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 27. Child abuse and neglect statistics in Travis County and Texas have improved slightly since last year, but the reality is still heartbreaking: In 2024 in Travis County, there were: 975 children under the age of 6 were confirmed victims of abuse and neglect; 119 children […]
Read More ?>Advocates speak up for all Central Texans at the Capitol
United Way Capitol Day on February 26, community advocates visited the Texas State Capitol and met with 13 elected officials about ways to support early care and education and access to resources. Community members, nonprofit and corporate leaders, dedicated volunteers, and more rally for a thriving Central Texas Our work in high-quality early care and education and equitable access to resources must have systemic implementation to bring about change. That’s why we use grassroots advocacy – to make sure our efforts have lasting solutions. The 89th Texas Legislative Session brings big opportunities to speak up for theselasting solutions. As our elected officials meet to discuss legislation, dozens of community members, nonprofit and civic leaders, United Way committee members, volunteers, and staff came together at the Texas State Capitol to share about their lived experiences and the public policy priorities that aim to build opportunity for all. Early childcare providers and supporters met with Marco Benitez, Senior Policy Analyst with Representative James Talarico, to discuss ways to improve the early childcare ecosystem. Capitol Days bring powerful voices together Three special advocacy days marked opportunities to elevate our work. 211 Day: Recognizing the vital services our 211 helpline provides to thousands of Central Texans each year, United Way leaders and staff advocated for crucial upgrades to the 211 system on “211 Day,” February 11 (2/11). Texas United Way Capitol Day: United Way volunteers, community members, nonprofit partners, and staff met with 13 House and Senate Representatives at the Texas State Capitol on […]
Read More ?>A Night United 2025: Honoring Our Community and Celebrating a New Chapter at United Way
On March 1, 2025, United Way for Greater Austin will host its 7th annual A Night United, a sold-out evening of impact, philanthropy and celebration. This highly anticipated event brings together Austin’s business and community leaders in support of United Way’s mission to break economic barriers and build opportunity for all. This year’s event marks an important milestone as we welcome incoming CEO Ingrid Taylor, who will take the helm from longtime leader David C. Smith. A passionate advocate for economic mobility and community-driven change, Ingrid will share her vision for United Way’s next chapter, ensuring continued progress for Central Texas families. Celebrating Our Sponsors A Night United is made possible thanks to the generosity of our incredible sponsors, whose commitment to driving meaningful change in our community is inspiring. We are deeply grateful for their support: Presenting Sponsor ⭐ Texas Mutual Insurance Company Changemaker Sponsor ⭐ H-E-B Uniter Sponsors ⭐ ABC Home & Commercial Services ⭐ Corridor Title ⭐ Ed & Rebecca Latson ⭐ Vanessa & Matt Luckie Convener Sponsors ⭐ Deloitte ⭐ Latham & Watkins These organizations are true partners in progress, helping to ensure that every child and family in our region has access to education, health and financial stability opportunities. A Night of Impact and Inspiration With anticipated attendance of more than 400 community leaders, the evening will feature remarks from Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, Event Co-Chairs Jeremiah Bentley and Malini Rajput, United Way Board Chair Kristin Marcum, and both our outgoing and incoming CEOs. Additionally, […]
Read More ?>United Way for Greater Austin Welcomes Ingrid K. Taylor as New CEO
United Way for Greater Austin Welcomes Ingrid K. Taylor as New CEO Austin, Texas – Following an extensive national search, United Way for Greater Austin is proud to announce Ingrid Taylor as its new Chief Executive Officer. “I am honored to join United Way for Greater Austin and continue the work United Way does best and uniquely, which is to expand access to affordable, high-quality early care and education, and connect mothers and families to social services that improve their health,” Taylor said. “Driving meaningful change is always a result of collective effort, and I am eager to collaborate with our team, partners and community members to create lasting impact. Together, we can ensure every child, family and individual in Central Texas has the opportunity to thrive.” Taylor’s extensive experience includes more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership with roles at Ascension Texas and The University of Texas at Austin, as well as the Texas Comptroller’s Office and the United States Senate. She also served as an elected member of the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees for four years. Taylor has degrees from The University of Texas at Austin LBJ School of Public Affairs and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is married to James S. Taylor, a partner at Vianovo, and they have lived in Austin for 30 years. They have two grown children, both of whom also live in Austin. “Ingrid (Taylor) brings a wealth of leadership experience, a proven track record of impact and a deep […]
Read More ?>A Special Message from the CEO
Serving as CEO of United Way for Greater Austin over the last nine years is the honor of my lifetime. I knew from day one that I was standing on the shoulders of giants, but I never imagined the immense joy I would discover in this community of partners, teachers, advocates, leaders and volunteers. United Way has always valued innovation and creative ideas to address our community’s toughest challenges. It is in that spirit that I have decided this is the right time for United Way for Greater Austin to welcome a new leader with fresh perspectives to build on our strong foundation and lead the organization to new heights. Right certainly doesn’t mean easy, and this was not an easy decision. I am humbled to have been a steward of the great ideas and passions of this community. My time at United Way has never been about me, but about we. Together, we–the entire United Way family–have done amazing work to transform our community and have placed United Way for Greater Austin in an incredibly strong position I am more energized by the work than ever before, and I know that the Board, staff, and the entire community will continue to step up to bring much needed change to those most in need. I leave knowing the organization is in the hands of a strong, diverse Board of our community’s brightest leaders, and the most passionate, talented, creative, and committed staff imaginable. They will continue to lead us in […]
Read More ?>Join thousands of volunteers at H-E-B’s Feast of Sharing
By Tamra Jones, Public Affairs, H-E-B For over two decades, United Way for Greater Austin has been proud to partner with H-E-B for its annual Feast of Sharing, an event that brings together thousands of volunteers to help provide meals to over 10,000 people in Central Texas. Filled with food, music, and good cheer, this free holiday feast is open to the public and brings together family, friends, and neighbors. This H-E-B tradition is in its 35th year and an important part of H-E-B’s Hunger Relief Program, which works year-round to prevent hunger and has donated more than 1 billion pounds of food to local non-profit organizations. Since the beginning of this H-E-B tradition, more than 375,000 volunteers have helped serve nearly 4 million meals throughout Texas and Mexico. How you can help This year, H-E-B’s Feast of Sharing will occur on Tuesday, November 26. Join thousands of volunteers by signing up for a shift, and help provide meals to our neighbors in Central Texas. We can’t wait to see you there! Sign up to volunteer >
Read More ?>More than 140 volunteers come together for Summer Day of Caring
On Friday, June 3, over 140 volunteers at 12 different locations across Travis and Williamson counties rolled up their sleeves at United Way for Greater Austin’s Summer Day of Caring, a community-wide volunteer event. Volunteers worked on a range of projects, from cleaning up local parks to painting jungle gyms at child development centers to gardening at local nonprofits – and more! “These Days of Caring are so important. It connects us with each other, it connects us with the community, and it connects us with the truth that when one of us suffers we all suffer, and when one of us celebrates we all celebrate,” said United Way for Greater Austin CEO David C. Smith while at a volunteer location in Leander (pictured below). “Volunteering with United Way makes a difference,” shared Terry Cook, Commissioner of Precinct 1 in Williamson County. Terry and her team volunteer every year, and choose to support United Way for Greater Austin because “the tasks chosen by United Way are very impactful.” Events like Summer Day of Caring are a crucial part of United Way’s mission to fight poverty. Volunteering makes a direct impact on our community in a powerful way. Community events like these aren’t possible without the help of our amazing volunteers and sponsors. A big thank you to H-E-B, JPMorgan Chase, QuikTrip, Superior HealthPlan, and Texas Gas Service for their support in making Summer Day of Caring a success! Check out the full photo album for Summer Day of Caring here. […]
Read More ?>Austin-based Superior HealthPlan Filling a Need with Hygiene Closets
This blog was written by Superior HealthPlan Director of Communications Michael Cation. Superior HealthPlan is a long-time corporate partner of United Way for Greater Austin and a pillar of our community. Together with our partners like Superior, we’re making a real difference for children and families across our Austin region. Shampoo. Toothpaste. Feminine hygiene products. These are just a few of the items individuals from lower-income neighborhoods often struggle to buy. That’s why Superior HealthPlan, a leading managed care organization in Texas, has been working with schools and nonprofits in Austin and beyond to launch hygiene closets. As part of this initiative, which kicked off in 2020 during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Superior provides grants to community-based organizations to help stock these closets for individuals in need. “We’re excited to support the Austin community as well as many others in Texas by providing families access to personal care items,” said Mark Sanders, President, and CEO of Superior HealthPlan. “Combined with the many other community programs and family services we offer, hygiene closets allow us to help Texans right where they are.” The initiative began by partnering with 6 organizations that support the disability community. Following a wealth of positive feedback, Superior decided to expand the program in 2021 and has supported even more organizations this year. To date, Superior has provided more than $300,000 in funding to more than 70 organizations and schools in Texas, including more than $20,000 to the following in the Austin area: Austin […]
Read More ?>Honor Dr. MLK Jr.’s life and legacy with us
Join us Monday, January 17 as we continue our annual tradition of gathering with our neighbors in service and learning to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King believed in the power of individuals to strengthen communities and achieve common goals, and all of us here at United Way do too. That’s what our mission – bringing people, ideas, and resources together to fight poverty in our community – is all about. For our 2022 MLK Jr. Day of Service, we invite you to join us for one or several socially-distanced activities, all of which carry on Dr. King’s legacy of anti-racism, justice, and equity. Learn: Take our self-guided walking tour. Walk through part of the area of Austin that was originally created to segregate Black Austinites in 1928, and reflect on how walking played a critical role in the Civil Rights Era. Give: Donate books to the “I Am Brave” book drive. We’re partnering with Brave Communities to provide reading material to young people from vaccine-hesitant populations, and bring awareness of the importance of diverse representation and storytelling in books. Advocate: Advocacy is volunteerism, and we encourage you to use your voice to enact change in 2022. The Texas Primary Election is March 1. Voter education impacts voter turnout, so take some time today to make sure that you and your loved ones are registered to vote. Volunteer: Get outside this MLK Jr. Day with the Austin Parks Foundation. Check out […]
Read More ?>Family Resource Fair: A family-friendly event offering free books, rent assistance, and more
The pandemic put a long pause on in-person events, attributing to fewer families receiving the resources they need for their little ones. These in-person events allow parents to feel heard and supported, ultimately encouraging engagement in their child’s development. With vaccine rates rising, and in-person learning back in place, United Way and Austin ISD partnered to bring back the Family Resource Fair for a second time. On Saturday, November 13, the Family Resource Fair took place at Uphaus Early Childhood Center in south Austin. Families in the surrounding area were invited to an outdoor event offering resources like ECE/ESL registration, rent assistance programs, parenting groups, career services, camps, and more. A special thank you to our partners for coming out and supporting families and children. Have questions about participating in the next Family Resource Fair? Contact Stephanie Gatica at Stephanie.Gatica@uwatx.org.
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