Category: Non-profit organization news

San Antonio Charter Moms launches new podcast

San Antonio Charter Moms’ podcast provides in-depth, timely education solutions and resources. Photo: San Antonio Charter Moms, used with permission.

Whether distance learning, homeschooling, micro schooling, traditional on-campus or virtual schooling, San Antonio Charter Moms offers support, guidance and resources for parents and caregivers as they navigate the unchartered waters of pandemic parenting and schooling. For the first time, Charter Moms Chats are available in podcast form through Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Charter Moms Chats cover hot button topics between Host and Founder of San Antonio Charter Moms, Inga Cotton, and regional education experts. (San Antonio Charter Moms, 2020)

Recent podcast highlights include: Fighting Cyberbullying in the Age of Distance Learning, Charter and Choice Schools Open Enrollment Season Up to Date Insights and Using Insights from Previous Standardized Testing Results

DECEMBER 2020 PODCAST SCHEDULE:

  • December 14: Special guest Ambika Dani, CEO and Superintendent of Promesa Academy Charter Schools, covers enrollment and school vision.
  • December 15: Special guests Soner Tarim, CEO of Royal Public Schools, and school board members discuss enrollment and what to expect from the new charter.
  • December 16: Special guest Wendy Gonzalez-Neal, the Founder of My Child My Voice, shares a parent’s perspective about her school choice journey and being a parent advocate.
  • December 17: Special guest Barry LeMaitre, Principal at Brooks Lone Star, discusses enrollment and what student life is like at Brooks Academies of Texas.
  • December 18: Special guest TBA on the topic of Legislative priorities

San Antonio Charter Moms offers several online communities designed to fulfill the nonprofit’s mission of being the most trusted information source on education in the region. The Owl’s Education Express e-newsletter offers weekly updates on recent posts on the San Antonio Charter Moms blog, a list of upcoming events and important dates, and links to local education news. The Facebook discussion group serves as a sounding board and support group to more than 7,000 members seeking guidance on navigating school choice options, distance learning struggles and other educational challenges that families are currently facing. SACM developed San Antonio’s first free school finder app in 2019 called “San Antonio Charter Schools” and now includes the finder function through the nonprofit’s website for easy browsing. Charter Moms Chats are first broadcast live on Facebook several times a week at 4p.m., where Cotton and guests answer viewer questions and share additional learning resources. The education-focused nonprofit reaches a digital audience of more than 21,000 through its various social media channels, website, school finder mobile app and e-newsletter.

San Antonio Charter Moms (SACM) began as a blog in 2012 when Founder Inga Cotton was inspired to help San Antonio families more easily find good information about high-quality school options. Starting with a focus on the growing local charter school offerings, the blog has evolved into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that shares fair information about all types of schools. Established in 2018 as a nonprofit, SACM can accept funding that enables it to grow in ways that support accomplishing its mission of being the most trusted information source on education in the region. This growth includes Spanish-language blog post translations, surveying target publics, holding meetings with decisionmakers, supporting public speaking, community outreach and enhancing mobile technology.

“We aim to make our resources more equitable to all to empower families to make informed decisions about their child’s education. We hope this new format makes accessibility even more convenient for busy families.” – Inga Cotton, Founder and Executive Director of San Antonio Charter Moms

Children’s Ballet and Bird Bakery present ‘Children’s Nutcracker’

The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio presents a feel-good virtual fundraiser for the whole family. Photo: Children’s Ballet of San Antonio, used with permission.

The holidays would not be the same without Tchaikovsky’s timeless holiday tale ‘The Nutcracker.’ This is why the Children’s Ballet of San Antonio (CBSA) is keeping the tradition alive, but in a safe and socially distanced way with an interactive virtual fundraiser that offers fun for the entire family. It is set to take place virtually Friday, December 18 at 7p.m., and Saturday, December 19 at 2p.m. and 7p.m. and then again Friday, December 25 at 7p.m. and Saturday, December 26 at 2p.m. and 7p.m. The fairytale comes to life with a full-length production featuring dazzling costumes, multimedia integrated scenery, award-winning dancers, and a talented array of young performers (including special needs artists) in a variety of disciplines. This year’s interpretation will have a 2020 twist with masks and Zoom family gatherings integrated into the storyline.  So put on your holiday PJs, throw a log on the fire, grab a cup of cocoa, and prepare to be enchanted as Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Snow Queen and more, dance their way into your living room—and into your hearts. (Children’s Ballet of San Antonio, 2020)

To sweeten the tradition, Bird Bakery will be providing cookie decorating kits designed for boys and girls featuring six of their mouthwatering cookies in the shapes of ballet slippers, ballerinas and, of course, Nutcrackers, along with three tubes of their special Royal Icing in blue, pink and white for creating your culinary masterpiece. Need inspiration? The piping pros at Bird Bakery will offer a cookie decorating tutorial during intermission to guide you through the process of creating the perfect cookie. Bird will also offer sandwich platters for both children and adults that include chips and their famous Monster cookies as well as a Cupcake for a Cause topped with an iced ballet slipper from December 7-13. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of this decadent dessert will go to CBSA.

Tickets for this special event start at $50 with tax-deductible sponsorship packages ranging from $100 to $10,000 depending on the package and can be purchased online where viewers can also find Bird Bakery order and pickup deadlines.  All sponsorships of $100 and up include at least one link to the showtime of choice plus a Bird Bakery cookie decorating set. Cookie decorating sets and sandwich platters are also available to purchase a la carte.

The award-winning Children’s Ballet of San Antonio (CBSA) is an authentic, professional-level ballet company that produces professionally staged productions showcasing San Antonio’s most talented children. Dancers are selected by invitation or audition. The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio is a nonprofit organization 501(c)3 whose mission is to inspire the pursuit of excellence and prepare children for productive and creative lives through dance by offering extensive training and performance opportunities for talented children from all backgrounds.

“We are thrilled to bring the tradition of the Nutcracker home for the holidays. This year more than ever, families are searching for ways to focus on the silver linings and create memorable moments at home. We hope this interactive experience will make the holidays that much richer.” – Vanessa Bessler, CBSA Founder.

Pearl announces Fabric Shop and Nonprofit Labor Program

stitchatniche
Niche at Pearl has created The Stitch at Niche. Photo: Niche at Pearl, used with permission.

Pearl is announcing new initiatives by select retailers to better serve customers and the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Similar to the launch of the Pearl Farmers Market Online to aid local farmers, these programs showcase the resilience of Pearl tenants as they adapt to changing circumstances. (Pearl, 2020)

With sewing and crafting on the rise across the country since the start of the pandemic, Niche at Pearl is creating its newest concept: The Stitch at Niche – a carefully curated fabric shop and project space. The shop will launch at the Niche at Pearl store starting on Friday, August 21, 2020. The Stitch at Niche will include one-of-a-kind textiles, trims, and buttons not available at other fabric stores. Much of the fabric has been developed specifically for the Niche brand with textile manufacturers from all over the world that only work with the garment industry. Niche at Pearl will be offering the fabric and trims by the yard and prices vary based on the material.

The Stitch at Niche will stock simple sewing patterns from the Niche collection for garments and projects. By Fall, it will roll out a collection of limited in-stock and semi-custom home decor to include pillows, curtains, napkins and other soft goods. Once it is safe to do so, Niche will host maker workshops and classes in store in the project area, led by its designer Nilgun Derman, its team and guest makers. In the meantime, the store will release short how-to videos on practical sewing tips and easy at-home projects.

The Stitch at Niche will stock over 75 kinds of rotating textiles and hundreds of buttons and trims:

  • Silks and silk dupioni in a rainbow of colors and patterns
  • Linens and linen blends, including solids and digital prints
  • French jacquards and brocades
  • Embroidered knit jersey and cotton shirting
  • PFD (prepared for dye) linens, cotton and knits for tie-dye and small batch dyeing projects
  • Boiled wool and lightweight outerwear fabrics
  • Handmade, detailed buttons in shell, horn and wood, including large decorative buttons
  • Beaded and crocheted trims

Traveling sewing kits will also be available for $8 and will include: black hinged tin, needle/thread, seam ripper, tape measure, “twinbutton” shell buttons, black mini safety pins, elastic band and set of snaps. Niche at Pearl will additionally carry pattern kits for simple home projects.

With the recent rising trend of virtual wine classes and wine packs to go, High Street Wine Co. added them to better serve its customers. But High Street’s programming offers a unique give back approach with the launch of its Nonprofit Labor Program.

For every wine pack and select wine classes purchased, High Street allocates service hours and sends its team members to volunteer with its nonprofit partners — all of which were selected by their team. At online check-out, guests can choose which organization to support, including San Antonio Hope Center, Meals on Wheels, West Avenue Compassion or San Antonio Food Bank. Guests can also choose to match labor contributions to pay High Street’s staff to take additional time to volunteer for the organizations. Wine packs and classes vary in price and selections are available on High Street online.

High Street has temporarily transformed its interior into a donation drop-off station. Guests can drop off donation items, which High Street then delivers to its nonprofit partners. To kick-start the program and encourage donations, High Street is providing complimentary Pearl beer to anyone who drops a donation from the approved list (must be 21 and older to receive complimentary beer).

“I’m continually inspired by the resilience and innovation of our retail and restaurant community. Our partners are responding to the needs of San Antonio and creating avenues of support for their businesses and employees.” – Elizabeth Fauerso, Pearl’s Chief Marketing Officer

Bank of America investing in San Antonio

foodbanklogo
Photo: google

Bank of America recently announced their $100 million contribution to support communities around the world during this time of need. As part of this effort, the bank is working with organizations that are going above and beyond to provide assistance in San Antonio to serve our most vulnerable populations amidst the coronavirus crisis. (San Antonio Food Bank, 2020)

In total, the bank is supporting local nonprofits in San Antonio with $375,000. Of this, $200,000 is going to the San Antonio Food Bank to address food insecurity – an urgent need in the community. In addition to food insecurity, the nonprofits the bank is supporting are focused on homelessness, emergency childcare services and child abuse and neglect.

The six local nonprofits receiving support from Bank of America include the San Antonio Food Bank, Haven for Hope, SA Hope Center, Soldiers’ Angels, ChildSafe and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County.

The San Antonio Food Bank supports 16 counties in the San Antonio area and a total population of 2.5 million. Historically, the Food Bank serves approximately 60,000 families per week, but demand has recently doubled. This contribution from Bank of America will help the Food Bank purchase food and supplies needed to provide to families.

Haven for Hope is a 22-acre facility providing emergency shelter and transformational services and resources to individuals, families and children experiencing homelessness. The organization will utilize these funds to compensate staff overtime and temp workers, purchase additional critical supplies such as food, sleeping mats and activities for children and increase cleaning and janitorial services during the coronavirus pandemic.

SA Hope Center is a resource center empowering individuals and families in crisis to become sustainable through holistic individualized services, accountability and grace. Bank of America’s support will go directly towards providing food services to the most vulnerable population served by SA Hope Center. The food service center historically services an average of 100 families per week and is currently serving 1,100 families, or over 3,300 people, per week given an increase in demand.

Soldiers’ Angels provides aid and comfort to the men and women of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, their families and a growing veteran population. Bank of America’s support will help Soldiers’ Angels provide box lunches and mobile food pantries for military families and veterans during this coronavirus pandemic. The organization saw a 40% increase in food requests in March and anticipates this will continue to be the case, if not higher, in April and May.

ChildSafe provides expert care and specialized services to children and adolescents who have been traumatized by abuse, neglect or sexual abuse. The organization has found that child abuse spikes during times of uncertainty and high stress, when financial burdens, interruptions of childcare and school, take its toll on families. With the City of San Antonio’s shelter-in-place order, cases of child abuse in March increased by 18% compared to the same period the year before. ChildSafe will utilize these funds to continue to provide wraparound services to handle the influx of cases they are seeing locally.

The United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County has established a COVID-19 Community Response Fund to help address the immediate and long-term needs of our community. Bank of America’s support will go directly to United Way’s Emergency Childcare Assistance program, which provides childcare for essential workers.

“At Bank of America, supporting our communities and responding to some of the biggest challenges we face in Bexar County is what we do. Many of our local residents and businesses, like others around the world, are hurting during the coronavirus crisis, and by working with leading local nonprofits, we are able to deploy critical resources to immediately address some of their most pressing, basic needs.” – Jessica Miller, Bank of America San Antonio Market President.