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 July EAT Meeting✨
Register here for the July Meeting or just come through!
Wednesday, July 31st from 6pm to 8:30pm
Agenda for July EAT:
- Non-profit Our House and the East Riverside/Oltorf Combined Contact Team (EROC) Malcolm Yeats and Ed Miller
- Hispanic Latino Quality-of-Life Resource Advisory Commissioner Daniela Silva!
- We reserve time for community updates, shout-outs, and resource sharing, too!
Join us for the July EAT Meeting at:
Street-Jones Building
1000 East 11th Street #120, 4th Floor
Conference Room 400a, Austin, TX 78702
🍽️ Dinner will be provided and there will be vegan options.
💧Please bring your reusable water bottle so that we can reduce waste.
🫱🏽🫲🏿We look forward to being in community with you!
As always, you can reach out to the Equity Office at our team email: equity@austintexas.gov and we'll answer your questions or find someone who can answer them!
With gratitude for our amazing EAT,
-Natalie Hulsey, Equity Office Public Information Specialist, Sr. and the Equity Office team |
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June EAT Meeting Review ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)
Last month, the EAT met at the Montopolis Rec Center in East Austin.
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BUDGET SEASON EVENTS & RESOURCES |
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City Council Community Meetings by District
(formerly called Budget Town Halls)
City Council Members will be hosting district level community meetings about the proposed budget in July and August. See the schedule below to find a meeting near you.
Members of the public may dial into any virtual or hybrid meeting with the phone number 1-408-418-9388 or the U.S. toll free number 1-844-992-4726, and then enter the Webinar Number (which doubles as the access code) to join. Call-in users will then be asked to type in the four-digit password.
Find what Council District you live in by using the map here
City Council Districts 1 & 4 Joint Meeting - Council Members Natasha Harper-Madison and José "Chito" Vela
- Hybrid meeting - in person and WebEx
- July 29
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- City of Austin Permitting & Development Center - 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Austin, TX 78752
- Webinar link here
- Webinar number: 2494 949 7587
- Webinar password: bmth (2684 on phones)
City Council District 2 - Council Member Vanessa Fuentes
- Hybrid meeting - in person and WebEx
- July 17
- 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- Bedichek Middle School - 6800 Bill Hughes Rd, Austin, TX 78745
- RSVP to attend in-person here
- Webinar link here
- Webinar number: 2492 691 2801
- Webinar password: guiw (4849 on phones)
City Council District 3 - Council Member José Velásquez
- Hybrid meeting - in person and WebEx
- August 3
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Location -
more information coming soon!
- Webinar link here
- Webinar number: 2494 766 4630
- Webinar password: dbmt (3268 on phones)
City Council District 5 - Council Member Ryan Alter
- Hybrid meeting - in person and WebEx
- July 31
- 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
- South Austin Senior Activity Center - 3911 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78704
- Webinar link here
- Webinar number: 2499 630 8316
- Webinar password: dgtt (3488 on phones)
City Council District 6 - Council Member Mackenzie Kelly
- In person meeting
- July 15
- 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- Spicewood Springs Branch Library - 8637 Spicewood Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78759
City Council District 7 - Council Member Leslie Pool
- Hybrid meeting - in person and WebEx
- July 23
- 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Northwest Recreation Center - 2913 Northland Drive, Austin, TX 78757
- Webinar link here
- Webinar number: 2496 680 1378
- Webinar password: dttl (3885 on phones)
City Council District 8 - Council Member Paige Ellis
City Council District 9 - Council Member Zo Qadri
- Hybrid meeting - in person and WebEx
- July 20
- 10:00 AM
- Austin Central Library – 710 West Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, TX 78701
- RSVP to attend in-person here
- Webinar link here
- Webinar number: 2493 204 3283
- Webinar password: dtgw (3849 on phones)
City Council District 10 - Council Member Alison Alter
- Hybrid meeting - in person and WebEx
- August 5
- 6:30 PM
- St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church - 8134 Mesa Drive, Austin, TX 78757
- Webinar link here
- Webinar number: 2484 159 5846
- Webinar password: dtuw (3889 on phones)
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We're taking a break on the 'Learning from History' section this month to work on developing more great content to share with you in future newsletters! Have an idea of something you'd like to see in this section? Email us at equity@austintexas.gov or call 512-974-9110 to share your ideas with us.
💖 We'd love to hear from you! 💖 |
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Many folx know of May being Mental Health Awareness month, but did you know that
"It is a time to bring awarenss to the unique challenges that racial and ethnic minorities in the United States face when it comes to mental illness" as stated by the FDA.
For July, we are recommending two fantastic reads from the Health, Healing & Self-Care section of the Equity Office mini-library...
While African Americans managed to emerge from chattel slavery and the oppressive decades that followed with great strength and resiliency, they did not emerge unscathed. Slavery produced centuries of physical, psychological and spiritual injury. Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America's Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing lays the groundwork for understanding how the past has influenced the present, and opens up the discussion of how we can use the strengths we have gained to heal.
A bridge that interrupts a legacy of pain with the honest sharing of stories. Sana, Sana is a witness to the multiple wounds etched into the landscape of Latinx experience and a testimonial to community efforts to heal them. A multi-genre anthology rooted in the deep desire to not only acknowledge and name the various forms of pain and trauma Latinx people experience regularly, but to do so in the service of imagining new futures and ways of being that prioritize healing and justice not just for Latinx people, but for Queer BIPOC communities and, ultimately, for all people. The book's vision and understanding of Latinidad is broad and expansive. It centers Black, Indigenous, Queer, Trans, and Feminist Latinidades. By advancing an unapologetically radical antiracist, anticapitalist, feminist, and queer politic Sana, Sana holds creative and defiant space for identifying economic, social, political, emotional, and spiritual strategies to forge individual and collective healing and justice.
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SURVEYS & COMMUNITY INPUT |
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Looking for opportunities for your business or organization to connect and build relationships?
B.R.A.V.E. Fest is seeking BIPOC-, LGBTQ+-, women- owned small business to join the community market at 2024 BRAVE Fest!
Sunday, July 28th, 2-6pm @ Antone's Nightclub - 2nd Fl (305 E. 5th St).
Gain exposure, connect with customers, and thrive in an engaging community centered to Build Relationships Awareness Voices and Engagement. Plus, incredible music and performances at BRAVE Fest that you can experience (1st & 2nd Floor) too! Space is limited and will be at a first come, first serve application process -- with vendor that align with BRAVE's values and mission.
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VOLUNTEER CALL FOR THE G.R.A.C.E. CONFERENCE REENTRY SIMULATION
Texas Mutual Aid and the Texas Workforce Commission are excited to announce Barbara Ornelas (Reentry Advocacy Fellow) and Misty Campbell (Vice Chair) who have developed a reentry simulation for the G.R.A.C.E. (Growth through Reentry and Advanced Careers and Employment) Conference.
This conference is hosted by the Texas Workforce Commission
Date: August 8, 2024
Location: Austin Southpark Hotel, located at 4140 Governors Row, Austin, TX 78744.
Time: Registration at 7:30 AM
Welcome session at 8:30 AM,
Conference ends at 3:30 PM.
As part of the conference, the RARE Experience Simulation will provide an immersive learning experience to educate participants on the daily struggles faced by Justice Impacted Individuals and their families. This simulation highlights the challenges in education, employment, housing, transportation, and other aspects of life for those with a criminal record, aiming to reduce stigma and foster a supportive environment.
We are seeking organizations that employ Justice Impacted Individuals to volunteer their teams or individuals for this simulation. Volunteers will represent agencies, services, and resources in realistic reentry challenges. If you or your organization are interested, please complete the provided form by Friday, July 12, 2024. Chosen volunteers must be available on Thursday, July 18, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM for an in-person training.
Your participation can make a significant difference in promoting understanding and support for Justice Impacted Individuals. Thank you for considering this opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause! |
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Our Future 35 is the City's initiative to create vibrant public spaces along the I-35 corridor and connect East and West Austin.
With the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) plans to lower the highway’s main lanes between Lady Bird Lake and US 290 East, the City of Austin has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to construct “caps” and “stitches” over those sections. These will serve as platforms with amenities that bridge over the highway once it is rebuilt.
There are many exciting possibilities for these caps, including:
- Parks
- Natural spaces
- Trails
- One/Two-story buildings for dining or cultural events
- Outdoor art exhibitions
Check out this quick video (English | Español) for more information.
We want to hear your ideas! Complete this survey by August 2nd to share your vision. To schedule a meeting with your organization, please email Nirali Thakkar at Nirali.Thakkar@austintexas.gov or call (512)-978-0770.
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Non-profit Stakeholders: Help Strengthen the City's Mass Care Planning & Response Capabilities for Emergency Resources During Disaster Events
HSEM is working alongside a Project Steering Committee with representatives from City agencies and Hagerty Consulting, a contracted third party, to assess and strengthen the City’s mass care planning and response capabilities. This effort builds upon the City’s existing mass care planning efforts, highlighting how the City and key partners, including nonprofit organizations, may provide emergency resources during disaster events.
As part the City’s mass care planning efforts, HSEM and the Project Steering Committee are asking nonprofit stakeholders to participate in a “Partner Capacity Assessment.” This Assessment includes an online survey followed by a more in-depth interview. The goal of the Assessment is for the City to further understand existing mass care capabilities in the community and to identify and then work to resolve gaps in resources required for emergency mass care. Please note that responses provided in the Assessment do not imply commitment.
Response Requested:
Your organization is a key stakeholder.
We request you complete the Partner Capacity Assessment Survey
This survey is designed to gather information on current resources, processes, and capabilities in relation to an emergency that might require a mass care response.
Please email Rachael Wells@hagertyconsulting.com and Haley Broder@hagertyconsulting.com with Hagerty Consulting with any feedback and/or questions about the project.
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CITY & COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS |
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Come and see the Equity Office at the Carnival Party on Saturday, July 13th!
We will be tabling at this wonderful event with Mission Accomplished to celebrate the organization's 10 year anniversary!
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There's more than one way to create a housing cooperative! Around the world, people of all ages and stages of life are creating their own fair, affordable, welcoming housing with the cooperative model. Many of the Housing Cooperatives in Austin today are known as "group equity," where residents control and often self-manage their property and maintain long-term affordability by not allowing members to invest or take money out of the co-op. But there are many other flavors of housing co-op to choose from!
Este webinar es gratuito y se presentará en inglés con interpretación al español. This webinar is free and will be presented in English with Spanish language interpretation. |
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When: Friday, July 26
Time: 12pm
Where: Online
Join The Health Equity Collective for four short, compelling talks on the importance of community-led health. This talk features four health equity leaders who will speak to the drivers of health inequity and steps toward fostering wellness. Speakers will share their lived experience and expertise on community-led health initiatives followed by an interactive Q&A panel with the speakers. |
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With the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center
Location: Oswaldo A.B. Cantu Pan American Recreation Center
Tuesdays: July 9, July 16, July 23, July 30
6:00pm-9:00pm
Join the Facebook Event!
✨ The Oswaldo A.B. Cantu Pan American Recreation Center and Neighborhood Park along with the ESB Mexican American Cultural Center, present Austin's longest running free concert series!
The Pan Am Hillside concert series has been a tradition for many families in East Austin and this year is the 65th year!
Grab your lawn chairs and coolers and get your
familia together for this anticipated yearly event!
✨Free live music!
✨Bring blankets/ lawn chairs
✨Free children's activities
✨Refreshments for sale
✨DJ & Color Guard Performances
Check out the tentative performance schedule here!
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August 3rd in Georgetown, TX
This is going to be an amazing day filled with:
✨ Fun & Games
🍔 Delicious Food
✂️ Hair Cuts & Quick Styles
🏰 Bounce Houses
🎒 Trunk or Treat School Supply Giveaways
🎶 Live Concert
iFosterCare is bringing our foster care community together for a day of fun and celebration as we prepare for the new school year.
Please save the date!
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💖Festival begins at 11am
🏳️🌈 Parade begins at 8pm
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GRANTS | TRAINING | SERVICES |
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The Austin ISD Family & Community Engagement Support Office is excited to announce the return of the family virtual workshop series,
Tools for Success 2024-25!
Join the first Tools for Success session of the school year and learn more about UpClose program! This leadership program offers a unique opportunity to learn about Austin ISD, creates a community of well-informed education advocates, inspires participants to do more for our schools and students and allows for small group interaction with district leadership.
Session will be in English and Spanish on Facebook live and through Zoom.
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La Oficina de Apoyo para la Participación Familiar y Comunitaria de Austin ISD se complace en anunciar el regreso de la serie de talleres virtuales para familias,
¡Herramientas para el Éxito 2024-25!
Únase a la primera sesión de Herramientas para el Éxito del año escolar y aprenda más sobre el programa UpClose. Este programa de liderazgo ofrece una oportunidad única para aprender sobre Austin ISD, crea una comunidad de defensores de la educación bien informados, inspira a los participantes a hacer más por nuestras escuelas y estudiantes y permite la interacción en grupos pequeños con el liderazgo del distrito.
La sesión se llevará a cabo en inglés y español a través de Facebook Live y Zoom.
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The Food and Climate Equity (FACE) Grants program supports a more just and resilient Austin by providing direct funding for community-led solutions that enable transformative change in the areas of food, climate, and resilience. The program aims to uplift the experience of those most impacted by systemic and structural inequities, eliminate disparities in health outcomes, and improve quality of life for all.
By offering grants up to $3,000, we hope to support community organizations that represent and/or serve racially and economically diverse Austinites and have unique insight into their communities' needs.
Learn more about the Food & Climate Equity Grants (FACE) and apply here by July 18th!
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The Cultural Arts Division i s announcing over $13 million in support through the Thrive and Elevate Grant programs, offering funding to local arts organizations and artists. Applications open June 25 and close July 23.
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Before you begin this application, please make sure that you have your applications materials ready:
1. Poetry Portfolio (5 poems)
2. CV / Resume
3. Optional Multimedia Supplement
The application period will open on Monday, July 1, 2024. The application period will close on Sunday, September 1, 2024 at 11:59PM Central Time. All applications should be submitted by this time.
If you would like support in working through this application, The Library Foundation is holding workshops that help teens understand and prepare for the application. These will take place on July 13, 20, 27, and August 10, 17, 24. We are also hosting a workshop in person at Austin Public Library to help applicants create their multimedia supplement using recording and podcasting equipment. Please look for these workshops on our Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/the-library-foundation-15281851354.
If you have questions or problems submitting your application, please email the Library Foundation Programs Manager Katherine Lamb at klamb@austinlibrary.org. She will be happy to assist you. |
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Date: Saturday, July 20
Time: 10am - 2pm
Location: AARC at 8401 Cameron Road, Austin TX
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Children need nutritious meals to learn, grow, and thrive—even when school is out.
Austin ISD is providing free breakfast and lunch for students at many schools throughout the summer through a federally funded Texas Department of Agriculture meal program.
Who qualifies:
● Students participating in on-site summer programs at eligible schools.
● Any child in the community younger than 19.
● Enrolled students with disabilities up to 21 years old.
How to find free meals this summer:
● Call 2-1-1 to speak to a live operator.
● Visit www.SummerFood.org for an interactive site locator map.
● Text FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304.
● Families may also find district meals sites on the AISD website.
How it works:
Children in the community enjoy free meals regardless of household income and without any registration or identification. To receive a free, healthy meal, children may simply visit the cafeteria at any participating site during designated service times. Children do not have to be enrolled in AISD to receive free summer meals.
Good to know:
All AISD meal sites are closed July 1-5. Meal sites and times are subject to change.
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Funding Opportunity:
Community Driven Change--Equipping Communities to Achieve their Health Priorities
The Community Driven Change open call is focused on elevating organizations engaging community members in decision making and leadership to foster healthier communities in our Central Texas region of Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties. The one-time grants awarded as part of this open call will support the community to achieve their health priorities.
Awarding up to $10M through this open call, grant recipients will receive an unrestricted, one-time operating grant based on organization size, with funding expected to be distributed in October 2024.
Learn more about the Community Driven Change funding opportunity here!
Eligibility Requirements
- Located and operating in Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, or Williamson counties.
- Classified as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- Annual operating budget of at least $250,000.
- Evidence of work engaging community members in decision making and leadership to foster healthier communities
Important Dates
- Open Date: May 29th, 2024
- Letter of Intent (LOI) Deadline: June 28th, 2024 by 5pm
- Application Deadline: August 29th, 2024 by 5pm
Contact Information:
For programmatic questions, please email: questions@stdavidsfoundation.org
For technical questions, please email: grantsinfo@stdavidsfoundation.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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WIC Voucher Program
From April through October, eligible WIC participants can receive Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) vouchers to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers’ markets and mobile markets. Each eligible participant will receive $30 in WIC Vouchers.
Bring your WIC Shopping List and WIC card to one of the participating locations listed below.
For more information, hours, and locations, contact the bilingual Help Desk at 512-730-1807 Monday - Saturday 9 AM - 12 PM.
With funding provided through Travis County Public Health, each eligible participant in the Austin area will also receive $30 in Double Up Food Bucks as a match to the $30 in WIC Vouchers. Double Up Food Bucks can be used throughout the entire year!
How to Use WIC Vouchers
To see if you are eligible to receive WIC vouchers, contact your local WIC clinic.
Start your online application at https://texaswic.org/apply.
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Programa Cuponera WIC
De abril a octubre, los participantes de WIC pueden recibir cupones del Programa de Nutrición de Mercados Agrícolas (FMNP, por sus siglas en inglés) para comprar frutas y verduras frescas en los sitios de Austin, Texas. Cada persona elegible obtendrá $30 en cupones de WIC y $30 adicionales en Double Up Food Bucks.Traiga su tarjeta y lista de compras WIC a los sitios participantes para recibir esta promoción.
Para conocer las ubicaciones, envíe la palabra “WIC” por texto a este número (737) 214-7575
¿CÓMO USAR CUPONERA WIC?
Para saber si usted es elegible para recibir Cuponera WIC, entre al chat en este enlace de internet https://texaswic.org/
Inicie su aplicación para beneficios WIC aquí: https://texaswic.org/apply. |
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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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This summer, Black Mamas ATX will be piloting a project to provide medically-tailored meals for Black pregnant clients who are at additional risk during pregnancy and postpartum. UWSA was fortunate to partner with Black Mamas ATX during our very popular meal distribution program from 2020-2023. There will be an orientation for drivers.
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