United Way for Greater Austin advances our mission — bringing our community together to break economic barriers and build opportunity for all — using four strategies. One of those is services and support. United Way envisions a Central Texas where everyone has an opportunity to thrive. And 2024 marks an important milestone for us: 100 years serving the community! As we reflect on a century of change and a legacy of impact, our new strategic plan lays a strong foundation for our next 100 years. Our new strategic plan galvanizes our promise to realize a future where every child is set up for success with high-quality early care and education – in a community where everyone is connected to the essential resources they need, when they need them. Through this plan, four key strategies emerged. One of them is services and support. One example of our work in services and support is our Navigation Center, which paved the way for connecting local families and individuals to resources in our region. For more than 25 years, we have served as a 24/7 helpline that connects families and individuals right here in our community to more than 30,000 resources. Last year, we answered more than 200,000 requests for help – that’s one call every two minutes. Our Navigation Center is just one example of our work in services and support. Programs like Family Connects and the Parenting Students Project provide health and education services to families in our region, and we support […]
Read MoreOur New Strategic Framework: Advocacy and its profound community impact
Posted on by Anne Koncki
United Way for Greater Austin advances our mission — bringing our community together to break economic barriers and build opportunity for all — using four strategies. One of those is advocacy. United Way envisions a Central Texas where everyone has an opportunity to thrive. And 2024 marks an important milestone for us: 100 years serving the community! As we reflect on a century of change and a legacy of impact, our new strategic plan lays a strong foundation for our next 100 years. Our new strategic plan galvanizes our promise to realize a future where every child is set up for success with high-quality early care and education – in a community where everyone is connected to the essential resources they need, when they need them. Through this plan, four key strategies emerged. One of them is advocacy. Together with our coalition partners, United Way coordinates efforts to influence public policy at the district, city, county, and state level. We leverage the voices of our community to drive lasting change that will lay the foundation for 100 more years of impact. One example of our advocacy culminated in a meaningful win for local child care centers in November 2023. The Austin/Travis County Success By 6 Coalition and Early Matters Greater Austin, both convened by United Way, worked in coordination with service providers and business leaders to advocate in support of Proposition (Prop) 2, a measure that would provide a property tax waiver for child care centers who serve a certain […]
Read MoreA Night United 2024: Building a stronger Central Texas, woven together by community
Posted on by Anne Koncki
United Way for Greater Austin’s 6th annual A Night United brought together more than 400 guests who filled the room with generosity and connection to celebrate 100 years serving our community and continue weaving together a more prosperous community for all. As we lay the foundation for our next 100 years, we build upon a century of wisdom and innovation for a rapidly changing world. United Way stands as a beacon, striving to create a vibrant, thriving community where everyone in Greater Austin has access to high-quality early care and education and life-changing resources. A Night United built on that heartfelt promise. Thanks to the generous support of many, we raised more than $500,000 to help provide all Central Texans with opportunities to thrive. At the event, guests had the opportunity to purchase a Golden Ticket to win a trip to Portugal, Belize, or the Virgin Islands. Guests also had the chance to bid on several fantastic auction packages — including a package for sports enthusiasts and tickets to see Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour in New Orleans. During the cocktail reception that kicked off A Night United, guests left their imprint by tying a ribbon to an art installation, which will be on display at the former Pease Elementary School, future home to United Way and a high-quality child care center. And throughout the evening, guests walked through a timeline showcasing important milestones in our community and for our organization from the past 100 years. Special thanks […]
Read MoreStrengthening our community through 2-1-1 with Roni Kendall
Posted on by Anne Koncki
National 2-1-1 Day, celebrated on February 11 (2/11), recognizes the compassionate Navigation Specialists who answer the call through the more than 200 2-1-1 helplines across the country. For more than 25 years, United Way for Greater Austin’s 2-1-1 helpline has connected thousands of Central Texans to local, statewide, and national resources for housing, utilities, food, income support, health care, child care, education, employment, transportation, counseling, disaster information, and more. As we celebrate 100 years of community-building in 2024, we know 2-1-1 is crucial to our goal to provide equitable access to resources. So we’re celebrating 2-1-1 Day by recognizing our incredible Navigation Specialists, who champion this service and work around the clock to answer the call for local families and individuals. Just last year, our Navigation Specialists answered more than 200,000 requests for help in our region – that’s one call every two minutes. Read about the work our Navigation Center does every day to empower our community in our interview with Roni Kendall, one of our dedicated Navigation Specialists. What brought you to United Way, and how long have you been on the team? I went to college to be a teacher, and during that time, I volunteered at a crisis hotline. That experience opened up a career in mental health work, case management for individuals on hospice, and more. I’ve spent more than 37 years in social services work, the last six of which have been at United Way. I’m a different person than when I first started […]
Read MoreMaking a collective impact one volunteer at a time
Posted on by Anne Koncki
“Giving back makes me get up every day. It makes a difference,” said Brad. A volunteer with United Way for Greater Austin for 24 years, Brad makes time to help people in our community any way he can: mentoring children in a reading program, rebuilding homes impacted by natural disasters, providing coats to children, and packing up food boxes. But one of his favorite ways to give back is at H-E-B’s Feast of Sharing, where Brad has volunteered nearly every year since 2000. He knows the difference a warm meal makes: Growing up, he and his family relied on organizations like United Way, the food bank, and the Salvation Army to meet their basic needs. Brad volunteering at H-E-B Feast of Sharing with United Way Development Operations Associate Jenn Truong in 2022. “I already have Feast of Sharing 2024 on my calendar,” Brad said. “My parents decided between buying groceries and heating the house,” Brad, who is originally from northern Wisconsin, said. “United Way took care of me when I was young and didn’t have anything. I ask myself, ‘How can I not volunteer?’” United Way Events and Engagement Manager Rose Bell, Co-chair of Women United Executive Committee Tracy Fielder, and United Way volunteer and Women United member Jonna Beaver at Consuela Connects, an event that raised nearly $500 for the communities United Way serves. Just like volunteering became a habit for Brad, Jonna also felt drawn to volunteer any chance she got since her first shift at United Way’s […]
Read MoreA century of change, a legacy of impact
Posted on by Anne Koncki
2024 marks an important milestone for United Way for Greater Austin: 100 years serving the community. In the course of 100 years, things are bound to change, but no matter what happens – global pandemics, natural disasters, inequity across different groups – you can always count on community. Whether it’s the one you grew up in or you just got here yesterday. United Way for Greater Austin was here before the Great Depression. Before the Second World War. We grew roots long before the first man landed on the moon and well before Austin’s largest population boom in the 90s. Alongside community partners and leaders, we’ve grown to become a steady and powerful force for driving change, through large and small moments. And throughout our evolutions over the last century, the enduring thread that weaves us together, then and now, is community. It’s a community that’s been lovingly built and rebuilt by the hands of Greater Austin. It’s been a respite, a village, a friend, and a catalyst for creating equal opportunity. One where every child is set up for success with high-quality early care and education. Where everyone is connected to essential resources they need, when they need them. As we lay the foundation for our next 100 years, we are supported by a century of building opportunity and driving change: 1924 Founding of United Way for Greater Austin, originally called United Way Capital Area Local residents raise $611 for families with low income, equal to more than $10,000 […]
Read MoreIn 100 years of change, the only constant is community
Posted on by Anne Koncki
It’s an exciting time at United Way for Greater Austin! 2024 marks an important milestone for us: 100 years serving the community. In the course of 100 years, things are bound to change, but no matter what happens – global pandemics, natural disasters, inequity across different groups – you can always count on community. Whether it’s the one you grew up in or you just got here yesterday. United Way is the community that will always be here – for those who need help, for those who find their place by helping others, for all of us. United Way for Greater Austin was here before the Great Depression. Before the Second World War. We grew roots long before the first man landed on the moon and well before Austin’s largest population boom in the 90s. Alongside community partners and leaders, we’ve grown to become a steady and powerful force for driving change, through large and small moments. And throughout our evolutions over the last century, the enduring thread that weaves us together, then and now, is community. It’s a community that’s been lovingly built and rebuilt by the hands of Greater Austin. It’s been a respite, a village, a friend, and a catalyst for creating equal opportunity. One where every child is set up for success with high-quality early care and education. A community where everyone is connected to essential resources they need, when they need them. This community has laid an unbreakable foundation of wisdom, strength, and potential. And […]
Read MoreFree holiday events & gift programs in Greater Austin
Posted on by Anne Koncki
Every December, organizations across our region come together to provide holiday events for our community. These events include free gifts such as coats, toys, books, meals, and more. To help Central Texans access these resources, we’ve put together a calendar of free events and meals happening throughout the month. Please note many events have application windows. You can find more information about each event in its calendar link. View the calendar in Spanish. For more than 25 years, United Way for Greater Austin’s Navigation Center has helped people navigate the complex system of health and human services in Central Texas. Anyone can contact the Navigation Center by dialing 2-1-1. Know someone looking for assistance? Tell them to give us a call to get connected to resources in our community.
Read More20 Free Thanksgiving Meals in Greater Austin
Posted on by Anne Koncki
Every holiday season, United Way’s Navigation Center helps local families access free or low-cost meals and holiday events across the Greater Austin area. To make it easy for community members to find these seasonal events, we’ve compiled a calendar of 20 free Thanksgiving meals this month. Make sure to check the links for registration details and application deadlines. Mobile Loaves & Fishes’ event on November 20 even offers additional items such as backpacks, sleeping bags, flu shots, and haircuts for individuals who do not have a home. View the calendar in Spanish For more than 25 years, United Way for Greater Austin’s Navigation Center has helped people navigate the complex system of health and human services in Central Texas. Anyone can contact the Navigation Center by dialing 2-1-1. Know someone looking for assistance? Tell them to give us a call to get connected to resources in our community.
Read MoreInside the inspiring world of Freedom Schools
Posted on by Amanda Ramirez
This summer, the Greater Austin Reading Coalition,a coalition convened by United Way for Greater Austin, collaborated with CDF Freedom Schools® Austin to offer impactful tutoring to 33 young scholars enrolled in their summer camp program. We recently had the opportunity to interview Director of Parent Engagement, Simone Barnes, who shared details about the enriching partnership and the culturally responsive, year-round support network provided by the organization. Can you please provide an overview of what Freedom Schools are and their core mission or purpose? Freedom Schools is a part of a national program. An intense and beautiful six week summer program, however we aim to build a sense of community year round. The core mission of Freedom Schools: It started in 1964 in Mississippi when African Americans were discouraged from voting, and there was no equal education available across the country. In 1964, white and Black college students from the north came down to Mississippi to help educate African Americans to vote due to the literacy tests. There was a freedom schools movement in the US. The movement shifted toward today, which focuses on curriculum for students during the summer to continue education. This is especially important to combat summer learning loss. Part of the Freedom School way is cultural and literacy. It is fun. It is not like day-to-day school. They learn that reading is about creativity and sharing a voice, not just passing a test. We also highlight the idea that reading allows you to change your community and […]
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