Austin Pathways raised $34,212 during Amplify Austin, doubling last year’s total of more than $17,000. One hundred percent of the funds, generously donated by 215 individuals, community partners and local businesses, provide direct support for programs like the Housing Authority of the City of Austin’s (HACA) scholarship and Family Self-Sufficiency programs for public and affordable housing residents. HACA and Austin Pathways have awarded more than 500 scholarships to public and affordable housing residents since 2001. Austin Pathways also provides services like … Read More
Austin Pathways Wins Grant to Support Music Education
The Best Buy Foundation has awarded the Housing Authority of the City of Austin’s (HACA) nonprofit subsidiary Austin Pathways a $6,000 Community Grant to support the Digital Opportunities for Music Education program at a public housing property that serves 576 residents in southwest Austin. The funds will be used to purchase music equipment in the audio recording room at HACA’s Henry Flores Education and Training Center, a state-of-the-art facility that opened at Meadowbrook Apartments in November 2014. Grounded in Music – a local nonprofit organization whose … Read More
Google Community Leaders Help Residents Plug in to Digital Austin
About 20 children who live in apartments operated by the Housing Authority of the City of Austin recently received free refurbished computers donated by Austin Community College after dedicating 40 hours of their summer vacation to STEM education. Three Google Community Leaders from the University of Texas Division of Diversity and Community Engagement attended the computer deployment to help residents assemble and become acclimated to their new machines. The Division of Diversity and Community Engagement works closely with Google to support the five-student … Read More
When It Comes to Digital Inclusion, Start Slow to Go Fast
As told by Catherine Crago, Strategic Initiatives and Resource Development This week the White House and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s ConnectHome initiative will host a webinar for participating cities to share what they are learning as they convene stakeholders in their cities to bridge the digital divide. Austin Pathways’ Unlocking the Connection program is credited as a model for other programs; we were pleased to share the Austin experience at the White House in August. Our approach … Read More
Austin Housing Authority Digital Inclusion Program Selected by HUD to Mentor Other Cities Across the U.S.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Lourdes Castro Ramirez today highlighted the HACA and the City of Austin’s designation as a peer mentor to 28 communities participating in the ConnectHome initiative to extend affordable broadband access to families living in HUD-assisted housing. ConnectHome was recently unveiled by HUD Secretary Julián Castro and the Obama Administration. Work locally will be led by Austin Pathways. “It is so important that every child be given the same opportunities to build a brighter future and achieve their dreams,” Castro Ramirez said. “That’s … Read More
Austin Pathways Pilots Computer Refurbishing Program
Growing up in Kerala, India, Austin Pathways volunteer Unni Krishnan learned the value of reuse at an early age – and a documentary he saw while studying computer engineering at the University of Texas on sustainability made a strong impression. “I always question the need to upgrade. I use an old phone with limited capabilities, but it has everything I need,” Krishnan said. “The same is true for almost everyone. If you don’t have the money to buy a $300 … Read More
Rachel Martinez Named TX NAHRO Resident of the Year
Unlocking the Connection spokesperson Rachel Martinez was recently recognized as the 2015 Texas National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) Resident of the Year for a large housing authority during the TX NAHRO 39th Annual Conference and Tradeshow in Austin, Texas. The Resident of the Year award honors individuals who live in public housing, participate in a rental assistance program or are served by a community development agency. Martinez was nominated for the award for demonstrating leadership, commitment, dedication and … Read More
Students Become Teachers in Austin Pathways’ Tech Starters Class
Even the most technologically savvy person can learn something new each time they use a computer and connect to the Internet. At the graduation of the second Tech Starters cohort at Meadowbrook Apartments this week, Google Fiber Austin Community Impact Manager Parisa Fatehi-Weeks shared she recently learned how she could use Google Docs to help her mother, whose first language is Farsi, write and edit an important letter in English. “For years, I’ve been helping her write letters, but I’d … Read More
Austin Pathways Raises Over $17K During Amplify Austin
Austin Pathways raised about $17,000 during this year’s 24-hour Amplify Austin Day of giving March 5-6, tripling last year’s total of $5,375. One hundred percent of the funds, which were generously donated by 146 donors consisting of individuals, community partners and local businesses, provide support for programs like the Housing Authority of the City of Austin’s annual scholarship program and the Family Self-Sufficiency program for public and affordable housing residents, addressing critical services like transportation and childcare assistance. Thank you to everyone who donated, participated in fundraising … Read More
Tech Starters Celebrates Inaugural Graduation
Austin Free-Net and Austin Pathways graduated its first class of Tech Starters on March 2 at the Housing Authority of the City of Austin’s Manchaca Village. Each of the residents who completed the digital literacy class received a certificate of participation and a refurbished computer, complete with installed software, a mouse, keyboard and monitor. However graduates said they took away much more than devices as a result of participating in the pilot program. “My favorite thing I learned in class was social media because it opened up a … Read More
Manchaca Village Residents Get Connected at Tech Feria
Austin Pathways, Google Fiber and Austin Free-Net recently hosted a Tech Feria at Manchaca Village to inform residents of opportunities to sign up for free Internet service, email and digital literacy classes. Residents also entered a raffle to win prizes including T-shirts, water bottles and a refurbished computer, and were invited to voice their opinions during a survey conducted by University of Texas researchers. Volunteers from the Austin 3-1-1 and the Austin Independent School District shared a variety of online services and resources, like how to report potholes and schedule parent-teacher conferences online. Studies show equitable access to technology … Read More
HACA Celebrates Record Number of Family Self-Sufficiency Graduates and Homeowners
The Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) and its nonprofit subsidiary Austin Pathways recently hosted “Passport to Success,” the agency’s 17th Annual Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) and Homeownership Recognition Luncheon at the Sheraton in downtown Austin. This year’s event featured a record number of 27 awardees. HACA’s FSS program equips residents with the tools and knowledge they need to achieve housing and financial independence. Services include education, workforce, health and life-skills programs, bolstered by access to child care, transportation … Read More
HUD Secretary joins HACA for Grand Opening of Education and Training Center
The Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro today (Nov. 21) hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the agency’s new Henry Flores Education and Training Center at Meadowbrook Apartments, 1201 A. W Live Oak St. “Brainpower is the currency of success in the 21st century global economy. The comprehensive training and resources now available will transform lives and uplift families,” said HUD Secretary Julián Castro. “Equipped with … Read More
HUD Secretary joins HACA, Google Fiber to Launch Nation’s First Digital Inclusion Program
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro joined the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) and Google Fiber today (Nov. 20) to announce Unlocking the Connection, a community-based initiative to help bridge the city’s digital divide and help families build self-sufficiency that supports economic independence and transitioning from public assistance. “Closing the digital divide means that every child has a chance to succeed in the 21st century global economy,” said HUD Secretary Julián Castro. … Read More
Henry Flores Education and Training Center (ETC) Grand Opening
A date for the grand opening celebration of the Henry Flores Education and Training Center has been set! On November 6th at 11am, HACA staff and honored guests will be on hand to see the state-of-the-art ETC at Meadowbrook Apartments. More details will be forthcoming but if you’d like to volunteer for the event, make arrangements to be available on November 6th!