Celebrate Janie Barrera and Accion Texas, Inc. on Wednesday, November 19th

Join Accion on Wednesday, November 19th from 6 – 9 p.m. at Aldaco’s Mexican Restaurant at Sunset Station to celebrate Janie Barrera’s Sweet 60th Birthday and Accion’s Celebration of 20 Years Funding Dreams. More info and details below:
Barrera60thEMAILfin

 

Family Service Association’s Adopt-A-Family holiday program

Family Service Assoc_colorFor over 20 years Family Service Association has helped give thousands of families hope for the holidays through their Adopt-A-Family program. With major sponsors like Valero, Family Service is ensuring a bright December for San Antonio.

Take for instance, Valencia Carter. Her family was helped by the program. The only thing she wanted was to give her youngest son something nice. She spoke to her other two children and let them know that with deep regret she could only afford one present that year. Her eldest children accepted noting that their younger brother still needed something to believe in.

Family Service Association stepped in and quickly found her a family willing to donate items. The day of pick up soon arrived and Valencia stood awestruck and in tears. “The only thing my baby wanted was a bike; he could not stop thinking about it and brought it up every chance he got. I could not afford to get him a bicycle at the time so I had no idea how I was going to tell him.” The day she went to The Neighborhood Place, among the many wonderful basic need items, was a brand new shiny bicycle.

“I will never forget my son’s face.” Valencia Carter says, “To the people, whoever they are, that got us all of those wonderful things. I do not know if they will ever understand just what they did for my family. We have hope again that somehow everything is going to be ok.”

Family Service Association’s Adopt-A-Family program is still going strong. Help us. Call 210-299-2400 and let us know you want to adopt. Alternatively, fill out our sponsor application form found here: https://familyserviceassocation.wufoo.com/forms/2016-adoptafamily-sponsor-registration/

 

 

Unstoppable – A Guide Dog user’s perspective

3 Lisa and Clyde 2014By Lisa Batist

I used to think of myself as a real go-getter until I got Clyde, my Guide Dog. Now I am really a real go-getter! Never did I dream that on March 15, 2010 my life would be forever changed.  The joy, the unconditional love, the independence and the joyous one-on-one times I share with my boy could never have been given to me by any other.

I believe one of the true defining moments for Clyde and I was a situation where we were walking down a busy downtown street and a stranger followed us for a few blocks.  He finally stopped and talked to me.  He said, “Wow, when you walk together you both walk proudly and with such confidence.  You look straight ahead.  Your head is up and so is your dog’s!”   The reason this was such a defining moment for me relates back to my training with Clyde.  During training, I had a hard time looking up and forward.  I had to learn to trust Clyde enough so that I could walk looking straight ahead.  Not as easy as you all think!   But when a stranger complimented me that day, I realized that Clyde and I were there.  We are a team and a team that cannot be surpassed!

I could not have been matched more perfectly than I am with Clyde! I could never repay Guide Dogs of Texas for what they have given me. I will be eternally indebted to them for the unconditional love, independence and happiness that Clyde has brought to me and my family.

To help support more clients like Lisa who need a Guide Dog please consider donating to our non profit Guide Dogs of Texas.

Guide Dogs of Texas logoWhy Support Guide Dogs of Texas?
Guide Dogs of Texas is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that is supported strictly by the generosity of foundations, corporations and individuals. Our mission is to provide quality guide dogs to Texans who are visually impaired to increase their freedom, mobility and independence. We receive no funding from local, state or national government or insurance claims.

The cost to breed, raise, train and match a dog with a client is approximately $50,000 but we charge our clients only $1. Your gift will help us fulfill our mission while providing you with the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping an individual gain their freedom, mobility and independence.

Thank you for considering a gift to Guide Dogs of Texas. We are a qualified not-for-profit organization (Tax ID # 74-2530268) and all donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law. Guide Dogs of Texas receives no government funding or insurance payments and survives solely from donations. Your donation will greatly support our mission of providing quality guide dogs to visually impaired Texans.

https://www.givedirect.org/give/givefrm.asp?CID=253

 

San Antonio Scorpions are a force to be reckoned with

scorpions logoThe San Antonio Scorpions have proven that they are a force to be reckoned with in the North American Soccer League. The team is currently in the running for The Championship, which is the league’s four-team postseason tournament, and are second in the Combined Standings. In addition, the Alamo City Boys have officially secured a semifinal match to be played on Saturday, November 8, at Toyota Field.

For the Scorpions, the 2014 NASL Fall Season has been filled with numerous achievements. The team has set a new team record for total points earned with 49, and extended their team record for wins to 15. Furthermore, the Scorpions have scored the second most goals with 42, and have allowed the fewest goals with 24.

The red-and-black also set multiple team and league records earlier in the fall season, including a nine game unbeaten streak, a six game road winning streak, three straight shutouts, and seven straight games scoring at least two goals.

Critical to the team’s success is the commitment and passion from both the players and the coaching staff. By sticking to the game plan and working as a unit, the San Antonio Scorpions are coming ever closer to achieving their ultimate goal: winning the championship title.

Below is the link to buy tickets to the Scorpions’ semifinal match against the New York Cosmos. Tickets can also be purchased at the Toyota Field box office, by calling the Scorpions at 210-495-8686, or at sascorpions.com.

http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/3A004D4EF9CF32C6

Accion Texas Inc. launches new Spanish website

Accion logo colorAccion Texas Inc. – the nation’s largest nonprofit small business lender   invites visitors to explore its new Spanish website. The new website has been designed to provide Spanish speaking clients with a more user-friendly experience.

Accion is dedicated to adapting and improving to meet the growing demand for small businesses and entrepreneurs,” Accion Texas President and CEO Janie Barrera said. “We are always focused on bringing the American dream to more places and more people.

Accion Texas collaborated with Sweb Development—a local digital-marketing development agency –to create a website with improved navigation and functionality throughout, allowing customers to access product information in Spanish.

“Accion understands the importance of the growing multicultural market and is providing the same access to information and resources to Spanish and English speakers alike,” Sweb Development Founder and CEO Magaly Chocano said. “Accion continues to be a driving force for entrepreneurs, job creation, and economic progress,” Chocano said.

Created with user experience firmly in mind, customers are now able to benefit from richer online content that is easier to navigate and share with others. Accion serves more than 60 percent of Hispanics throughout its eight-state footprint.  By providing multi-platform access in multiple languages, Accion levels the playing field for all entrepreneurs to excel. We encourage you to visit the new site at www.acciontexas.org and click the Español tab on the top right corner of our main page.

About Sweb Development
Established in 2008, Sweb Development builds mobile apps, websites, social media marketing campaigns, and everything in between. Sweb is a full service digital agency offering creative digital strategies, graphic design, and developments for web, mobile, and social. Sweb produces tailor-made, cutting edge, captivating solutions.

About Accion Texas
Accion Texas Inc. is a nonprofit, multi-state company and small business lender that helps new and existing entrepreneurs successfully grow their businesses. Through affordable lending and business development services, Accion Texas is committed to empowering diverse individuals and small businesses that have limited access to traditional sources of capital. Since its founding in San Antonio in 1994, Accion has made more than 14,000 loans totaling more than $167 million.  Accion now operates in eight states: Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas. To learn more about Accion’s lending options, call 888-215-2373 or visit www.acciontexas.org.

Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio’s Home Centers will be open on Black Friday!

HabitatforHumanity_HOMECENTER SLOGAN LOGOFor the first time in 20 years the Habitat Home Centers will be open on Black Friday. Our stores have always celebrated a very long Thanksgiving break, but with a surplus of merchandise in all three stores the doors will be open Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving.

We don’t expect to see customers lining up at our doors at 3am, but with an abundance of great buys available we know that our customers will leave with smiles on their faces and bargains in their shopping bags.

The opportunity to give the community an avenue to purchase goods at a low cost aligns with what Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio does, ”working to help families in need and to help them build affordable homes for themselves…”

Families who would otherwise not be able to afford new furnishings or home building material can rely on the Home Centers to provide what they need without breaking the bank.

The Habitat Home Centers sell new and donated material to the public at or below retail and proceeds from those sales fund Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio home builds for local low-income families.

What a great way to give back this holiday season by not only knowing you are helping another family purchase their new simple, decent and affordable home all while saving money when shopping at the Home Centers. To learn more about Habitat’s home building program; visit www.HabitatSA.org.

When you shop in any one of the 3 local Habitat Home Centers, you will be amazed to find new dinette sets, mattresses, bedroom sets, cabinets, counter tops, flooring and more.  Donated material ranges from doors and windows to appliances and other “do it yourself” material.

In an effort to capture the attention of more customers, Habitat’s Home Centers have also launched online sales through eBay.  Purchase many of the regular inventory items without the hassle of traffic and long lines.  You can conveniently purchase your goods through PayPal and pick up your merchandise the next business day.

We are excited to extend our business an additional couple of days and offer specials to the community. We have brought in merchandise specifically for Black Friday and know that this will be a great buying opportunity for Home Center customers.

Visit any one of 3 stores between 8am and 6pm this November 28th and 29th to see what’s in stock for you.  Inventory changes frequently so shop often; shop early.

www.ebay.com/usr/311homecenter

www.facebook.com/HabitatHomeCenter

www.pinterest.com/habitathomecent

www.twitter.com/@311homecenter

www.HabitatSA.org

You are invited to shop at the Habitat Home Center and make their first ever Black Friday Sale a success!

South central location: 311 Probandt St. San Antonio, TX 78204

Northeast location: 5482 Walzem Rd. San Antonio, TX 78218

Northwest location: 8125 Meadow Leaf Dr. San Antonio, TX 78227

Tux ‘N Tennies presented by SWBC and Lone Star Auto Group to be held on January 8, 2015

silver black give back Logo_Horizontal_Alternate180x150-SWBCSilver & Black Give Back, the nonprofit partner of Spurs Sports & Entertainment’s family of teams, will hold its annual Tux ‘N Tennies fundraiser presented by SWBC and Lone Star Auto Group on Thursday, January 8, 2015. Hosted by the San Antonio Spurs, the premier fundraiser for Silver & Black Give Back’s youth programs is a unique opportunity to join the entire Spurs Family for live entertainment, a festive feast, and one-of-a-kind silent and live auctions.

Held at the AT&T Center, the annual fundraising event features franchise players, coaches and executives in tuxedoes, gowns and tennis shoes enjoying an unparalleled evening of celebration. Back by popular demand, this year’s event has a Spurs Night Live theme and will feature lively libations and special entertainment to conclude the festivities. To see photos of last year’s event, click here.

Silver & Black Give Back is a 501(c)(3) public charity that invests in the community in partnership with the entire Spurs Sports & Entertainment family of teams.  Since 1988 our players, coaches and staff have focused on fostering young talent and enriching the community by encouraging local youth to become responsible adults and give back through programs like Spurs Youth Basketball League and Team Up Challenge. More information on Silver and Black Give Back can be found at www.sbgb.org.

For information on reserving a table for the 2015 Tux ‘N Tennies fundraiser, please contact Loretta Kerner at lkerner@attcenter.com or 210-444-5861.

Media Contact: Meredith Collier, mcollier@attcenter.com or 210-444-5608

New Community Center Daily Bread Ministries hosting benefit concert

DailyBread_4cWhat used to be a Lack’s furniture warehouse is now a food distribution center for people in need, and will soon be transformed into a community center on the east side. Nestled right outside of the Eastside Promise Neighborhood in San Antonio, Daily Bread Ministries (DBM) operates a 163,000 square foot distribution center for food and other basic necessities. DBM collects and redistributes product which would otherwise discarded by local food sellers and catering companies. The ministry provides these goods to over 130 churches and compassion organizations in San Antonio and the surrounding counties. Daily Bread Ministries has never charged a fee to those who receive food, allowing their partner ministries to reach the poorest of the poor in our community. Last year, over 6 million pounds of food were redistributed with an estimated retail value of over $7.8 million dollars. In addition to issuing food, DBM regularly provides diapers, baby wipes and lotions, paper goods, furniture, bedding and clothes.

Daily Bread Ministries plans to transform their current building, which will be renamed the “Liberty Center,” to be a fully operational community center within the next 3-5 years. The facility will be enhanced in phases, making it useful to the community as quickly as possible. This one-stop community center has plans to include:

  • A commercial kitchen to provide hot meals in a café setting, as well as culinary job training.
  • A HUGE fitness center with volleyball and basketball courts
  • Several meeting rooms
  • Classrooms with computer labs
  • Game areas
  • Music Venue
  • Movie Theatre
  • Much More!

In celebration of the upcoming Liberty Center, Daily Bread Ministries will be hosting a concert on Friday, December 12th starting at 6:00pm. The event will include a family-friendly concert with local musicians, an Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest, and a silent auction! The silent auction will include items such as a diamond pendant from Americus Diamond, matching pearl necklace and earrings from James Avery, rounds of golf for four at TPC San Antonio, tickets to museums, gift cards, and many more awesome items. More information on the community event will be posted on Daily Bread Ministries’ Facebook page. You can also follow DBM on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Community Concert (3)

Accion Texas Inc. celebrates five-month lending record

Accion logo colorAccion Texas Inc. – a nonprofit multi-state micro and small business lender with the nation’s largest microloan portfolio – has surpassed $2 million in loans for the fifth consecutive month.

This is the first time the organization has achieved these figures for five months in a year.

In August, the company disbursed 149 small business loans totaling $2.4 million – nearly $1 million over August 2013, when Accion Texas closed out the month with 117 loans totaling $1.5 million.

The latest figures come on the heels of $2.3 million in April, $2.4 million in May and $2.5 million for June and July, respectively.

In addition to the five-month milestone, Accion Texas Chief Lending Officer Dan Lawless said that two of Accion Texas’s markets achieved their highest monthly numbers ever last month.   Houston, where Accion has operated since 1998, disbursed nearly $450,000 in loans in August and Memphis, Tennessee, where Accion opened in 2012, loaned nearly $100,000.

“These phenomenal numbers reflect both the improving economy and also the fact that more banks and small business owners are becoming aware of Accion Texas and its services,” Lawless said. “Our mission is to provide entrepreneurs with the capital, education and technical assistance they need to start, sustain and grow their small businesses when they may not have access to traditional sources of capital and assistance.  Achieving this level of lending over the past five months confirms that there is a real need for what we offer, that the economy is turning around, and that we are making a positive difference in the many communities we serve.”

Accion Texas President and CEO Janie Barrera said that Accion Texas helps entrepreneurs achieve their dreams.

“We believe in our small businesses and entrepreneurs,” she said. “These are the people who are helping to fuel our economy and strengthen our communities. These impressive results demonstrate that we are reaching more entrepreneurs who, in turn, are realizing their dreams and serving as examples to other aspiring small business owners that they can also achieve success.”

About Accion Texas
Accion Texas Inc. is a nonprofit, multi-state microlending company and small business lender that helps new and existing entrepreneurs successfully grow their businesses. Through affordable lending and business development services, Accion Texas is committed to empowering diverse individuals and small businesses that have limited access to traditional sources of capital. Since its founding in San Antonio in 1994, Accion has made more than 14,000 loans totaling more than $167 million.  Accion now operates in eight states: Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas. To learn more about Accion’s lending options, call 888-215-2373 or visit www.acciontexas.org.

San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame announces Class of 2015

SanAntonioSports_colorThe San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame has announced the Class of 2015.  Doug Moe, former San Antonio Spurs head coach from 1976-1980, Al LaMacchia, former Major League Baseball pitcher and scout, business leader and sports supporter Pat Frost, Lori Norwood, the only American to win a world championship in women’s modern pentathlon, and sports broadcaster Gary Delaune whose career has spanned five decades, will be recognized at the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame Tribute on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015 in the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.

San Antonio resident Doug Moe served as head coach for the NBA San Antonio Spurs from 1976-1980, leading the Spurs to the conference finals in 1979.  He ranks second in the Spurs all-time record for number of wins (behind Gregg Popovich).  As head coach for Denver from 1980-90, Moe compiled a 432-357 record, leading the Nuggets to the post season nine straight years (two Midwest  division titles) and advancing to the Western Conference Finals in1985.  He was named NBA Coach of the Year in 1987-88, the same year as the Nuggets franchise record of 54 wins.   Moe was a two-time All American at the University of North Carolina and an ABA All-Star three times, with the Oakland Oaks, Carolina Cougars and Virginia Squires, in an injury-shortened five year professional playing career.

Al LaMacchia spent three seasons pitching for the San Antonio Missions, setting a Texas league record in 1942—which still stands—when he pitched a nine-inning game in 1:07.  He pitched in 16 games in the major leagues for the St. Louis Browns and Washing Senators from 1943-46.  Following his playing career, he became one of the most recognized scouts in baseball, working for Philadelphia, Atlanta, Toronto, Tampa Bay and Los Angeles.  During his 20 years with the Toronto Blue Jays, he helped build the World Series championship teams of 1992 and 1993.  He was named Midwest Region Scout of the Year in 2001. LaMacchia passed way in 2010 at his San Antonio home at the age of 89.

Pat Frost, president of Frost Bank, has long been one of the community’s strongest sports leaders and advocates. His impact is felt throughout San Antonio Sports, the Valero Alamo Bowl, the San Antonio Livestock Exhibition, the University of Texas, the Spurs Foundation and UTSA.  Far from being a figurehead, Frost has worked tirelessly behind the scenes with sports’ most prominent rights holders and national governing bodies to elevate the Alamo City as a true sports destination. Frost was chairman of the local organizing committee for the 2004 and 2008 NCAA Men’s Final Four, and is the current chair of the San Antonio Local Organizing Committee, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.

Frost’s role with San Antonio Sports dates back to 1987, including serving as chair from 1997-2000.  He has been involved with the Spurs Foundation since 1988.    His extensive community involvement also includes being on the executive committee of the San Antonio Livestock Exposition and the board of trustees of the United Way of San Antonio and World Affairs Council, trustee of the San Antonio Medical Foundation and chairman of the audit committee of the UT Health Science Center.

Lori Norwood remains the only American to win a world championship in Women’s Modern Pentathlon. The sport comprises the disciplines of pistol shooting, epée fencing, freestyle swimming, show jumping, and cross country running. In 1989, she was the world’s best, winning five international competitions, including the World Championship and San Antonio Cup. In 1990, Norwood placed second at the World Championships after winning the Goodwill Games, the San Antonio Cup and the U.S. National Championships.

She won the individual title at the 1989 Olympic Festival in Oklahoma City and was a finalist for the AAU James E. Sullivan Award in ’89 and ’90, as the nation’s finest amateur athlete. In 1989, Lori was the Express-News Female Athlete of the year, and in 1991, was named the 1991 Amateur Athlete of the Year by Professional Athletes Assisting Youth Sports. Lori is also a member of the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame.

Sports broadcaster Gary Delaune’s career has spanned five decades.  He is a 50 year veteran high school play-by-play announcer in Texas, and has been involved with college and professional sports teams since 1961 when he served as a broadcaster for the AFL Dallas Texans for two seasons and was a member of the Dallas Cowboys broadcast team for three seasons (1964-66). From 1968 through `71 Delaune was the voice of the Houston Astrodome.

He began his Texas radio and television broadcast career in 1960, first in Dallas and Houston before coming to KENS-TV in San Antonio, where he worked for 28 years as a reporter, producer and sports anchor. In 1973 he was the first San Antonio sportscaster to become a member of the Spurs basketball broadcast team.

DeLaune has received numerous journalism awards including the Associated Press Best Radio Documentary Award for “Jack Ruby’s Eleventh Hour” (1967), the Sigma Delta Chi Award for Best Television Sports Feature (1975 and 1990), the AP Best Feature Award (1975) and the Associated Press Best Spot News Award (1979).  He was named to the Lone Star Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame (2006) and was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame in 2007.

The San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame and the gala tribute are a partnership between San Antonio Sports, the City of San Antonio, and San Antonio Express-News.  The black-tie gala will be held in Ballroom C of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and feature a live performance from Grand Funk Railroad (“I’m Your Captain (Closer to Home) and “We’re an American Band”).  Proceeds from the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame Tribute benefit San Antonio Sports’ kids programs.   For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.sanantoniosports.org/halloffame.

About San Antonio Sports
San Antonio Sports is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to transform our community through the power of sport.  San Antonio Sports bids on and hosts premier sporting events such as NCAA® championships, which have generated a local economic impact of more than $446 million.  San Antonio Sports kids programs, including the i play! afterschool program, the Community Olympic Development Program, the Go!Kids Challenge™ and SUBWAY® Kids Rock marathon training program, annually touch the lives of more than 180,000 children.  Additionally, San Antonio Sports serves as a catalyst for the development of quality recreational and athletic facilities in our community.  To learn more, visit SanAntonioSports.org.