CCSCT Hosts Successful Bridge Builders Event, Fosters Dialogue on Key Community Concerns

South Central, TX – Community Council of South Central Texas is delighted to announce the results from the 2024 Bridge Builders: Community Listening Event in Uvalde, TX. Community groups and local leadership from Uvalde, Val Verde, Kinney, Dimmit, Zavala, Edwards, and Real Counties attended the event to share their concerns, ideas, and aspirations with local officials and representatives from CCSCT. The event provided a unique platform for residents to express their opinions, concerns, and hopes for the future of the community.

Comments focused on Safety, Outreach to Access and Information, Healthcare Access- including Mental Health, Job/Economic Development, Housing, and Infrastructure.

Safety remains a paramount concern, prompting the urgent need for increased law enforcement support and enhanced training for mental health response teams. Recognizing the vital role of law enforcement, advocates are calling for increased funding for staff recruitment and training to ensure public safety is upheld.

To foster greater community engagement and access to information, participants proposed creating more opportunities for elected officials to hear directly from constituents. This outreach initiative aims to empower communities and ensure their voices are heard in the decision-making process.

In the realm of healthcare access, particularly mental health, there is a pressing need to address sustainability concerns and bolster support services. Efforts to increase substance abuse treatment and prevention services were also expressed to combat the ongoing crisis.

Jobs and economic development are central to the community’s prosperity. Advocates are pushing for increased childcare assistance for working parents, alongside initiatives to attract companies and employers, thus expanding job opportunities and bolstering the tax base.

Housing affordability and availability are key priorities, specifically at addressing homelessness and supporting domestic violence survivors. Comments included the possibility of earmarking funds for shelter creation and other support services to ensure vulnerable individuals and families have access to safe housing options.

Infrastructure improvements are essential for enhancing the overall quality of life in the community. Efforts to improve road maintenance, sidewalks, and public transportation should aim to better connect communities, facilitate access to essential services, and provide dependable routes.

All the items mentioned were communicated to area leaders. In attendance were City of Carrizo Mayor Oscar Puente; Medina County Judge Keith Lutz; La Salle County Judge Leodoro Martinez III; and Kinney County Judge John Paul Schuster. Also in attendance were Texas Association of Community Action Agencies Executive Director, Amanda Shelton and CCSCT Executive Director Bobby Dieke.

CCSCT would like to express its sincere gratitude to our event sponsor, Methodist Healthcare Ministries, all community members, local officials, and partners who contributed to the success of Bridge Builders. Together, we will continue our efforts to build a stronger, more vibrant community.

Community Council of South Central Texas is a member of the National Community Action Partnership and the Community Action Network, which was born out of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. CCSCT is a non-profit community action agency that empowers vulnerable families and individuals in the greater South Central Texas area to achieve self-sufficiency by eliminating barriers through innovative programs and strong community partnerships. Counties serviced include Atascosa, Bandera, Bee, Brewster, Comal, Crane, Culberson, Dimmit, Edwards, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Kinney, LaSalle, Live Oak, Maverick, McMullen, Medina, Pecos, Presidio, Real, Terrell, Uvalde, Val Verde, Wilson, and Zavala. For more information, visit www.ccsct.org or follow us on the socials at https://linktr.ee/ccsct_cares.

Pictured L-R
Keith Lutz, Medina County Judge
Carol Delgado, CS Program Director
Amanda Shelton, TACAA Executive Director
Bobby Deike, CCSCT Executive Director
Oscar Puente, City of Carrizo Mayor
Leodoro Martinez III, La Salle County Judge
Stephanie Dane, MHM Community Connector
John Paul Schuster, Kinney County Judge