With the current COVID-19 pandemic, it seems like communities around the country are becoming more “close-knit”. In the quiet of the once busy streets, there is a yearning of people wanting to be helpful. This neighborly vibe has folks expressing their thankfulness for those on the front lines of this situation. The renewal of kinship in each place has residents rallying support for the vulnerable in health and status. 

Although, the compelling feeling of making life better for those around you is not a brand new concept. In 2010, the sitting Mayor of San Antonio, Julián Castro, invited the public to answer surveys and attend a series of forums to answer this question, “What do you want your community to look like in 10 years?”

Civic leaders were grateful for the honest opinions shared by Alamo City residents. Compiling goals for the years ahead, the aspiring ideas were named “SA2020”, with “Shaping the city. Together” as a tagline.

Now, here we are in 2020. Military families continue to move into San Antonio neighborhoods. Many “milfam’s” feel the Lone Star State is an ideal place to live. After leaving active duty service, some military broods choose to make the TwoOneOh their “forever home”. With San Antonio having a strong appeal of a place to linger, it is pleasing to know that civic leaders are continuing the SA2020 goals for improvements around the city.

With this 11 point list, you can get a glimpse of how the SA2020 plan is making an impact.

Transportation - 

• In Progress: 

Need cost-effective transit options

Reducing traffic accidents/fatalities

• Issue: 

Street repairs/construction

Traffic jams with commute timing

Neighborhoods - 

• Pro: 

Improving housing in the “inner loop”

• In Progress: 

Adding more options for people to enjoy the outdoors 

Working towards every citizen having digital access

Inventory of affordable housing 

• Issue: 

Rather than walking, people still do need a vehicle to navigate most of the city

Health and Fitness - 

• In Progress: 

Encouraging citizens to do what is best for their body - 

• Improving the motivation for exercise

• Eating a well-rounded diet

• Ceasing habits that cause harm

• In Progress: 

Working to provide proper health care resources for all income brackets

• Issue: 

Finding ways to feed each man, woman and child 

Family Well-Being - 

• In Progress: 

Trying to improve conditions for the homeless.

Aware of the need to decrease child abuse/neglect.

• Issue: 

Trying to reduce the level of poverty.

Environmental Sustainability - 

• Pro: 

Using less water.

Using less energy.

Developing with more green features in mind.

Making renewable energy initiatives a priority.

• In Progress: 

Less trash

More recycling

Cleaner living

• Issue: 

In need of more eco-conscious employers

Education - 

• In Progress: 

At an early age, children are in need of positive learning experiences.

Additional tutoring is helpful as they learn and grow.  

• Pro: 

Students are choosing to stay in school until they graduate high school (Hip Hip Hooray!)

• Issue: 

Looking for ways to inspire high school graduates to go on to college.

• In Progress: 

Explaining the need for adults with college degrees or certifications.

Economic Competitiveness - 

• Pro: 

Adding new businesses. 

Greater options for finding a job.

With the search for employment becoming less of a hassle, the unemployment rates are lower.

• In Progress:

Focus on STEM

Add more income per capita

Downtown Development -

• Pro: 

Additional jobs are available in the Downtown sector.

The increase of employment Downtown adds to the economics of the city.

• In Progress: 

Working on lowering the crime rate Downtown. 

• Issue: 

When citizens feel more confident in the Downtown area being a safe space, the city may see further interest in living, working and spending time Downtown. 

Community Safety - 

• Pro: 

Thankful that emergency response times are improving. 

Community members are willing to learn and prepare with safety training.

• In Progress: 

Working on lowering the crime rate.

• Issue: 

Aware of the need to decrease violence in the home.  

Civic Engagement - 

• In Progress: 

Gradual rise in the number of people who are voting. 

Moving towards people of diverse backgrounds holding offices.

• Issue: 

Lacking volunteers.

Limited charitable donations.

Arts and Culture - 

• Pro: 

People are enjoying the chance to broaden their horizons and attend enriching events and activities.

Creatives are gradually making their mark on the local economy.

• In Progress:

Rallying financial support for Arts and Culture

Finding job opportunities for creatives

Living this on-the-move military lifestyle, you may not call one particular city or one certain state your “home”. However, it might be good to review the issues of concern in the area of your duty station. For instance, you could do a little homework on what civic leaders have in the works for San Antonio’s transportation issues. Even if you are not a patron of the city bus line, you might find it annoying to be driving all over tarnation just to avoid the traffic snarls on your route to work. Boom! You now have an interest in “decreasing vehicle miles traveled” when simply trying to get to the base gate each morning.

Photo by Matthew LeJune on Unsplash

Keep in mind, the information in the discussion here was tallied up before the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Although, looking at the “Pro”, “In Progress” and “Issue” bullet points from before the world changed could offer a sense of perspective. Seeing what your community is accomplishing and what initiatives could bring further positive changes may inspire you and your military family to help make a difference in your own San Antonio neighborhood.