|
Dear Friends,
I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the month of May and the wonderful community outreach initiatives led by the Bastrop County Cares team. It has been a month filled with meaningful events and activities designed to support all ages and demographics in our community.
We began May by celebrating Older Americans at the Hampton Inn & Suites, honoring their contributions and fostering a sense of community among our senior citizens. Following this, we launched our Car Seat Safety Initiative at the Bastrop Christian Outreach Center, ensuring the safety of our youngest residents.
May was also Mental Health Awareness Month, and our team worked tirelessly to bring attention to this critical issue through various programs and resources, including the Unity Steps Mental Health Prayer Walk held in Fisherman’s Park.
Additionally, May marked the kick-off of our Care-A-Van initiative, which brings community resources and recreational activities to children and families across Bastrop County. This initiative has been a wonderful way to connect with families and provide essential support and fun opportunities for our community's youth.
This newsletter highlights some of the significant events from the past month and gives you a preview of what's to come. We have many exciting initiatives on the horizon, and we need your help to spread the word within your networks. Together, we can continue to serve the residents of Bastrop County through our many coalitions and make a lasting impact.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Warm regards,
Norma Mercado
Executive Director
Bastrop County Cares
| |
|
BCC goes green to promote Mental Health Awareness!
The month of May is dedicated to Mental Health Awareness. Today the Bastrop County Cares Team wore green supporting those affected by mental illness and advocating for stigma reduction.
Let’s talk, let’s accept, let’s heal and continue to raise awareness, promote understanding, and support mental health initiatives in our community. 💚
Read more here...
| |
|
Bastrop County Care-A-Van makes an impact in Bastrop County!
The Bastrop County Care-A-Van has been on the move! In May, we visited Smithville, Stoney Point, and Bastrop, and we can't wait to continue rolling through the county with all of you.
The Bastrop County mobile well-being and recreation unit promotes fun recreational activities, intergenerational engagement, and access to critical resources that enhance the health and wellness of everyone in the community. Through this initiative, families are not only more connected to each other but also to their community and the resources available to them.
Learn more about the Bastrop County Care-A-Van...
| |
 | |
Bastrop County Cares honors local Seniors!
We are excited to share that our Older Americans Month event on May 11, 2024, at the Hampton Inn in Bastrop, TX, was a wonderful success! From 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, we gathered to honor and celebrate the amazing senior citizens of Bastrop County.
The morning was filled with warmth and joy as we celebrated the wisdom, resilience, and invaluable contributions of our beloved seniors. Their stories and experiences touched our hearts and reminded us of the strength and knowledge they bring to our community.
A big thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this event so special. We would like to give a special shout-out to the following individuals for their outstanding contributions to the event:
Master of Ceremony: Mrs. Lula Reese
Invocation: Rev. Roger Rampy
Welcome: Ms. Peggy Davis
Musical Selection: Rev. Romona Blackmon
Introduction of the Speaker: Rev. Edward Herndon
Speaker: Rev. Chester DeShay
Musical Selection: Ms. Terry Moore
Proclamations: Bastrop Mayor Lyle Nelson
Awarding of Certificates: Ms. Norma Mercado and Judge Benton Eskew
Learn more about our Faith Collaborative here...
|  | |
Car Seat Safety initiative A Success!
The BCC Early Childhood Coalition Car Seat Checkup Event with Safe Kids Austin and Catholic Charities turn out to be a fantastic success! Safe Kids Austin was able to help 11 families, conducted 4 car seat inspections and distributed 12 car seats!
Thank you to everyone who participated and helped out with one of the many initiatives of the Bastrop County Cares Department of Child and Family Programs!
Learn more about the Early Childhood Coalition here...
|  | |
Parents as Teachers host baby shower for graduating seniors!
Parents as Teachers offers invaluable assistance, from the early stages of pregnancy to a child's first day of kindergarten, through educational classes and resources. We're proud to be part of this journey and collaborating with Community Health Centers of South Central Texas and other community partners.
For the fourth consecutive year, Community Health Centers of South Central Texas has partnered with Texas Parents as Teachers! Joining hands to provide donations for their annual baby shower, supporting parents enrolled in the program.
Bluebonnet Trails Community Services
Texas Association of Community Health Centers (TACHC)
National Association of Community Health Centers
Health Center Advocacy Network
Learn more about Parents as Teachers...
| |
Veterans Bowling Night
We're thrilled to announce the success of our Veterans Bowling Night, now a monthly tradition held every last Wednesday of the month at Film Alley from 6 to 8 PM. Join us for an evening of camaraderie with our veterans and their families!
Check out the highlights
| |
Minerva Delgado, A Living Legend!
In 1948, the landmark legal battle fought by Minerva Delgado and her family helped end segregation for Hispanic children in Texas schools. Minerva, once a young girl who knew only a single word of English, became a trailblazer in education. She dedicated 45 years to bilingual education, inspiring countless students. Her dedication reminds us all to dream big and strive for change.
In mid-May, we honored Minerva Delgado's legacy and her family's brave fight for equality with a mural reveal ceremony at Delgado Park in Bastrop. It was an honor to celebrate a living legend.
Bastrop County Cares Director of Community Engagement, Linda Quiroz, who has worked closely with the Delgado/Lopez family, was given the honor of introducing Minerva Delgado at the ceremony. BCC will continue to collaborate with the family and the City of Bastrop for the future development of Delgado Park.
The McDade Ballet Folklorico entertained us with their wonderfully talented dance company. The children of Primera Baptist Church of Bastrop, Minerva’s childhood and family church, sang "Alabare."
Stay tuned for future updates.
| |
Official launch of the Food Waste and Recovery Sector!
On May 20, 2024 the Nourish Coalition and community stakeholders convened at Organics by Gosh for the opportunity to tour the facility and learn more about the process thanks to general manager, Craig Crawford.
This is the official launch of the Food Waste and Recovery Sector which aims to support food waste reduction, increase community composting efforts and explore other means of closing the food waste loop in our food system.
If you’d like to join the coalition or find out more about it check out the website and click "Join the Coalition” or email Krissy Voutas.
| |
Unity Mental Health Prayer Walk
We are thrilled to share the wonderful success of the Unity Steps Mental Health Prayer Walk held on May 25th!
The turnout was fantastic, with so many community members coming together to raise awareness and support mental health initiatives. The event was filled with heartfelt prayers, meaningful conversations, and a strong sense of unity among all participants.
We are grateful for everyone's participation and enthusiasm, which truly made the day special. A big thank you to all the organizers, volunteers, and supporters who worked tirelessly to make this event a reality.
Special thanks to the Nourish Coalition team, Mary Moody, Maureen Stanek, Anna Bunker from NAMI, BCOC Flag Dancers, and Ron Wilson for their invaluable contributions and support.
Looking forward to continuing our efforts and seeing you all at future events!
| |
BCACH doubles down on community engagement!
Working together with community partners who share the same goal of making Bastrop County more Economically Stable by providing the resources to complete a training/ education that will give individuals the skills to prepare for a successful career. Want to be apart of something great? Click HERE and join the BCACH Coalition today! Want to be a voice in the community? Contact Noemi Guerra to find out how you can help.
More about BCACH here...
| |
|
What is a Parent Ambassador?
Parent Ambassadors have a presence in and maintain an online community presence and liaise with BCC staff and parents about programs and initiatives. They perform an active role in the Early Childhood Coalition by encouraging other parent voices in the community to participate in the ECC and lead Parent Cafes/Parent Village meetings in their precincts.
Learn more about our Grass Roots Efforts here...
|  | |
English / Spanish adult immersion pilot program gains momentum!
Under the leadership of Director of Community Engagement, Linda Quiroz, and with collaborative funding from Central Texas Network Weavers, a three-month, bilingual English/Spanish adult immersion pilot program was created. This program, which meets for two hours one day a week, aims to foster more bilingual community members in Bastrop County, focusing on reducing language barriers as a social determinant of health.
Linda Quiroz was invited to share this model at the Texas Society of Medical Assistants Annual Convening. A replicable model is now in the works so communities across the nation can "Hablemos Together."
Stay tuned for future announcements on this initiative!
|  | |
Bastrop County Cares takes on Yesterfest!
BCC participated in Bastrop County Historical Society’s annual “Yesterfest” on Saturday, May 24th. Fun was had by all! The event featured great food, various vendors, and fantastic period costumes.
Chris Lott, the Director of Child and Family Programs, handed out valuable information about our programs and activities. The BCC booth was a hit, teaching children how to make straw flutes.
It was an absolute blast!
|  | |
We're excited to introduce Josiah Ingalls of Camp Haven Sanctuary as one of our new Community Change Agents. Josiah's hard work and dedication to serving our community has not gone unnoticed!
When we onboarded Josiah, his testimony was moving! From the beginning Josiah felt that he should try to CURE homelessness and instead of just treating homelessness. Because of that, he has taken on a personal responsibility to seek solutions and create a model that anyone can use.
Welcome to BCC Josiah!
Learn how you can become a Change Agent here...
| |
2023 Annual Report
BCC has grown tremendously in the past year, nearly doubling both our full-time and contracted partners. Each of the coalitions had incredible connecting events and serve our county well.
Check out the full Annual Report
| |
|
Rural Mental Health Symposium on Tuesday, July 3, 2024!
This important event will feature discussions on youth suicide prevention, personal wellbeing for professionals, faith and mental health, and substance use disorders in rural communities. Don't miss this opportunity to earn CEUs and support a great cause!
Registration Fee: $45 (supports Bluebonnet Counseling Association Scholarship Fund)
| |
Save the date!!
On November 10, 2024 the Nourish Coalition in partnership with Texas Center for Local Food will be hosting the first-ever in Texas, Local Food Fair! We are actively recruiting local farmers, ranchers and agricultural adjacent agencies to participate in this event. Please contact Krissy Voutas at Krissy@bastropcares.org.
| | | | |
