Meet Our Matching Funds Donor: Rex Jones

Haca MisAmplify Austin

https://www.facebook.com/AustinPathways/videos/2335730483105345/ HACA’s nonprofit Austin Pathways raised $61,190 during Amplify Austin. One hundred percent of the funds, generously donated by 159 individuals, community partners and local Businesses. To provide direct support for scholarship and self-sufficiency programs. HACA and Austin Pathways have awarded more than 500 scholarships to public and affordable housing residents since 2001. This year Rex Jones of Apartment Management Professionals and his staff, matched $15,000 of funds donated. “We know the difference that a bus pass to school can … Read More

Austin Forum Program Helps Level the Playing Field for Expectant Mothers

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“Giving birth five times naturally in the hospital, I saw a wide range of care. Some good, some not so good.” Chante Wright-Haywood is determined to ensure new mothers understand all their options so they can make the right choices for their children – from pain medication to nutrition – for families who don’t have basic medical information. “I’ve seen a nurse’s personal and cultural preferences prevent new mothers from making their own choices,” she says. To become a midwife, … Read More

Mobility Ambassadors

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Mobility Ambassadors are public and subsidized housing residents paid a stipend or hourly rate to teach low-income residents to navigate digitally-powered transportation, engage City officials on our community’s most pressing transportation issues and advocate for partnerships with impact. In 2018-19, Mobility Ambassadors learned to use multiple smart transportation tools and to conduct digital transit adventures, surveyed 240 public housing families about more than 1,000 trips, and hosted 15 events to reach 5,200 Austin residents with safe roads and life-saving transit … Read More

Students Shine at Austin Pathways HACA 18th Annual Scholarship Ceremony

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This year’s Austin Pathways HACA Resident Scholarship Ceremony was star studded. Scholarship recipients twinkled on stage as they received their certificates, and guest speaker SaulPaul encouraged the group of 36 students to continue to shine as they work to achieve their dreams. “Don’t let people set small goals for you,” said SaulPaul, a former prisoner turned college graduate and “musician with a message” who was named the 2017 Austinite of the Year. “I would encourage you to live up to … Read More

Scholarship Spotlight: Rakan Alsankari

Haca MisEducation

As told by Rakan Alsankari, Northgate resident Many seniors do not know what they want to do after high school, or what they want to do with their lives. But for me, the situation is different.Since I was in elementary school in Jordan (a sovereign Arab state in Western Asia), I had an idea of what I want to be, and this idea has become clearer and more focused over time. Because of my life experience, my career goal is … Read More

Scholarship Spotlight: Christie Anderson

Haca MisEducation

As told by Christie Anderson, Chalmers Courts resident   My name is Christie Anderson, and I am studying to become a licensed nurse practitioner. I am currently working toward earning my Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN) through Austin Community College’s (ACC) Registered Nursing Program. Once I earn my ADN, I plan to take advantage of ACC’s ADN to Bachelor of Science Nursing Program. ACC’s nursing program is preparing me to take the National Council Licensure Examination, a nationwide examination for … Read More

Scholarship Spotlight: Sayuri Byrd

Haca MisEducation

As told by Sayuri Byrd, HCV participant My name is Sayuri Byrd, and I am 35 years old. I am the mother of two boys, ages 18 and 7. I recently learned I am expecting my third bundle of joy! I am looking forward to raising my new daughter, and I intend to make wise decisions, and to make every effort to live my dreams – doing what makes my family and I happy. One of my greatest accomplishments this … Read More

Scholarship Spotlight: Kirida McDaniels

Haca MisEducation

As told by Kirida McDaniels, HCV Participant I’m Kirida McDaniels, and I am proud to be a two-time awardee of the Austin Pathways HACA Scholarship. This scholarship is helping me continue my education and is bringing me closer to becoming the first person in my entire family to earn a college degree. I faced a lot of challenging personal experiences throughout primary and secondary school. From an early age, I was a victim of bullying. I was bullied for so … Read More

Scholarship Spotlight: Dorothy Howard

Haca MisEducation

As told by Dorothy Howard, Rosewood Courts Resident I want to thank Austin Pathways and HACA for all the support you have given me these last two years through the Austin Pathways HACA Scholarship. Continuing to work on earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology in Huston-Tillotson University’s Adult Degree Program has been an awesome experience. In September, I will have enough credits to receive my associate’s degree in liberal arts. Once I receive my bachelor’s degree, I will only have eight … Read More

Scholarship Spotlight: Layla Mohsin

Haca MisEducation

As told by Layla Mohsin, HCV Participant Ever since I was a kid, I have always wanted to do something important. I wanted to be the childhood figures I’d seen in cartoons – like Pocahantas. I wanted to be as caring and understanding as Snow White. I wanted to change lives like Mulan. When you’re a kid, everything seems easy, the world is at your feet, and you have this mindset that when you get older, you can do anything. … Read More

Capstone Title Partners with Austin Pathways to Help Promote Education of Low-Income Austinites

Haca MisDigital Inclusion, Education

Austin Pathways is happy to announce a partnership with Capstone Title, a premier real estate organization in Austin, Texas. Capstone Title has generously donated $10,000 to help Austin Pathways in its mission to expand digital inclusion, job training, and educational opportunities for the Housing Authority of the City of Austin’s 19,000 residents. “We’re so excited to support this wonderful, community-focused organization and spread the word so more people can know about them,” said Capstone Title CEO and President Brad Compere. … Read More

Austin Pathways Raises Over $50K for Housing Authority Resident Scholarships

Haca MisEducation

Austin Pathways raised more than $50,000 during Amplify Austin Day March 1-2. Matching funds were provided by Apartment Management Professionals and Capstone Title. One hundred percent of the funds, generously donated by more than 200 individuals, community partners and local businesses, provide direct support for scholarship and self-sufficiency programs. The Housing Authority of the City of Austin and Austin Pathways have awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to public and affordable housing residents since 2001. Austin Pathways also provides … Read More

West Pointers Bring Robotics Workshop to Public and Subsidized Housing Youth

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When 12-year old Housing Choice Voucher client Jason Jetter signed up for a robotics workshop taught by U.S. Military Academy at West Point faculty, cadets, and alumni, he hoped he was signing up to be a part of a BattleBots-style robot competition. “I want to run into everyone – pretty much battle my robot,” Jason said. However, Jason and about 39 other Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) middle school kids spent one Saturday last month learning much … Read More

IBM Impact Grant a Foundation for Growth at HACA Nonprofit Austin Pathways

Haca MisDigital Inclusion

As told by Catherine Crago, Strategic Initiatives and Resource Development The Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) is a high-performing housing authority per the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), receiving top marks on a variety of measures every year. As far back as 2001, HACA went beyond its mission to provide safe, decent affordable housing by establishing the HACA Scholarship Fund. Today, the agency has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships. And many HACA residents who … Read More

Austin Wins Grant for Initiative to Increase Mobility Equity with Access to Online Tools

Haca MisDigital Inclusion

Next Century Cities recently announced that Austin was one of three winning cities for the inaugural Charles Benton Next Generation Engagement Awards, given to municipal governments that are harnessing high-speed internet to enhance civic engagement and democratic participation. The Benton Award was given to Austin for the city’s plan to develop Smart Work, Learn, Play, an effort to engage public housing residents near two public transportation hubs to increase citizen access to and use of online public services. Joining Louisville, … Read More