The AAUW Corpus Christi Branch held a membership meeting on Saturday morning, April 2, 2022, at the YWCA.  There were 19 members and three guests present, plus six additional members attended via Zoom.

Program Vice President Dr. Mary Sherwood introduced our speaker, Father Bruce Wilson, who is a retired Episcopal priest serving as the Executive Director of Coastal Bend Neighborhood Empowerment (CBNE).  Bruce graduated from Abilene Christian University and taught secondary science and math before earning a master’s degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Texas in San Antonio.  Bruce became an ordained priest and worked in McAllen, Cuero, San Marcos, and Corpus Christi.

Bruce talked about the mission of the Coastal Bend Neighborhood Empowerment which is to build or restore the power of community in distressed neighborhoods and community groups.  The CBNE partners with other local agencies, churches, and interested organizations to create change in the Coastal Bend region through training, seminars, and other events.  Bruce described two of their recent initiatives, “Homeless helping Homeless” and “West Side Neighborhood Collaborative.”  These programs strive to go beyond the “needs based” paradigm by empowering communities to develop their own plan for improvements and support those communities as they implement their own plans.  The approach is called “Asset-based community development” (ABCD) which builds on the gifts, talents, and passions of the community members themselves.

Bruce shared an extensive handout with more information for members to peruse.  Mary Sherwood mentioned that the CBNE has a newsletter, and any member interested in getting on their distribution list should contact Mary.  President Shirley Selz thanked Bruce for his insightful presentation.

-Article and photos by Dr. Vickie Natale