ACT awards over $184k to support plan implementation year three

Originally published in 4/21/21 issues of Austin Weekly News and Wednesday Journal newspapers

Austin’s quality-of-life plan, called Austin Forward. Together. (AFT), is a set of goals created by and for the community designed to address 23 strategies with 84 total actions across 7 Issue Areas between 2019 and 2023: Community Narrative, Education, Housing, Youth Empowerment, Economic Development, Public Safety, and Civic Engagement.

As of May 2021, there are more than 40 dedicated volunteer members across seven Task Forces, one for each Issue Area. In partnership with ACT, these Task Forces have signed on over 40 unique organizations as Implementation Partners and together have initiated more than 30% of the plan’s total actions so far!

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The goal of the Economic Development Task Force is to create economic revitalization in Austin and by Austin. We will support new and existing local businesses, entrepreneurs, and the workforce; improve our commercial corridors; and attract new investment to build a stronger, more dynamic local economy.

Funded Action: 2.2* Expand and support local resources like bootcamps and apprenticeships in high demand economic sectors.

$25,000 will support New Moms’ job training programs to help prepare young mothers ages 16-24 for careers in high demand sectors like advanced manufacturing,health care, and building and trades. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the need for this program and its services due to the high increase of unemployment and homelessness in the Austin community. Participants will gain knowledge and skills, practice them in real time, and receive assistance locating an opportunity that will lead to lifelong employment stability.

$20,000 will be allocated to Manufacturing Renaissance (MR) for their YMA Manufacturing Bootcamp that offers residents ages 18-29 ten weeks of technical training and career development. The YMA is an innovative contribution to the broader workforce development and education landscape that systematically inspires, and prepares young people for living-wage careers in manufacturing. Bootcamp participants get exposure to employer and strategic partnership development, program recruitment and orientation, technical training, professionalism training, plus job interview coordination and placement.

Funded Action: 2.3* Build a new Manufacturing Training Center in Austin.

$25,000 will aid Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC) in the development and build-out of a training space at Freedman Seating. In fall 2019, JARC was unexpectedly asked to halt their manufacturing training and support services that had been operating at the Austin College & Career Academy since 2017. A new facility for this important program means Austin residents will now have the chance to complete their training in welding and computer numerical control without leaving Austin while JARC lays the groundwork for their move into a state-of-the-art manufacturing center.

 

PUBLIC SAFETY

The goal of the Public Safety Task Force is to collaborate and create programs that increase a sense of safety, community and quality of life to build a healthy and resilient neighborhood. 

Funded Action: 2.2* Create an Austin Restorative Justice Court.

$25,000 will support BUILD Inc. in creating an Austin Restorative Justice Center as they wait for Chief Judge Evans’ approval of Austin’s first Restorative Justice Community Court (RJCC). Restorative Justice is a philosophy that focuses on repairing the harm caused to people and relationships, aiming to humanize all those involved in a group or conflict. Value is placed on empathy, learning, collaboration, mediation, and the ability to have brave conversations.

Funded Action: 2.3* Expand outreach intervention programs that break the cycle of violence.

$25,000 will allow the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago (INVC) and Hope Community Church to expand their public safety and street outreach for the Austin community. With violence increasing, creating peace-building activities and conducting training programs on conflict management will encourage greater social cohesion, creating a safer space for everyone. Funds will also be used to support joint Hope Community Church/INVC events and activities planned by peacemaker participants that will engage the community, promote peace, and bring resources to those who need them most. Collectively, these efforts will empower residents who are involved with street organizations to use their influence to change the tide on specific neighborhood blocks.

 

COMMUNITY NARRATIVE

The goal of the Community Narrative Task Force is to revitalize the image and spirit of Austin by promoting assets such as our historic housing, creating a healthy community and building a more robust environment for local arts and culture.

Funded Action: 3.4*  Build a sense of community through activities such as creating and maintaining community gardens.

$15,644 will support the South Austin Neighborhood Association (SANA) in helping the recently created Austin Veterans Community Organization (AVCO) engage with more Austin-area veterans and others to take advantage of group therapy, peace circles, and meditation at the Veterans Peace Garden. Funding will also support members of the Austin Garden Collective who are working to maintain safe and beautiful spaces throughout Austin by volunteering in local gardens. Plus, funds will help improve and expand physical structures in SANA’s Farm to Table Summer Community Garden, as well as support efforts to create new educational programming that teach residents how to maximize their financial resources while maintaining a healthy eating lifestyle so they can address food insecurity, financial strain, and worsening health.

$24,148 will support the expansion of Westside Health Authority’s Austin Has The Mic (AHTM) youth training program. This program teaches 20 participants the basics of broadcasting, videography and photography. The main goal is to cultivate strong relationships and give Austin residents a voice on multiple mass media platforms. Funding will go towards supporting the expansion of the weekly podcast show, which will incorporate interviews from community members about current events and social injustice topics.

 

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT

The goal of the Youth Empowerment Task Force is for Austin to have healthier and more engaged youth who are able to reach their full potential.

Funded Action: 3.4* Create paths for youth interactions with mentors and role models.

$25,000 will provide staffing for St. Joseph Services’ Youth Mentoring Program at St. Angela’s Catholic School in Austin, allowing them to increase the number of youth they serve. The program offers Austin’s young people a safe mentoring environment that promotes education, peaceful conflict resolution, sustained healthy behavior, and positive community engagement.

 

*These reference numbers coincide with the full list of Strategies and Actions in the plan.

READ THE FULL AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. PLAN ONLINE AT AustinComingTogether.org/QLP

Read more about the positive work happening in Austin: