Two animated students stand with their arms up, both students of color. In between them it states "What is SSES?"

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. Join the EAT and find more information on the dashboard.

 

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.
EQUITY OFFICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Photo of EAT member standing smiling in the shade under a tree in the park. The sun is shining and many have sunglasses on. One member is holding their small dog, some are squatting down in the center, and one member to the left of the photo under a tree is bending at the knees and laughing. "Join our in-person September Equity Action Team Meeting! Saturday, September 30th 10:30am-1:30pm Montopolis Recreation Center & Resilience Hub, 1200 Montopolis Dr, Austin, TX 78741. Register today: bit.ly/SeptEAT. Save the date! October EAT on Wed. 10/25/23. City of Austin logo and City of Austin's Equity Office Logo: Critical Love in Practice".
✨Join us the September EAT Meeting✨

Register here for September!

 

We are excited to have you for our in-person September EAT meeting! Please join us on Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 10:30am to 1:30pm. 

We will have a delicious brunch and space to connect, learn, and engage together.

The September EAT Meeting will be held at the Montopolis Recreation Center & Resilience Hub

 

This month, the City of Austin's Resilience Office will join us to speak about the continual efforts of their department and the Austin community in fostering a more resilient Austin! We will also have several short presentations and discussion with community members from the Montopolis neighborhood. 

 

Save the date...

The next EAT meeting will be Wednesday, October 25th at the Street-Jones Building. 

 

Register here for October!
Austin Public Library Enhanced Library Card. The Austin Public Library Enhanced Library Card is a full-access library card for Austin residents (18 or older) that includes your library card number, photograph, address, date of birth, the expiration date, and a scannable barcode. The card can be used at all Austin Public Library locations, as well as online to access our eBooks and other digital resources, and is accepted by many local organizations and government agencies as a valid photo ID. Starting May 1, 2023, the card will be available at three Austin Public Library locations: Little Walnut Creek Branch, 835 W. Rundberg Ln, St. John Branch, 7500 Blessing Ave., and Southeast Branch, 5803 Nuckols Crossing Rd. More information and a list of agencies that will accept the Enhanced Library Card at: library.austintexas.gov/enhanced
Stop by one of the three pilot locations and get yours today and help us spread the word within your communities.
LEARNING FROM HISTORY
Six photos from the 1966 Labor Day March including AFL-CIO President Hand Brown speaking into a microphone in the upper left corner photo, a man with sunglasses on standing in the crowd with a red bandana on and a suit and tie, the far right photo shows a man speaking into the microphone at the podium, the bottom left photo shows a man in suit and tie with a red bandana walking with the crowd, the middle bottom photo shows the crowd of protestors and their signs from a distance, and Cesar Chavez in the bottom right corner wearing a red bandana around his neck.

In Honor of Hispanic Latino Heritage Month, we reflect on the rich history, culture, and civil rights movement of the Latino Community 

 

Cesar Chavez: 1966 Labor Day March

 

"St. Edward's University received a special collection of previously unpublished color photographs at the beginning of the school year [2016] which document part of the historic 1966 Labor Day march from Rio Grande City to the Capitol in Austin.

 

On part of the march, the group stayed on the St. Edward's campus. Despite the objection of many, the university president allowed the group to stay.

 

Among the photos are snapshots of the iconic civil rights leader Cesar Chavez on Congress Ave. with South Texas farm workers who had made the entire 490 mile journey on foot.

 

These photos are important not only because they depict Chavez' burgeoning role as a national leader, but because they vividly display the struggle that so many Mexican-American farm workers lived and died by, and still do today.

 

These photos were taken by a journalist [Phil Oakley] who had the foresight to attend a monumental strike that the majority of the establishment had written off."

 

Hilltop Views (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 40, No. 8, Ed. 1 Wednesday, November 2, 2016, newspaper, November 2, 2016; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1590730/m1/16/?q=hispanic%20latino%20heritage%20month: accessed September 7, 2023), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting St. Edward’s University.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES
A woman with dark hard that has stars in it and flowers is reading with her 'nose stuck in a book' with a pink cover and the book is covering half of her face. It states 'What we're reading. Check out these recs from the Equity Office!'
[book cover] Rivermouth-A Chronicle of Language, Faith, and Migration by Alejandra Oliva. [Rio Grande aerial view with red lines drawn across the river and down along the path denoting a path]
 
 
In 'Rivermouth,' Alejandra Oliva, a Mexican-American translator and immigrant justice activist, shares her heartfelt memoir about working at the US-Mexico border. Through vivid storytelling, she reveals her experiences assisting asylum seekers and explores her family's connection to the border across generations. Oliva delves into the physical spaces of immigration, from the river that separates the two countries to the table where she prepares asylum seekers, and the imposing wall that marks the southern border. With beautiful prose, she prompts us to ponder tough questions about American citizenship, conditional aid, and our responsibility to the disenfranchised. Oliva's book is both analytical and compassionate, urging us to fight for a better world. 
SURVEYS & COMMUNITY INPUT
Learning from our past to shape a future for everyone

What’s happening with the preservation plan?

The draft plan will be released in 2024: Stay tuned for more precise timing. We’re working with a consultant to make sure we effectively engage the full range of community members and stakeholders. Let your voice be heard by taking the two surveys below!
Community Input Sessions. THe Austin Police Department invites the public for open house meetings to discuss the future of APD. Tuesday, September 26, 2023 6:30pm-8:00pm. Austin Public Library (Carver Branch) 1161 Angelina Street, Room #2. 512-974-1010. Additional meetings in North and South Austin coming soon. Details TBD. Interpretation services will be provided in ASL. For more information visit: PublicInput.com/APDStrategicPlan2023 or scan the QR code.

South APD Strategic Planning Community Input Session               

Date:                      Thursday, October 5th from 6:30 to 8:00pm

Location:              upRising Austin Church

Address:                8601 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78748

 

North APD Strategic Planning Community Input Session               

Date:                      Tuesday, October 10th from 6:30 to 8:00pm

Location:              Gethsemane Church Gymnasium

Address:               200 W Anderson Ln., Austin, TX 78752

 

Starting Sept. 26th, feedback will also be accepted on the Speakup Austin website: https://www.speakupaustin.org/t4622
Front of the Asian American Resource Center which is designed with traditional Chinese architecture and modern accents and touches.
Have you recently attended an event at the Asian American Resource Center (AARC)?
Please take a few moments to fill out our Program & Events survey 
so that we can continue planning programs for the community. 

 

Read the AARC Annual Report now! This report highlights the AARC's past fiscal year's events, exhibits, programs, and the communities served. Translated text for the AARC Annual Report is available in Chinese (Simplified), Korean, Vietnamese, Arabic, and Burmese.
Aerial photo of Sims Elementary with a red line showing its boundary along Springdale Road.
Tuesday, September 26, 2023 – 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

 

Please join us for an update about the repurposing of the former Sims Elementary School site, including a timeline for what’s next. There will be an opportunity for questions and answers.

Learn more here: https://www.austinisd.org/repurposing/sims

Zoom: https://bit.ly/3YJHtuW

Contact Jeremy Striffler, Director of Real Estate for more information: jeremy.striffler@austinisd.org
GRANTS & CONTESTS
Two animated students stand with their arms up, both students of color. In between them it states "What is SSES?"

What is SSES?

Supplemental Special Education Services (SSES) are $1,500 one-time online grants for parents/caregivers of eligible students served by special education. Families of eligible students can use the online accounts to obtain educational materials, resources, and/or services such as additional speech therapy or other specific services. Watch the video below to learn more.

 

Supplemental Special Education Services (SSES) Parent Webinar Overview - YouTube
 
A woman of color in a hard hat, protective glasses, white shirt, and nametag around her neck holds up a lightbulb in one hand and a green clipboard in the other while standing in front of solar panels.
Dream.org's Climate Career Pathways Scholarship Application is open!
Application Deadline October 6th by 11:59pm Pacific time!
At Dream.Org, we understand that equipping our generation with the skills to combat and adapt to this change is paramount. We believe in creating pathways for untapped talent to pioneer green innovation, foster sustainable development, and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
 
As part of our commitment, we are launching the Climate Career Pathways Scholarship Fund. We are investing in future leaders of the Climate and Sustainability sectors by providing up to $3,500 in scholarships for trainings, courses and professional certifications in these fields.
 
A woman in a red shirt and floppy gardening hat holds a carrot in her hand that was pulled from the garden. Four students stand around her and the garden bed outdoors, and three of the students are holding carrots and all students are smiling.
 

The Bright Green Future Grants Program is a competitive program that provides funding of up to $3,000 for school-based sustainability projects. From beekeeping classes to pollinator murals, and bike rodeos to tree plantings, Bright Green Future Grants support campus-based projects that help students commit to a lifetime of sustainability.

 

Since 2012, the program has funded nearly 500 projects and reached an estimated 128,000 students. Funding for the program is provided by the generous support of Austin Water, Austin Resource Recovery, Watershed Protection, the Development Services Department’s Urban Forestry Division, and the Transportation Department and Public Works Department.

 

Learn more about projects funded last year

For questions or more information, contact: Mary K. Priddy at mary.priddy@austintexas.gov or (512) 921-6843

CITY & COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS
Two animated students stand with their arms up, both students of color. In between them it states "What is SSES?"

Due to extreme heat, all Parks and Library facilities will serve as Cooling Centers during normal operating hours. All Parks and Library facilities can serve as a Cooling Centers during normal operating hours. Service animals are permitted in City facilities. To view the current list of cooling centers, locations and hours of operation, please visit austintexas.gov/alerts.   

 

Need transportation to a cooling center? CapMetro is able to provide free rides to anyone seeking a cooling shelter without the means to pay a fare. 

 

For more tips on how to stay cool and safe, we invite you to watch and share this episode of

MY API LIVE.

 

English - Stay Cool, Stay Safe and Prepared This Summer

https://youtu.be/GzIJ7qx_PI8

 

中文 - Stay Cool, Stay Safe and Prepared This Summer

https://youtu.be/MRj8oXz5l-w

 

Tiếng Việt | Stay Cool, Stay Safe and Prepared This Summer

https://youtu.be/VJQWp43_Nhw
Apply for U.S. Citizenship! For more information and what to bring to the citizenship clinic, please visit: bit.ly/citizenship-atx. Step 1: Attend and information session. Attend one of the three information sessions to learn more about how to apply for U.S. citizenship. Attorneys from American Gateways will be present to answer questions about your eligibilty. You will also receive a worksheet that outlines the documents and information you will need to prepare for your N-400 application for naturalization. Information Session 1: Saturday, September 23. 10:30am-11:00am at North Austin YMCA 1000 W Rundberg Ln, Austin, TX 78758. Interpretation provided in Spanish and Vietnamese. Information Session 2: Saturday October 7, 10:30am-11am at the Southeast Library Branch 5803 Nuckols Crossing Rd, Austin, TX 78744. Interpretation provided in Spanish and Vietnamese. Information Session 3 Thursday October 12, 6:30pm-7:00pm Ruiz Library Branch 1600 Grove Blvd, Austin TX 78741. Session will be conducted in Spanish-interpretation provided in English. Step 2: Participate in the Citizenship Clinic-After attending an information session and confirming you are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship, attend the Citizenship Clinic on October 21! Bring the documents and information you will need to successfully complete the N-400 application for naturalization. Citizenship Clinic: October 21, 9am-2pm at the Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Rd, Austin, TX 78754. The first 75 participants will receive free one-on-one assistance to complete the N-400 application for naturalization! Visit the tables at the resource fair to learn more about programs and services for immigrant communities. You can also practice your citizenship interview with USCIS! The city of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodations and access to effective communication can be provided upon request. To make a request or if you have any questions, please contact: Rocio Villalobos, Voice: (512) 974-7972--VRS: RelayTexas711. Logos from/support from: Asian American Resource Center, Austin Parks and Recreation, City of Austin, CAPRA, Univision Austin Contigo, AFL-CIO, and American Gateways.
Citizenship flyer in Vietnamese
Citizenship flyer in Spanish
A floral background with stargaze lily's and other various flowers. 'Hispanic Latino Heritage Month September 15-October 15'.

September 15 to October 15 is Hispanic Latino Heritage Month!

 

Starting on the 15th, Austin Public Library is celebrating Hispanic Latino Heritage Month with a variety of cultural experiences designed to enlighten and empower our community. 

 

Find a movie screening, concert, craft class or workshop near you!

 

Comenzando el 15 de septiembre, Austin Public Library estaremos celebrando el Mes de la Herencia Latinoamericana con una variedad de experiencias culturales diseñadaspara empoderar nuestra comunidad.

 

¡Encuentre una proyección de película, un concierto, una clase de manualidades o un taller cerca de usted!
Austin Vida: September Cultura Guide [the 'i' in Vida is a butterfly]

What's in Austin Vida's September Cultura Guide?

💃🏻 How to kick off National Hispanic Heritage Month.

🎤 Where to honor the comunidad's contributions in hip hop with art, films, graffiti battles and more presented by MAS Cultura + BBoy City. 

🇲🇽 Ways to celebrate Mexican Independence Day. 

🎶 Where to catch live música ranging from Brazilian Day ATX to Argentina's legendary electronic tango band Otros Aires. 

🌎  How to soak up Central American culture at Centroamericanto Fest. 
A woman of color is flying through the page with a cape on: Get ready central Texas. Emergency Preparedness Fair-Friday, Sept. 22nd 3pm-7pm. Featuring DJ Chorizo Funk. Join us at ACC Eastview Campus 3101 Webberville, RD, Austin, TX 78702. Come learn: What resources are available during a disaster, safety tips, how to make an emergency plan for your family. Make emergency preparedness your superpower! Get prepared for all seasons. Free to attend and family friendly. Refreshments provided. Play games, make friends, and meet your neighbors. Get started on your emergency supply kit. Interpretation services available in Spanish and ASL. Request another language interpreter by calling 3-1-1 no later than five days before the event. Find out more at: readycentraltexas.org or scan the QR code to learn more.
 
Where?: Austin Community College Eastview Campus (3101 Webberville Road, Austin, TX 78702
When?: Friday, September 22nd at 3:00pm
 
Hosted by the City of Austin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM)
 
The 2nd Annual Emergency Preparedness Fair is a FREE, family-friendly event open to everyone. You'll discover valuable tips to prepare your home, family, and community for emergencies. Plus, you can get a basic emergency kit (one per household, while supplies last) and pick up the Neighborhood Preparedness Guide to help you make a plan.  The event will have kid-friendly games, refreshing sips, and snacks waiting for you too! There will be interpreters on-site in Spanish and American Sign Language, and if you need assistance in another language, just contact 3-1-1 in advance.
See you there!
 
[Animated person of color holds a boom box on their shoulder and is wearing a red shirt, black jacket and chains around their neck]. Hip Hop 50 APL Celebrates 50 years of Hip Hop with a variety of events honoring the music, culture, and community. Pixel Perfect: Graffiti GIFS schedule Thursday, September 28, 2023 - 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM placeCentral Library - 710 W. César Chávez St. Innovation Lounge (5th floor) local_activityPlease register for this event. Artist Talk with Kollective Fusion schedule Saturday, November 4, 2023 - 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM placeHampton Branch at Oak Hill - 5125 Convict Hill Rd. Artist Talk with Kollective Fusion schedule Saturday, January 13, 2024 - 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM placeSpicewood Springs Branch - 8637 Spicewood Springs Rd. Artist Talk with Kollective Fusion schedule Saturday, February 3, 2024 - 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM placeWindsor Park Branch - 5833 Westminster Dr. Artist Talk with Kollective Fusion schedule Thursday, April 4, 2024 - 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM place Ruiz Branch - 1600 Grove Blvd.
No experience necessary. Second Chance Job Fair, Wednesday, Sept 27. Workforce Solutions.

Second Chance Job Fair-No Experience Required!

 

Date: September 27, 2023

Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Location: Workforce Solutions Capital Area

Address: 9001 N. IH 35 Ste. 110, Austin, Texas

 

Are you ready for a fresh start? Don't miss the opportunity to connect with employers who believe in second chances at the upcoming Second Chance Job Fair. Whether you're looking to re-enter the workforce, explore new opportunities, or build a brighter future, this event is tailored to you.
 

The Second Chance Job Fair is open to all justice impacted individuals who are eager to take the next step in their careers. It's a chance to meet employers who value your potential and are excited to offer a new beginning. First impressions matter! Put your best foot forward by dressing professionally. Whether it's your first job fair or a fresh start, presenting yourself confidently can make all the difference.

 

Register here for this event. Secure your spot and take the first step towards new opportunities and a brighter future.
Teotihuacan-Style Censer with Ancestor and Storm God, 300-600, Maya, ceramic with post-fire pigment, 11 × 9 × 9 3/8 in. (27.9 × 22.9 × 23.6 cm), Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Forces of Nature: Ancient Maya Art from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art from August 27, 2023 to January 7, 2024

For the ancient Maya, the natural world was both a source of nourishment and danger. From the sun to wildlife to maize crops, forces of nature manifested supernatural beings that were inseparable from their lives. This exhibition explores the rich world of the supernatural in ancient Maya art, through 200 works from LACMA’s notable collection — including ceramic vessels and figurines, and greenstone jewelry from present-day Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. These ancient artworks showcase how artists portrayed the supernatural world and how royalty acquired and displayed their own supernatural power.

The Blanton presentation is organized by Rosario I. Granados, Marilynn Thoma Associate Curator, Art of the Spanish Americas

Pictured above: Teotihuacan-Style Censer with Ancestor and Storm God, 300-600, Maya, ceramic with post-fire pigment, 11 × 9 × 9 3/8 in. (27.9 × 22.9 × 23.6 cm), Los Angeles County Museum of Art, purchased with funds provided by Camilla Chandler Frost (M.2010.115.1019a-b) photo © Museum Associates / LACMA
Asian American Resource Center: Asian American Youth Voices Rising, Fall 2023 Cohort.

The Asian American Youth Voices Rising Fall 2023 Cohort starts soon!

Apply here for this 8-week leadership academy for Asian-American youth!

 

Who: Asian American youth in 6th - 8th grades (as of October 2023)

When: 8 Saturdays (October 14, 21, 28, November 4, 11, 18, and December 2 and 9)

           10:00 AM-1:00 PM

 

Asian American Youth Voices Rising is an 8-week leadership academy for Asian American youth, grades 6th - 8th grade, to learn about selected aspects of Asian American history through award-winning graphic texts. Learn about Chinese, South Asian, Korean, and Vietnamese American histories and create a digital multimodal video using animation, sound, text and photos!

 

Hosted by the Asian American Resource Center with support from the Center for Asian American Studies and Asian Texans for Justice.

 

Participants who complete 7 out of 8 sessions will receive a set of four graphic novels and a certificate of completion  from the University of Texas at Austin's Center for Asian American Studies. Snacks provided.

Deadline is October 2nd, or until all spots are filled. Apply today!
State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry. The State of Texas offers the option to register with the STEAR program, a free registry that provides local emergency management planners and responders with information related to your needs during an emergency. Who should register: People with disabilities, people who are medically fragile, people with funtional needs such as: limited mobility, communication barriers, require additional medical assistance during an emergency event, require personal care assistance; People who require transportation assistance. Register online at Stear.tdem.texas.gov. Call 2-1-1 or use your video relay option of choice. Registering in STEAR DOES NOT guarantee you will receive a specific service during emergencies.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
[Spanish] Escuelas buscan voluntarios que hablan espanol. El districto escolar de Austin necesita voluntarios para tutorias de matematicas para estudieantes de la secundaria en escuelas como Covington, Dobie, Martin, o Webb Middle. Tambien necesitan voluntarios para que los estudiantes se sientan apoyados. Para mas informacion o para registrarse haga clic aqui. [English] Schools seek Spanish-speaking volunteers. The Austin school district needs Spanish-speaking volunteers to tutor middle school math students. Some of the schools include Covington, Dobie, Martin, or Webb Middle school. Mentor volunteers are also needed for middle and high school students. Find additional information and register here.

TreeFolks Upcoming Events

 

Tree planting season starts soon – volunteer to help us get ready! 

 

🌳Weds Sept 27th @ Blair Woods Nature Preserve: Tree ID Walk | 6:00-7:30pm | Learn more

🌳Weds Sept 27th @ TreeFolks Office: Volunteer Workday at the TreeFolks Nursery | 9:00am-12:00pm | RSVP here

🌳Thurs Sept 28th @ TreeFolks Office: Volunteer Workday at the TreeFolks Nursery | 9:00am-12:00pm | RSVP here

🌳Sat Sept 30th @ TreeFolks Office: Volunteer Workday at the TreeFolks Nursery | 9:00am-12:00pm | RSVP here

🌳Fri Oct 6th @ TreeFolks Office: Treerobics | 12:00-2:00pm | RSVP here

🌳Sat Oct 7th @ Dove Springs Rec Center: NeighborWoods Tree Adoption Event | 11:00am-3:00pm | Learn more
Front Steps: What we know...A sample of 350 homeless adults were interviewed. Sixty-one percent of the study sample reported suicideal ideation and 34% had attempted suicide. Fifty-six percent of the men and 79% of the women reported prior suicidal ideation, while 28 percent of the men and 57% of the women had attempted suicide. -The National Library of Medicine circa 2021. Scan here for more [QR code; click image for more]. What we do...Front Steps works tirelessly to assist our community members experiencing homelessness by creating a pathway to safe and productive housing solutions. We firmly believe that no one should have to spend a night on the street. September is National Suicide Awareness Month. Want to get involved? Visit us as www.frontsteps.org and make a difference today.
Searching for volunteers: We are looking for volunteers interested in hosting a Casa Marianella resident. This is an incredible opportunity for cultural exhange and language learning. We need your help to relieve overcapacity at Casa! Swip [click] to learn more.
Two animated students stand with their arms up, both students of color. In between them it states "What is SSES?"
Two animated students stand with their arms up, both students of color. In between them it states "What is SSES?"
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