At the core of a flourishing neighborhood is a community of empowered, equipped, and
enthusiastic local leaders. Grassroots’ Community Organizing initiatives are working to
create opportunities for leaders to develop in neighborhoods across North, East, and
South Waco.
This past July, Grassroots’ Community Organizing team was fortunate to work
alongside a local leader for the community in East Waco: Pastor Carlton Stimpson.
Pastor Stimpson, or “Pastor C” as his friends and family affectionately call him, has
been a business owner, pastor, and advocate in East Waco for decades. Recently, he’s
taken up a new role: the leader of a nonprofit dedicated to providing community
awareness, mentorship, and social and economic development for people experiencing
poverty in Waco. This project is aptly named “Bridge to Success.”
After chatting with Pastor C about his background and hope for the East Waco
community, Grassroots’ East Waco Community Organizer, Lee Scheffe, worked
alongside Pastor C to realize his vision: a half-day long community event dedicated to
bringing together a diverse group of community members from East Waco
neighborhoods to learn about resources in their community, participate in leadership
development, and receive a hot meal and school supplies. Lee and Pastor C worked to
apply for grant funding for this project, generously awarded through the Waco
Foundation’s Civic Immediate Impact Grant Program, recruit participants, volunteers,
donors, and speakers, and host a 6-session Grassroots Leadership Training (GLT)
class with event volunteers prior to the event.
Pastor C’s vision was realized on July 19th , when Bridge to Success welcomed over 90
attendees during the event. Participants heard 30-minute presentations from community
partners like VOICE, Waco Police Department, the Anti-Bullying Campaign, the Sherrif’s
Department, Grassroots, and more. 200 backpacks loaded with school supplies were
distributed and hot meals were distributed to over 80 volunteers and attendees.
Perhaps most importantly, Pastor C’s dedication to developing community-based
leadership brought together both legacy and emerging leaders in East Waco to facilitate
conversations about collaborative efforts to create flourishing neighborhoods. Bridge to
Success, during the process of planning this event, connected with a local funder, joined
numerous community coalitions, and offered a comprehensive leadership training
program to their volunteers.
Grassroots is so grateful for the important work of leaders like Pastor C who dedicate
their time, energy, and hearts towards serving others. We look forward to continuing
to work with him and other emerging leaders in neighborhoods across North, East, and
South Waco as our Community Organizers uplift local leaders to create sustainable,
community-based change.
