I am happy to announce that I am seeking re-election as Judge of the 288th Civil District Court . My previous decision to run was not out of a whim or to seek a title, but because I sincerely believe that we are all called to serve. Serving as your judge of the 288th Civil District Court these past three years has been an honor and absolute privilege. In the 18 months before being elected, I met and talked with many of you promising your families would have a fair opportunity for justice and be treated with dignity and respect. I have worked hard to assure that everyone who walked through my courtroom, whether they were represented or not, were afforded the opportunity to be heard and given a just opportunity under the law.
Serving as your judge has been a childhood dream come true. Providing our community access to justice the last 18 months has been particularly challenging with the COVID-19 pandemic. Serving as presiding judge in March 2020, I had the unique opportunity to make critical and imperative decisions to ensure continued access to the courts while keeping litigants, attorneys, staff, and our community safe. Working together we were able to get Zoom hearing up and running by April 2020.
When choosing who to support, it is important to consider not just the temperament and character of the individual seeking the position but also their ability to handle administrative duties and to create positive change, especially in trying times. In examining these past three years, you will find I have proven to represent you with honor, humility, and respect. In the coming months, I hope we can learn more about each other and work towards making our legal system better for our communities. I humbly ask for your support in my re-election.
St. Mary’s Law School
Hispanic Law Alumni Association
Sister Grace Walle Mentor of the Year Award
Auditor Oversight
Purchasing Board
Children’s Court Oversight
Technology
Bexar County Dispute Resolution Center
Advisory Board
Juvenile Board
Family Violence Prevention Program Sub-Committee
Juvenile Board
Zoom Trial Committee
Through the partnership of Edgewood ISD, Giving More Hugs, State Representative Justin Rodriguez, my firm and other generous donors we have been able to give over 2000 backpacks with school supplies to the students of the Edgewood community.
Through a partnership with the City of San Antonio and St. Philip’s College one of the Alamo Colleges, the underutilized historic Good Samaritan Hospital building is being renovated to become the Veterans Outreach and Transition Center (VOTC). The Veterans Outreach and Transition Center at this location will serve veterans from the Eastside, Dexar County and surrounding communities. Once the building is renovated, St. Philip’s College will operate their Veterans Outreach and Transition Center, providing services to veterans and their families. The program will offer: Referral services for veterans and family members Veteran-specific orientations to ease the initial transition into college and/or the workforce Job support that will consist of job training Veterans and their dependents job placement services Transitional services that may be required for veterans and their family members Counseling to assist in integration to civilian life.
It is a three phase process that is a systemic way for families and schools to create and sustain a healthy and supportive educational environment for the purpose of the development and enhancement of all students. This process was designed by community activitst, Mary Moreno, and Ms. Chapa has been working with her to introduce this process (designed to unify families for the purpose of supporting, empowering and building stronger relationships with each other and the community at large) to elected officials and to school districts throughout San Antonio.
This committee was established to address the needs of the school in looking for a new principal. The committee discussed the compus, teachers and parents needs in regards to the role of the compus principal. The committee outlined the priorities of the school, teachers and parents so that the Principal Selection Committee would be able to hire a principal that met the needs of the campus as a whole.
This committee meets quarterly to go over staff development requirements and plans to assure that the plan is successful in implementing the School improvement plan, the committee reviews budget concern, discuss attendance issues, community involvement on and off campus and improvement of the school as a whole.
It is estimated that over 30,000 children in San Antonio are being raised by their grandparents or other family members. It is through the efforts of relative caregivers that our children find a warm, loving home where family bonds remain strong and intact. Ms. Chapa has worked with State Representative Castro, Mary Moreno and other organizations to organize an annual Families Helping Family event that brings relative caregivers together to develop legislation as well as to address the concerns they are facing whether medically, legally, educationally or emotionally.
Ms. Chapa has organized the annual District 125 Profiles in Change Dinner since December of 2007. This program was established to honor the members of the city that went above and beyond to make lasting contributions to the community.
Ms. Chapa has collaborated for 8 years with State Representative Castro, Sul Ross Middle School and other elected officials to organize an annual District 125 Health and Resource Fair. This is a successful event for San Antonio community. Individuals of all ages are provided with an opportunity to learn about a variety of programs and opportunities offered throughout the year. The hope is that as individuals walk around, they will be able to receive health screenings while learning about the city’s available opportunities and resources.
POL. AD. Paid for by Cynthia Marie Chapa for 288 Judicial District Court, Linda Hardberger, Treasurer