![Advancing Economic Opportunity for All Families: Introducing the 2-Gen 2024-2027 Strategic Plan](https://www.unitedwayaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/53736647427_6c1e81b6f4_k-1-1024x683.jpg)
Advancing Economic Opportunity for All Families: Introducing the 2-Gen 2024-2027 Strategic Plan
By Cecy Tamez-Rodriguez We’re thrilled to announce that the 2-Gen Coalition for Economic Advancement has released their 2024-2027 Strategic Plan. Based on the belief that our community is vibrant and prosperous when families can meet their economic potential and pursue well-being, two-generation (2-Gen) approaches build this well-being by intentionally and simultaneously working with children and the adults in their lives together. 2-Gen centers the whole family to ensure those seeking family-sustaining income create a legacy of educational success and economic prosperity that passes from one generation to the next.* In 2018, United Way for Greater Austin released the Family Opportunity Roadmap: Austin/Travis County 2-Generation Strategic Plan. This thorough and ambitious plan was developed in partnership with more than 200 members of our community and included 23 strategies to create an ecosystem of 2-Gen programs and services in Austin/Travis County. The 2-Gen Coalition and its governance committee was established to steward the work of this plan. Many voices, one vision Development of the new Strategic Plan began in April 2023 with the onboarding of the 2023-2024 2-Gen Coalition Steering Committee. The Steering Committee spent nine months developing this Strategic Plan in partnership with coalition members, community members, and United Way for Greater Austin. Together, we discovered core beliefs that will guide and inform our work: When parents and guardians of children achieve economic advancement through family-sustaining employment and postsecondary education, we unlock potential and well-being for whole families. When we center parents and guardians of children, we create solutions that positively […]
![You don’t want to miss this: 2019-2023 2-Gen Coalition Strategic Plan Wrap-Up Report](https://www.unitedwayaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/53705865474_aa32f227a4_k-1024x774.jpg)
You don’t want to miss this: 2019-2023 2-Gen Coalition Strategic Plan Wrap-Up Report
By Becca Bice, Director of Economic Advancement “When we first reached out to United Way for support, our only thought was increasing child care options for young parents trying to re-engage with education. Becoming involved with United Way’s 2-Gen initiative and the 2-Gen provider network helped us to understand the importance of high-quality early childhood education and how that integrated with our education and training programs to create the greatest impact for the families we work with.” -American YouthWorks In 2018, United Way for Greater Austin released the Family Opportunity Roadmap: Austin/Travis County 2-Generation Strategic Plan, drafted in partnership with more than 200 representatives from local service providers, public agencies, educational institutions, and communities with lived experience of poverty. 2-Generation (or 2-Gen) approaches serve parents and children from the same family deliberately and simultaneously and can lead to better outcomes for both generations of a family. The 2-Gen Strategic Plan set common goals and strategies for creating an ecosystem of 2-Gen programs and services for families living with low income in Austin/Travis County. The 2-Gen Coalition, together with United Way for Greater Austin, stewarded this plan over five years and generated some incredible results, such as: Served 3,577 families with a 2-Gen approach in 2023 Invested $3.7 million in 23 local 2-Gen organizations from 2018-2023 Partnered with 67 community members and 274 individuals in 2023 Reached success milestones with 70% of our strategies, with 26% of them adopted by another coalition suited to reach success or modified to fit our […]
![Gathering for Good 2024: Sowing seeds of change for a flourishing Central Texas](https://www.unitedwayaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/53710500940_e1367799e8_k-1024x683.jpg)
Gathering for Good 2024: Sowing seeds of change for a flourishing Central Texas
Nurturing. Energizing. Unifying. A sold-out crowd of more than 350 people came to Gathering for Good on May 2 to support United Way’s mission to break economic barriers and build opportunity for all. Thanks to the generous gifts of so many, we raised more than $140,000! Thank you to all who joined and supported the Women United luncheon. The event theme, Grow Wild, inspired us to plant seeds of change for our community so that, together, we will amplify our legacy of impact. We hope it gives you great joy to know that, as we celebrate 100 years serving our community in 2024, those seeds will flourish in the next 100 years and beyond. Special thanks to our amazing event co-chairs Laura Hernandez Holmes and Jennifer Wu; Presenting Sponsor Kirkland & Ellis; Empower Sponsors H-E-B, St. David’s Foundation, Texas Mutual Insurance Company, and Scott & Jeanmarie Rust; and all of our generous sponsors. Our deepest gratitude to our three outstanding event panelists: Vanessa Bell, Community Advocate Pamela Benson Owens, CEO, Six Square and Edge of Your Seat Consulting Jolynn Free, Co-Founder and Partner, CFM Wealth Partners Event panelist Vanessa, a former 2-1-1 recipient, shared what a lifeline 2-1-1 was for her and is for so many in our community. “I found myself in a situation I never anticipated being in. I was threatened, and I was abused. I made the choice that this was not going to be my life. I called 2-1-1, and my Navigation Specialist changed my […]
![hands held together with the hashtag blue sunday](https://www.unitedwayaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Copy-of-Blue-Sunday_SX6.2-1024x1024.png)
Blue Sunday is April 28
Blog by Bridget Tobin, Mission Advancement Intern, United Way for Greater Austin The Success By 6 Coalition is a network of child and family advocates – providers, parents, policymakers, civic leaders, and experts – with a shared goal to ensure every child enters Kindergarten happy, healthy, and prepared to succeed in school and beyond. As part of our collective impact work to break economic barriers and build opportunity for all, United Way for Greater Austin convenes a Success By 6 Coalition in both Travis and Williamson counties. To prepare all our youngest community members for school and beyond, we partner with local nonprofits to deliver impactful services in four focus areas: Healthy beginnings Supported families High-quality care & education Safe & stimulating communities Together with our partners, we are transforming our local early education system, so that children and their families can reach their full potential. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This month and every month, United Way for Greater Austin and the Success By 6 Coalition work to support children experiencing abuse and neglect. Faith communities are invited to participate in Blue Sunday, a national day of prayer for children experiencing abuse and neglect. Each year Blue Sunday falls on the last Sunday in April, and this year, Blue Sunday is April 28. Child abuse and neglect statistics in Travis County and Texas have improved slightly since last year, but the reality is still heartbreaking: In 2023 in Travis County, there were: 1,018 children under the age […]
![More than numbers: Using our data strategy to inform decisions and effect change](https://www.unitedwayaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/53134788025_80119142d1_k-1024x683.jpg)
More than numbers: Using our data strategy to inform decisions and effect change
United Way for Greater Austin advances our mission — bringing our community together to break economic barriers and build opportunity for all — using four strategies. One of those is data. United Way envisions a Central Texas where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. And 2024 marks an important milestone for us: 100 years serving the community! As we reflect on a century of change and a legacy of impact, our new strategic plan – adopted by United Way for Greater Austin’s Board in September 2023 – harnesses the power of a collaborative community for lasting change for our next 100 years. Our new strategic plan reflects the urgency of addressing economic disparity. We focus on increasing the availability of high-quality early care and education and equitable access to pivotal resources to dismantle economic barriers in Central Texas. Our united front includes dedicated staff, donors, civic and private partners, and an engaged community. Together, we leverage our strategies of data, coalitions, services and support, and advocacy to transform Central Texas, responding to urgent needs with impactful solutions. Our data strategy enables United Way to tell its story of impact and amplify that impact across the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of the community. We provide insights to inform decision-making together with civic and elected leaders, nonprofit and public service providers, and our community at large. Why is this important? Because our data is more than just a repository of information. We are the caretakers of research-based insights, with our fingers […]
![Our New Strategic Framework: Coalitions that confront economic inequality](https://www.unitedwayaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/52989303236_709e114e49_k-1024x683.jpg)
Our New Strategic Framework: Coalitions that confront economic inequality
Model Community meets quarterly to increase knowledge and collaboration among members, explore emerging topics through workgroups, provide participatory learning opportunities, and gather feedback for evaluation. United Way for Greater Austin advances our mission — bringing our community together to break economic barriers and build opportunity for all — using four strategies. One of those is coalitions. United Way envisions a Central Texas where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. And 2024 marks an important milestone for us: 100 years serving the community! As we reflect on a century of change and a legacy of impact, our new strategic plan harnesses the power of a collaborative community for lasting change for our next 100 years. Our new strategic plan reflects the urgency of addressing economic disparity. We focus on increasing the availability of high-quality early care and education and equitable access to pivotal resources to dismantle economic barriers in Central Texas. Our united front includes dedicated staff, donors, civic and private partners, and an engaged community. Together, we leverage our strategies of data, coalitions, services and support, and advocacy to transform Central Texas, responding to urgent needs with impactful solutions. Inspired by leadership and energy in our community, our grassroots coalitions ignite collective impact with community members and nonprofit partners. These alliances are the heartbeat of our mission, amplifying our efforts to confront economic challenges with unity and strength. Here are some of our impactful coalitions: Success By 6 Coalition: Creates opportunities for infants, toddlers, and young children to receive high-quality […]
![In her darkest moment, United Way for Greater Austin offered a network of support](https://www.unitedwayaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/49464178533_2d81326aab_k-1024x683.jpg)
In her darkest moment, United Way for Greater Austin offered a network of support
United Way for Greater Austin advances our mission — bringing our community together to break economic barriers and build opportunity for all — using four strategies. One of those is services and support. United Way envisions a Central Texas where everyone has an opportunity to thrive. And 2024 marks an important milestone for us: 100 years serving the community! As we reflect on a century of change and a legacy of impact, our new strategic plan lays a strong foundation for our next 100 years. Our new strategic plan galvanizes our promise to realize a future where every child is set up for success with high-quality early care and education – in a community where everyone is connected to the essential resources they need, when they need them. Through this plan, four key strategies emerged. One of them is services and support. One example of our work in services and support is our Navigation Center, which paved the way for connecting local families and individuals to resources in our region. For more than 25 years, we have served as a 24/7 helpline that connects families and individuals right here in our community to more than 30,000 resources. Last year, we answered more than 200,000 requests for help – that’s one call every two minutes. Our Navigation Center is just one example of our work in services and support. Programs like Family Connects and Parenting Students Project provide health and education services to families in our region. We also support more […]
![His life changed in an instant](https://www.unitedwayaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/services-and-support.png)
His life changed in an instant
United Way for Greater Austin advances our mission — bringing our community together to break economic barriers and build opportunity for all — using four strategies. One of those is services and support. United Way envisions a Central Texas where everyone has an opportunity to thrive. And 2024 marks an important milestone for us: 100 years serving the community! As we reflect on a century of change and a legacy of impact, our new strategic plan lays a strong foundation for our next 100 years. Our new strategic plan galvanizes our promise to realize a future where every child is set up for success with high-quality early care and education – in a community where everyone is connected to the essential resources they need, when they need them. Our services and support strategy unites us toward our vision of a Central Texas where everyone has an opportunity to thrive. One example of our work in services and support is our Navigation Center, which paved the way for connecting local families and individuals to resources in our region. For more than 25 years, we have served as a 24/7 helpline that connects people right here in our community to more than 30,000 resources. Last year, we answered more than 200,000 requests for help – that’s one call every two minutes. United Way programs like Family Connects and the Parenting Students Project also provide health and education services to families in our region. Beyond providing essential support directly to families and individuals, […]
![For an expecting mother, access to essential resources means safety for her family.](https://www.unitedwayaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/48000996102_d358f64901_k-1024x683.jpg)
For an expecting mother, access to essential resources means safety for her family.
United Way for Greater Austin advances our mission — bringing our community together to break economic barriers and build opportunity for all — using four strategies. One of those is services and support. United Way envisions a Central Texas where everyone has an opportunity to thrive. And 2024 marks an important milestone for us: 100 years serving the community! As we reflect on a century of change and a legacy of impact, our new strategic plan lays a strong foundation for our next 100 years. Our new strategic plan galvanizes our promise to realize a future where every child is set up for success with high-quality early care and education – in a community where everyone is connected to the essential resources they need, when they need them. Through this plan, four key strategies emerged. One of them is services and support. One example of our work in services and support is our Navigation Center, which paved the way for connecting local families and individuals to resources in our region. For more than 25 years, we have served as a 24/7 helpline that connects families and individuals right here in our community to more than 30,000 resources. Last year, we answered more than 200,000 requests for help – that’s one call every two minutes. Our Navigation Center is just one example of our work in services and support. Programs like Family Connects and Parenting Students Project provide health and education services to families in our region. We also support more […]
![For a young mother with medical debt, one call provided hope](https://www.unitedwayaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/48821115423_7f549906c9_k-2-1024x683.jpg)
For a young mother with medical debt, one call provided hope
United Way for Greater Austin advances our mission — bringing our community together to break economic barriers and build opportunity for all — using four strategies. One of those is services and support. United Way envisions a Central Texas where everyone has an opportunity to thrive. And 2024 marks an important milestone for us: 100 years serving the community! As we reflect on a century of change and a legacy of impact, our new strategic plan lays a strong foundation for our next 100 years. Our new strategic plan galvanizes our promise to realize a future where every child is set up for success with high-quality early care and education – in a community where everyone is connected to the essential resources they need, when they need them. Through this plan, four key strategies emerged. One of them is services and support. One example of our work in services and support is our Navigation Center, which paved the way for connecting local families and individuals to resources in our region. For more than 25 years, we have served as a 24/7 helpline that connects families and individuals right here in our community to more than 30,000 resources. Last year, we answered more than 200,000 requests for help – that’s one call every two minutes. Our Navigation Center is just one example of our work in services and support. Programs like Family Connects and Parenting Students Project provide health and education services to families in our region. We also support more […]
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