This collection of oral histories is a small moment of documenting the work and impact of COPS/Metro Alliance, a grassroots community organization based in San Antonio, Texas. The interviews highlight the group's efforts to advocate for social and economic equity, civic engagement, and community-led development. The collection serves as a resource for those studying faith-based organizing, local activism, and public policy in South Texas. To learn more about COPSMetro, please visit href="https://www.copsmetro.com/
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COPS/Metro Alliance-StMU Oral Histories with Linda Davila
Qiuying Chen
In her interview, Linda explained her role in COPS/Metro and shared her optimistic point of view on racial dynamics in San Antonio and COPS/Metro. She also shared examples of COPS/Metro expanding its membership beyond the West Side and increasing diversity within its organization. However, she claims more work must be done regarding immigration rights. Lastly, Linda shared memorable experiences from her work with COPS/Metro, including collaborating with Texas State Representatives on immigration legislation and city officials on affordable housing bonds.
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COPS/Metro Alliance - StMU Oral Histories with Maria Tijerina
Qiuying Chen
Maria gave her thoughts about how the COPS/Metro is evolving in its racial dynamics, and how it now includes more ethnic groups and organizations. She commented on how the racial climate and tension in San Antonio has always been hard for minority groups, particularly on the Westside. She gave an extreme and yet real example about redlining. Maria also shared her thoughts on the decision-making process and the future of the COPS/Metro.
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COPS/Metro Alliance - StMU Oral Histories with Robert Mueller
Qiuying Chen
The interview focuses on the demographic in COPS/Metro and its impact. In particular, he speaks to demographic change in San Antonio and COPS/metro over the years. Furthermore, Robert talks about COPS/Metro’s ideal future. It also contains Robert’s memorable moments in the organization and what he learned from it.
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COPS/Metro Alliance-StMU Oral Histories with Sister Bernadette Barrett
Qiuying Chen
Sister Bernadette Barrett shared her thoughts about the racial shift and demographic change in COPS/Metro and San Antonio. Furthermore, she discusses how COPS/Metro uses diverse voices in its decision-making process and empowers young people and minority groups to come to the table with high-ranking city executives. Lastly, Sr. Bernadette reflects on her takeaways from her work in community organizing with COPS/Metro.
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COPS/Metro Alliance - StMU Oral Histories with Steve Mendonza
Qiuying Chen
In his interview, Steve Mendoza reflected on the history of redlining and resource inequality in San Antonio and the impact it’s had on the neighborhoods COPS/Metro serves. He also discusses demographic changes within the COPS/Metro organization. He prides himself on the success of COPS/Metro’s Project Quest education program that has benefited the people living on the Westside. Looking to the future, Steve hopes COPS/Metro develops more programs for the changing needs and demographics of San Antonio.
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COPS/Metro Alliance - StMU Oral Histories with Linda Davila
Kensley Dieckow
In the oral history interview of Linda Davila, she reflects on her involvement with COPS, starting from its early days in 1974 when the organization tackled issues like flooding, to her recent efforts, as a leader from St. Timothy Parish, in advocating for affordable housing. Linda discusses the importance of community listening sessions and the role personal stories played in her passion for social justice. Despite changes in community support and expansion of COPS / Metro's reach across San Antonio, the organization remains dedicated to listening to community needs and relationship building. Looking ahead, Linda sees COPS / Metro continuing to develop new leaders and expanding its institutional memberships in San Antonio.
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COPS/Metro Alliance- StMU Oral Histories with Lizzy Gore
Kensley Dieckow
In the oral history interview of Lizzie Gore, she shares her motivations behind pursuing a career in social justice and personal journey joining the COPS organization. She reflects on the challenges she faced going to community organizing from an education background. Lizzy shares a proudest moment involving the Cassiano Homes Project, where a struggling community, with COPS' support, successfully advocated for city funding to improve housing conditions. Looking to the future, Lizzy sees COPS evolving to meet the changing institutional landscape in San Antonio.
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COPS/Metro Alliance-StMU Oral Histories with Sister Gabriella Lohan
Kensley Dieckow
In the oral history interview of Sr. Gabriella Lohan, she discusses San Antonio’s social and political history, as well as the role COPS / Metro Alliance has played in reaching marginalized communities across the city. Over time, COPS / Metro has adapted to new issues like education and fair banking, reflecting changing community needs while staying true to its core mission of empowering citizens and promoting democracy. Throughout the interview, Sr. Lohan explored the role her faith has played throughout her life’s work in social justice.
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COPS/Metro Alliance-StMU Oral Histories with Christina Castro
Sarah Neal
Christina talks about a man who died in a house fire because he had no city services (water, electricity, etc.) She mentioned how sewers would back up into people's kitchens during major rain events. Christina talks about how COPS mentored one woman, Julia Sanchez, in particular so that she could present at City Hall. This lady told her story which helped pass a bond to get the flooding and sewers fixed. Christina also talked about the need for Senior Housing and the building of “market rate” apartments which did not help the seniors because they could not afford the market rate apartments.
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COPS/Metro Alliance-StMU Oral Histories with Rose Araujo-Iracheta
Sarah Neal
In this interview, Rose Araujo-Iracheta discusses her involvement with COPS/METRO and the environmental and community improvements in the southwest side of San Antonio, particularly focusing on drainage, flooding, and infrastructure.
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COPS/Metro Alliance - StMU Oral Histories with Sister Rita Nealon
Sarah Neal
Sister Rita talks about the horrible conditions of the roads on the Westside of San Antonio back in the 1970 and how they were much better when she came back to San Antonio in the1990. Sister Rita tells a story of two girls who were very poor and had to walk home in 18 inches of water because of flooding and how their house door was made of particle board. Sister Rita also talked about how proud she was of the kids who became teachers and nurses despite their poor living conditions and parents being immigrants or not speaking english. Some sections of the interview are inaudible.
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COPS/Metro Alliance - StMU Oral Histories with Christina Castro
Barbara Ortiz
Christina Castro shared some of her experiences with COPS/Metro advocating for resources and addressing substandard living conditions. She discussed her involvement in various social justice initiatives, including advocating for affordable housing, school tax abatements, and accessible neighborhood libraries. She spoke of the importance faith has in driving her activism. Christina also shared some memorable moments of empowerment, delivering community wins for educational partnerships scholarships, after-school programs, and economic development projects.
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COPS/Metro Alliance - StMU Oral Histories with Maria Tijerina
Barbara Ortiz
Maria Tijerina shared some of her experiences with COPS/Metro emphasizing the importance of volunteering and community involvement. She discussed how COPS helped her become more active in her community, advocating for higher city wages and improving public housing. She also discussed challenges her parish faced through COVID pandemic and enduring high leadership turnover rates.
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COPS/Metro Alliance-StMU Oral Histories with Rose Araujo-Iracheta
Barbara Ortiz
Rose Araujo-Iracheta shared some of her experiences with COPS/Metro advocating for community needs, focusing on persistence, collaboration and resilience. She emphasized the role that social justice plays in her motivation to assist co-workers, neighbors, school districts and all communities of San Antonio.
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COPS/Metro Alliance - StMU Oral Histories with Sister Rita Nealon
Barbara Ortiz
Rita Nealon shares her experiences with COPS/Metro over her years in San Antonio. She talked about COPS success and the key role women played in challenging the status quo and advocating for the needs of their community. She talked about actively working within her community for affordable housing, gun control and voter turnout. She hopes the organization will continue to focus on local issues and empower marginalized communities.
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COPS/Metro Alliance - StMU Oral Histories with Lizzy Gore
Gabriella Parra
Lizzy Gore discusses her time with COPS and the extended network of social organizations as well as her background in education. She explores how her education has affected her role as an organizer and what she has learned through organizing. She also discusses her personal background and future hopes for COPS initiatives.
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COPS/Metro Alliance-StMU Oral Histories with Rose Araujo-Iracheta
Gabriella Parra
Rose Araujo-Iracheta shared some of her experiences with COPS/Metro advocating for community needs, focusing on persistence, collaboration and resilience. She emphasized the role that social justice plays in her motivation to assist co-workers, neighbors, school districts and all communities of San Antonio.
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COPS/Metro Alliance - StMU Oral Histories with Sister Gabriella Lohan
Gabriella Parra
Sister Gabriella Lohan discusses her background in education. She explains how she became involved with COPS and some initiatives she has worked on. She discusses what she has experienced in her time with COPS.
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COPS/Metro Alliance - StMU Oral Histories with Willie Mae Clay
Gabriella Parra
Willie Mae Clay discusses her educational background and how she applied this in her work. She explains how her passion drew her to COPS/Metro Alliance.
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COPS/Metro Alliance-StMU Oral Histories with Christina Castro
Theresa Pohl
Christina Castro spoke about the impact that COPS has had on the city of San Antonio and the surrounding neighborhood. The topics included; housing, corporate meetings, flood control, community impact, and more.
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COPS/Metro Alliance-StMU Oral Histories with Linda Davila
Theresa Pohl
Linda Davila spoke about the impact that COPS has had on the city of San Antonio and the surrounding neighborhood. The topics included storytelling, involvement, disagreements, community impact, and more.
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COPS/Metro Alliance-StMU Oral Histories with Robert Mueller
Theresa Pohl
Robert Mueller spoke about the impact that COPS has had on the city of San Antonio and the surrounding neighborhood. The topics included; gun control, corporate meetings, community impact, how COPS works, and more.
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COPS/Metro Alliance-StMU Oral Histories with Steve Mendoza
Theresa Pohl
Steve Mendoza spoke about the impact that COPS has had on the city of San Antonio and the surrounding neighborhood. The topics included; Project QUEST, youth involvement, disagreements, community impact, and more.