San Antonio honors women, highlights nutrition and launches teen mental‑health survey

San Antonio — The City Council used its March 5 meeting to recognize several observances and to highlight community initiatives. Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones issued proclamations marking Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, National Nutrition Month and National School Social Work Week.

The council honored Maria Antoinette Verrazabal, the city’s first Latina councilwoman, who addressed the meeting and urged continued civic engagement. Council members offered tributes describing Verrazabal’s role in advancing voting rights, environmental justice and civic leadership.

Nutrition and food access: Councilwoman Viagran introduced Metro Health and community partners to mark National Nutrition Month and urged colleagues to join a monthlong "Power Up the Pantry" food drive and to promote farmers markets and Healthy Corner Stores in neighborhoods with limited grocery access. Metro Health representatives said food access is a public‑health priority and emphasized partnerships with the San Antonio Food Bank, WIC and neighborhood programs.

Youth mental health: Representatives from the San Antonio Youth Commission and Project Worth launched the 2026 teen mental‑health survey for youth ages 12–19, open through April 30. Natalie Salcedo, a Project Worth teen ambassador, and Harini Logan, District 8 representative on the youth commission, asked council members to help promote the survey and said prior survey results informed city decisions, including nearly $18 million in American Rescue Plan Act investments toward mental‑health and wellness programs.

School social workers: Irma Hess, director of family student support services and a school social worker, accepted a proclamation recognizing the role of school social workers in addressing trauma, housing instability and student mental health.

What comes next: The youth‑led survey will inform program funding and design; councilmembers agreed to promote the survey via district offices, to match small pilot funding the youth leaders requested and to host a mental‑health town hall in late April.