Home > What do you want? > Archives > 2009 > February > 21 > Entry
What a Privilege
What an inspiring privilege it was to speak to Ramona Curtis’ Servant Leadership class at Baylor recently about the vision of an extreme make-over for EW. I am always reinvigorated when I get to talk to someone about the possibilities for EW and doubly inspired by people who get it and want to be a part of it.
I am often asked, “what can I do to help”. After you capture the vision, my answer is always a couple of questions, what do you do best and what do you enjoy most? But Greenleaf gets to the heart of the matter as servant leaders try to figure out what they can do: Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? And, what is the effect on the least privileged in society? Will they benefit or at least not be further deprived?
When we each answer those questions we capture the vision and then we do what we do best and what we enjoy most.
We will all benefit from an extreme make-over for EW. Where do you fit in?
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By Zinnger
March 4, 2009 10:58 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Hello I am very interested in learning more about community involvement and how I can partner with other groups and organizations. Ms. Dugat, please contact me at lordland@aol.com. Thanks.
By Carol Dugat
March 7, 2009 11:04 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Zinnger, thanks for your interest. I’ll email you today.
By Ramona
March 17, 2009 2:54 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Carol,it was a pleasure to hear of your vision and see your inspiration at work. My class visited JH Hines Elem. Mr. Hatten is passionate about the students he serves and no doubt he is a servant leader. Your blog has taken me back to the life and times of Elm Ave. and has inspired a new vision for the future! It is an honor to partner with such committed servants in our community.
By Carol Dugat
March 19, 2009 7:07 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Hey Ramona, I’d love to hear more from you and your class about your visit to Hines - what was the experience like, what are your goals,what has to happen to make what you are doing a success?
By Chris Whitfield
March 22, 2009 11:27 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
I lived in Waco from 02-05, and I just moved back here for specific purpose. Actually, I live in Hewitt, but same difference. My point is that I read some of the comments here, and I really don’t see any improvement in the face of East Waco. The streets are bad, the schools are low performing, and no major new businesses build on that side of town. All I see there are a lot of liquor stores, convenient stores, check cashing places, and Churches Chicken. Why won’t Bush’s Chicken build in East Waco? I have noticed that the car washes go dark after 10pm. Other parts of Waco, they stay lit all night. A few new Dollar stores does not indicate progress in building up East Waco. Many people seem to think that building or expanding the recreational centers is a big deal. Let me say, that kids and families in East Waco need a chance. They need good schools with good teachers, and a positive environment. There are too many rim shops to count. Too many liquor stores to count. Every business has bars across the windows and doors. East Waco needs real action. Not a bunch of hot air talk and pipe dreams. This is 2009, and we have an African American president. I see no difference in East Waco now than I did in 2002. Bring in a major restaurant. Bring in a Major retailer. It doesn’t need to be anymore fast food joints built, and no more mom and pop restaurants. Something major needs to come to East Waco. It is like the forgotten side of town.
By Carol Dugat
March 23, 2009 6:31 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Chris, you are absolutely right. It is long past time for development to come to EW. It is time for change. More later - time to get ready for work.
By Harold Forward
March 26, 2009 6:48 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
The privilege was all mines to speak to you personally @ the HEB store. Your words and compassion for EW made he feel a NEW CONCERN for an old problem. You make me look back. My adventuresome view to live for today and forgot the past (EW) has changed. You emphasized not new frontiers, but our most valuable resource, people. You taught me in that short conversation people must be given a knowledgeable idea of what can bring about a change. The crucial challenge is to simply give them avenues.
By wacoboy
March 27, 2009 6:52 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
I think one of the first things to do is to talk to the people who live in EW that enable their childeren and grand childeren to sell drugs from their residence. When I was using many years ago, I would buy my drugs with this kind of situation happening. It is hard to believe these home owners don’t know what is happening. If the drug dealers are not allowed to sell, they might get a real job and contribute to the well needed make over of their neigborhood.
By Carol Dugat
March 27, 2009 7:31 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Harold, sharing my dreams for EW never fails to fire up the passion in me. I’m glad to know that a spark has touched you. Let it burn and see what happens.