CREATING RELATIONSHIPS
Establishing working relationships among communities was perhaps the most important result of south Texas MIRA trainings. Although the communities of Edinburg, Monte Alto, San Carlos, La Villa, Elsa and Edcouch are all with 20 miles of one another, few people had relationships with people in other communities. People in La Villa had little contact with those in Monte Alto, though the towns are only I 0miles apart. Even Edcouch and San Carlos residents, separated by only six miles, were relative strangers to one another.
The MIRA initiative transformed isolation into connection. People from these six separate villages now had the opportunity to meet at least once a month over the past year to attend workshops, special regional events, and special community events. A fair organized by the San Carlos team was advertised throughout the area. Other south Texas Cluster teams enthusiastically attended to support the San Carlos team, enjoy great food, and cross geographical boundaries to establish new relationships.
MIRA cultivated school and community connections. Students now communicate with community members not only about their involvement on MIRA teams, but about their work in school as well. Connections with community members and dialogue between students and senior citizens have been established.
Schools communicate with other schools. High school sports rivalry is no longer the only connection between Edinburg High School and the Edcouch-Elsa High School. Team members from each school share MIRA in common. Even teachers and administrators cross school boundaries to work together. Health and social service agencies have become connected with schools, and religious institutions have established better relationships with schools.
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