The Schedule

Wednesday, August 4, 2021


"Remember, you don't fear people whose story you know. Real listening always brings people closer together. Trust that meaningful conversations can change your world. Rely on human goodness. Stay together." —Margaret J. Wheatley

See descriptions of speakers and sessions under the Speaker tab https://sites.google.com/view/stories-truth-transformation/speakers



9:00 am - 12 noon Virtual Gathering for learners throughout the city. Large group and small group sharing and networking.

Watch Wednesday morning presentations at: https://youtu.be/YHYaPnuQ_QA


9:00 am - 9:30 am Welcome from Dr. Glenn James, Vice Provost, University of the Incarnate Word

Rev. Anne Helmke, City Faith-Based Office, Dr. Arturo Chavez, UIW Associate Vice-President, Mission and Ministry, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion introduce the institute within our growing "City of Compassion"

Dr. Alfredo Ortiz and the team working with a major Robert Wood Johnson Grant help us recognize and use our stories for healing and growth. (See more description of the process in the Speaker section under Dr. Ortiz.)

11:00 am Cary Clack, known for his outstanding story sharing in the San Antonio Express News. Introduced by Dr. Roger Barnes, UIW Professor Emeritus of Sociology


12:15 pm - 12:45 pm. Learn how the city connects in compassionate work on SACRD.org that is the San Antonio Community Resource Directory, and how we unify efforts on GivePulse. Be a part of the networks.

1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Sessions (described with the speakers https://sites.google.com/view/stories-truth-transformation/speakers ), networking, browsing Scholarship and Service opportunities https://sites.google.com/view/stories-truth-transformation/service-scholarship

1:00 pm -1:50 pm "Living Our Lives using the the Three R's. It 's Time to Reflect, Reconnect, and Rediscover" shared by Bishop Trevor Alexander, Dr. Doshie Piper, and Dr. Ron Washington. Moderated by Mary J. Guerrero-Munoz, UIW Nuclear Medicine Department. Watch this presentation at: https://youtu.be/gA0AhXEP5tw

Or 1:00 pm - 1:50 pm “Writing Reflections, Left-brained and Right-brained Approaches” shared by Dr. Susan Hall. Moderated by Dr. Ashley Love, UIW Education Department. Watch this presentation at: https://youtu.be/Ar1gST3mqFQ

2:00 pm - 2:50 pm “The Truth of Disastrous Destruction of Creation, Transformation Through Embracing the Sustainable Development Goals” shared by Melinda Adams and Judy Ruvuna, Ana Vallor, Ben Miele (leader of the new UIW Sustainability Concentration), and moderated by Ricardo Gonzalez, Director of the Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability. Watch this presentation at: https://youtu.be/o9U-oJwwIsQ

Or 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm "Nation Building: Dream of the country you would like to have" by Sheena Connell. Moderated by Dr. Chad Jackson, UIW School of Physical Therapy.

Or 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm "Compassion: Why we need to take a breath" by Laura Briseno. Moderated by Dr. Amanda J. Johnston, UIW Learning Assistance Center Director.

3:00-3:50 pm "Story and Forgiveness" with Mary Lynne Gasaway Hill. Moderated by Dr. Laura Lopez, UIW English Department. Watch this presentation at: https://youtu.be/pUuEDY129B4

Or 3:00-3:50 pm "Stories of Transformation in Student's Service-Learning Experiences and Clips & Captions" with Lorena P. Cestou and Priscilla A. Salazar. Moderated by Dr. Deepti Kharod, UIW Education Department.

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm “Stories through Arts Inviting Community, Compassion, and Justice” with Margarita Cabrera, Kathy Vargas, and Margaret Mitchell. Moderated by Sister Martha Ann Kirk, UIW. Watch this presentation at: https://youtu.be/32Akof1-nu8

4:00-4:50 pm "Women in STEM" by Ana Vallor. Moderated by Dr. Lourdes Fortepiani, UIW Rosenberg School of Optometry

5:45 pm Mural tour of southwest San Antonio with Sr. Martha Ann Kirk starting at Inner City Development, 1300 Chihuahua St, San Antonio, TX 78207. pm. See a preview of the mural tour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftCc2kHav-c&t=47s Questions: kirk@uiwtx.edu

Thursday, August 5, 2021

See descriptions of speakers and sessions under the Speaker tab https://sites.google.com/view/stories-truth-transformation/speakers


9:00 am - 12 noon Virtual Gathering for learners throughout the city. Large group and small group sharing and networking.

9:00 am - 9: 50 am “Transforming Moral Injury into Communal Healing” shared by Dr. Dennis Patrick Slattery. Introduced by Dr. Emily Clark, UIW English Department. Watch this presentation at: https://youtu.be/8vCjD3kgc58


10:00 am - 10:50 am Dr. Alfredo Ortiz and the team working with the Robert Wood Johnson Grant continue helping us recognize and use our stories for healing and growth.


11:00 am “Stories of La Llorona (the Woman Weeping) and the Truth about Race” shared by Dr. Arturo Chavez, UIW Associate Vice-President for Mission and Ministry. Introduced by Dr. Leslie Martinez, UIW Psychology. Watch this presentation at: https://youtu.be/y1oQ9duIF-Y

12:15 pm - 12:50 pm Learn how we unify efforts on GivePulse from Brian Halderman. Learn of our city connecting in compassionate work on SACRD.org that is the San Antonio Community Resource Directory. Be a part of the networks.


1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Sessions (described with the speakers https://sites.google.com/view/stories-truth-transformation/speakers ), networking, browsing Scholarship and Service opportunities https://sites.google.com/view/stories-truth-transformation/service-scholarship


1:00 pm - 1:50 pm Dr. LuElla D’Amico, director of the UIW Women and Gender Studies Concentration sharing on "The Feeling Behind Our Stories: Understanding Metaemotion and its Pedagogical Implications" Watch this presentation at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrYL1kc3u4A

Linda Gjergji, Erika Haskin, and Dr. Joan Labay Marquez Inviting Solidarity with Young Women. Moderated by Yesenia Caloca Yafout, M.Ed. Assistant Director of the Ettling Center for Civic Leadership & Sustainability Watch this presentation at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXmhifKVne4

Or 1:00 pm - 1:50 pm, "Let's talk about compassion and forgiveness" by Valentina Rada and "Circle of Compassion" by Yesenia Alcala. Moderated by Christina Perez, UIW Ph.D. Student. Watch this presentation at: https://youtu.be/WM2jujDOXso

Or 1:00 pm - 1:50 pm "Interfaith Peacebuilding: One Story at a Time" shared by Dhawn Martin, Wyndee Holbrook, Lisa Epstein, Director, Jewish Community Relations Council, Damaris Fike, Social Action Minister for City Church, Fuyla Seker, Dialogue Institute and Muslim Raindrop House of San Antonio. Moderated by Dr. Mourad Takawi, UIW Religious Studies Department

2:00 pm - 2:50 pm "Seven rabbis from Montreal help us to support generosity at home" shared by Sharon Gubbay Helfer. Moderated by Valentina R. Rada, UIW Ph.D. Student

OR 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm "Teaching Tools to Bring Stories to Life and Humanize Social Justice Issues" shared by Dr. Laura Cannon. Watch this presentation at: https://youtu.be/wuDTHZ8wLuk

Or 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm "Listen to Stories from the South. Learn to listen more deeply." shared by Dr. Larry Hufford and Dr. Gabriel Saxton-Ruiz. Moderated by Dr. Lopita Nath, UIW History Department, Asian Studies

3:00 pm - 3:50 pm "Art a Lens to reality, art an invitation to transformation," Alejandro Abarca's photography on the unsheltered and Black Lives Matter; Dr. Sean Cassidy, photography of transformation, Theresa Newsome, and Elva Salinas in conversation with Sister Martha Ann Kirk, UIW. Watch this presentation at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts1pAPS6NpA

Or 3:00 pm - 3:50 pm "Fighting for Housing Justice: The struggle to preserve, protect and develop affordable housing for the working poor in San Antonio" shared by Monica Cruz and Kayla Miranda. Moderated by Yesenia Alcala, UIW Ph.D. Student. Watch this presentation at: https://youtu.be/Ah69w_rzz7s

Or 3:00 pm - 3:50 pm "Stories that Shape Us" with Karen Ball. Moderated by Alejandra Escobar

4:00 pm - 4:50 pm "The Intercollegiate Civil Disagreement" shared by Dr. Andy Hill. Moderated by Dr. Zenon Culverhouse, UIW Philosophy. Watch this presentation at: https://youtu.be/afavIy03t_M

Or 4:00 pm - 4:50 pm "Emerging from the Pandemic as YourOwn Inner Ally" shared by Cynthia Philips, Ph.D., founder of Inner Ally. Moderated by Dr. Teresa Harrison

5:00 pm - 5:30 pm "Compassion and the Power of One" by Amy Migura. Moderated by Jeff L. Neal, UIW Ph.D. Student.

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm "Stories from our childhood, foods from our ancestors" Join Yesenia Alcala for a potluck supper to share stories from childhood. Enjoy seeing Arts and Crafts from the Shipibo women of the Amazon and hear some of the stories they have shared with Yesenia. https://sites.google.com/view/arte-de-madres-shipibas/photos-video

Friday, August 6, 2021

See descriptions of speakers and sessions under the Speaker tab https://sites.google.com/view/stories-truth-transformation/speakers


9:00 am - 12 noon Virtual Gathering for learners throughout the city. Large group and small group sharing and networking.


Watch Friday morning presentations at: https://youtu.be/wI6hQIq5TJk

9:00 am - Noon

Lionel Sosa, artist, media genius, and a voice for Black experiences in San Antonio through his "Living in My Skin," series of paintings, films, and interviews. Introduced by Dr. Glenn Ambrose, UIW Faculty Senate President Watch this on another site: https://video.klrn.org/video/living-in-my-skin-part-1-4tj5jf/


Dr. Jim C. Harrington, an attorney, professor, priest, advocate, and founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project, worked with Cesar Chavez and continues to be a voice for the vulnerable. Introduced by Dr. Doshie Piper, UIW Criminal Justice Department Watch this presentation and the rest of the morning at: https://youtu.be/wI6hQIq5TJk


Ways that we recognize our stories and co-create hopeful stories:


Dr. Guzman Foster inviting us to personal reflection, leading the "The Cajita Project as a Contemplative Activity"


Wisdom from the "Intercollegiate Civil Disagreement Project" from Dr. Andy Hall


A process led by Dr. Alfredo Ortiz, Rev. Ann Helmke, Dr. Arturo Chavez, Sr. Martha Ann Kirk, and others. Growing in relationships furthering a "City of Compassion" and the UN Sustainable Development Goals

12:15- 12:45 pm Learn how the city connects in compassionate work on SACRD.org that is the San Antonio Community Resource Directory, and how we unify efforts on GivePulse. Be a part of the networks. Be a part of the networks.

1:00 pm to 5:00 pm Sessions (described with the speakers https://sites.google.com/view/stories-truth-transformation/speakers ), networking, browsing Scholarship and Service opportunities https://sites.google.com/view/stories-truth-transformation/service-scholarship

1:00 pm - 1:50 pm "Storytelling for Social Justice: Helping Parents of Children with Disabilities Discover Services and Support through Action Research in San Antonio" shared by Jeff Neal, Kimberly Cox, Michelle Vasquez. Moderated by Dr. Lucero Martinez Delgado, UIW Rehabilitative Sciences Zoom Room 3

2:00 pm - 2:50 pm "Remembering Loved Ones Through Stories: Compassion and Coincidence, a Tribute to Dr. Edward Gonzalez " presented by Christina M. Perez, UIW Ph.D. Student. Moderated by Beth T. Villarreal, UIW Mission and Ministry. Watch this presentation at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj4cuRBaRCo

Or 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm "Considering Refugees' and Immigrants' Stories" shared by Dr. Lopita Nath and Sister Adriana Calzada. Moderated by Dr. Lisa Lockhart. Watch this presentation at: https://youtu.be/zATXJ8ZG66c

3:00 pm - 3:50 pm "Stories of an Alternate Everyday World: The LGBTQ+ Experience" facilitated by William Anthony with Deborah Myers, Dr. Kevin Salfen. Watch this presentation at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q9fSmbMLGs

Or 3:00 pm - 3:50 pm "Compassion Student Peer Organization: “Rooted in Compassion” a photovoice presentation on compassion" with Jeff Neal and Mary J. Guerrero-Muñoz. Moderated by Dr. Joan Labay-Marquez, UIW Education Department Watch this presentation at: https://youtu.be/fOAkDtiFCkg

4:00 pm - 4:50 pm Opportunities to Network and Plan Service Learning. Hosted by Sister Martha Ann Kirk and Lorena Cestou, assisting with Service Learning at UIW. Opportunities to ask questions and to be in breakout rooms discussing your interests. Learn from Dr. Doshie Piper about the Interfaith Coalition Action Network, practicing civic engagement for the common good. No video for this session.

OR 4-4:50pm- "Interdependence" by Jeff Neal, JIW Graduate Student. Moderated by Aly Escobar, MA, UIW Graduate

University of the Incarnate Word faculty seeking assistance with service learning can get individual assistance. See information on that here. Some small stipends are available for UIW faculty working on projects coming out of this institute. Click here for the online application form. If you have questions, please write cestou@uiwtx.edu.

"Project Uplift: My Motivation" and the "Young Women's Global Leadership Program"

The University of the Incarnate Word Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability invited young women from seventh grade through college to the inaugural event Project Uplift: My Motivation to encourage them and prepare them in leadership on August 7.


A monthly Young Women's Global Leadership Program continues on the last Saturday of each month. Read about both of these and consider being involved as a mentor or encourage young women to participate. https://saccvi.blogspot.com/2021/08/stories-of-truth-and-transformation.html