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 September EAT Meeting✨
Register here for the September Meeting or just come through!
Wednesday, September 25th from 6:00pm to 8:30pm
Agenda for the September EAT:
- We'll be discussing affordable childcare with folx from GAVA and other child care providers and families impacted in Austin and Travis County.
- We reserve time for community updates, shout-outs, and resource sharing, too!
September's EAT Meeting will be at:
Street-Jones Building
1050 E 11th St., #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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The Equity Mini Grant Application Window is Open!
The Equity Office’s Mini Grant application window is now open! The Equity Mini Grant program seeks to fund organizations with grant amounts of $10k, $20k, or $30k. This initiative will support local grassroots organizations whose efforts are focused on improving quality-of-life outcomes. This year’s Mini Grant program will focus on organizations working in the following areas:
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Austin’s immigrant community
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Working in solidarity with unhoused people
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Anti-displacement/displacement prevention.
The application window is open now to October 15th, 2024. Please share this opportunity with your networks!
🔎Learn more about the Equity Mini Grant at: https://www.austintexas.gov/department/grant-programs
Questions? Reach out to equity@austintexas.gov
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¡El periodo de solicitud de la Minisubvención de Equidad está abierto!
¡Ya está abierto el periodo de solicitud de la Minisubvención de la Oficina de Equidad! El programa de Minisubvenciones de Equidad busca financiar organizaciones con cantidades de subvención de $10,000, $20,000 o $30,000. Esta iniciativa de base apoyará a organizaciones locales cuyos esfuerzos se centren en mejorar la calidad de vida. El programa de Minisubvenciones de este año se centrará en las organizaciones que trabajan en las siguientes áreas:
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Comunidad inmigrante de Austin
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Trabajo en solidaridad con las personas sin vivienda
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Lucha contra el desplazamiento/prevención del desplazamiento
El periodo de solicitud está abierto desde ahora hasta el 15 de octubre de 2024. ¡Comparta esta oportunidad con su red de contactos!
🔎Más información sobre la Minisubvención de Equidad en: https://www.austintexas.gov/department/grant-programs
¿Preguntas? Póngase en contacto con equity@austintexas.gov
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The FY 25 finalized City of Austin Budget will be released on October 1st. You can keep up with all things budget by visiting the 2024-2025 Budget Public Input site here. The JIC wants to hear from you about your experience with the budget, and what services, programs, and needs your community has. Even though FY25 budget was just passed, it's important to understand what was funded and what was not funded to better plan for FY26.
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This week, we continue our celebration and recognition of the history, culture, and change makers in our Latino communities.
Got 10 minutes? Watch The Chicano Movement in Texas, narrated and edited by Uriel Gavito. It is important to understand the history of Mexican-Americans so that we can continue to forge a path forward in solidarity and racial equity for all. It becomes difficult to see where we are going if we don't recognize where we have been and acknowledge our elders and the battles fought before us--both successful and unsuccessful. In thinking about organizing, what strategies or tactics did you learn in this video that can inform your work moving forward?
Got 30 minutes? Check out Boats in Barrio, from the Austin History Center (dated 1978). This black and white documentary covers the boat racing at Festival Beach on Town Lake during the annual Aqua Festival in Austin, Texas. The races became quite contentious as they were very disruptive to the predominantly Hispanic residents living in the adjoining neighborhood. After several demonstrations, some involving clashes with the police, the City Council voted in 1977 to stop holding the races. You can find this video in the Austin History Center archives.
Produced and directed by George Warmingham. AR.2009.073.000151
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There are pathways to mental healing, and sometimes we need help right now.
For immediate mental health crisis support, call 512-472-HELP (4357).
You can also call or text 9-8-8.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential support for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress – whether that is thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress.
People can call or text 988 or chat on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Website for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. 988 serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the United States, you can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There is also a Mental Health Toolkit available in English and Spanish.
This toolkit includes resources for how to improve mental wellbeing for you and your family, educational resources to learn more about mental health, and local and national organizations to seek help.
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No matter where you are on your recovery journey 👣 remember to care for your overall health and wellness. Spend time with people who accept you 💞 engage in physical activity 👟 and explore nature 🌳. Learn about other ways to cope: https://lnkd.in/gF-_nY5G
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No importa en qué etapa de tu camino hacia la recuperación te encuentres 👣, recuerda cuidar tu salud en general y tu bienstar. Pasa tiempo con las personas que te aceptan 💞, realiza actividad física 👟 y explora la naturaleza 🌳. Infórmate sobre otras maneras de enfrentar tu situación en https://lnkd.in/e_DCz7hz |
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This September, we're recommending...
Martha Menchaca begins with the Spanish settlement of Texas, exploring how Mexican Americans' racial heritage limited their incorporation into society after the territory's annexation. She then illustrates their political struggles in the nineteenth century as they tried to assert their legal rights of citizenship and retain possession of their land, and goes on to explore their fight, in the twentieth century, against educational segregation, jury exclusion, and housing covenants. It was only in 1967, she shows, that the collective pressure placed on the state government by Mexican American and African American activists led to the beginning of desegregation. Menchaca concludes with a look at the crucial role that Mexican Americans have played in national politics, education, philanthropy, and culture, while acknowledging the important work remaining to be done in the struggle for equality. |
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SURVEYS & COMMUNITY INPUT |
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INTERESTED IN JOINING THE AFRICAN AMERICAN LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE (AALI)
2025 FELLOWSHIP COHORT?
Are you ready to take the next step in your leadership journey and make a lasting impact in your community? The African American Leadership Institute's 2025 Fellowship Cohort is now accepting interest forms!
This transformative program is designed to empower and equip leaders with the tools they need to drive change across Central Texas. By submitting an interest form, you’ll be the first to receive updates, key dates, and more information about how this Fellowship can help you grow as a leader.
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The opening is to fill a three-year term beginning November 1, 2024, and ending October 31, 2027.
The time commitment for Commission business is anticipated at 1 - 3 hours a month. Commissioners serve on a voluntary basis.
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CITY & COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS |
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Join the City and the League of Women Voters Austin Area for live panels in September and October to meet the 2024 Austin City Council and Mayoral candidates. Attend in-person or watch live on www.ATXN.tv and KAZI FM 88.7 to hear directly from the candidates and make informed decisions. For more details, visit Voter Resources or call 3-1-1. |
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Look for the Equity Office Table and come say hello!
Location: Hornsby-Dunlap Elementary School
4601 Hound Dog Trail
Austin, TX 78725
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Austin Public Health is back with their yearly health fair, offering various health services, entertainment, swag, food and more! This event will feature FREE food, immunizations, and health screenings, as well as live entertainment, kid’s games, loteria and much more. ARR will provide information on services and give out items that encourage zero waste!
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After gathering valuable input from the community this summer on Austin’s Our Future 35 project, the City invites residents to the September Open House to meet the project team and view the latest cap and stitch designs. The updated renderings incorporate the public’s feedback on what amenities could be featured on the green spaces and recreation areas over I-35. The event is free and open to the public.
Date: Saturday, Sept. 28
Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Canopy Austin, 916 Springdale Road |
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Tuesdays September 24th & November 19th
9am to 12pm
Join us for a screening of a film from the golden age of Mexican cinema. Lunch will be served.
Film announcement In honor of Mexican Independence Day, join us at Conley-Guerrero on Tues, Sept 24 @ 9am for "¡Vámonos con Pancho Villa!" Directed by Fernanda de Fuentes. Voted the best Mexican film of all time in 1994!In 1914, six friends, all rancheros who sat out the Revolution, decide to do the honorable thing and join the rebel army of General Pancho Villa (Domingo Soler). As the months go by, however, their idealistic fervor is dampened by boredom, then by the savagery of combat. After two die in battle and a third is killed by friendly fire, the survivors’ patriotic zeal is slowly erased by the war’s brutality.Film includes English subtitles.
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Acompaña nos para la presentación de cine clásico mexicano. Se servirá el almuerzo.
Anuncio de la película En honor al Día de la Independencia de México, únete a nosotros en Conley-Guerrero el martes 24 de septiembre a las 9 a. m. para "¡Vámonos con Pancho Villa!" Dirigida por Fernanda de Fuentes. ¡Votada como la mejor película mexicana de todos los tiempos en 1994!En 1914, seis amigos, todos rancheros que se quedaron al margen de la Revolución, deciden hacer lo honorable y unirse al ejército rebelde del general Pancho Villa (Domingo Soler). Sin embargo, a medida que pasan los meses, su fervor idealista se ve atenuado por el aburrimiento y luego por el salvajismo del combate. Después de que dos mueren en batalla y un tercero muere por fuego amigo, el celo patriótico de los sobrevivientes es lentamente borrado por la brutalidad de la guerra.La película incluye subtítulos en inglés.
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GRANTS | TRAINING | SERVICES |
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Calling all students, teachers, and parents!
What would your school do with $3,000 for green projects?
The City of Austin’s Office of Sustainability wants to know what a bright green future looks like to you!
Apply to the Bright Green Future Grants program by September 22, and your campus could be awarded up to $3,000 to bring your idea to life. From beekeeping classes to chicken coops, and bike rodeos to tree plantings, the Bright Green Future Grants program supports campus-based projects that help students commit to a lifetime of sustainability.
Applications are being accepted now through September 22. Learn more and apply by visiting AustinTexas.gov/BrightGreenFuture.
Looking for project inspiration? Explore the 2023-24 School Year Outcomes Report to learn about last year’s projects!
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Application Open! $3.1M Available for Heritage Preservation
The Heritage Preservation Grant seeks to preserve Austin’s history through grants for capital, planning, educational, and marketing projects at historically designated sites. Grant projects must engage new audiences, be history-informing, promote diverse stories, and attract tourism to historically designated sites.
Keep Austin’s history alive by applying for the Heritage Preservation Grant by October 8. Learn more and begin your application.
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¡Aún está a tiempo! $3.1M disponibles para la Preservación del Patrimonio
La Subvención para la Preservación del Patrimonio busca preservar la historia de Austin mediante subvenciones para proyectos de capital, planificación, educación y mercadotecnia en lugares históricamente designados. Los proyectos de subvención deben atraer a nuevas audiencias, informar sobre la historia, promover historias diversas y atraer turismo a sitios históricamente designados.
Mantenga viva la historia de Austin solicitando la Subvención para la Preservación del Patrimonio antes del 8 de octubre. Obtenga más información e inicie su solicitud.
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AccessHealth is excited to announce that their FREE comprehensive substance use disorder (SUD) services are available at no cost to your clients. Their program is designed to support individuals at any stage of their recovery journey, offering both in-person and telehealth services to ensure accessibility for all, including those outside of Fort Bend County.
Services: AccessHealth’s SUD program is dedicated to treating individuals battling substance use disorders. Their team of addiction professionals collaborates closely with primary care providers and behavioral health therapists to address triggers, cravings, withdrawals, and other medical, emotional, and behavioral concerns. Services are offered in both English and Spanish to individuals aged 12 and older. Quality care provided by AccessHealth’s Providers include:
Prevention Education
- SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral for Treatment)
- MAT (Medication Assisted Treatment)
- Counseling (Individual, Family, and Group)
- Tobacco & Smoking Cessation
Join the Virtual Support Group: "The Journey" They also offer a free virtual support group, "The Journey," open to individuals at any stage of their recovery journey.
The group meets every Tuesday and Wednesday from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
This supportive environment provides a safe space for participants to share experiences and gain encouragement from peers and professionals.You are invited to refer your clients for SUD services and encourage them to join "The Journey." For more details, please see the flyer above for the support group.
Contact Information: For referrals or more information about our SUD services, please contact the Behavioral Health office Monday-Friday, 7am to 6pm at (832) 957-6136. |
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