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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. 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.
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EQUITY OFFICE ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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✨Join us for our April EAT Meeting✨
Register here for the April Meeting or just come through!
We are excited to have you for our in-person April EAT meeting on Saturday, April 27th from 10:30am to 1:30pm. We'll connect over a meal, and then get our meeting started by 11:00am.
Meeting Location TBD and will be announced very soon!
For April, we will welcome back Janice Bookout for further and more in-depth information sharing and engagement with the EV (Electric Vehicle) Justice Working Group.
We also reserve time for community updates, shout-outs, and resource sharing, too!
Brunch will be provided and there will be vegan options.
We look forward to being in community with you!
March EAT Recap:
At our March EAT meeting, we heard from Robert Painter, an attorney with American Gateways, about SB4 and knowing your rights. The Equity Office along with Catholic Charities, has hosted several SB4/Know Your Rights Workshops to help our community understand the law and your rights under SB4.
If you missed an SB4-Know Your Rights Workshop, there is another opportunity coming up April 10th, hosted by Vanessa Fuentes (D2) and Jose Velasquez's (D3) offices in partnership with American Gateways--see the 'City & Community Happenings' section of the newsletter.
We also welcomed a presentation about the Equity-Based Preservation plan. Cara Bertron from the City of Austin's Planning Department shared updates on the plan and it's drafted goals, discussed the 3 pillars of the plan: What We Preserve, Who Preserves, and How We Preserve. She also shared recommendations that came from the community engagement, and explained how community got involved to share their input through an equity lens.
You can view the Equity-Based Preservation Plan Presentation here.
Thank you to Janice Bookout for her profound but brief introduction to the Electric Vehicle (EV) Justice Working Group...They will be back to share more at April's meeting!
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Growing Community with Gardens
Amazing people in the Austin area are making history every day, and Harvé Franks is no exception. In this newsletter edition as we focus on the time of growth, we want to highlight Harvé's work at the Carver Museum Community Garden. Twenty years ago, Harvé was one of two African-Americans certified by Ted Fisher, Master Gardener and host of the show,
Central Texas Gardener. Later, she was featured on the show, which Harvé described as a "full-circle moment!"
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At last month's March EAT Meeting, the EAT shared what plant they would be if they could plant themselves (such as a tree, flower, vegetable or fruit, etc.) This question prompted some beautiful responses, and helped us ground ourselves in this season of growth, and reflect on the 'seeds' we have planted for ourselves, our families, and our communities. This question was inspired by this month's book recommendation,
The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson.
"Rosalie Iron Wing has grown up in the woods with her father, Ray, a former science teacher who tells her stories of plants, of the stars, of the origins of the Dakota people. Until, one morning, Ray doesn't return from checking his traps. Told she has no family, Rosalie is sent to live with a foster family in nearby Mankato - where the reserved, bookish teenager meets rebellious Gaby Makespeace, in a friendship that transcends the damaged legacies they've inherited. On a winter's day many years later, Rosalie returns to her childhood home. A widow and mother, she has spent the previous two decades on her white husband's farm, finding solace in her garden even as the farm is threatened first by drought and then by a predatory chemical company. Now, grieving, Rosalie begins to confront the past, on a search for family, identity, and a community where she can finally belong. In the process, she learns what it means to be descended from women with souls of iron - women who have protected their families, their traditions, and a precious cache of seeds through generations of hardship and loss, through war and the insidious trauma of boarding schools."--Provided by publisher. |
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SURVEYS & COMMUNITY INPUT |
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Austin ISD's annual Spring Climate Survey is now live!
Your Input Matters: Your insights provide invaluable perspectives on the educational climate, culture and engagement within Austin ISD. By participating, you directly contribute to our ongoing efforts to enhance and refine our services.
Your Privacy Matters: The survey is 100% confidential. The district does not have access to individual responses or any personal data that could be used to identify a respondent.
Accessing the Survey: Visit surveys.panoramaed.com/austinisd/family and select your student's school from the dropdown list.
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The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and can be accessed from any screen reading device connected to Wi-Fi, such as your phone, laptop or tablet.
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The survey is available in the following languages: Arabic, Vietnamese, Dari, Pashto, Simplified Chinese, English, Spanish and is compatible with most screen translators.
Make Your Voice Heard: Our goal is to achieve an 80% completion rate across all campuses.
Deadline: Please submit your responses by April 12.
Thank you for your participation in shaping the future of Austin ISD.
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¡La versión preliminar del Plan de Alimentos de Austin/Condado de Travis está aquí! Creado por la comunidad, el Plan de Alimentos establece objetivos y estrategias claras para hacernos avanzar hacia un sistema alimentario más equitativo, sostenible y resiliente. Acompáñanos el 3 y 17 de abril en una Revisión Pública virtual de la Versión preliminar del Plan de Alimentos. Tendrás la oportunidad de compartir lo que es más importante para ti y decirnos si lo hicimos bien.
17 de abril, 6:00-7:30 PM, Virtual
Confirma tu asistencia ahora a través del enlace aqui publicinput.com/P17863
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The Austin/Travis County draft food plan is here!! Developed by the community, the food plan sets clear goals and strategies to move us toward a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient food system. Join us on April 3 for a virtual Public Review of the Draft Food Plan. You’ll have an opportunity to share what is most important to you and let us know if we got it right.
April 17, 6:00 - 7:30 PM Virtual English, Arabic, Vietnamese, Mandarin
RSVP now at publicinput.com/P17863
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CITY & COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS |
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will bring together leaders from across the five county Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos Metropolitan area
to explore how we can develop our local workforce through “earn & learn” and other up-skilling programs that help job-seekers connect with local opportunities and our community meet its workforce needs in high-need and high-demand industries.
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Teen LGBTQ+ Board Games Space
All teens 13-18 are welcome!
Play games, hang out, and meet cool people at the library!
- Teens 13-18 only
- Sunday, April 7 - 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
- Spicewood Springs Branch: 8637 Spicewood Springs Rd.
- Free and open to the public | Gratis y abierto al público
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What: Join Forklift Danceworks for a FREE performance with Dove Springs community members and Watershed Protection Staff in Onion Creek Metro Park. Audience members will begin with an immersive audio walk and then witness a performance on a restored urban floodplain. The dance will feature municipal workers and community members who steward the Onion Creek watershed. Free! Get Reservations and more information here.
When: April 12th and 13th, 7 - 8:30 PM
Where: Onion Creek Metro Park, 8652 Nuckols Crossing Rd
¿Qué?: Únase a Forklift Danceworks para una presentación gratuita con miembros de la comunidad de Dove Springs y el personal de protección de cuencas hidrográficas en Onion Creek Metro Park. Los miembros de la audiencia comenzarán con una caminata con audio inmersivo y luego presenciarán una actuación en una llanura aluvial urbana restaurada. El baile contará con trabajadores municipales y miembros de la comunidad que administran la cuenca de Onion Creek. ¡Gratis! Obtén Reservas y más información aquí.
¿Cuando?: 12 y 13 de abril; 7 - 8:30 PM
¿Dónde?: Parque metropolitano de Onion Creek, 8652 Nuckols Crossing Rd |
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Exploring Mural Art and Community Experiences
Join the Economic Development Department’s Art in Public Places and Capital Delivery Services on April 13 for a roundtable discussion exploring Native American, Latino, and Chicano history, art, and culture in Austin and the Southwest. Learn about community murals and artist resources.
RSVP today.
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Welcome to "It's a Birthing Thang!"
Austin Public Health’s Maternal Infant Outreach Program (MIOP) invites you to participate as we celebrate Black Maternal Health Week. Whether you're a parent-to-be, birth professional, or birth enthusiast, this event is for you.
Date: Sat Apr 13 2024
Time: 11:30 AM
Location: ACC Eastview Campus, African American Cultural Center
Register for 'It's a Birthing Thang' here!
Black Maternal Health Week is observed yearly, April 11th - 17th. This week highlights efforts and collective work in advancing better maternal, reproductive, and birth outcomes for Black Moms and birthing people. Austin is committed to addressing this maternal health crisis by elevating Black voices and building allyship.
In 2020, the maternal mortality rate for Black women was 3 times the rate for White women in the United States. Multiple factors contribute to these disparities, such as lower quality healthcare, structural racism, implicit bias from healthcare providers, and underlying chronic conditions (CDC).
For more information:
Cynthia Washington, Program Coordinator
cynthia.washington@austintexas.gov, (737) 268-6312
https://www.austintexas.gov/department/miop
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La Mujer 2024
Sunday, April 21, 2024
1:00-6:00pm
The Cathedral ATX
The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (ESB MACC) presents
La Mujer: A Celebration of Women. In it's 13th year, the ESB MACC's annual La Mujer event celebrates women and women-identifying individuals in Austin's Mexican American and Latina/o/x/e community.
For the first time, the ESB MACC has partnered with The Cathedral gallery to create an intimate space for this annual event where women can be seen, heard, and empowered. The event includes mental health and wellness programming from organizations such as Contigo Wellness and Austin Public Health, a BIPOC-centered marketplace by Frida Friday ATX, and visual art exhibits curated by Monica Ceniceros of the Cathedral, a women-owned gallery space in East Austin.
The free event takes place on Sunday, April 21, 1:00pm-6:00pm at the Cathedral Art Gallery located at 2403 E 16th St. Austin, TX 78702. Please note that pre-registration will give you access to the indoor workshops during La Mujer. The event takes place both indoors and outdoors and if you don't register for a workshop, you will still have access to all of the other features of the event including all the outdoor activities and Frida Friday ATX market.
Learn more about ESB MACC's La Mujer: A Celebration of Women here!
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🪻 April Showers Bring BRAVE Flowers 🌺
You’re cordially invited to a fun, educational, and memorable afternoon - as we come together and celebrate resilience, learn about sustainability, and plant the seeds of positive change!
Our Spring ‘24 BRAVE Young Leaders are producing this month’s
BRAVE Communities Connection - April Showers Bring BRAVE Flowers with a program designed for ALL to enjoy!
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Panel discussion on environmental justice with subject matter experts sharing their eco-insights
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“Decorate & Plant Your Own Flower Pot” activity (all supplies included)
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A delightful Community Conversation Garden where meaningful exchanges bloom!
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Come join staff from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport at the Montopolis Recreation and Community Center on April 27th from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for an open house to learn more about all that’s going on at our airport.
This event promises an engaging and informative experience for all attendees. Whether you're a frequent flyer or simply curious about airport operations, there's something for everyone. Enjoy food, beverages, live music, and family-friendly activities while you mingle with airport staff and fellow community members. Plus, take advantage of the on-site vaccine clinic courtesy of Austin Public Health.
Learn about Journey with AUS, the airport’s expansion and development program, directly from the experts, and gain valuable insights into the future of the Austin Airport. This come-and-go style event offers flexibility for busy schedules, so drop by whenever it suits you. While RSVPs are not required, we encourage you to secure your spot ahead of time to ensure we can accommodate everyone. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to connect with your local airport community.
For more information and to RSVP, visit AustinTexas.gov/Airport/OpenHouse
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Acompañe al personal del Aeropuerto Internacional Austin-Bergstrom para un evento comunitario en el Centro Comunitario y Recreativo de Montopolis el 27 de abril de 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Este evento promete una experiencia entretenida e informativa para todos los asistentes, ya sea usted un viajero frecuente o simplemente tenga curiosidad sobre las operaciones del aeropuerto. Disfrute de comida, bebida, música en vivo y actividades familiares mientras conoce a nuestro personal del aeropuerto y otros miembros de la comunidad. Además, aproveche la clínica de vacunas, cortesía de la Salud Pública de Austin.
Infórmese directamente de los expertos y obtenga información valiosa sobre el futuro del aeropuerto de Austin y el programa de expansión y desarrollo, Journey with AUS. Este evento de estilo "ir y venir" ofrece flexibilidad para agendas apretadas, así que visítenos cuando le sea más conveniente. Aunque no es necesario que confirme su asistencia, le animamos a que se asegure su lugar con antelación para garantizar que todos puedan asistir. No se pierda esta fantástica oportunidad de conectar con la comunidad aeroportuaria local.
Para más información y para confirmar su asistencia, visite AustinTexas.gov/Airport/OpenHouse
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GRANTS | TRAINING | SERVICES |
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The ABCs of IEPs for Families New to Special Education
This session welcomes new families to Special Education services and will cover the foundational components of a student's special education program including Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFPs), Goals, and Services.
Spanish interpretation will be provided for all sessions.
To request accommodations or interpretation into other languages, including ASL, please fill out the registration form.
For more information or assistance with registration, please contact liena.deleon@austinisd.org
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Hora informativa para las familias: El ABC de los Programas Individualizados de Educación (IEP, por sus siglas en inglés) para Familias Nuevas en la Educación Especial
Esta sesión cubrirá los componentes fundamentales del programa de educación especial de un estudiante incluido Niveles Presentes de Logro Académico y Desempeño Funcional (PLAAFPs, por sus siglas en inglés), Metas y Servicios.
Habrá interpretación en español para todas las sesiones.
Para solicitar adaptaciones o interpretación en otros idiomas, incluyendo Lenguaje de Señas Americano, por favor, llene el formulario de inscripción.
Para más información o ayuda con la inscripción, póngase en contacto con liena.deleon@austinisd.org
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This free, 2-hour course is open to community members, regardless of preparedness knowledge. The course will provide an introduction from the experts on how to practice the four steps of emergency preparedness: making a plan, building a kit, knowing your neighbors, and staying informed. Attendees will gain practical knowledge on how to prepare their home, family, and community for a variety of hazards.
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The Roots & Wings Festival is an annual community-wide celebration of trees, pollinators, and all creatures. This year's festival kicks off Saturday, October 19th and goes through Sunday, November 3rd. The Festival is dedicated to celebrating nature in our neighborhoods. We embrace the idea that we are all connected to each other and to our local ecosystem. Growing these connections creates a stronger, more resilient community.
The Roots & Wings Festival is not just one event. It is many, and it is led by the community in neighborhoods all over Austin. The Festival is more than two weeks long, with fun events and activities happening on different days and at different locations all over town. Community events feature celebrations of our urban forest ecosystem (trees, plants, fungi, soil health, pollinators, birds, bats, and more)!Learn more about the Festival and how you can be a part of it. The application to be an event host is open until August 1, 2023. Mini-grants are available for event materials. To qualify for funding, you must host your event in Austin.
Have questions? Email us at rootsandwings@austintexas.gov. |
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Join CAN (Community Action Network) for their Race Equity Principles in Practice Training in 2024!
Many of us have taken race equity trainings such as Beyond Diversity or Undoing Racism, and upon finishing, have wondered "what's next?" We have created a series of trainings that will focus on ways to utilize the lessons learned in these race equity trainings in our daily lives, in our work, and in our community. The series of trainings will require you to reflect on your past racialized experiences, research your community and nation's racial history, and learn about ways to actively engage in local work aimed at addressing racial inequality.
In order to participate in the series, you would need to be able to attend all 4 sessions in the series as each session builds off each other. All sessions will be on Zoom from 11:30am - 1 pm. A calendar invite with the Zoom login credentials will be sent to you after you register.
Sign up for the October 2024 Race Equity Principles in Practice Series here--Registration Closes on Oct. 2nd
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Join Keep Austin Beautiful for the San Jose Cemetery Clean Up on April 20th!
Each April, in honor of Earth Month, Keep Austin Beautiful hosts Keep Austin Beautiful Day, a city-wide day of service spanning over one hundred sites in all ten city council districts in the greater Austin area.
During Keep Austin Beautiful Day, thousands of volunteers work together to remove litter, restore native habitats, and beautify neighborhoods. On Saturday, April 20, join us in caring for the beloved green spaces and waterways that make Austin so special.
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Teen Leadership Program
ATX KIDS CLUB invites all teens aged 13 - 17 years old to apply for our Teen Leadership Program. Teens will commit to volunteer for a minimum of two weeks and support our field trip leaders as they adventure around the city of Austin this summer.
If you have an interested teen, please scan the QR code or fill out the form:
Teen Leadership Program Application
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TreeFolks' Seed to Tree Partnership with Central Texas Seed Savers keeps seeding the trees Central Texas needs. As the seeds need care and tending to grow strong, our nursery needs your help, too! You can volunteer to help us raise baby trees on Wednesday and Thursday mornings each week this spring. If you want to learn more about seeding, how a nursery works, and what trees are best for Central Texas, this is your chance.
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