what they want, rather than holding space for a rational discussion that takes another person’s perspective into account.

Determine your motivation: It can be hard to see the motivation

PPP Loan

in 2020 and in 2021.

The devastating consequences of a pandemic affected the local community, especially small businesses in the Rio Grande Valley. Some small businesses had to close their doors due to the pandemic shutdown while others struggled to continue afloat. Jorge Garcia, who has had his fire and safety business for over 15 years, witnessed firsthand the challenges of keeping his business open and the struggles of paying his employees during the pandemic. “Many of the businesses that we service closed and it was very difficult to find new clients, and I didn’t want to let go of my employees who have worked with me for more than 10 years,” he said.

Garcia learned about the Paycheck Protection Program through a friend. He was directed to the Small Business Administration website, where he printed the application and took it to his bank. It ended up being a lengthy and

frustrating process, Garcia said, because of additional paperwork the bank required.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury website announced that the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) created the PPP loan April 3, 2020, and was implemented by the Small Business Administration. According to the SBA website, the PPP loan was designed to help small businesses with funds to continue paying their employees, mortgage interest, rent, utilities, uninsured property damage during 2020, certain supplier costs, and expenses for operations. The PPP loan interest rate is 1%. Loans prior to June 5, 2020, have a two-year maturity and loans after June 5, 2020, have a five-year maturity. Sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed businesses who employed less than 500 employees were eligible to apply for the PPP

Hugo Hinojosa, senior vice president of Freedom Bank, explains that small business owners were able to apply for the PPP loan through the SBA website tool that matches the borrower with a lender. “The application is available online for the borrower to apply for the first draw or second draw,” Hinojosa said. “Borrowers who applied in 2020 were eligible to reapply for a second loan in 2021 to help business owners continue paying their employees for at least two-and-a-half months.”

According to the SBA website, the borrower can find a lender using the SBA tool search or download the form and contact a lender.

First-time borrowers must select the first draw application form.

Second-time borrowers who used the full amount, had no more than 300 employees, and had their gross income reduced by 25% in 2019 and 2020 must select the second draw application form.

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behind what drives us and much easier to focus our attention on someone else’s actions. Looking within ourselves can give us insight into why we feel competitive.

Before you “name and blame” your partner’s behavior, make sure that you also give an honest look into your intentions and remember all the things your significant other does so you don’t have to.

Identify your patterns.

Stop and consider all the times in your life that you’ve been told you’re too competitive, take some time to reflect, and then: Write them down. Stop and ask yourself whom you’re competing against, and try to notice when those feelings come up organically in your life. It’s hard to change See RELATIONSHIPS pg.10

“This new change allowed banks to use a new funding calculation for sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals to qualify for more financial support,” Hinojosa said.

As this new calculator was based on gross income, the calculation worked as follows: A borrower whose gross income in 2020 was $100,000 would be divided by 12 for monthly payroll and then multiplied by 2.5 plus the Economic Injury Disaster Loan. This particular borrower would therefore qualify for $20,833.

“This loan helped many in the Valley during this pandemic,” Hinojosa said. Restaurants in particular took the biggest hit during the pandemic. That means that they benefit the most from this type of assistance.

“Although this is a 1% loan and borrowers would need to pay it back, the federal government established a PPP Loan forgiveness As of March 7, 2021, a report from application for borrowers to fill the PPP reported nationally a total out and request for the loan to be of 2,409,105 loans were approved forgiven,” Quintanilla added. “The with a total of 5,198 lenders. The loan is forgivable if the loan was report includes changes made by used for the intended purposes. the Biden administration for the Once the borrower fills out the 2021 PPP loan. Individuals who form with the proper documenfiled Form 1040 and Schedule tation, submits it to their lender, C may use their gross income the SBA reviews the loan, and the instead of net profit to calculate SBA approves the forgiveness part. their loan amount.

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EDCOUCH-ELSA

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

Michael Reynero

District 32-5A - All Star Cast Bi District 31/32-5A - All Star Cast Region IV Contest - HM All Star Cast

Michael Flores

Stephanie Pena

Ilianna Coronado

District 32-5A - Best Performer Bi District 31/32-5A - All Star Cast Region IV Contest - HM All Star Cast

District 32-5A - All Star Cast Bi District 31/32-5A - Best Performer Region IV Contest - All Star Cast

District 32-5A - Best Performer Bi District 31/32-5A - All Star Cast

Scott Cavazos

District 32-5A - All Star Cast Bi District 31/32-5A - HM All Star Cast

Genesis Nunez

District 32-5A - HM All Star Cast

America Nunez

District 32-5A - HM All Star Cast

Congratulations to our UIL One-Act play students!

Production: "Everybody" by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins

Asia Gonzalez

Jaylan Hernandez

District 32-5A - All Star Cast

Erika Serrano

District 32-5A - Tech Award Bi District 31/32-5A - Tech Award Region IV- Contest Outstanding Technician

Ricardo Ozuna

One Act Play Director

Congratulations students and coaches for capturing another District Championship!

America Nunez

Prose, One-Act-Play

Eduardo Lopez Angie Medina Catherine Guardado Noah Rodriguez Michal Reynero Math, Calculator, Number Sense

Ernesto Moreno Michael Flores

Computer Applications, Persuasive/C-X Debate/ One-Act Play/Poetry Current Events Journalism

Calculator

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LD Debate, OAP, Informative, LD Debate, Calculator, Math, Math Number Sense Persuasive, Current Events

Jose Hinojosa Angelina Rodriguez Asia Gonzalez Calculator, Math, Number Sense

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Alexis Garcia Victoria Hernandez Samantha Rodriguez Josh Rodriguez Journalism

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Alberto Velasquez Coach

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Current Events, Social Studies

Congressional Debate/Speech

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Congressional Debate

Marissa Marmolejo Coach Jack Jasso UIL Director

WWW.EEISD.ORG | P.O. Box 127, Edcouch, TX 78538 | Phone 956-262-6000 | Fax 956-262-6032

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MAY 2021 ISSUE 102

ELSA continued from pg. 1 The project was originally slated to be developed in the conventional bid/contract basis, but the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and its overwhelming negative effect on local businesses and the unemployment rate convinced local officials that this project could be utilized to counter that effect. So a decision was made to create a local economic stimulus program by having a local labor force to undertake as much of the construction requirements as possible.

“This project has been long-incoming and has taken a major effort to secure the funding for it.

But, unfortunately, the pandemic has created a need to revitalize our local economy and creating employment opportunities for local residents would be a major contributor towards that effort.

Bringing back the american economy will only happen with everyone doing their part…and this is the City of Elsa’s part in that effort,” stated Mayor Al Perez.

SUPPORT continued from pg.1 “The Covid-19 pandemic has 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, with support from leading banks, foundations, and corporations, 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.”

The portal for small businesses is scheduled to open in April and will offer flexible, affordable loans of up to $100,000 to small businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 50 full-time employees. The Fund replicates similar models that have succeeded in New York and California by working with and through local Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs).

All interested small business owners and nonprofits can review program eligibility, product terms, and indicate interest at www.TheSoarFund.org, which will notify business owners once the application portal is live. Once the application portal launches, eligible applicants will be matched with a participating lender that will assist the business owner with the application and provide advisory support.

Catalytic initial grants and loans are being provided by Capital One, Microsoft, the F.B. Heron Foundation, Fidelity Charitable with support from CapShift, the Heifer Foundation, Mercy Investment Services, Woodforest National Bank, Ceniarth, and the Jacksonville, Florida-based Chartrand Family.

“By investing in the Southern Opportunity and Resilience Fund, we are enabling recovery and economic stability to historically under-served businesses and communities through a robust network of CDFI partners to deliver targeted business support services,” said Theresa Bedeau, Community Impact & Investment at Capital One. “Capital One is proud to support SOAR as its entrepreneurs build their businesses and nonprofits, establish financial well-being and secure their futures.”

“We’re pleased to partner and invest in the Southern Opportunity and Resilience (SOAR) Fund with the goal to increase access to capital and support for underserved community businesses and nonprofits,” said Tahreem Kampton, Corporate Treasurer at Microsoft. “Microsoft is committed to addressing racial injustice in our society, ecosystems, and communities. Many small businesses across the country and in our southern and southeastern states have struggled economically due to Covid-19. We are glad to support this collaborative effort to help provide opportunities in communities that have been historically underserved.”

The city plans to hire and train numerus local residents in the construction trades during the pandemic to prepare them for opportunities that will come when the local and national economy rebounds in the future. The recirculation of hundreds of thousands of dollars in the local economy will have a tremendous impact in the Delta area. The overall benefits of undertaking this project in this manner will have immediate and long term advantages. The

Thirteen CDFIs will originate 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, PeopleFund, 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 will be supported by leading technical assistance and business support organizations including Winrock International, LISC’s local offices and national rural program, and Small Business Majority, which will help with outreach, education, and hands-on business advisory services. Calvert Impact Capital is arranging and LISC Fund Management is managing the Fund.

“TruFund is proud to be a member of the SOAR Fund Partnership,” said James H. Bason, President and CEO of TruFund Financial Services, a participating CDFI. “We are committed to rebuilding a stronger more resilient small business ecosystem particularly in communities that have suffered from the lack of access to affordable capital and whose vulnerabilities are now exacerbated by COVID-19 and the related economic impact.”

local economy will have immediate positive impact and the community will still get a beautiful and health conscious facility for generations to come.

The city is continuing its fundraising efforts for the project through the office of U.S. Congressman Vicente Gonzalez to supplement existing construction plans and to add additional features to the overall scheme.

“Small businesses are not only essential to the fabric of our communities — creating jobs, providing valuable services and powering local economies — but they are also essential to the entrepreneurs who start them and the people they employ, in this case people who are historically underserved and adversely affected by the pandemic. It is imperative, then, that we help small businesses adapt, reopen safely and rebuild,” said Patricia McCall, Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Global Strategy at Winrock International. “SOAR offers potential business partners and donors an opportunity to join in this important mission.”

“We encourage all small business owners and nonprofits who need support to visit the website, learn about the Fund and sign up so you’re pre-registered once we launch the program,” said Patrick Davis, Vice President of Strategy at Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF).

When the Fund opens, CRF’s Connect2Capital platform will allow applicants to sign up online and get matched to a lender in less than five minutes.

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.

FOR LEASE MEDICAL SPACE 119 Retama St. Suite E Approximately 4,000 Sq. Ft.

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MONTE ALTO

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Class of 2021 Top 10 Graduates Melanie Gutierrez

Nohemi Aguirre

Ana Gonzalez-Reyes

Jocelyn Diaz

Fatima Alanis-Ortega

Jacob Gonzalez

Maria Reyes-Carrillo Deyved Reyes-Martinez

Natalie Venegas

Delilah Mendoza

Cain Salazar

Alan Garcia

Fernanda Lopez

Alejandro Lopez

Congratulations Graduates

Jorge Banda Jr.

Jose Guerrra Jr.

Juanita Rivaz

Elias Bernal Jr.

Brandon Castillo

Artemio Guipes Aceves Josue Hernandez

Abel Rocha

Eduardo Salas

Pheonix Castro

Vincent Cavazos

Fernanda Martinez

Pablo Martinez

Mario Salazar

Martiza Sierra

Guadalupe Chapa

Ivan Mendez

Jose Silva Cortez

Andres Espitia

Amber Gomez

Steven Garay

Lorena Montemayor Rolando Pena Cortez

Juan Trujillo Jr.

Dezarae Vega

Gyzel Morales

Juan Garcia Jr.

Deandra Garza

Crystal Perales

Romeo Perez

Francisco Velazquez Jr. Cruzmagela Zapata

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MAY 2021 ISSUE 102

Mental Health Awareness Month May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It is crucial that we are taking extra precautions on a daily basis to care for our mental health. The reality right now is that many people are struggling.

Some ways we can care for our mental health is being vigilant in getting good sleep, moving our body as much as possible throughout the day, exploring meditation and breathing practices, creating and sticking to a daily/weekly

911 continuedfrompg.1

In the House of Representatives, Canales – as a joint author – was authorized by Oliverson to join in the authorship of the measure and have his or her name shown following the primary author’s name on official printings of the measure, on calendars, and in the journal.

Joining Canales as joint authors of House Bill 786 were Rep. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, and Rep. Eddie Morales, D-Austin.

Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, served as the Senate sponsor of House Bill 786. As sponsor, Perry guided the bill through the Senate after Oliverson/Canales/ Tinderholt/Morales passed the legislation through the House of Representatives.

The National 9-1-1 Program, which provides federal leadership and coordination in supporting optimal 9-1-1 services across the nation, provides more details about the roles of 9-1-1 professionals: • 9-1-1 professionals, also referred to as “dispatchers” or “call takers,” are often the first trained point of contact in an emergency.

They begin the important work of obtaining essential information, remaining calm, calming others, and sending the appropriate responders to the right location.

They may also provide instructions to the 9-1-1 caller, which in many cases is essential to stabilizing or saving a life, according to 911.gov., which adds:

excessively can experience include fear and feelings of discontent. Encouraging each other to avoid alcohol can contribute to healthy mental health and well-being.

If you would like to hear more about what UNIDAD Coalition is doing in Hidalgo County to promote mental health awareness, please follow on Facebook @bhsofsouthtexas.

• Throughout the nation, 9-11 call centers or public safety answering points (PSAPs) are managed by a variety of local and state agencies, including law enforcement, fire departments, hospitals, and private EMS companies. This varied governance produces a unique challenge for training telecommunicators, as each agency may have its own educational standards.

• The National 9-1-1 Program supports the work of the 911 community to provide training strategies for telecommunicators and has previously convened a working group of 911 associations to develop recommended minimum training guidelines for telecommunicators.

• Some 9-1-1 professionals are certified as emergency medical dispatchers (EMDs), emergency fire dispatchers (EFDs) or emergency police dispatchers (EPDs).

Managers and supervisors may also be certified as emergency number professionals (ENPs) or certified public-safety executives (CPEs).

The House Research Organization, which is the nonpartisan research arm of the House of Representatives, provided a bill analysis of House Bill 786.

https://www.911.gov/issue_telecommunicatorsandtraining.html

https://hro.house.texas.gov/about. aspx

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routine, making our environment around us safe and comfortable, drinking plenty of water regularly and limiting alcohol consumption as much as possible. Limiting alcohol consumption is important for many reasons.

Alcohol is a depressant, and it can make feelings of depression, anxiety, sadness, loneliness and aggression more prominent. Other mental and behavioral issues that people who drink alcohol

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UTRGV helping preserve the ‘Voces of a Pandemic’ in the Valley

By Letty Fernandez Students in Dr. Noreen Rivera’s American and Mexican American Literature and Cultural Studies classes at UTRGV are ​ preserving the stories of Latinos affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As oral histories, their stories become part of a digital collection called Voces of a Pandemic, now housed in the university library’s Special Collections and Archives.

“My students have cast a wide net,” Rivera said. “There are memorable interviews with first responders – from police officers to nurses; a husband who experienced going through the delivery of his child during COVID times; a truck driver and how his work has changed; and fellow students who talk about how their educational experiences have changed.”

The original Voces (voices) project started more than 20 years ago by Dr. Maggie Rivas Rodriguez, founder and creator of the Voces Oral Center at the University of Texas at Austin.

She identified the need to record and preserve the untold stories of Latinos and Latinas who served in the military or on the home front during World War II. The archive has since expanded to in-

clude veterans of the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and political and civic engagement, focusing on the continuing fight for Latino civil rights.

Then, when the COVID-19 pandemic began a year ago, Rivas reached out to colleges and universities across the country, inviting them to collaborate, to help capture and preserve the experiences of the Latino community during this historic time.

individuals, she wanted her students to also be involved in the process.

“I tell them to look for someone to share their stories of struggle and resilience. And if they are willing to participate, we invite them to preserve their story in the archives at UTRGV,” Rivera said.

Rivera is now the coordinator of the UTRGV Voces of a Pandemic, a partnership with UT Austin.

“UTRGV has enriched the Voces of a Pandemic oral history project in a substantial way,” said Rivas. “The result is that we have many interviews from the Rio Grande Valley, providing us with a valuable window into how COVID-19 has shaped the lives of people that are part of our state.”

As Rivera began interviewing

‘THE ABILITY TO HAVE EMPATHY’ Before they can do interviews, students undergo training. All interviews are recorded via Zoom ​for the continued safety of all participants.

That is when Rivera got involved.

She believed in Rivas’ project and decided to be part of the collaboration.

“Dr. Rivas was looking for partners. When I saw the call, I said ‘yes,’” Rivera said. “I wanted UTRGV to be a part of it.”

will humanize the historical period of COVID-19,” said Torres, a junior history major. “It feels extremely meaningful and I feel working on the Voces project has reconnected me to the community.”

Dr. Noreen Rivera, associate professor in the Department of Literatures and Cultural Studies, is the coordinator of the UTRGV Voces of a Pandemic, a partnership with UT Austin.

When student Leslie Torres began working on the Voces project, she would listen to the interviews conducted by other students and edit the transcripts.

Recently, she recorded her first interview.

“It has been an enriching experience This oral history project has humanized 2020 for me, and I know that in the future Voces

“Professor Noreen Rivera has done a superb job of training her wonderful students on the many requirements of our project. And the library staff has been meticulous about making sure that their own requirements are met as well,” said Rivas.

To date, UTRGV students have collected nearly 100 interviews.

“For students who have not experienced drastic affects from COVID-19, l​ike the loss of a loved one or a job, many realize that by interviewing someone who has experienced hardship and by listening to their stories, they can develop the ability to have empathy, to understand and share the feelings of another,”

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$1.68 Million for State Veterans Homes in McAllen Under American Rescue Plan billion to State Veterans Homes operated across the country to ensure residents continue to receive high quality care, live in modern, safe facilities and are protected from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced $ 1,684,497 for the State Veterans Home in McAllen, Texas under the American Rescue Plan (ARP). This funding is a part of $250 million provided through the American Rescue Plan to help states upgrade State Veterans Homes across the country.

The Department of Veterans Affairs will make grants totaling $1

“The American Rescue Plan is continuously delivering support to those who need it most,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “Our State Veterans Homes provide vital care to veterans in our community. This funding will improve living conditions and support these facilities as they care for our veterans during the pandemic. I am proud to bring this relief home and provide additional resources to improve care for those who served our country.

I will continue to fight for the needs of the 15th District of Texas to ensure our community receives

RELATIONSHIPS continued from pg. 3 a pattern when you can’t see it or know what caused it.

Face them. We often think that if we just avoid the things that cause us pain or make us feel less than other people, we’ll be happier. But it’s when we actually stop, think and face the things that cause us pain that actual growth happens.

Talk to a neutral person. Seeing our patterns can be challenging to do by ourselves, so consider talking to a therapist, close friend or mentor about the competitive habits you identify.

Have regular check-ins with your partner.

Talk with your partner about anything bothering you and the patterns you see. It’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day life, but remember that relationships don’t work unless you do. Keep checking in with your spouse about what they are experiencing and share your experiences too.

you gain perspective on your world. Often, the things we take for granted are things that someone else wished they had.

Use a list or journal to track the things you’re thankful for and share them with your partner.

Ask them to make their own list and compare notes.

Are there similarities on your lists? Can you appreciate the things that he or she has gratitude for?

Express envy. As with naming our gratitude, naming our envy can also give you some insight. If you watch other people and are envious of their house or relationship, it can help you determine your goals and what you want to work toward.

Like above, make a list of the things you envy in other people— material, emotional or spiritual.

Compare it to your partner’s envy list.

Use those lists as a jumping-off point to discuss your values and Tap into vulnerability. It’s hard create a list of goals that you want to ask for help, especially if we’ve to work on together. always been the family’s breadCompetitiveness does have its winner. Sharing the load may not uses, but make sure that you are make your actual situation better, the one in control of your behavbut it does help to talk about prob- ior. It can be hard to change our lems, especially with someone you patterns and consciously turn love. Bonus: your spouse definitely towards a new way of existing. But has their own worries, and finding by working with your significant a solution for your fears together other instead of competing against can bring your relationship closer. them, you strengthen your bond and increase your likelihood of Express gratitude. Gratitude lists success. have become a bit cliche, but counting your blessings can help

the necessary capital to make it through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.”

“Texas Veterans have sacrificed so much for our great nation and it’s critical that the Veterans who call our communities home receive the quality care they deserve,” said Texas Veterans Land Board Chairman and Land Commissioner George P. Bush. “We welcome this federal grant money to McAllen and are excited to provide additional support for our Veterans.”

Source and allocation of funds: $500 million from ARP designated to provide grants through the current capital grant program for construction of State Veterans homes.

$250 million from ARP designated for grants related to operating needs based on each state’s share of total Veteran residents in nursing home and domiciliary care. $150 million from CARES Act designated for grants for capital needs for construction funds to modify buildings to prepare, prevent or respond in order to mitigate the risk of COVID-19. $100 million designated by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, for grants for emergency payments to existing State Veterans Homes to prevent, prepare and respond to COVID-19.

Learn more about Texas State Veterans Homes. https://vlb.texas.gov/veterans-homes/index.html

THECOMMUNITYPRESS.ORG

MAY 2021 ISSUE 102

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-

11

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.

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MAY 2021 ISSUE 102

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* To whom it may concern Pursuant to the provisions contained in Chapter 18, Article 18.17, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, we hereby serve notice that the item(s) described below is/are being held in our custody, and must be picked up by the Legal Owner, with all charges paid.

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Date 05/23/2021