San Antonio Gossip Group Aids Flood Victims

Cecilia Chavez is using her Facebook group, 210 La Chismosa, to assist flood victims on the Southwest Side of San Antonio. The page has accumulated more than 224,000 followers and serves as a central hub for information and aid in the community.

Chavez discussed this shift in focus during a recent appearance on Pickup Lines, a digital talk show hosted by Ernie Zuniga. She explained that the group started as a way to share family stories during the pandemic. She posted a Zoom call where she, her mother, and her aunt exchanged gossip, and the clip gained traction quickly.

The platform now requires constant management. Chavez stated that the demands of the group follow her from morning to night. She said, 'You wake up to it, you go to sleep to it.' This level of engagement allows her to respond to community needs as they arise.

The group's current work in flood relief follows a personal tragedy. Chavez’s son, Jose, died in a motorcycle crash in 2024. She credits the online community with helping her find purpose after his death. Chavez noted, 'It filled a void. It did. It definitely did.'

Her path to leadership in the group was shaped by earlier challenges in San Antonio. She grew up on the South and West sides and has hearing loss in one ear from a childhood bout with measles. She also moved her family to a Native American reservation in Nevada after a dispute over her son’s high school football eligibility. Her sons later played football, and one earned a scholarship.

Chavez views the group as more than a social media page. She aims to open a community resource center in the future. She remains independent by turning down sponsorship offers to keep the platform focused on her members.

The group continues to operate as a network for sharing information and raising awareness. Chavez describes her role as helping people in need, a mission that has expanded from casual family talk to organized community support.