NonProfits - 3/11 - The Austinot

Preservation Austin Has Been Saving the Good Stuff for 65 Years

April 25, 2018 by Vi Chetan Leave a Comment

Our first love, Austin (Credit: Stuart Seeger via Flickr CC)

Our city is full of culture, thriving communities, and rich history. The stuff that makes Austin “weird.” Can you imagine The Continental Club in shiny, new digs? No, right? Its location and character are what make it special. While Austin continues to grow at break-neck speed, Preservation Austin strives to keep places like The Continental Club alive and thriving. This important organization has been “saving the good stuff” for 65 years now!

[Read more…]

Latinitas Empowers Austin’s Young Latinas With Media and Technology Skills

April 11, 2018 by Amanda Gagnon Leave a Comment

Latinitas serves girls ages 9-18 through after-school clubs, camps, conferences, and workshops
(Credit: Josie Hughes)

In this day and age, media and technology impact nearly every moment of the day. Though new jobs are constantly being created, women struggle to find their voice. Especially within the Latina community.

From a cultural perspective, Latinas have a powerful voice and important perspective to contribute to all creative sectors. This is where Latinitas shines, and why it’s become such a valuable part of the Austin community. Latinitas is empowering young Latinas to innovate through media and technology, find their voice, and let it be heard. [Read more…]

Dam That Cancer With 21-mile Paddle Across Lake Austin

April 6, 2018 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Guest article by Mathis Kennington

Stand up paddleboarding is a celebrated Austin pastime. You can’t drive around Lady Bird Lake on a sunny afternoon without watching a dozen or so Austinites slowly making their way across the water. Mark Garza, Executive Director and Founder of The Flatwater Foundation, knows this better than most.

Every year, Garza organizes a massive paddleboarding fundraiser called Tyler’s Dam That Cancer, which brings folks from all over the country together to paddle Lake Austin. Garza’s local nonprofit, The Flatwater Foundation, hosts this annual fundraiser to provide mental health coverage for people who have been impacted by a cancer diagnosis. [Read more…]

Center for Social Innovation Propels Nonprofits With Intentional Ecosystem

January 30, 2018 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Team behind The Center for Social Innovation (L-R): Dan Graham, Matt McDonnell, Daryl Kunik, Michael Hsu

Guest article by Sarah Snyder

Going to a construction site is always intriguing, especially when hard hats are required. My behind-the-scenes look at The Center for Social Innovation, Springdale General’s current project, was especially fun considering the center’s purpose to serve the social impact community in Austin.

Wait until you read about all the nonprofits and social good companies planning to come together at this east Austin hub.

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Terminally Ill Patients Receive Gift of Music From Nonprofit Swan Songs

January 5, 2018 by Amanda Gagnon Leave a Comment

Austin musician Ruthie Foster performs at 2017 Swan Song Serenade for the terminally ill
(Credit: Winker Withaneye)

Never underestimate the healing power of music, even if it only lasts for a brief moment. Songs can uplift our moods and move us through difficult times. The gift of music can be so powerful, it can transport us to a different place, entirely.

Music can also bring people together. It may also bring solace to friends and families of loved ones who are terminally ill. Swan Songs, a local nonprofit in Austin, is striving to accomplish just that, and the process is simpler than you might expect. [Read more…]

Pease Park Conservancy Works to Revitalize Beloved Green Space

December 15, 2017 by Brittany Ballard Leave a Comment

The playground at Pease Park occupies a small part of the total 84 acres (Credit: Jim Allen via Flickr CC)

One of the city’s oldest and most iconic green spaces lies in the heart of Austin: Pease Park. It’s spread out over an astounding 84 acres between West 15th and West 31st Streets, along Lamar Boulevard. You may recognize the park as the location of the extremely fun and exciting Eeyore’s Birthday Party every spring.

If you haven’t been to the park on any other occasion, then you’re missing out. Pease Park is a perfect place to enjoy nature with happy picnics, birthday parties, peaceful nature walks, and other recreational activities. And Pease Park Conservancy promises even more with “Art at the Park” and development plans. [Read more…]

Black Ball Awards $230,000 to Austin Musicians at Paramount Theatre

December 10, 2017 by Brittany Highland Leave a Comment

Sixteen bands performed on the iconic Paramount Theatre stage Saturday night, as Austin nonprofit Black Fret awarded $230,000 in grants to 19 local bands at its annual Black Ball. For all the gowns and tuxedos in the audience, the atmosphere was informal and upbeat. Excited whoops and friendly heckling were directed towards the stage, and the few technical delays were shrugged off with a sense of humor.

We were there to celebrate. The first award winner of the night, Jackie Venson, told attendees she wasn’t going anywhere because of Austin’s vibrant support system for musicians. “There’s no HAAM in New York. There’s no SIMS [Foundation] in Chicago.”

With a fair amount of negativity directed towards Austin’s growth and subsequent affordability issues, one might assume the ecosystem for musicians is in decline. While we have work to do as a city, Black Ball showcased a vibrant community of musicians being propelled toward success through Black Fret grants. [Read more…]

Kids Compete for Best Space Settlement Ideas Through STEAMSPACE

October 27, 2017 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Teens compete in Cities in Space competition

Guest article by Sarah Snyder

When a friend told me there was an “off-world settlement contest” for kids in Austin, I asked her to repeat herself. Wouldn’t you be intrigued? She went on to explain Austin is home to the Cities in Space kids competition, along with two incredible organizations—STEAMSPACE and New Worlds—all helping lead education surrounding the future of life in space. I was introduced to Holly Melear and Amos Behana, so I could learn more.

[Read more…]

Sammy’s House Is a Special Place for Special Children in Austin

October 18, 2017 by Irvianne Torremoro Leave a Comment

Sammy's House Therapy for Children in Austin

Employees of Sammy’s House have a range of skills such as occupational therapy, sign language, and speech therapy

When you step foot into Sammy’s House, the expansive building feels like an overly large daycare. But you’ll come to find that it’s much more than that. Isabel Huerta, founder and executive director, started the center as a family home child care center in November 1999. At the time, only four children were in her care.

Sammy is Huerta’s late son, who was developmentally delayed and needed plenty of help from his family. Huerta took it to heart when he passed, desiring to assist other families and their children. She developed the curriculum for what was soon to become Sammy’s House, “a special place for special children.”

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The Austin Center for Grief & Loss Marks 10 Years of Counseling and Support

September 28, 2017 by Dustin Vegas Leave a Comment

Credit: The Austin Center for Grief & Loss

The Austin Center for Grief & Loss was created in 2007 by founder Khris Ford. Ford’s mission was, and still is, to help Austinites navigate the overwhelming experience of grief. After the death of her own son, she was called to help others experience the transformative power of grief. [Read more…]

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