On January 28 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. KLRU and United Way Capital Area will present the film “It All Adds Up” as part of the Live United Film Series. “It All Adds Up” chronicles the experiences of Math Corps – a Detroit-based effort to engage middle and high school students in high energy math instruction. Math Corps is defying the stereotypes of not only mathematics education, but of participating students themselves. As one of the program founders notes, math can be a tool for engaging children in education and in their own futures. While the program’s committed adults and rigorous and relevant academics inspire students to be academically success, the students also gain skills to win the day to do more than simply solve sophisticated math problems. While the focus of “It All Adds Up” is on lively math instruction, there is no doubt that a big part of the student success can be attributed to the committed adults who are working with these middle and high school students. Whether it is time spent on instruction, time visiting a college campus or time just hanging out, the building of a positive relationship is at the core. During this month, National Mentor Month, we salute those who are giving of their time to make a difference in the lives of youth and I invite everyone that is passionate about young people to join us. We invite you to attend the screening and the moderated panel discussion of the film and […]
Read MoreLIVE UNITED Film Series Panel: Not the usual suspects
Posted on by Aviva Pinchas
As we developed the first screening of the LIVE UNITED Film Series, we wanted to ensure we had a good mix of community leaders and issue experts on our panel. The film’s (It All Adds Up) focus is on education and we targeted people in the field; experts and those who understand the culture of how education affects communities. We wanted to mix it up and didn’t go with the usual suspects and we liked how it turned out! The panel consists of an education/public policy expert, an entrepreneur & mentor, a physicist/mathematician & a media/marketing professional and we’ll also hear first-hand from a young person dealing with the issues highlighted in the film. The LIVE UNITED Film Series panelists include…. Clayton Christopher, CEO of Sweet Leaf Tea Liliana Ary, Client Service Director at Univision Radio Dr. Michael Marder, Physics Professor at the University of Texas at Austin Jason Sabo, Senior Vice President of Public Policy at United Ways of Texas. Jason will also serve as moderator for the evening. Thanks to all our participants and we hope to see you on January 28th! LIVE UNITED Film SeriesJanuary 28, 20106:00-8:30pmKLRU’s Austin City Limits StudiosRSVP at www.handsoncentraltexas.org
Read MoreEducation & LIVE UNITED Film Series: Guest Post by Jason Sabo – United Ways of Texas
Posted on by Aviva Pinchas
As concerns about the economy and American competitiveness grow, a new axiom is emerging in education debates. Many education reformers, parents, and students argue that the fight for a high quality education for every American isn’t only good economic policy, it is the twenty-first century incarnation of the civil rights movement. Taking this analogy one step further, some contend that Freshman Algebra has become a key gateway to Dr. Martin Luther King’s mountaintop of equal opportunity and the freedom to pursue the American dream. Unfortunately, supporting the academic success of students in math and science can sometimes feel as complicated as a complex algebraic equation. On January 28 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. KLRU and United Way Capital Area will present the film “It All Adds Up” as part of the Live United Film Series. “It All Adds Up” chronicles the experiences of Math Corps – a Detroit-based effort to engage middle and high school students in high energy math instuction. Math Corps is defying the stereotypes of not only mathematics education, but of participating students themselves. As one of the program’s founders notes, math is merely a tool for engaging children in education and in their own futures. Math Corps has proven time and time again that motivated and engaged students can break the barriers that all too often create obstacles to success. The program’s committed adults and rigorous and relevant academics win the day – and do more than simply solve sophisticated math problems. After the screening of […]
Read MoreRSVP today and don't miss out on MLK Day of Service
Posted on by Aviva Pinchas
MLK Day of Service 2010 Saturday, January 168:30am – 3:00pm Kickoff Location:Huston-Tillotson University900 Chicon StreetDavage-Durden Union Building Click here to register. Keynote speaker:Dr. Richard Reddick, graduate of Johnston HS, UT-Austinand Harvard, now professor at UT-AustinWith performances byThe Cipher – Austin’s Hip-Hop Project Sign up now for one of these HOT projects!1 Hour for Kids: Painting Dove Springs Recreation CenterClick here to register. Mainspring Schools: Community Garden and Classroom Clean-UpClick here to register. Garden work at Hospice AustinClick here to register. Click here to see all projects. >>
Read MorePresident Obama Proclaims January National Mentoring Month
Posted on by Aviva Pinchas
January 6, 2010: The White House has released President Obama’s proclamation stating that January is officially National Mentoring Month in America. The proclamation, in part, reads: “Every day, mentors in communities across our Nation provide crucial support and guidance to young people. Whether a day is spent helping with homework, playing catch, or just listening, these moments can have an enormous, lasting effect on a child’s life. During National Mentoring Month, we recognize those who give generously of themselves by mentoring young Americans. “NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 2010 as National Mentoring Month. I call upon public officials, business and community leaders, educators, and Americans across the country to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.” To see the full Presidential Proclamation, go to www.nationalmentoringmonth.org To begin mentoring today, go to 1hourforkids.org
Read MoreVolunteers showcase the importance of volunteering as a family during United Way’s Family Volunteer Day!
Posted on by Aviva Pinchas
Over 60 volunteers made up of parents, children, grandparents and friends came together to volunteer their time at JJ Pickle Elementary/St. John’s Community Center on Saturday, November 21, 2009. Volunteers cleaned up a trail along Buttermilk Creek and outside the entire school yard picking up over 200 bags of trash. They also built four garden beds and cleaned and weeded an existing flower bed. Volunteers talked about how much fun they had volunteering as a family and the impact they had made in the St. John Community. After picking up trash a youth quoted: “I love picking up trash and I hope there is more to pick up next year!” The event kicked-off with a continental breakfast and a brief program. The speakers included Joel De La Garza, Principal of JJ Pickle Elementary, Allen Weeks, President of St. John’s Neighborhood Association and Debbie Bresette, Interim President of United Way Capital Area. Children enjoyed faced painting and arts and crafts projects. Thanks to all of the volunteers who participated to make “Family Day of Service” a success! Please share your volunteer experience by posting a comment! Thank You,Diana SantosCorporate and Volunteer Relations, Director
Read MoreHEB Feast of Sharing Holiday Dinner: Volunteering to help feed thousands of Central Texans
Posted on by Aviva Pinchas
Our very own Hands On Central Texas Advisory Council member & super HEB community relations extraordinaire, Tamra Jones provides a great personal reflection on why the HEB Feast of Sharing Holiday Dinner is important to this community; not only on this blog but on Ahora Si, Austin American-Statesman’s newspaper en Español. But you don’t have to take my word for it, read for yourself in English or Spanish! Volunteering to help feed thousands of Central Texans Tamra Jones H-E-B Public Affairs, Central Texas RegionAs a 10-year volunteer of the annual Feast of Sharing celebration in Austin, and an H-E-B employee, I am truly looking forward to this year’s event. H-E-B will celebrate its 20th annual Feast of Sharing dinner in Austin on Tuesday, November 24 from 4 – 8 p.m. in the Palmer Events Center located at 900 Barton Springs Rd. Each year, hundreds of H-E-B and community volunteers in Austin work together to prepare and serve more than twelve thousand meals to the community while attendees enjoy live entertainment with performances by local schools, choirs and groups. We’re so grateful to our many community partners who work with us to make the event a success, especially United Way Capital Area & Hands on Central Texas, which help recruit & coordinate our volunteers. Feast of Sharing is part of H-E-B’s Helping Here commitment and supports the company’s continuous effort to serve our community and combat hunger. This special gathering gives us an opportunity to serve a healthy meal, share a […]
Read MoreThe 2009 Pioneer Award
Posted on by Aviva Pinchas
United Way’s Emily DeMaria and PeopleFund’s Tanya Ladha receive the 2009 Pioneer Award from the FDIC’s Alliance for Economic Inclusion (AEI) for their work on moving Bank On Central Texas forward. Bank On Central Texas is a community initiative led by United Way and PeopleFund to bring together banks, credit unions, financial services providers, government, private sector, community organizations, and nonprofits to bring more people into the financial mainstream. Click here to learn more about Bank On Central Texas. The South Texas AEI presented five awards this year to members who through their actions and career work exemplify the group and individual goals of the AEI. The efforts of these individuals were recognized by previous Pioneer Award winners. The Pioneer Award is given to active AEI members who are committed to helping people make better financial decisions and enter the financial mainstream. AEI is the FDIC’s national initiative to establish broad-based coalitions of financial institutions, community-based organizations and other partners in several markets across the country to bring all unbanked and underserved populations into the financial mainstream. Their focus is on expanding basic retail financial services for underserved populations, including savings accounts, affordable remittance products, small-dollar loan programs, targeted financial education programs, alternative delivery channels and other asset-building programs.
Read MoreFamily Volunteer Day: Making a Child's Happiness Last His Whole Life
Posted on by Aviva Pinchas
We’re getting ready for our Family Volunteer Day this Saturday, November 21. We’ll be helping the St. John’s Neighborhood and J.J. Pickle Elementary with some beautification projects, entertain the kiddos with Mr. Steve’s Silly Sing-a-long Extravaganza, kids arts and crafts and learn how the St. John’s community is creating change. It’s not too late to volunteer, you can still bring your kids and join us! Family Volunteer DaySaturday, November 219:00am – 1:00pmSt. John’s Neighborhood Center7500 Blessing AvenueAustin, TX 78752 To inspire you, we had one of our Hispanic Engagement Advisory Board members & GivingCity editor, Monica Williams write up a short piece on her experience with family volunteering. Read it here or you can also read it en Español on Ahora Si! Making a Child’s Happiness Last His Whole LifeMonica Maldonado WilliamsEditor, GivingCity Austin My five-year-old son, Samuel, loves to run. He’s been challenging me to races since he was able to walk, and some of his first words were “hurry” and “turbo.” So when he heard about Marathon Kids two years ago, the annual health and fitness program for school-aged children in Austin, he asked me to sign him up immediately. But Sam wasn’t in Kindergarten yet. He would have to wait until next year to participate. We were not deterred. I found out that the “final mile” event would be held at Burger Stadium near our house. So I asked Sam if he wanted to be a volunteer with me. “Does that mean I get to run?” “No, […]
Read More1 Hour for Kids Video!
Posted on by Aviva Pinchas
We are very excited to premiere an new short video about 1 Hour for Kids with you: Please pass this along to friends and family that you believe might be interested in mentoring or tutoring a middle school student here in Central Texas. Thank you for being an advocate for youth!
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