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The Equity Action Team (EAT) is a coalition of community members and City of Austin staff focused on advancing racial equity in our communities through partnerships with City departments, non-profits, philanthropic entities and community-based groups.
The EAT meetings are dedicated to critical discussions and strategizing on how to best improve the quality of life for most directly impacted communities in Austin.
Everyone is welcome to join the EAT! As a member, your responsibility is to attend and bring your community with you. During our meetings, we hear from community members and City staff to understand community needs and City projects and work together to produce better outcomes for all.
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WHAT'S IN THE NEWSLETTER? |
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Click one of the buttons below to go to that section's content |
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EQUITY + INCLUSION OFFICE ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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We're excited to invite you all to our December 3rd EAT meeting!
🗓️ Date: Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025
🕕Time: 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
📍 Location: Street-Jones Building: 1000 East 11th Street, #120, 4th Floor Conference Room, Austin, TX 78702
🗣️ Interpretation: Spanish interpretation provided
😋Dinner Included
💞 Come as you are, when you can 💞
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¡Los esperamos pronto para pasar tiempo con ustedes en nuestra próxima reunión de EAT!
🗓️ Miércoles, 3 de Diciembre de 2025
🕕 6:00pm a las 8:30 pm (Conviviremos durante el almuerzo y luego iniciaremos la reunión a las 6:15 pm)
📍Edificio Street-Jones, 1000 E 11th Street, #120, 4.o Piso - Sala de conferencias 400A, Austin, TX 78702
👉🏽 RSVP y ver agenda bit.ly/NovDecEAT2025
🗣️ Tendremos interpretación al español disponible.
😋 Cena incluida
💞 Venga tal y como es, ¡cuando pueda! 💞 |
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Quality of Life Studies (QoL): Updates Across Austin Communities
- Women and Girls QoL Study: In March 2024, the City partnered with the University of Texas Dell Medical School to launch a study focused on the quality of life for women and girls in Austin. The research team and the Commission for Women’s Workgroup will review draft findings in November, with final reports and data to be delivered to the City early 2026.
- Families with Young Children QoL Study: Launched in June 2024, this study is a collaboration between the City, Decision Information Resources, Inc. (DIR), and the Early Childhood Council. Final reports have been reviewed and, along with the data, will be delivered to the City by December 2025.
- Aging Population QoL Study: In partnership with the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging and Community and Cortez Consulting Services, this study began in August 2024. The research team and the Commission on Aging’s Workgroup will review the draft reports in November. Final documents and data will be submitted to the City early 2026.
- Immigrant, Refugee, and Foreign-Born QoL Study: Launched in October 2024, this study is a partnership between the City and the National Center for Farmworker Health. In collaboration with the Commission on Immigrant Affairs Workgroup, the team has begun a community-led research process to better understand the experiences and needs of Austin’s immigrant, refugee, and foreign-born residents.
Next Steps and Coordination
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We will reconvene in early 2026 to bring together recommendations from all studies. These combined insights will help shape the Commission’s budget proposals for the City’s 2026–2027 fiscal year.
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Workgroups will submit their recommendations to City departments in March as part of the 2027 budget development process.
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A public-facing platform will be developed to track the progress of implementing recommendations from the Women, Early Childhood, and Aging studies into programs, initiatives, and services.
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Austin Equity and Inclusion will collaborate with other City departments to support the implementation of recommendations.
Want to learn more? Please email Alejandra Mireles, at alejandra.mireles@austintexas.gov
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The EAT Newsletter is moving to Mailchimp!
Don't worry--you don't need to do anything. If you're currently getting this newsletter, you'll keep getting it every month. It will look a little different, but it's still us!
Were you forwarded this newsletter?
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Experience the Spirit of Tradition at the Austin Powwow!
Join the Annual Austin Powwow and Native American Heritage Festival—the largest one-day powwow in the country and a cherished Texas tradition for over 30 years. With more than 15,000 attendees, 300+ dancers, and 100+ Native artists, food vendors, and craftspeople, this vibrant celebration brings together communities from across the country for a day of culture, connection, and creativity. Enjoy traditional and contemporary Native American music, dance, food, and art in a family-friendly atmosphere that welcomes everyone.
Presented by the Native American Cultural Center, this event honors the past, celebrates the present, and inspires future generations. Don’t miss this unforgettable cultural experience—bring your family and friends and help to share the Legacy!
Learn more and buy tickets here
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🎖️ AEI Honors Austin Veterans with a Celebration🎖️
️ A heartfelt Veterans Day Celebration was hosted by Austin Equity and Inclusion - Human Rights Division. We were proud to have welcomed over 100 veterans, City staff, community members, and local partners. Special thanks to City Manager T.C. Broadnax, and Councilmember Paige Ellis for their words of gratitude, to Chief of Staff Genesis Gavino, and to our keynote speaker, Thomas Palladino, Executive Director of the Texas Veterans Commission, for joining us in this meaningful tribute.
AEI honored over 100 veterans and their supporters with a catered lunch from Slab Barbecue, a plaque of gratitude to VFW Post 8925, resources and information from 10 local partner organizations, and a welcoming environment for all attendees. We appreciate our partner presentations from the Samaritan Center and the Veterans Land Board. |
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For November, month we recommend...
As a biracial, unenrolled tribal member and the product of a scandal, Daunis Fontaine has never quite fit in—both in her hometown and on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. When her family is struck by tragedy, Daunis puts her dreams on hold to care for her fragile mother. The only bright spot is meeting Jamie, the charming new recruit on her brother’s hockey team.
After Daunis witnesses a shocking murder that thrusts her into a criminal investigation, she agrees to go undercover. But the deceptions—and deaths—keep piling up and soon the threat strikes too close to home. How far will she go to protect her community if it means tearing apart the only world she’s ever known? |
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Journey back in time to when an ancient Native American highway system ran through the Austin area. Archaeologists Sergio Iruegas and Melinda Tate Iruegas uncover the forgotten
Pre-Columbian footpath that spanned Travis County and can still be seen through ground swales and markings on the landscape today.
Video length: ~36 minutes
Produced by Jennifer Chenoweth and Amy Heath Filmed & Edited by Grey Ellis Also featuring: Steve Gonzales, Brian Beattie, Nicole Netherton and Amy Heath Part of the
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SURVEYS + COMMUNITY INPUT |
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Help shape Austin’s 2026 bond package by sharing your lived experiences, priorities, and ideas. Your voice will guide the BEATF’s funding recommendations for Austin’s infrastructure investments.
There are several dates available for participation to help ensure that everyone can attend:
📍 Sat., Nov. 15 |Gus Garcia Recreation Center, 1201 E. Rundberg Lane (6-8 pm)
💻 Tues, Nov. 18| Virtual session (6-8 pm) Register to receive meeting link and final details.
📍 Thurs., Nov. 20 | at Rudy Mendez Recreation Center, 2407 Canterbury Street (6-8 pm)
You can also submit your ideas on the online Idea Submission Tool, before November 30.
Your participation fosters trust and transparency, ensuring that all voices contribute to shaping our City’s future investments.
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Being and Belonging: Exploring Asian American Identity
Curious about Asian American history, culture, and arts? Being and Belonging is a free, hands-on pop-up series for adults (18+) that dives into the Asian American experience through interactive activities, guest speakers, and media. Join as many sessions as you'd like—no commitment required!
Next Pop Up: Diaspora on December 2nd | 6pm to 8pm | AARC
RSVP here
Upcoming Pop Up Dates:
- February 24, 2026, 6 to 8pm - Belonging and Citizenship | RSVP on Eventbrite
- April 28, 2026, 6 to 8pm - Asian Americans in Texas | RSVP on Eventbrite
- June 23, 2026, 6 to 8pm - Resistance, Advocacy, and Solidarity | RSVP on Eventbrite
- August 25, 2026, 6 to 8pm - The Future of Asian America | RSVP on Eventbrite
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Join Austin Emergency Management for their final two Emergency Preparedness Pop-Ups for 2025.
Austin Emergency Management hosts monthly pop-up events at branches of the Austin Public Library. HSEM invites other public safety departments and non-government organizations to the pop-ups to promote public awareness and provide safety tips to prepare for various emergencies.
Events are held in each City Council district to provide learning opportunities across the city. Preparedness materials and other presenters may be catered to highlight and educate on specific emergencies that may be more likely strike the area of that month's event, like wildfire or flooding.
The first 25 attendees receive a basic emergency preparedness kit (limit one per household). Learn more here.
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Seasonal stress got you stressed?
It's the holiday season. More demands, more stressors. But not for you. You got 99 stressors but this gathering ain't one.
At the final Overflow OHM event of 2025 enjoy some wellness bliss.
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$4 off with code: AAAFF$4
There’s so many wonderful films on the slate at AFS Cinema that we gave them a longer list than usual to partner on! Hot tip, come out to MISTRESS DISPELLER on Dec 3 (other show dates and times available too) to catch the AAAFF staff on our pre-holiday get together. That was the “film that got away” from 2025 AAAFF but the programmers and I just had to see it on the big screen when we saw AFS was screening it during the theatrical run!
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GRANTS + TRAINING + SERVICES |
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Take a look here for a list of food pantries in Austin and surrounding areas. This list includes the organization, program, contact information, location, and hours of operation.
You can also visit Find Food Now for information on resources and immediate food assistance. Another resource is United Way of Greater
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Apply for funding to support your creative or preservation project, music, venue, or cultural
space.
✨Up to $25.6 million in funds provided by the Hotel Occupancy Tax available
✨Apply by 6:59 pm on December 4
Learn more: https://www.austintexas.gov/acme/grants-funding
Photo credit: River City Pops, photo by Bailey Savage |
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Since 1987, American Gateway has served the Central Texas immigrant community. The organization provides a broad range of immigration legal services to low-income individuals and families throughout the region.
Services Provided:
- Asylum applications for individuals fleeing persecution
- VAWA petitions for victims of domestic violence
- T and U Visas for survivors of trafficking and violent crimes
- Permanent residency and naturalization assistance
- DACA renewals
- Family- based petitions
Call (512) 478-0546 ext. 200 to make an appointment today!
If you or someone you know is facing deportation or is currently in immigration detention, please call the Deportation Crisis Hotline at (512) 270-1515.
If you or someone you know is in removal proceedings at the San Antonio Immigration Court, please call the San Antonio hotline at (210)-864-2917. Through American Gateway's PAPA Services, they offer legal orientation to unrepresented individuals from Monday to Thursday, 7:30 AM to noon, at the San Antonio Immigration Court. Please note that American Gateways does not provide legal advice, and receiving assistance through this service does not imply that you are being represented by American Gateways staff, pro bono volunteers, or any other representatives.
🔗Learn more abut American Gateway's legal services here.
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Changarrito Artist Residency — Call for Applications
The Mexic-Arte Museum invites artists to apply for the Changarrito Artist Residency, an innovative program inspired by artist Maximo Gonzalez’s art vending cart. Selected artists can display and sell their work directly to the public from the Changarrito cart while keeping 100% of sales. The residency spans four days over two weekends (Sat–Sun, 12–3 PM) and includes a virtual showcase on Mexic-Arte’s Instagram and Facebook, where artists share their process and promote their art.
Learn more and apply here!
Applications are due December 1 at 12:00 AM CST.
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The City of Austin has launched a Wildfire Hub. On the hub,you can sign up for alerts, check your home's wildfire risk, and download a Wildfire Action Guide in English and Spanish.
Check out the hub today to learn how you can protect your home and what the City is doing to prevent and mitigate wildfires. |
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Unlock Your Tech Skills with Free Austin Workshops
Austin Economic Development is proud to partner with Austin Free-Net to offer, free in-person workshops at three locations in Austin.
Interested in exploring the cool features of your smartphone? Attend the Smartphone Fundamentals Series or other workshops designed to help you make the most of your technology.
Don’t miss out—visit Austin Free-Net today to view the schedule. No registration is required to attend a workshop—just show up!
Don't miss out! Check the schedule here!
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Did you know that Austin Emergency Management offers and supports a variety of training and learning opportunities for members of the community to become more prepared? They are building a more resilient community through preparedness education programs.
If you are interested in presentations for your neighborhood, like Wildfire Preparedness and Evacuation, email hsemcommunications@austintexas.gov to begin the scheduling process.
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Preservation Pathways is the primary vehicle through which we deliver educational activities, technical services, and strategic support to Asian and Pacific Islander American communities to reach their historic preservation goals. Whether you are mapping your cultural heritage, navigating the historic designation process, restoring a building or site, or advocating for your neighborhood – we will meet you where you are to guide you toward success.
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The Del Valle Community Coalition (DVCC) in partnership with Austin Watershed Protection and Austin Housing is launching a pilot program to provide financial assistance for homeowners in Austin’s Floodplains to obtain or maintain flood insurance for one year. DVCC can assist with 100% (up to $2000) of your flood premium. This program aims to support residents in high-risk flood areas by reducing financial barriers to coverage.
Learn more and apply here!
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UT Health Houston School of Public Health in Austin and UT Austin College of Education are collaborating with three middle school communities in Austin ISD (2025-2028).
Bedichek, Marshall, and Paredes middle schools are seeking dedicated community members to join a committee aimed at improving physical activity in your school community and neighborhood. This is a paid leadership opportunity, with members receiving $50 per hour for their participation in monthly meetings. Committee members will work alongside the school community coordinator, school staff, students, parents, and other community members.
🔗 Learn more and apply here.
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