 |
 |
 |
2011 Recipients
2008 Recipients
  Impact Austin P.O. Box 28148 Austin, TX 78755 (512) 335-5540 _____________________ |
In 2008, five grant recipients each received $102,000 from Impact Austin.
Breakthrough works to transform potential high school dropouts into promising college candidates, making college possible for students who have not historically pursued higher education. With the Impact Austin grant, Breakthrough will send 90 low-income students—45 entering 7th grade and 45 entering 8th grade—to Middle School Summer Sessions in both 2008 and 2009. The summer sessions provide a critical six-week academic summer enrichment program at the University of Texas. The program helps students prepare for success in rigorous college preparatory coursework. Breakthrough expects to see students in the program exhibit meaningful academic growth as measured in pre- and post-tests that will help them bypass the “summer slide” that is typical of many of their peers. Key program elements include six weeks of daily exposure to college life, college-prep curricula and electives. Of the 90 low-income middle school students participating in the program, almost all will be first-generation college graduates. For more details, visit www.breakthroughaustin.org.
With funds from Impact Austin, Ecology Action will upgrade three existing recycling centers in Cedar Park, Bertram and East Travis County and will also establish 12 new satellite recycling centers. The service expansion is projected to divert 6,000 tons of recyclables annually from area landfills. In addition, the funds will improve the overall aesthetics of the organization’s recycling centers, making them more attractive to users as well as more efficient to operate. Ecology Action accepts more materials than the typical curbside recycling program and provides citizens an additional option to throwing materials in the local landfill. Further, Ecology Action provides the only recycling service to many small Texas Hill County towns. For more details, visit www.ecology-action.org.
Goodwill provides employment opportunities to people with barriers to employment. The Reboot Project will equip 60 at-risk youth, ages 14 to 21, with the skills they need to succeed in the high-demand computer industry. The program will also divert 800 tons of electronic waste from Central Texas landfills. With support from two full-time job skills trainers, the youth will refurbish/recycle donated computer systems and learn technology-related job skills to prepare them for the world of work in jobs that typically pay $12 to $20 per hour and are projected to be increasing dramatically in the next 10 years. Through the Impact Austin grant, Goodwill expects to turn at-risk youth into young people who have the skills needed to obtain a job and become self sufficient. For more details, visit www.austingoodwill.org.
SafePlace seeks to end sexual and domestic violence through safety, healing, prevention and social change. The organization provides a comprehensive range of services, including a 105-bed shelter for battered adults and their children. Sadly, SafePlace has waiting lists for all its services. The grant from Impact Austin will help alleviate this tragic situation by funding a new telephone counseling program that will be free, easily accessible and have far-reaching impact for women hurt by sexual and domestic violence. The organization expects to provide counseling to a population of approximately 250 that currently cannot access SafePlace’s services. This new program will be critically important for women trapped in their homes and women enduring long waits for services. Phone counseling offers brief, solution-focused therapy and will provide a new and innovative model in the field of sexual and domestic violence. For more details, visit www.safeplace.org.
Southwest Key has dedicated 20 years to keeping youth out of institutions and strengthening the fabric of their communities. It offers unique and innovative programming that capitalizes on strong cultural traditions. With the Impact Austin grant, Southwest Key will establish a Performing Arts Program for East Austin’s Govalle/Johnston Terrace Neighborhood. It will provide area youth and adults the opportunity to learn and perform traditional, Hispanic-focused arts—mariachi, ballet folklorico and bilingual theater. Classes will be offered free of charge, serving 1,500 to 2,000 people who now lack arts education and the benefits it can provide in improved self esteem, lower delinquent behavior and improved academic achievement. To learn more, visit www.swkey.org. |
| Home | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |