National 2-1-1 Day, celebrated on February 11 (2/11), recognizes the compassionate Navigation Specialists who answer the call through the more than 200 2-1-1 helplines across the country. For more than 25 years, United Way for Greater Austin’s 2-1-1 helpline has connected thousands of Central Texans to local, statewide, and national resources for housing, utilities, food, income support, health care, child care, education, employment, transportation, counseling, disaster information, and more. As we celebrate 100 years of community-building in 2024, we know 2-1-1 is crucial to our goal to provide equitable access to resources. So we’re celebrating 2-1-1 Day by recognizing our incredible Navigation Specialists, who champion this service and work around the clock to answer the call for local families and individuals. Just last year, our Navigation Specialists answered more than 200,000 requests for help in our region – that’s one call every two minutes. Read about the work our Navigation Center does every day to empower our community in our interview with Roni Kendall, one of our dedicated Navigation Specialists. What brought you to United Way, and how long have you been on the team? I went to college to be a teacher, and during that time, I volunteered at a crisis hotline. That experience opened up a career in mental health work, case management for individuals on hospice, and more. I’ve spent more than 37 years in social services work, the last six of which have been at United Way. I’m a different person than when I first started […]
Read MoreMaking a collective impact one volunteer at a time
“Giving back makes me get up every day. It makes a difference,” said Brad. A volunteer with United Way for Greater Austin for 24 years, Brad makes time to help people in our community any way he can: mentoring children in a reading program, rebuilding homes impacted by natural disasters, providing coats to children, and packing up food boxes. But one of his favorite ways to give back is at H-E-B’s Feast of Sharing, where Brad has volunteered nearly every year since 2000. He knows the difference a warm meal makes: Growing up, he and his family relied on organizations like United Way, the food bank, and the Salvation Army to meet their basic needs. Brad volunteering at H-E-B Feast of Sharing with United Way Development Operations Associate Jenn Truong in 2022. “I already have Feast of Sharing 2024 on my calendar,” Brad said. “My parents decided between buying groceries and heating the house,” Brad, who is originally from northern Wisconsin, said. “United Way took care of me when I was young and didn’t have anything. I ask myself, ‘How can I not volunteer?’” United Way Events and Engagement Manager Rose Bell, Co-chair of Women United Executive Committee Tracy Fielder, and United Way volunteer and Women United member Jonna Beaver at Consuela Connects, an event that raised nearly $500 for the communities United Way serves. Just like volunteering became a habit for Brad, Jonna also felt drawn to volunteer any chance she got since her first shift at United Way’s […]
Read MoreA century of change, a legacy of impact
2024 marks an important milestone for United Way for Greater Austin: 100 years serving the community. In the course of 100 years, things are bound to change, but no matter what happens – global pandemics, natural disasters, inequity across different groups – you can always count on community. Whether it’s the one you grew up in or you just got here yesterday. United Way for Greater Austin was here before the Great Depression. Before the Second World War. We grew roots long before the first man landed on the moon and well before Austin’s largest population boom in the 90s. Alongside community partners and leaders, we’ve grown to become a steady and powerful force for driving change, through large and small moments. And throughout our evolutions over the last century, the enduring thread that weaves us together, then and now, is community. It’s a community that’s been lovingly built and rebuilt by the hands of Greater Austin. It’s been a respite, a village, a friend, and a catalyst for creating equal opportunity. One where every child is set up for success with high-quality early care and education. Where everyone is connected to essential resources they need, when they need them. As we lay the foundation for our next 100 years, we are supported by a century of building opportunity and driving change: 1924 Founding of United Way for Greater Austin, originally called United Way Capital Area Local residents raise $611 for families with low income, equal to more than $10,000 […]
Read MoreIn 100 years of change, the only constant is community
It’s an exciting time at United Way for Greater Austin! 2024 marks an important milestone for us: 100 years serving the community. In the course of 100 years, things are bound to change, but no matter what happens – global pandemics, natural disasters, inequity across different groups – you can always count on community. Whether it’s the one you grew up in or you just got here yesterday. United Way is the community that will always be here – for those who need help, for those who find their place by helping others, for all of us. United Way for Greater Austin was here before the Great Depression. Before the Second World War. We grew roots long before the first man landed on the moon and well before Austin’s largest population boom in the 90s. Alongside community partners and leaders, we’ve grown to become a steady and powerful force for driving change, through large and small moments. And throughout our evolutions over the last century, the enduring thread that weaves us together, then and now, is community. It’s a community that’s been lovingly built and rebuilt by the hands of Greater Austin. It’s been a respite, a village, a friend, and a catalyst for creating equal opportunity. One where every child is set up for success with high-quality early care and education. A community where everyone is connected to essential resources they need, when they need them. This community has laid an unbreakable foundation of wisdom, strength, and potential. And […]
Read MoreFree holiday events & gift programs in Greater Austin
Every December, organizations across our region come together to provide holiday events for our community. These events include free gifts such as coats, toys, books, meals, and more. To help Central Texans access these resources, we’ve put together a calendar of free events and meals happening throughout the month. Please note many events have application windows. You can find more information about each event in its calendar link. View the calendar in Spanish. For more than 25 years, United Way for Greater Austin’s Navigation Center has helped people navigate the complex system of health and human services in Central Texas. Anyone can contact the Navigation Center by dialing 2-1-1. Know someone looking for assistance? Tell them to give us a call to get connected to resources in our community.
Read More20 Free Thanksgiving Meals in Greater Austin
Every holiday season, United Way’s Navigation Center helps local families access free or low-cost meals and holiday events across the Greater Austin area. To make it easy for community members to find these seasonal events, we’ve compiled a calendar of 20 free Thanksgiving meals this month. Make sure to check the links for registration details and application deadlines. Mobile Loaves & Fishes’ event on November 20 even offers additional items such as backpacks, sleeping bags, flu shots, and haircuts for individuals who do not have a home. View the calendar in Spanish For more than 25 years, United Way for Greater Austin’s Navigation Center has helped people navigate the complex system of health and human services in Central Texas. Anyone can contact the Navigation Center by dialing 2-1-1. Know someone looking for assistance? Tell them to give us a call to get connected to resources in our community.
Read More