Behind every community resource is a person who believes deeply in the power of connection. For Cecilia, that belief was shaped long before joining United Way for Greater Austin. Growing up with a front-row seat to her mother’s work with United Way in the Rio Grande Valley, she saw early on how meaningful community support could be. That foundation led her to United Way in Austin, where her journey with 2-1-1 and ConnectCTX would continue to grow. In this blog, she shares her path, why this work remains important, and what she’s learned along the way. My Journey with United Way and ConnectCTX I’ve been part of the United Way family since 2017, but my connection to the organization actually goes back much further. My mom has worked for United Way for most of my life in the Rio Grande Valley. Growing up, I saw firsthand how meaningful this work could be. When I moved to Austin for college, it felt like the right time to step into that world myself. I interviewed for a part-time role with the 211 team as a Navigation Specialist, and that role turned into so much more. Since then, I’ve had the chance to work across 211, the Behavioral Health Team, and ConnectCTX, our resource database. Each one has taught me something different. What I Love About ConnectCTX One of my favorite things about working with ConnectCTX is how new it is. We’re constantly growing this closed-loop resource tool so it meets our neighbors […]
Layla was tired. A single mom of two teens, she worked full-time and still struggled to afford the basics. She and her children shared a bedroom in her sister’s house. Without a car, she relied on buses and family rides to get to work and take her kids to school. For months, she fought to apply for health insurance benefits. Each time, her application was denied – not because she didn’t qualify, because the language barrier made the process confusing. Without an interpreter, every conversation about documentation left her stuck. Then, at her friend’s suggestion, Layla called 2-1-1, United Way’s 24/7 helpline connecting people to resources like food, housing, utilities, transportation, and health care. On the other end of the line was Alicia, a compassionate Navigation Specialist who listened with patience and understanding. Sensing how overwhelmed Layla was, Alicia invited her to the United Way office so they could complete the application together. An expert on community resources, Alicia guided Layla through the application, and they submitted it together. This time, her application was approved. For the first time, her children had health insurance. “Before, when my kids got sick, the most I could do was buy vitamins and pain relievers,” Layla said. “It broke my heart to see them sick and not be able to help. Now, I’m not as worried.” Without someone checking in and believing in her, Layla might have given up. “United Way helped me build a better life for myself and my kids,” she said. “My […]
The federal government shut down on October 1 and reopened on November 12. Full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits resumed November 14, providing vital support to thousands of Central Texans who rely on SNAP to feed themselves and their families. Even with benefits restored, many neighbors will continue to feel the ripple effects of the gap in SNAP services. United Way for Greater Austin stands ready to connect families to immediate food relief or help them apply for SNAP to ensure long-term stability. This is a developing list of information, resources, and ways you can support families affected. Please check back for ongoing updates. What We Know Now SNAP benefits resumed in full November 14. SNAP participants who receive benefits on or after the 14th of the month will receive their full benefits on their normal issuance date. SNAP participants who already received partial benefits will receive the rest of their monthly amount on or after November 14. Many Central Texans were struggling to put food on the table before the federal shutdown. Last year, our Navigation Center received more than 30,000 requests for food – our community’s top need. Resources 211 and ConnectCTX Call 2-1-1 (option 1), our 24/7 helpline, for information on food distributions, utilities, financial support, health care, transportation, child care, support applying for SNAP and more. Our trained Navigation Specialists are ready to connect you to resources you need. Our ConnectCTX referral database closes the loop and connects our neighbors to long-term support tools. Call […]
Belonging is the foundation for a thriving community. When families are economically stable, have reliable access to resources they need to be healthy and well, and feel connected to their communities, they can reach their full potential. That’s what United Way for Greater Austin works for every day. Last year, with you, we made incredible strides toward that vision. Last year alone We answered over 1,000 requests daily for resources like food, health care, and housing We helped 18,000+ young children from low-income households gain access to high-quality early learning We connected 115,890 individuals and children to critical resources Early Education Win Building Stronger Futures: $75M Invested in Early Learning Through Proposition A At United Way, we believe that every child deserves a strong start, and that begins with access to high-quality early care and education. Thanks to our advocacy efforts and the support of our community, we celebrated a major win last year: the passing of Proposition A in Travis County. This measure secured $75 million annually in local funding to strengthen the early childhood care system, supporting 10,000 children. Our work didn’t stop there. Through additional legislative advocacy, we helped reduce permit restrictions for new child care centers and championed policies to streamline support for preschools, making it easier for centers, school districts, and teachers to reach more children with quality care and education. Still, we know that early learning is just one piece of the puzzle. Ensuring individuals and families have easy access to pivotal resources plays […]
The first few days and weeks home with a new baby can be a challenging time for all families, and research indicates that more than 90 percent of families can use some additional support. Family Connects Austin/Travis County nurses are trained to answer questions and connect families with the support they need. The program is simple — a registered nurse comes to visit around 3 weeks to check on mom, baby, and the whole family. Last month, Family Connects expanded to serve all families, regardless of which county they live in, who are Texas residents and have given birth at partner hospitals Ascension Seton Main or St. David’s South hospitals. Expanding beyond Travis County, Family Connects is now reaching more mothers, newborns, and parents with wellness checks, developmental resources, and vital care for mothers in their newborn’s first few weeks of life, regardless of income. Nurses perform comprehensive health and wellness assessments for mothers and their newborns in the comfort of their home. By identifying risks early, facilitating access to care, and providing education and support, Family Connects works to save lives and promote long-term health for babies and their families. “We were so blessed to have had Family Connects reach out to us,” said Zahra, a local mother. “The experience came at a very difficult and vulnerable time for me as a first time mom, and the compassion and care Nurse Sandy showed my baby and me was unparalleled. Not only was I provided a tremendous amount of newborn […]
Maria Dominguez, founder of Cielito Lindo Spanish Immersion Preschools, has grown her program to three locations across Greater Austin. Maria Dominguez knew she wanted to be a teacher since she was 9. Sitting outside her apartment with an easel and folding table, she helped neighborhood kids with their homework, her first makeshift classroom. That spark grew each year. Maria earned her degree in bilingual education, taught pre-K and first grade, and became a school counselor. When her daughter was born, a new dream took root: creating a safe, nurturing early learning environment so more children could access the same high-quality care she wanted for her daughter. The seed for Cielito Lindo, her Spanish immersion preschool, was planted. Living Room to Lifelong Learning Maria opened Cielito Lindo out of her living room. Five years later, the center has grown to three Austin locations. Two schools have received the highest quality rating in Texas, with the third on the way. Today, 95 children are enrolled in Cielito Lindo schools, learning in language-rich environments with small class sizes and nurturing teachers. Obstacles Face Families and Providers Building a small business has brought hurdles. Maria navigated complex city permits, licensing, and leasing requirements while striving to reach more families. Families across Greater Austin face their own barriers to accessing care: 6,171 children under age 6 are on the waitlist for high-quality subsidized child care. Partnering for a Stronger Early Childhood System That’s where United Way steps in. Maria joined United Way’s Pre-K Partnerships and […]
Many college students face major barriers to completing their education. They lack access to basic resources like food, transportation, health care, and child care needed for college and career readiness. To help them reach their full potential, we are launching a new program with Austin Community College (ACC) to equip them with the resources they need to thrive. The program, starting Fall 2025, will use our resource navigation tool, ConnectATX, to connect ACC students at the Highland and Round Rock campuses with supports, including food, health care, transportation, benefits support, child care, and more. “This program can open doors for hundreds of students to not only meet their goals, but to dream bigger,” said United Way for Greater Austin CEO Ingrid Taylor. “We’re committed to understanding each student’s needs and building the kind of lasting support that helps them thrive in school and in life.” This launch follows a four-year partnership between United Way and Austin Community College to provide parenting students with resources to thrive. The program, Parenting Students Project, supported participants with a monthly stipend, wraparound services, and a network of support. A survey from Trellis Strategies showed 88% of students who participated in that program either graduated or stayed in school through Spring 2024, compared to 54% of parenting students who did not participate in the program. The new pilot aims to connect hundreds of ACC students with the support systems they need to complete their education and build long-term stability. “Our students are parents, workers, and […]
Stephanie Myers never thought she’d be feeding 300 families a week. Her bakery closed in 2020, and she and her business partner found themselves with hundreds of pounds of flour and no idea what to do with it. So, they baked loaves of bread and made tortillas for anyone who needed them, offering three loaves for 75 cents. “Then, people started bringing me canned goods – I didn’t advertise it. People just dropped them off on my front porch,” she said. She posted a photo on Facebook of the canned sweet corn, tomato soup, and other goods and let people know they were up for grabs. After that post, 20 people showed up at her home in Bartlett, a rural town of about 1,600 residents on the border of Bell and Williamson counties. Food kept showing up. Within a month, 100 people had come in response to her posts. From Bakery to 501(c)3 Five years later, Stephanie has grown her food program into a nonprofit called Neighbors Serving Neighbors. More than 1,000 Central Texans from rural areas walk, drive, bike, and even ride their lawnmowers to her house every month to pick up canned goods, bread, fresh produce, and more. As Neighbors Serving Neighbors has grown, local organizations, churches, and even Panera Bread have reached out to provide large food distributions on a regular basis. Feeding Families, the United Way United Way for Greater Austin powers one of those organizations. Every Monday, The Common Market delivers dozens of boxes of […]
We continue to recover and rebuild following the devastating July 4 Central Texas floods. The damage is extensive, and recovery will continue for months to come. We also continue to mourn with those who lost loved ones. We are grateful to the first responders, local officials, and volunteers who are engaged in long-term recovery efforts. We are equally grateful for the many calls we have received asking for ways to support our greater Central Texas region. With your support, we have raised and deployed nearly $200,000 to the following agencies. We encourage you to stay in touch and follow these agencies for updates. Monetary Donations Ark of the Highland Lakes – Burnet County Flood Relief Fund Austin Area Disaster Network – Central Texas Flooding Fund Central Texas Community Foundation – Travis County Care Flood Relief Fun Central Texas Community Foundation – Wilco Cares Flood Relief Fund Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country – Kerr County Flood Relief Fund Texas Search and Rescue – 4th of July Texas Floods United Way Concho Valley – San Angelo Area Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund. Checks can be mailed to San Angelo Area Foundation, 221 S. Irving Street, San Angelo, TX 76903 United Way San Antonio and Bexar County – United for Kerr County Fund Physical Donations Operation Liberty Hill – See website for list of needs We Are Blood – Donate blood The following agencies require volunteers. Please do not self-deploy; unauthorized volunteers can create congestion and interfere with professional search, rescue, and recovery […]
They were running out of options. After months of doctor visits, one thing became clear: 17-year-old Marco needed life-saving scoliosis surgery. The curve in his spine was worsening as he grew, beginning to crush his lungs and making it harder for him to breathe. But the Ruiz family couldn’t afford the surgery. They didn’t have health insurance, and Marco’s father had recently lost his job. A year earlier, the family applied for Medicaid but never heard back. As weeks turned into months with no answer, they began to lose hope. Then, Marco’s high school support team connected him with a Community Health Worker. The Community Health Worker, Carmen, is part of the United Way-led Pathways Community HUB. This program supports rural communities with resources to improve health outcomes. Carmen understood their urgency and recommended going in person to the Texas Health and Human Services office. She had built trusted relationships with the staff there and believed she could help. But she didn’t just suggest it. She went to the office with them. Together, they submitted a new application. This time, Marco was approved for Medicaid on the spot. His parents, stunned and grateful, left the office in tears. After a year of silence, they finally had an answer. A few weeks later, Marco underwent surgery. It was a success. He can breathe again. The crushing pain in his neck and legs is gone. He’s back to being a teenager — dreaming about his future, walking taller, and laughing more easily. […]