Personal Stories Drive Fight for Medicaid Expansion
"Valley Interfaith leader Rosalie Tristan gave two personal healthcare stories to highlight the need for expanding Medicaid. Tristan...spoke of her 55-year-old brother, David Contreras, a husband and father of two. He has a tumor on the back of his head the size of a melon. He has been told he has to come up with $10,000 in order to see a doctor. He does not have $10,000.
He has also been told he cannot go to the emergency room of his local hospital until the body tissue bursts. He earns too much to qualify for Medicaid...."
Read moreCatholic Bishop of Brownsville ‘Applauds the Work’ of Valley Interfaith in South Texas
Most Rev. Daniel Flores
Bishop, Brownsville Catholic Diocese
"I applaud the work in helping bring water to over 160 thousand people across the Valley, increasing wages for public sector workers to alleviate poverty, working with thousands of residents in acquiring their citizenship, improving learning environments in and around our public schools and the list continues with 28 years of victories..."
Read moreThe Border Organization Demands Reestablishment of County Public Defender’s Office
Leaders from The Border Organization demanded that the Commissioner's Court reestablish the public defender's office for the County. Marta Iza Gonzalez-Stitts (pictured right) spoke for the organization.
Local Organization Seeks Action on Public Defender's Office, Del Rio News Herald
Read moreThe Border Organization Fights for Use of School Gymnasiums
Group Makes Request for Use of Gyms, Del Rio News-Herald
Valley Interfaith Organizes Against Cuts in Education & Healthcare
by Steve Taylor, "Valley Interfaith to Mobilize Against Cuts in Education, Healthcare," Rio Grande Valley Guardian
The Border Organization in Del Rio, Texas Unionizes Police, Establishes Public Defenders Office and Leverages Job Training Funds.
After increasing voter turnout across Del Rio, enough to boot out a recalcitrant judge, TBO succeeded in picking up the required signatures for collective bargaining for police officers by a margin of 65% and reestablishing the public defenders office with the new Republican judge. City Council subsequently allocated $35 thousand for the use of city buildings for long-term job training (Quest) which has the potential to leverage an additional $250 thousand from the Texas JET fund. Leaders have already identified 40 potential students.
Read moreValley Interfaith Organizes Immigration Conference with Texas Bishops
"Texas Bishops Unveil "Humane Immigration Reform Document," by Steve Taylor, Rio Grande Valley Guardian
Read more