Happy New Year District 2!

I trust that the onset of the New Year has been promising and productive for each of you. I am delighted to express my eagerness to continue our collaboration in achieving further triumphs in 2024. In light of the upcoming commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I would like to extend an invitation to all of you to join us in the 37th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. March in San Antonio. This march is the largest of its kind in the nation, and it commemorates the enduring legacy of a distinguished leader. It is with great reverence that our Eastside community has hosted this event since 1986, and we are immensely grateful for your continued support.

We have partnered with the Animal Care Services Department for the Kindness Unleashed: Pet Food Drive. We are collecting pet food donations until January 12, 2024, to provide support to pets in need. We would be grateful for any contribution you can offer, and kindly request that you drop off your donations at either our field offices or the ACS office.

Our district is bustling with a multitude of events in the coming days, and I welcome any questions or concerns you may have. Please do not hesitate to contact us, as it is our privilege and honor to serve you.

MLK March
Monday, January 15, 2024 | 10:00 AM

The City of San Antonio, in partnership with District 2 Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez and the San Antonio Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission chaired by Dwayne Robinson, is inviting the community to take part in the largest march in the nation. The 37th Martin Luther King, Jr. March and Celebration will take place in person on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 at 10 a.m.

The 2024 celebration will begin with the in-person march kickoff at 10 a.m. at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy,  followed by the park celebration at Pittman-Sullivan Park. The park celebration will include a main stage with multicultural performances, a health and wellness area, a youth area, food and merchandise vendors, and information booths. 

Sign up to march

Sign up to volunteer

MLK Events
Save the dates!
Baptist Minister's Union Worship Service
Friday, January 12, 2024 at 7:00 pm
Antioch Missionary Baptist Church | 1001 Walters Street

Youth Summit Game Truck Day
Saturday, January 13, 2024 from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lockwood Park | 801 N Pine Street

Community Celebration Awards Dinner
Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 4:00 pm
ChildSafe | 3730 IH 10 and E Houston Street 

Youth Summit Sports Spurs Day (Day 2)
Sunday, January 14, 2024 from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
George Gervin Academy Gym | 6903 S Sunbelt Dr

Wreath Laying Ceremony 
Sunday, January 14, 2024 at 2:00 pm
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Plaza | Corner of E. Houston St. and N. New Braunfels Ave

Interfaith Worship Service
Sunday, January 14, 2024 at 4:30 pm
St. Paul United Methodist Church | 508 Center St. 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday!
Monday, January 15, 2024

Pre-March Worship Service | 8:00 am
MLK Academy, 3501 Martin Luther King Dr

Pre-March Service | 9:00 am
Pittman-Sullivan Park Location |  1101 Iowa Street

March | 10:00 am
MLK Academy | 3501 Martin Luther King Dr
NOTE: March lineup begins as early as 9:00 am.

Trinity Lecturer Series
Thursday, January 19, 2024
Trinity University | 1 Trinity Pl

2024 Martin Luther King Jr. Awards
Do you know a member of the community that would be perfect for the award?
As we approach the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, I'm reminded of the incredible individuals who make our community a better place. People who embody Dr. King's values of equality, justice, and service.

That's why I'm excited to share the opportunity to celebrate these heroes through the 2024 San Antonio MLK Community Awards! These awards recognize outstanding individuals and organizations who are working to make our city a more just and equitable place for all.

Do you know someone who:
Dedicates their time and energy to improving the lives of others?
Works to break down barriers and create opportunities for all?
Inspires others to get involved and make a difference?

If so, I encourage you to nominate them for an MLK Community Award! There are 3 award categories, so there's someone for everyone:

Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Achievement Award

Reverend Dr. R.A. Callies, Sr. Courage Award

Baha'i Unity of Humanity Award

Nominations are open now through midnight January 6, 2024!

Just tell us a little bit about the person you're nominating and why they deserve to be recognized.

Let's come together to honor the heroes who are making San Antonio a brighter place. Together, we can keep Dr. King's dream alive!
 

Submit at sa.gov/mlk

MLK Commission Scholarship Program
Deadline is February 24, 2024
All Graduating Bexar County High School Seniors are invited to apply for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Application! Scholarship applicants are also invited to participate in a MLK Scholarship Virtual Workshop. These workshops are designed to educate students on how to navigate the MLK Scholarship process. Students are supplied with the tools and resources that will help them stand out in an applicant pool and maximize their scholarship success.

FOR INQUIRIES REGARDING THE DR. MLK, JR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, CONTACT:  MLK@SANANTONIO.GOV

 

Join our D2 Team 
Are you looking for an internship?
We would love to have you on our team! Priority deadline January 20. 

Apply now
 

Community Workshop | Brackenridge Park Reconciled Plan
January 8 at 5:30 pm | 3233 North Saint Mary's St
Join us for a community workshop to inform the Reconciled Plan and Project Inventory for Brackenridge Park. This will be an engaging and collaborative worksession about Brackenridge Park and how future projects should be evaluated and prioritized. Learn about the work of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee to develop new guiding principles and evaluation criteria. We will also launch a new, online survey at this meeting that will be available through the month of January. Please plan to arrive between 5:15 pm and 5:30 pm so we can begin on time. Free on-site parking is available at Tri-point. 

Public Meeting for Hays St. Bridge Park
January 10 at 6:00 pm | Ella Austin Community Center | 1023 N Pine St 
Join Public Works, Parks & Recreation, and District 2 for an informational meeting and to review proposed signage for Hays St. Bridge Park. 

For more information, please contact:
Sean Duncan, Project Manager | Sean.Duncan@sanantonio.gov | 210-207-2875

Design Public Meeting for North New Braunfels Phase 2
January 11 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm | Antioch Missionary Baptist Church | 1001 North Walters St
Join Public Works and District 2 to review the design for the North New Braunfels Phase 2 (E. Houston to Paso Hondo) Project.

For more information: saspeakup.com/nnewbraunfelsavep2

Pet Food Drive 
Now until January 12
As the festive season kicks into high gear, San Antonio Animal Care Services (SAACS) is increasingly seeing residents struggling to feed their pets. The shelter is joining forces with City Council members for a friendly competition that will help at-risk pet parents feed their companion animals. 

The project, “Kindness Unleashed: 10 Council Districts, 1 Pawsitive Goal,” hopes to help needy San Antonio pets with donated bags of kibble and canned food. Through January 12, 2024, SAACS hopes to receive at least 5 thousand pounds of pet food which will then be distributed through the department’s Field Enforcement and Community Animal Support & Assistance (C.A.S.A) divisions, who work with pet guardians to ensure compliance and humane pet care.

If you would like to donate please drop off your donation at 2805 E Commerce St or at 4351 Rittiman Rd. 

2nd Annual Eastside Health Fair
January 13 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm | Second Baptist Church | 3310 E Commerce St
University Hospital will be giving away flu shots, and we will be giving away 150 food bags donated by the San Antonio Food Bank. They will have vendors from amazing organizations giving out information to the community. The Metro Health STD Van will be in attendance giving away free testing, and the City of San Antonio mobile fit van will be doing free fitness screenings.  

Mulch your Christmas tree
January 2nd to 13th
Turn your real Christmas tree into mulch by bringing it to one of the drop-off locations listed below.

• If your tree is over 6 ft, cut it in half
• Remove all lights, decorations, and stands, even wooden ones
• Do not bag trees
• No live wreaths, garlands, or plants accepted

Approximately two weeks after each of these events, Christmas tree mulch will be available at the Bitters Brush site for FREE while supplies last.

* In accordance with the city's Tarp Law, Chapter 14 - Section 18 of the San Antonio City Code (Ordinance No. 2015-09-10-0760), residents must cover brush loads with a tarp or a $5 penalty may be assessed. 

Drop off locations:
Tuesday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

• Culebra Rd Bulky Drop-Off Center
  7030 Culebra Rd, 78238
• Frio City Rd Bulky Drop-Off Center
  1531 Frio City Rd, 78226
• Rigsby Rd Bulky Drop-Off Center
  2755 Rigsby Rd, 78222

Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm

• Atlas Organics
  8963 Nelson Rd, 78252

Monday to Sunday from 8 am to 5 pm

• Bitters Brush Recycling Center
  1800 Wurzbach Parkway, 78216

Join VIA's Community Conversations
January 17, 18 and 20
Attend the upcoming Community Conversations for the VIA Rapid Silver Line project, formally known as the ART East/West corridor.

• WEDNESDAY, JAN. 17, 2024
  from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  The Little Carver Civic Center at the Carver Community Cultural Center
  226 N. Hackberry St.
  Access on VIA Routes: 25, 28
• THURSDAY, JAN. 18, 2024
  from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  Holy Cross High School Convocation Center
  426 N. San Felipe St.
  Access on VIA Routes: 77, 79, 524
• SATURDAY, JAN. 20, 2024
  from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  VIA Metropolitan Transit at The Grand
  123 N. Medina St.
  Access on VIA Routes: 3, 20, 24, 26, 76, 93, 100

15th Annual Historic Homeowner Fair
January 27 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm | Henry B. González Convention Center
Ready to get started on your next home improvement project? Need some help connecting with a contractor or design professional? Want to learn how to navigate the historic design guidelines and the permitting process, or ask experienced renovators about their work in older homes? Join OHP for their annual Historic Homeowner Fair, a free annual event that brings together owners and occupants of aging and historic homes with local professionals, services, and solutions to care for and maintain their properties.  

For more information visit publicinput.com/e1388

Housing in San Antonio
January 27 from 10 am - 2 pm | Sam Houston High School | 4635 E Houston St
Join us at a free community event about housing in San Antonio. Connect with more than 40 community organizations at the Resource Fair. Engage with panel conversations and presentations about housing affordability. Learn more about the Strategic Housing Implementation Plan (SHIP).

Meet the San Antonio Housing Commission and SHIP Partners:

• The San Antonio Housing Trust
• Opportunity Home San Antonio
• Bexar County

We will have:

• Breakfast tacos & afternoon refreshments.
• Youth activities.
• American Sign Language and Spanish interpretation services.

Register at publicinput.com/NX5171