Briefs

An average of 403,241 children and youth are in foster care at any given time in the U.S. Many youth who age out of foster care become homeless and lack the support and motivation to pursue their goals. Baptist Child and Family Services Health and Human Services and The Bank of America Child and Adolescent Policy Research Institute at UTSA hosted the 17th annual Independence Day Youth Conference for foster youth. The event was held at the UTSA Downtown Campus on Friday, July 29, 2016. The purpose of this conference was to educate and inspire foster youth to pursue their educational and career goals as they transition into adulthood.

Harriett Romo, director of CAPRI, says “This event is to get them on to a college campus to show them going to school is possible,” she said. “There are funds available to support tuition and a supportive staff here at UTSA.”

Approximately 200 foster youth attended the event. The keynote speaker for the conference was President Romo. The conference was broken into educational workshops aimed to inspire youth to pursue their career goals. The sessions were facilitated by the UTSA Social Work Program, University of Houston Conrad H. Hilton College, San Antonio College Mortuary Science, San Antonio Police Department, San Antonio Fire Department, and the Alamo City Barber College. In addition to the workshops the youth enjoyed multiple inflatables, lunch, and raffles that included iPads and laptops. Backpacks were also distributed to every youth who attended the event.

Mariah Kilbourne has become an inspiration to people with disabilities across the nation. In the past eight years, she has advocated for individuals in wheelchairs to have better access to public spaces and for equal employment opportunities. This work led to her achieving the titles of Ms. Wheelchair Texas in 2012, Ms. Wheelchair America in 2013 and a stellar spot in the U.S. Department of Labor “No Boundaries” program. She fights so that all people with disabilities, like herself, can achieve equity and opportunity. At UTSA, she is the training coordinator at the Small Business Development Center in the Institute for Economic Development. In just a year, she conducted 180 workshops to help small-business owners in San Antonio have better skills and tools to be more competitive and successful. “I am very fortunate to be part of the community at UTSA, she says. It is amazing to be part of a team that truly encourages the unique strengths that each individual brings to the team.”

This summer hundreds of children and teens enjoyed more than 25 summer camp programs at UTSA. These summer camps cultivate a college-going attitude in youth. Participants develop cutting-edge academic skills, and are pushed to new heights of creativity.

The Pathway to Health Professions camp began this summer under UTSA’s Policy Studies Center and graduated 140 high school juniors and seniors, some recently admitted as UTSA freshman. These aspiring health professionals spent six weeks at the UTSA Downtown Campus learning about diabetes, hypertension and obesity. They conducted research and clinical studies on these health topics and developed team presentations at the end of each week. A total of six university faculty, four writing tutors and five peer mentors gave classes and one-on-one support to the participants.

“Participants gain better understanding of what it takes to be a college student in order to become a future health professional,” said Natalia Garcia, program coordinator at the Policy Studies Center.

Participants were recruited from 15 Bexar County high schools. Program organizers targeted disadvantaged students and first-generation college prospects in the selection. Participants submitted an online application and a personal statement. Those accepted received a stipend to supplement any summer wages that a student might have lost as a result of attending the camp. The Pathway to Health Professions camp will return next summer and cover three new topics: lung cancer, liver disease and Alzheimer’s disease. At the end of each camp students, receive diplomas, awards and a reception with faculty and family members.

San Antonio is turning 300 years old on May 5, 2018 and the city is planning a colorful, culturally rich yearlong celebration. Mayor Ivy Taylor and the City Council appointed a Tricentennial Commission charged with planning, identifying partners, and integrating events into this major festivity. The commission established committees to plan programs to commemorate this milestone. Executive Director of the UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures Angelica Docog is co-chairing the History and Education Committee. UTSA faculty Scott Scherer, art department, and Jack Reynolds, history department, also will serve on this task force. The committee will identify topical initiatives that can be launched throughout the year or in preparation for the tricentennial. Three initiatives are already underway, including the creation of a chronological timeline of San Antonio’s history that will be for display at a local museum exhibit and online. And a city passport that will encourage children and families to explore San Antonio and Bexar County historical sites. A new Teacher Institute that will re-introduce San Antonio’s history to school teachers in the city. Joining her colleague’s efforts, UTSA Linguistics Professor Bridget Drinka will coordinate an international linguistics conference for this celebration.