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March 25, 2010
Census rules hindering homeless count, advocates say
Austin’s homeless population may be severely undercounted in the 2010 census due to inflexible rules, unreasonable time limitations and inadequate resources, local advocates say.
“There appears to be very little wiggle room for communities that want to try innovative things,” said Travis County Constable Bruce Elfant, a member of the Austin Travis County Complete Count Committee. “It’s been frustrating.”
A faulty count could cost Travis County millions of dollars, he said.
For weeks, Austin leaders and census employees have been meeting to figure out how to accurately tally the number of homeless people in Austin. It’s a hard population to count for reasons well-documented in Juan Castillo’s recent story on the issue.
In short, Castillo’s story says:
“How do you count the homeless when their existence depends on their ability or desire to remain unseen? Add other complicating factors, such as their transient nature and general unfamiliarity with the census, and the homeless easily become one of the most difficult populations to reach for the head count.”
Census workers across the country have designated three days at the end of this month to finding and counting homeless people. On March 29th, they will tally those in shelters. On the 30th, they’ll count those at mobile food kitchens. And in the early hours of March 31 (from midnight to 7 a.m.), they’ll head outside to camps and public places such as bridges and sidewalks.
It’s the March 31 event that’s working homeless advocates into a froth. First of all, there isn’t enough manpower for the event, which will be conducted by about 120 census takers, Elfant said. And seven hours isn’t nearly enough time to get an accurate count, he said.
“To count thousands of people over seven hours is unrealistic,” Elfant said. “This isn’t like going door to door.”
Jeff Behler, deputy regional director for the U.S. Census, said the late-night hours were determined “because, in the research that was done by our staff, it was determined that would be the best time in which that population would be the least transient.”
Homeless advocates also worry that census takers could get hurt wandering into the woods that late at night. David Gomez, who works with the homeless for Austin Travis County Integral Care said that homeless people could be sleeping, drunk, high on drugs or otherwise impaired.
Workers also could get hurt in the unfamiliar terrain of the greenbelts, parks and wooded areas around the city, Gomez said.
“They’re in jeopardy,” he said.
Census takers, who will be wearing reflective vests and carrying flashlights, have been told not to wake up anyone who is sleeping, Behler said. They will travel in groups, try not to startle people and clearly communicate their intent, Behler said.
“During our training, we say safety is of the utmost importance,” he said.
The homeless people have to be counted in their camps or “homes” because census money is allocated to regions based on the number of residents and where they live, Behler said.
Homeless advocates say they understand that census takers have to go to the camps. But they suggested holding a supplementary event on April 1 at Palmer Events Center with food, music and giveaways for the homeless people who came and filled out the census. That event would be held during the day and could draw hundreds of people that might not otherwise be counted, such as women, children and families who stay in hotels or with friends.
Census leaders have said no, Elfant said.
Other communities have had better luck planning events to help with the homeless count. The City of Los Angeles, which is in a separate census district, is setting up food distribution centers in seven locations (including parks and churches) where homeless people can come and be counted by census workers.
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November 18, 2009
Nonprofits sing, Earl Maxwell speaks
Well I wish somebody would have told me that nonprofits across town are singing at public events, I would have brought my microphone!
On Sunday, a bunch of people started singing Lean On Me during the New Milestones fundraiser for Austin Travis County Integral Care. And today, the moderator at Austin Community College’s Community Problem Solving Initiative forum started singing about nonprofits to the tune of The Twelve Days of Christmas.
Rock on, folks!
And now, on to the true purpose of this blog: the aforementioned forum. The year-long ACC intitiative — which focuses on ideas such as conflict management, collaboration and group deliberation — hosted speaker Earl Maxwell today at the Middle Fiskville campus.
Maxwell, in case you don’t know, is the CEO of the behemoth St. David’s Foundation, which gives away millions of dollars of each year for things such as research, education, mental health services and healthcare for uninsured people.
Maxwell spoke this morning about his experiences as the former head of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. Back in the late 1990s, he said, he was part of a group that met regularly with the Save Our Springs Alliance. Kirk Watson, who was the city’s mayor, wanted the organizations to support a $500 million bond issue for Austin, he said.
But working through the typical business vs. environment tension wasn’t easy, Maxwell said. It took the groups months just to to agree on who would attend meetings, where they would meet and seating arrangements at the table, he said.
Once they got past that, there were arguments and impasses to work through, he said. At times, whole groups of people would storm out of meetings.
(I would like to storm out of a meeting. It sounds so very dramatic. I would probably trip or something. I am, however, excellent at slamming things.)
Maxwell’s speech was extraordinarily interesting to me because I wasn’t in Austin at that time. I had no idea the kind of mediating and politicking it took just to get people in the same room. I also got a sense of how Austin has changed over over the last decade.
If you want to take part in this ACC initiative, contact Candyss Bryant at 223-7051 or cbryant1@austincc.edu. From what I saw, it would be worth your time.
One final note: if you park at that ACC campus, make sure you do NOT park on the line. I inadvertently did so and later arrived to discover a cop writing me a ticket. He claimed I was taking up two spots. I vehemently disagree with that hunk of hyperbole but had the good sense not to argue with the guy in the badge. I simply promised to wash his car, go to confession and attend six years of parking classes.
The cop let me off with a warning and a seriously dirty look. Works for me.
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June 16, 2009
Good Eggs and HAAM
Ya gotta love a clever name.
The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) is kicking off the creation of “Good Eggs & HAAM,” a group of young professionals passionate about live music and musicians’ health care. The group will host a happy hour 5:30-7 p.m. tomorrow at Freddie’s Place on 1703 S. First St.
Good Eggs & HAAM will support the nonprofit with annual donations, educational sessions and fundraising events to advocate for musicians’ health.
For more information or to make a donation, go to www.healthallianceforaustinmusicians.org or myhaam.org.
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January 22, 2009
Diaper drive for Jones quints
H-E-B will host a weeklong diaper drive for the Jones quintuplets.
The drive, which will be held at the Four Points store, at 7301 North FM 620, starts tomorrow and will run through Jan. 30. The store will match diaper donations and also present the Jones family with a suprise donation next Friday, according to a press release by H-E-B.
The Jones quintuplets — Brooklyn Faith, Britton Grace, Jack William, Lila Addison, Ryan Elizabeth — were born to Casey and Ethan Jones on Jan. 16. Each weighed under three pounds at birth.
“H-E-B’s commitment and involvement in the community is an important part of the way we do business,” said H-E-B spokeswoman Leslie Lockett stated in the press release. “We are very excited to welcome these new babies into our community. The Diaper Drive will rally area residents to help and support the Jones family during this time of need.”
The babies are expected to use approximately 1,200 diapers, 85 cases of formula plus 1,500 jars of baby food each month. The annual cost for diapers and food is approximately $9,400, the release states.
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October 1, 2008
Early Childhood Intervention Forum
Per the press release:
The Mayor’s Mental Health Task Force Monitoring Committee (MMHTFMC) is hosting a public forum, “A Mentally Healthy Community Starts with its Children,” focusing on Early Childhood Interventions (ECI) and its preventative impact on mental health disorders. The forum will be held Oct. 3, 2008 from 10 a.m. until noon at Austin City Hall’s City Council Chambers, with a welcoming address from Council Member Lee Leffingwell, followed by guest speaker Libby Doggett, Ph.D., Executive Director of Pre-K Now. Doggett directs efforts to educate state policymakers, media, and the general public about the Pre-K’s potential to improve outcomes for young children.
Focusing on ECI (for children between the ages of 0 and 5), the forum will offer varying perspectives from community leaders. Best practices such as Home Visitation Programs, Evidence-Based Parenting Classes and Social/ Emotional Collaboration will be highlighted by area agencies including, Any Baby Can, Austin Independent School District, Child, Inc., Austin Travis County Mental Health Mental Retardation Center, Raising Austin and Success by Six.
“Early experiences can and do influence the physical architecture of the brain,” says Dr. Susan Stone, Executive Coordinator of the MMHTFMC. “Gaining social and emotional skills directly influences cognitive learning, and has been shown to prevent the later development of mental health disorders.”
Formed by Mayor Will Wynn in August, 2004, the Mayor’s Mental Health Task Force was asked to study the challenges facing Austin and Travis County residents with severe mental illnesses and to make recommendations to address those challenges. Over 80 individuals representing 40 different agencies met over four months to develop the final report of the Task Force, which was released in January of 2005. The Mayor’s Mental Health Task Force Monitoring Committee is a broad based collaborative appointed in May of 2005 to oversee implementation of those recommendations. For more information, visit mmhtfmc.org. The MMHTFMC is a Subcommittee of the Austin Travis County MHMR Center Board of Trustees.
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August 25, 2008
Labor Day at Down Home Ranch
Looking for something to do on Labor Day?
Down Home Ranch, a working farm for people with cognitive and developmental disabilities, is hosting Swim Fest 2008.
The event will be held on Monday, Sept. 1 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm at the Elgin ranch. The party includes an open house, swimming, a moonwalk, snow cones, hay rides, food and more.
For more information, go here.
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May 23, 2008
Music. Food. Molly Ringwald.
Music. Food. Molly Ringwald.
Need I say more? Check out this press release from GrapeVine Market.
On May 24th GrapeVine Market is co-hosting an 80’s-themed party benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure Austin. The “Pink” party will feature live music, appetizers & the “totally awesome” film “Pretty In Pink”.
GrapeVine Market celebrates its 9th birthday this month by asking Austin to go retro and “Think Pink”! On Saturday, May 24th, from 7PM-11PM GrapeVine Market, Kerbey Lane Cafe & PakMail Anderson Lane are joining forces to host a fundraising party featuring live music by MC 80, dancing, hors d’oeuvres, prizes and the Alamo Drafthouse Rolling Road Show presenting a special screening of the film “Pretty In Pink”. Tickets are $10 per person in advance, or $15 dollars at the door, and can be purchased online at www.grapevinemarket.com/productp/eventsaus_prettyinpink.htm. All proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure Austin.
The two guests sporting the best 80’s attire will be crowned Prom King and Queen. There will also be chances to win fabulous door prizes, such as a red, electric guitar signed by the Red Rocker himself, Sammy Hagar, plus restaurant gift certificates, a $500 GrapeVine Market gift card and more. So dust off those gnarly 80’s threads and show your support for a “totally awesome” cause.
This 80s Pink event will be held at GrapeVine Market Austin, 7938 Great Northern Blvd. For more information visit www.grapevinemarket.com or call 512.323.5900.
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March 27, 2008
Autism art classes
Here’s something interesting: The University of Texas Autism Project is offering art classes for people with autism. Below is the info listed on a recent press release from the group…
Painting: Communicating Through Color Dates: April 5, 12, 19 Ages: 12 and up Time: 1 pm - 3 pm Location: ART 3.210 Cost: $35 total for 3 classes
Young adults with Autism and adults with Autism will learn how to communicate effectively through artistic self expression. They will use the creative process to explore texture, color, movement, and feelings with paint. One parent, sibling, or friend may attend with the student at no additional cost.
Ceramics: Communicating Through Texture Date: April 5, 12, 19 Ages 12 and up Time: 4 pm - 6 pm Location: ART 3.210 Cost: $45 total for 3 classes
Students will explore texture and sculptural expression through clay. The workshop will be a series of 3 classes offered on the University of Texas campus. Handouts and supplies will be provided for students and families. One parent, sibling, or friend may attend with the student at no additional cost.
To register contact Dolores Groves at 232-1715, or email at dolores.groves@mail.utexas.edu
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March 25, 2008
Eat for Charity
The American Red Cross wants you to eat. Here’s a press release on an upcoming fundraiser for the organization, which helps feed, clothe and shelter people after a disaster:
Austinites can enjoy a great dinner out while supporting a great cause on Thursday, March 27, 2008. Taking place at restaurants throughout Austin, Restaurants for Relief supports the American Red Cross of Central Texas and is designed to raise funds and generate awareness for March is Red Cross Month throughout the country.
“Many people associate the Red Cross with large-scale disaster relief, but few know about the day-to-day services we provide to the community, such as responding to a house fire almost every other day or training more than 20,000 individuals in water safety and CPR last year,” said Derrick Chubbs, executive director of the American Red Cross of Central Texas. “Initiatives like March is Red Cross Month and Restaurants for Relief help us generate awareness for these other services and provide critical financial support to our chapter, which relies on local donations for 98 percent of its funding.”
Participating restaurants include: Aquarelle, Carmelo’s, Curra’s Grill, Frank & Angie’s Pizzeria, Hut’s Hamburgers, Saba Blue Water Café, Vin Bistro and Zax Pints & Plates. Each has agreed to donate a portion of their proceeds from the evening of Thursday, March 27 to the American Red Cross of Central Texas.
Addresses may be found online at www.centex.redcross.org and participating locations will have Restaurants for Relief posters, generously provided by Mike’s Print Shop, in their front windows. The Red Cross encourages all Austinites to dine at one of the fine establishments on the evening Thursday, March 27 and support a great cause.
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February 25, 2008
Buy pizza, help people
Forgive me, my six readers. I have failed you.
I’ve been sick for a few weeks and have not been able to keep this blog as active as I would like. I know you are desperate for charity news, thirsting for it like an Austin cyclist on a 100-degree spring day.
So here are a few tidbits to whet your appetites.
On Monday, March 3, Austin Pizza will open a new Westlake location at 3638 Bee Cave Road. That day, 100 percent of dine-in sales will benefit the ARC of the Capital Area, which provides services for people with developmental disabilities.
On Tuesday, March 4, people attending the Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo can help Caritas, which provides food and services for low income and homeless people. Bring three cans of food to the fair and you’ll get $1 off the price of general admission.
And finally, we all know that Meals on Wheels and More delivers food and services to elderly people. Now the nonprofit is starting a new program: PALS (Pets Assisting the Lives of Seniors). On April 5, the agency will hold its first Senior Pet Fair, offering free spay/neuter services, vaccinations, heartworm prevention and microchipping for the pets of Meals on Wheels clients.
For more information, call 476-6325, ext 157.
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December 13, 2007
Sleeping with dogs...
Flashback.
It’s 1982. I’m 11 and at a big sleepover at Cindy’s house. Everyone is there: Dana, Erin, Patty, Kim, Suzanne, even Jennifer The Popular.
We spend hours talking about boys in our class. We eat M&Ms and read saucy passages out of CIndy’s dad’s “book collection.” I think somebody ends up crying in the bathroom at some point. It might have been me.
Ahhhh sleepovers. Now volunteers and staffers at the Austin Humane Society are reliving the joy with a sleepover of their own.
Tomorrow night, as part of the IAMS “Home for the Holidays” international pet adoption drive, they’re sleeping with the shelter dogs and cats to remind people that every animal needs a home — especially during the holidays.
According to Austin Humane Society spokeswoman Leslie Coons, “Our hope is that our sleepover will shed light on how lonely and stressful it can be for animals in the shelter. It’s our way of making sure that every animal in our care gets to spend a special night with a family during the holiday season.”
Awww. That’s so cute. And I bet no one ends up crying in the bathroom at their sleepover…
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December 12, 2007
Know a fabulous woman?
Are you a woman of distinction? Then shout it from the rooftops! Or better yet, tell your local Girl Scout.
Every year, the Girl Scouts of Central Texas hosts a luncheon to honor local ladies and raise money for the Scouts. The nonprofit, which provides fun activities and educational programs for girls, is now preparing for next year’s event.
Check out this e-mail I recently received:
The Girl Scouts of Central Texas is accepting nominations for the Austin-area Women of Distinction Luncheon. The deadline for submitting a nomination is January 10, 2008.
The coveted award honors women who have distinguished themselves as outstanding members of their community through individual excellence and high levels of achievement. Eight women were honored as Women of Distinction at the 2007 event.
“Women of Distinction events provide a forum for Girl Scouts to recognize and honor local women who are role models for our membership,” says Etta Moore, CEO for the Girl Scouts of Central Texas. “I encourage the community to nominate any woman who has exhibited leadership capabilities, commitment to the community and overall excellence.”
Nominees should be from Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Gillespie, Hays, Llano, Travis and Williamson counties. Nomination forms can be completed online at www.gsctx.org or downloaded as a PDF from the Web site. Forms are also available at the Girl Scout headquarters, 12012 Park Thirty-five Circle, Austin. To request forms by mail, call (512) 453-7391. Completed nomination forms should be returned to the Girl Scout headquarters.
The luncheon, which is presented by Time Warner Cable, is April 10, 2008, at the Austin Hilton. Tickets can be purchased for $125 per seat or $1500 per table. Proceeds benefit the Girl Scouts of Central Texas.
For more information on the Austin-area Women of Distinction Luncheon, visit www.gsctx.org or call the Girl Scout headquarters at (512) 453-7391.
Well there you have it. Nominate someone. Or get someone to nominate you. You know you’re worth it.
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December 3, 2007
Making up for lost time...
Oh my beloved readers! How I have missed all six of you!
For those who may not have noticed, I was on vacation for the last two weeks. That’s two weeks without charity. Unthinkable! I must make up for lost time. Let’s get started.
Westlake FUNdraisers, a group of Westlake residents who raise money to help the community, recently generated $10,000 for People’s Community Clinic. This year’s fundraising event was held at the home of Sherry and Michael Misikoff and was attended by more than 100 Westlake residents.
Party attendees enjoyed cocktails and “shopped” from a gift wall of donations, donating gifts from $20 for a flu shot to $99 for one well child check.
The First Annual Bowl-for-Hope fundraiser will raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at Highland Lanes. The event is sponsored by the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Austin Northwest.
Bowlers will raise a minimum of $100 each. Door prizes will be awarded during the event and all bowlers will receive T-shirts for participating. There will also be a raffle held at the event for $10 per ticket.
For more information, go to www.jdrfaustin.org
Also coming up: On Friday, Ryland Angel will perform to raise money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. The event begins at 8 p.m. in Bethell Hall at St. David’s Episcopal Church, 304 E. Seventh St.
General admission tickets are $20; reserved seating is $40. For more information, call (877) 877-7677 or go to www.rylandangelchristmas.com
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October 23, 2007
Yam Jam, thank you ma'am
Yam Jam — a concert to raise money for Thanksgiving dinners for the needy — made a bundle of dough last month.
The event (held at Threadgill’s downtown and featuring artists such as Bruce Robison and Ruthie Foster) attracted 400 people and made $10,000 for Operation Turkey.
O.T., as I like to call them (yes, I’m dreaming of overtime) is a nonprofit that distributes hot meals to the needy on Thanksgiving. The effort started in 2000 when founder Richard Bagdonas handed out one meal to a homeless man on Sixth Street.
This year’s goal is to hand out 2,000-3,000 meals in Austin.
For more information, go to www.operationturkey.com
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KUT, Olivia Newton John and other philanthropic thoughts
I never listen to public radio.
I know, I know. Get off my back.
But what can I do? I’m a serial car singer. Before and after work is my time to wail to the Austin Uncool tunes of Olivia Newton John, Faith Hill and, yes, I’ll admit it, the soundtrack to Chicago.
What? Catherine Zeta Jones rocks.
Anyway. This morning, I tapped into my inner academic and found KUT 90.5 on the dial. And lo and behold, they’re having a fundraiser! It’s like the spirit of Rockefeller directed me toward FM radio.
Spooooooky.
So it looks like KUT is holding its Fall Fundraiser to raise $750,000. The organization — which relies on donations for 80 percent of its annual budget — is offering all sorts of goodies for your money: T-shirts, mugs, magazine subscriptions, CDs, books messenger bags.
Want to help out? Go here
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October 22, 2007
Help the Bumps help charity
From the desk of Dr. Jerome and Sue Bump in Lago Vista:
“Wanted to write to give a hand to my husband’s Freshman 603 and Freshman 301 English classes at UT who showed up at our fall ranch party Sunday with canned foods, sacks of personal items such as shampoo, soap, toothpaste, deodorant, and promises of more to come.
“The classes were trying to outdo each other, but mostly they were concerned with helping with the hungry in Austin. NOW, the question is which deserving place needs this food the most? We thought of Hill Country Food Pantry since Dr. Bump’s church in Lago Vista, St. Mary’s, Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, supports that charity, but thought we would ask you for suggestions.
“These giving, caring students came to party, but did not walk in empty handed and we are so proud of them!”
Any suggestions, readers? Who could use such a donation?
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Wine and dine for mental health care
Get drunk for charity!
Oh wait. Wrong crowd. I thought I was on the Drag for a minute…
(Rewind, begin traditional lede …)
Do you like wine? Do you want to help provide affordable mental health? Then check out this upcoming event.
On Saturday, the 2nd Annual Waterloo Uncorked fundraiser will be held held at the Dell Jewish Community Center from 7 to 11 p.m. The event will include wine tasting, food, music, and a silent auction.
Established in 1983, Waterloo Counseling Center specializes in counseling for gay, lesbian, and bisexual people, as well as those who have HIV. For more information on Waterloo Uncorked, go to the Waterloo Counseling Web site.
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October 18, 2007
Epic battle pits pot against breast cancer (Ka-POW!)
Swords will clash! Flames will burn! Evil will circle the drain like cheap conditioner!
Be sure to check out the upcoming megabattle between the Defuser (Jarrett Crippen, winner of Stan Lee’s “Who Wants to be a Superhero?”) and supervillain Lord Vile (some scary local guy apparently aligned with the forces of evil).
Both SuperGuys are hosting their own haunted house in Austin this Halloween season for very different charities. The Defuser is raising money for breast cancer research and support services.
Now these two Ultramen have entered into a challenge that will change Austin forever (or at least until next Halloween).
If Lord Vile’s “Shadow Valult” pulls in more people, Lord Vile will give half his earnings to NORML, a nonprofit working to legalizing marijuana. If it doesn’t, Lord Vile will donate 1/2 of Shadow Vault’s proceeds to Scare for a CURE.
Win or lose, all net proceeds from Scare for a CURE will go to breast cancer research and recovery charities. But Lord Vile? Well, he’s looking at possibly giving money to CHARITY!!
ACK!
Lord Vile’s Shadow-Vault will be open Oct. 26 to 28 and on Oct. 31, from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Tickets are $13 and $10 for those with student IDs. For more information, go to lordvile.squarespace.com (Evil alert! Apple Chancery-like font and black screens used with wild abandon!)
The Defuser’s haunted house will be open on Oct. 26 to 27, from 7 p.m. to midnight and on Oct. 28 to 31, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for children under 12.
For more information, go to www.scareforacure.org. (Creep alert! Unattended, animated spiders crawling everywhere! Ew.)
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