Healthy Waco Women

Haley Engel, and Shamerah Lowe 

The soon to be launched local health program, Healthy Waco Women, reaches out to the population of women in Waco by focusing on prenatal healthcare in Mclennan County. Haley Engel, a Community Advisory Board member for Healthy Waco Women, allowed me to interview her at the Waco-Mclennan County Public Health District to get information about what Healthy Waco Women is, and how this program will be of service to the women in Waco in the near future.

"Tell me about Healthy Waco Women, what fueled the desire to start this program?"

"The Healthy Women and Children Coalition is a group of various organizations and agencies in Waco who serve women and children in some capacity. We work on collective strategies to improve the health of women and children in Waco. We have four focus areas, the fourth one being preconception health, and that’s where Healthy Waco Women falls in.

Our target age group are women between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five and so we are looking to educate them on healthy behaviors, and how to be healthy for themselves. Our program is aimed toward making sure women get the preventative health care that they need. The main focus of Healthy Waco Women is to increase access for women to go get their Well Woman Exam, which is a routine checkup so that they are helping themselves stay healthy."

" And how is this information made available to access for the women within the Waco community?"

Healthy Waco Women Wellness Bag 

 "The program Healthy Waco Women is really a campaign, so with the campaign comes a lot of media components. We’ve developed a website and promotional flyers and posters that are going to go up around Waco, so the main way that we’re looking to increase the number of women in Waco who are getting their annual Well Women Exam is through that social media promotion. 

We’ve also put together Wellness Bags that has different educational things inside. There is a booklet containing information on women's health including healthy eating, physical activity, birth control and the different options that are available to women, also contains vitamins that contain folic acid which is helpful for in the future when she does get pregnant, folic acid is an essential vitamin to have for the health of your pregnancy. The Wellness Bag also contains other cute little things like a lip balm, Healthy Waco Women earphones, and a water bottle. 
All of these items are things we’ve put together  as a result of focus groups."

"As a starting program getting that type of feedback is essential for improving your methods of distributing feminine healthcare information. How would Waco Women want to see women in the community be involved with their preconception health care?"

  "Healthy Women and Children Coalition, which Healthy Waco Women are born out of, well it is housed at the Waco-Mclennan County Public Health district, so we want everything we do here to be data-driven. One of our big data indicators from the most recent community health needs assessment showed that they’re really low percentages of women accessing annual preventative health care, as well as high infant mortality rates. With well woman exams falling under that category of annual preventative health care, that’s one of the big goals that we want to see change. So as Healthy Waco Women starts to reach more women and we see women start signing up for a bag on the website, we really wish to see that the percentage of women accessing Well Women Exams increase. That is a huge goal for us." 

"When the program officially launches, are there any long-term goals this program has for the women of Waco?"

"Of course, one of the big things Healthy Waco Women is trying to focus on is empowering women to know that they have choices available to make, so we’re addressing that through

Home Page of Healthy Waco Women Website

Healthy Waco Women. On our website specifically, there’s a feature where there’s a map and it’s kind of like a google map and there are different categories that a woman can check the box when the women are looking for her provider. So she can click the categories that she’s looking for in a provider then the website will narrow down the search to find a provider that is one, closer to her because you can input your zip code, and two, best fits the criteria of what she is looking for, you can get birth control the same day you have you’re appointment. LGBT friendly, Spanish speaking, accepting of financial assistance programs. So I think it is important for women to be educated on how to think through the things they need specifically and advocate for themselves to get their own needs." 

"Well, I certainly look forward to seeing Healthy Waco Women be officially established so women in the community can start signing up for their Well Women Exams and get a Wellness Bag! I hope Women living within the Waco community can look to this program to assist them in healthcare. Thank you Haily for allowing me to interview you today."

"Thank you, Shamerah I'm honored. Have a great rest of your day."

Healthy Waco Women plans to be officially established soon. Please note that the Wellness Bag shown in the photograph above will not be openly available until Healthy Waco Women is officially launching in the near future. If you would like to explore the website for Healthy Waco Women, please click on the provided link below.  

https://healthywacowomen.org/

New Life In An Old Downtown

    Sometimes a city that has reach history just stays in one place. Sometimes a natural disaster happens that puts that city on notice. Other times, it may be a new business comes in and puts the entire town on notice for tourist coming in. Sometimes it's a combination of both. When a natural disaster does happen, but that one thing stands tall in the end. Waco is the perfect destination for if you're on your way from Dallas to Houston or Dallas to Austin. Let's take a deeper dive into the positives and negatives into Downtown Waco and what got it jumpstarted.

    Basics Behind Waco:
    Another concern (especially for the millennial generation) is the lack of good income at a young age. Waco doesn't have the resources of a Dallas or Houston to bring in a ton of attention for good jobs for people just coming out of college and they never will. So big businesses can't come in and be successful immediately due to the lack of population compared to the bigger cities in the state. For example, if you just finished college with a Bachelor's Degree in Sports Communications and you're looking for a $50,000+ salary job within the first 3 years in Waco, it's very unlikely you'll find that. If you move out to a Houston or at least San Antonio, you'll find positions left and right concerning your position and a better start out pay.

    Positives and Negatives to Waco:
    The positives for those that are planning or considering moving to Waco is that Waco is not considered to be a boom nor bust town, although it could be nearing to the point of that. With the Silos and the Gaines' success, it also brings up the question of, "What happens when the Silos popularity dies down"?. With the addition of "Waco Tours", Waco is trying to go for the tourist kind of culture. When in reality, Waco doesn't have enough exotic attractions or a different setting or culture to be a tourist town...yet. One other stat according to my Interview with Downtown Neighborhood Association President, Andi Lopez is that "18% of the population leaves Waco at a certain point through the year". That number is inflated some by Baylor Students. That still means that 25,000 people leave Waco for over at least a month period of time per year. Some families are starting to just stay for a month or two per year rather than staying in Waco long-term. With more apartments going up in the downtown area and having a college like Baylor, it changes the diversity with more and more college students moving into the downtown area.

    Waco has been impacted with the good and the bad. Whether that be from the Tornado hitting back in 1953 or the lynching of Jesse Washington on May, 15th, 1916. What has created new life and an attraction is the Magnolia Market and Silos is what makes people want to come to downtown Waco. But little do people know that the Silos was one of the few things that survived that 1953 Tornado that injured thousands and killed 114 people. It was a plethora of tornadoes across the United States as there were at least 33 tornadoes touched down in 11 States from May 9-11th. Waco's was a category F-5 that demolished almost the entire downtown and was the tied for the deadliest in the state (The 1902 Goliad Tornado) and ranked 11th nationally.

    How Magnolia and the Silos have changed Waco:
    Chip and Joanna Gaines are the hosts of a HGTV show, "Fixer Upper" and are also the owners of the Silos. Chip as well as Joanna are Baylor alumni and after investing properties in the Baylor Area in the business and established in own company 'Trinity Properties', they thought bigger plans. He and his wife were involved in constructing and designing houses of the client the way they wanted which was followed by his work as a co-worker of his wife's company Magnolia Homes. It was a store with all types of accessories along with constructing and designing. After they got Fixer Upper going and they became national, the Gaines decided to take a leap and turn their Silos into a tourist attractions that would bring people from all around. I personally have been to Magnolia Table and the 2 times have been there, have met people from halfway across the country. One couple was from Philadelphia and one family was from Seattle, coming all the way to Waco just to see the Silos.

    Many of my friends say that they don't necessary love the Silos. But I like the silos and the idea and concept behind it. I'm sure Wacoans don't like it now is due to the fact that Waco is used to having tourist come into town. Another one is the fear of the Gaines leaving Waco to move to another Boom city like Houston and that would leave Waco back to where it was not even 5 years ago. No matter what people say, Magnolia, The Silos, and The Gaines are making Waco a place to go to.

Image Credit: https://www.kwtx.com/content/news/Downtown-was-gone-after-1953-tornado-today-its-more-vibrant-that-ever-482338421.html. http://downtownwacotx.com/shop/

Artists and Musicians Making a Difference

Mohawks, spikes, tattoos, vulgar expressions, and bad decisions. This is what most may think of when they are asked to imagine a punk. Many people have a poor judgment towards individuals who dress in this fashion, play in a punk band, or simply listen to punk rock. The event I attended this fall is a great example of how this may not be the best judgment.

Not What Is Normally Expected of Punks

A few weeks back I went to a local concert put on by Kris Hunter, of The Faction, now known as After The Fact, called the Punk Rock BBQ. Not many would believe a man who plays in a punk rock band, like Kris, would be incorporating such wonderful non-profits in his events due to judgments based on his appearance but this exactly what he did. I originally went to enjoy some good music, great company, and some delicious food from the Whistle Stop in Crawford, TX. Kris put on this event with bigger intentions than just giving his friends a venue to enjoy some good music and delicious food. Kris had multiple non-profits and the like involved in this event. This was such a great idea to open the eyes of our community.

Photo by David Welborn

Kris had John "Timmie Tattoo" Garner, who works at the Infamous Ink tattoo & piercing shop in Waco as a tattoo artist, speak at the BBQ. He was not attending on behalf of Infamous Ink, he attended to speak on behalf of Waco PMA. Waco PMA is a Facebook group to help people struggling with their mental health started by John and his friends. John is not the only artist at Infamous who cares about our community. He and his coworkers never seem to stop showing their loving hearts through the platform of their shop. One of their piercing artists, Matt Gillespie, is well known for fostering dogs and volunteering with the Humane Society of Central Texas. The tattoo shop as a whole has also had events such as the Infamous Ink-4-Autism Benefit, multiple events to raise money for individuals and their families in hard times, and one close to my heart; Semi-Colon Saturday. They have also sold t-shirts to benefit recuperating from Hurricane Harvey. One of their biggest events raised over 21,000 dollars for their good friend Clint Cummings in his battle with cancer.

Kris Hunter

Sonya Cooper, CASA Supervisor, also attended the event with her husband who is good friends with Kris. Sonya’s husband asked if she could have a tent at the BBQ and Kris thought this was a great idea. This is how I and many others learned about CASA. CASA stands for court-appointed special advocates. This organization is for helping foster children through the process of finding a foster home and/or forever home. Sonya spoke at the event on behalf of CASA. She made sure to let the audience full of “punks” know that they are open to advocates from every walk of life. They really are focused on bringing in more options for kids in the foster system and they do not judge on the appearance or music taste of someone wanting to help them reach that goal.

Kris having both John and Sonya speak at the BBQ was a great way to get the word out to our community about these organizations. Kris being the punk rock guitarist he is may not be who most expect would bring light to these organizations. I know people with tattoos or piercings are usually perceived as bad people but Kris and his friends have done some amazing things for our community.

Waco Positive Mental Health

John, with the help of Kris, began Waco PMA after struggling with his own mental health and ending up in the Crisis Center at MHMR. John speaks with me on his reasoning behind starting this Facebook group and his goals of the group:



Kris having John speak on the behalf of Waco PMA at the BBQ was a very effective way to build the group and allow more members the ears they may need. Not everyone has someone to talk to when they are down and this group is exactly what someone may need. I can see how this group would have benefited me in the past and I continue to share it with individuals who may need this group now.

Mental health awareness is very important to me and I believe reaching out and getting help for it should be more normalized. People should be able to feel that they can get the help they need. You can help John, Kris, and many others work towards killing the stigma that is connected to mental health by simply lending an ear to someone who seems to be having an off moment or two instead of just shrugging it off and calling them crazy. Something this simple can lead to someone getting the help they need. If you're interested in reaching out to the Waco PMA group feel free to visit us on Facebook. Kris and John are putting together a concert for Waco PMA in January of next year. Even if the music is not your cup of tea you can help during this event by either spreading the word or donating to the fundraiser.

CASA of Mclennan County

A CASA is a person set by the court to work with a child during the processing of foster care. They observe and really listen to the child and relay this information back to the judge. Although, the CASA does not always advocate what the child wants to happen in their case but what is best for the child. CASA really strives to get a stable environment for every child in McLennan County who is in need of one. 
The amount of openness towards people who are loving and want to become a CASA really impresses me. 

Like the many punks with huge hearts that were at the BBQ. Advocates are extremely needed for the growing amount of foster children that are entering the system every day. Punk, gamer, normal, nerd, LGBTQ+, etc, you can become a CASA for a child. If you would like to volunteer to become a CASA for a child please visit CASA's website. If you cannot volunteer to become a CASA yourself and would like to donate you can donate here.

Creating Magic All Over The Place

WORDS TO SPUR:"Some say there is magic in the theatre. Others say that the theatre is magic. I don’t know anything about that, but I do know that those who make that magic are truly blessed. So, let’s go out there and spread some blessings all over the place!"
– Kelly Parker, McLennan Community College Theatrical Director/Professor of Theater

Through a concept as vague as magic, it can be hard to see where it might exist in our ever-expanding town, if it exists at all. While Waco is known for many things, surely magic isn't one... or is it? Tucked away in a forest, there is a quaint college campus, one which is home to a rare spark of enchantment. A spark which can only be seen by a paying audience of course. Magic may be difficult to pin down, but maybe one needs only look in the right place. Should that place be found, magic is sure to be waiting.

With intertwined hands, the cast lets out a collective cheer as they spin out of the circle they had formed. “Places everybody!” the assistant director cries. With gusto and unbridled enthusiasm, the actors of MCC’s theatre department respond. At the close of his traditional speech, Kelly Parker moves aside to admire as the students he has spent the last month training, actors and tech alike, stride forth. A flurry of movement as the cast of 27 actors rush forward to take the stage. The air, crackling with the excitement of those 27, feels electric. The perceived chaos is a controlled one, with each member of the company moving with purpose. Amide the stage managers’ commands and the heat of anticipation, there appears nothing but bright eyes and warm smiles. As everyone involved knows, they are about to make magic. 

SPURRING CREATION:"I soon realized that, especially with my students, they needed something, we needed to form a moment as a company, to connect, to link, for everyone to get in the same mindset. You’ve got to get all those brains, all those bodies, those energies on the same page. So, I said; you know what, I need to do something."
– Parker

Some say there is magic in the theatre. These words spoken by Professor Parker before every live performance, have ingrained themselves in the theatre department, becoming as much a part of it as the stage itself. In the moments before every show, the cast congregates backstage. As all involved form a circle, joining hands in a woven pattern left over right, he encourages everyone to speak their mind, and without fail, the cast bare their hearts. Be it words of encouragement for what lies ahead, or words of sentiment of the road so far, the moment speaks to that unification of brains, bodies, and energies.

While speaking, Parker peers at the glowing faces that surround him, each in turn look to those around them with a shared sense of anticipation. The air still, as the tradition is observed once again. One thought comes to mind, clear enough to be almost palpable. Each and every actor knows that the blessings, the magic being spoken of refers not only to what is to be created on stage. Not just in the show itself, but in every moment it took them to get there. To get here.  “After I did it for the first time, I saw the potential, the effect that it had on everyone. I went; Oh, I’m doing this for every single time I do a show! Like, are you kidding me!”

Some pace, others fiddle with their costumes, in hushed tones an assortment of lines can be heard spoken amongst themselves, as the final call for places is made. Where one might expect to find panic and unease in these actions, there is only a unified sense of confidence. With not a frightful heart among them, a barely audible chatter can he heard from the cast as their energized excitement bubbles forth. This is an atmosphere composed of months of late night rehearsals, countless hours of individual dedication, and a mutual faith in one another’s ability to perform. With weeks spent designing, creating, and fine-tuning to reach this very moment, the curtains rise. And as the first bought of laughter is drawn from the crowd, one can see that first hint of what Professor Parker meant by Magic in the theatre.

CREATED THEATRE:"What we do in the theatre IS special and magical. It’s art, and art is beautiful! It’s unexplainable in some ways, and I think we forget that with art, especially with theatre because we get so wrapped up in the doing, or I should say in the result of the doing. Instead of No, look at what we’ve done! We’re going on stage pretending to be other people, we’re using words written by someone else, we’re wearing other clothes, under lights. We’re trying to get all these things to come together, it is pretty awesome and magical when it happens."
– Parker  

As the curtain falls to obscure a bowing cast, a compelled crowd remains standing in applause. The sound of cheers ring out from the audience, reverberating off the walls of the theatre. Paying homage, they clap, whistle, and yell. A standing ovation in proper response to what each and every audience member feels. Some indescribable sense of wonder. A notion that, for a brief moment, something enchanting was witnessed. And just as that feeling begins to gain clarity, it is gone. Fading into memory, just as the show itself has. The applause dies down as the house seats empty. The audience leaves to the theatre, and with them, the magic that was created upon that stage. To be remembered in thanks to MCC’s production. A fleeting act of creation comes to an end. Until those curtains rise again. 

They assuredly will only a few nights a year. On such nights, a cast of students will, from their very hearts, create something near unexplainable, if only for a moment. Just what that is can be anyone’s guess. Some say it's magic. While I don't know anything about that, I do know that those who do the creating, do so just for you. What is made is anyone's guess. What will you say it is?

Coming Back To Technology: Assistance and Help by CAE

Yajira, a woman in her late forties who appeared nervous and frustrated came at the door of Center Of Academic Excellence (CAE) and asked "I came back to college after 17 years away. I know physics, but my professor wants our assignments to be done somewhere online. Can anyone help me with it?" Her voice was trembling while she was patting on the front desk with a pen in her hand.

A tutor in an orange tutor vest approached her with a smile on his face and calmed her saying he would be helping her today. After assisting Yajira in accessing Pearson, an online homework database, then showed her how to interact and use the software, the tutor saved the day for Yajira. She was able to get back on track with daily life with one stress decreased. Such events happen as a daily encounter at the Center for Academic Excellence where tutors help returning students in different ways to familiarize them to the technology.

WHY IS CAE FOR YOU?
Everyday people, including returning students, come to visit CAE for a variety of issues. Be it help in sending an email, learning how to use keyboard shortcuts, operating a third party software or anything related to academic success the CAE is there for them. This also includes assistance in using Brightspace. While the place features a tremendous amount of resources and services, the focus of this blog is how the CAE helps returning students who just need helping hand in getting a handle on the technology required to succeed academically.

John Cattani, a returning student who came back to school after twenty-three years, needed help. One of the tutors approached him and all he needed help was to know how to copy and paste articles from one file to another. The tutor taught him the keyboard shortcuts of copy and pasting. A small help provided by the tutor but a lifesaver for John’s academic journey. Eventually, people who have never used or do not like technology, struggle at different places. Indeed, sometimes people who need help do not come early enough and as they come most probably they have already passed the deadline for their project. But helping and assisting people in any sort of academic challenge is what CAE does, so even after the deadline, tutors assist students in helping what they already missed.

HOW CAE HELPS?
The place assists numerous people in different factors at multiple locations.  From having some bilingual tutors to providing assistance in using software, tutors are present all the time at different locations. Each location depicts a different environment and students come respectively where they like.

The Science Building also has tutors who work for CAE and are able to assist people from science, technology, engineering, and math field. A numerous returning students (especially the nursing major students) need help which includes essay editing, finding resources and articles as well as making a presentation. The room 112 at the corner is a favorite for every student group as it provides bigger space, as well as the wall which is a full drawing board. The board can be used for brainstorming ideas in the group or to practice the diagram and work collectively in groups.

Tutors assist them in different ways so that they get the best they want. The basic goal of tutoring is that any sort of assistance needed by the student is an assistance to be provided by the tutor. Needless, if it is a help in sending e-mail or help in revising a formula sheet, assistance is provided by the tutors regardless of how big or small the issue is for the student. “There is no big or small problem.”

 Other help in technology also comes in providing assistance in using WebAdvisor for making a schedule for classes, checking grades or looking at degree plan. Assistance in using different software which includes the Microsoft and Google platform and related applications remains a priority in returning students which are always helped with enough time provided.

 The tutors are students most often, who provide a better window for the returning students in order of communication. This creates a relationship of better understanding amongst the two which eventually result in the returning students to come back and ask for any further assistance without any obligation.

Technology changes every day and many can’t get a hold on it and have that cultural gap which CAE tries to minimize up to an extent that favors the people in need.

CONCLUSION

Understanding their problem and situation and calming them with support and assistance as they need is what makes Center for Academic Excellence stand for, a place where anyone can get help. No one is too old to learn something new, which remains an important reason for a wide demographic of an audience to come seek help at the location throughout the years.

Ken Walker, who holds the position of coordinator for the department, states “ Patience and going above and beyond have been key factors for tutors to provide help to the tutees.” Hence, extending the platform and making people comfortable with a motivational and easy to ask environment helps people including the ones who came after long to succeed in their academic expedition.

Till this day, people like Yajira and John come with their new problems which are solved with the assistance and help provided by the tutors. So, when do you plan to visit for your academic success?

Converging Culture

Introduction to "Culture"

Waco’s fashion scene has recently been taken in a new direction, away from the clothing of western wear, boots, cowboy hats, and big belt buckles. To a more streetwear fashion approach, which is very exciting brands like Palace, Supreme, Fear of God, etc. are some of the hottest pieces on the scene right now, as well as retro/vintage wear including originally released Graphic T-Shirts, Sneakers, and Accessories from decades ago. The biggest issue with this change is the number of businesses around Waco that carry these types of products. Until just recently when a new store was opened by two young entrepreneurs (De'Oryen Thorton & Brady Gilstrap).

Accessories are a major part of the streetwear culture, As seen in this picture
Items like hats, fanny packs, and especially stickers. They are just seen as little parts
equal up to complete outfit.

   Any streetwear fashion shopper in the city of Waco knows that certain brands are hard or impossible to come by in store. Luckily a new streetwear boutique has come around to change that. Culture Threads is a streetwear resale boutique currently located in the most popular part of Waco, Downtown. It was established August 2018 in a very small shop. Because the opening month turnout was such a success, the owners decided to move in to a more spacious location. While interviewing Co-Owner De'Oryen I asked "What made you choose the name culture threads?" De'Oryen replied "Because we are looking to change the culture of Waco, from a fashion point of view." Of which Culture Threads has already begun to make a presence in throughout the city with their numerous pop up shops. 

A collection of vintage T-Shirts
found inside "Culture Threads" 

Whats all the "Hype"?

Culture Threads is not important just because it carries a wide variety of streetwear clothing and accessories (that can be seen throughout this article and also located in the sideshow below), but because they are the first business of this kind to bring forth a new and different wave of style to Waco. Most of these items are found in more populated locations, like New York, Los Angeles, or even Houston, and tend to be exclusive buys in those areas. The items they carry are so popular in the streetwear culture because they are limited merchandise that release on special occasions. This fact makes them harder to carry in store and difficult for the normal small-town consumer to obtain. That is how Culture Threads comes into play. Though they do not carry every and all items that the local streetwear shopper may be looking for, it expands the variety of this type of merchandise. From Supreme to Off-White, a streetwear enthusiast can find a majority of their big-brand needs in just one convenient location. Culture Threads has brought a new and popular type of resell business to the Waco area, and this has given them an important leg up in the town's market. This "hype" is just how Culture Threads as become so popular, and their exclusive merchandise will continue to increase their popularity and their influence in the Waco streetwear scene.

This is a photo of different sneakers that Culture Threads offers.
These shoes are very popular in the street wear culture, mostly because
of the creators of the product, who range from recording artist Travi$ $cott,
Kanye West, and (Louis Vuitton designer) Virgil Abloh.

Changing Culture 

While finishing an interview with store co-owner De'Oryen Thorton, the last question posed was, "Where do you see the clothing culture of Waco going based on the influence seen from your store Culture Threads, and what do you think the future for your store holds?" De'Oryen responded by saying "We are soon going to be the hottest store in Waco, only because we just have items that normal Waco stores don't carry. There is a lack of men's boutiques in the Waco area, and I see the only urban-type store being H&M. So the lack of competition and lack of streetwear style will allow us to become the new hottest store in the central Texas area." That being said, it seems that the owners themselves are confident in the fact that their store will not only increase in popularity, but will ultimately change the streetwear culture currently surfacing in the Waco area. It is clear that the overall fashion culture of Waco will be heavily influenced by these types of resell shops, and Culture Threads will maintain their popularity as new merchandise hits their shelves. Streetwear is coming to central Texas and consumers are prepared to change their sense of style to keep up this new trend, as evidenced by Culture Threads large following. Overall it seems that this new store is going to change Waco's fashion culture by bringing forth a new and different wave of style.