*Trigger warning: This story contains content about suicidal ideation. She was sitting on the side of the road in her broken-down car. The last time she felt this overwhelmed, she was admitted to a psychiatric hospital. One year earlier Single parenting caused her daily stress: Where would she find the resources to provide child care, medical care, and healthy meals for her two children? She had a baby on the way. This, combined with her mother’s passing, had plummeted Taylor into suicidal ideation. Taylor spent three months in psychiatric treatment. Her third baby’s due date was fast approaching. Negative encounters with doctors in the past left her hesitant to seek proper prenatal care. Taylor received a referral for the Pathways Community HUB program in her area. The program, launched by the United Way and supported by local donors, provides newly pregnant and postpartum mothers with resources to thrive. From the moment her Community Health Worker, Melissa, came into her life, Taylor and her family would never be the same. When Taylor delivered her baby, Melissa was right by her side, advocating for her care. She amplified Taylor’s concerns to medical professionals, ensuring her basic needs were met and providing a consistent, supportive presence. Now Sitting in her car, Taylor remembered the support her Community Health Worker provided. She picked up the phone and called Melissa again. Within 30 minutes, Melissa arrived to pick up Taylor and her children, assuring them everything would be okay. Taylor’s car was impounded, leaving her […]
Empowering. Energizing. Uplifting. A sold-out crowd of more than 300 people came to Gathering for Good on May 1, 2025, 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 over $140,000! Like a prism refracting light into brilliance, Women United takes on challenges and turns them into action. At Gathering for Good, we celebrated the many roles we play — parent, mentor, advocate, entrepreneur, friend — and the strength we carry collectively. When we bring our full spectrum of talents, perspectives, and lived experiences into focus, the possibilities are truly endless. Together, we are Empowering a Spectrum of Change. Our deepest gratitude to our amazing keynote speaker, Daniela, for sharing her inspiring story of perseverance. Her experience with United Way is an example of how access to resources and support from community members can lead to real and lasting change. “With the guidance of United Way, I’ve learned to advocate for myself, and I have found ways to be successful despite the adversity I have faced. Struggle is universal for everyone. Just because someone carries their pain or struggle well doesn’t mean it’s not heavy. We all face different adversities. We come from different backgrounds. We are different colors, shapes, and sizes, and we carry different burdens. But together we can create change. We can empower one another. We can continue to be the change in our community by helping others shine through adversity.” Thanks […]
Growing up, Kendra never imagined she’d one day be giving back to the very place that once helped her family survive. “As a child, we came to the Round Rock Serving Center to get help with our bills, canned goods, and pastries,” Kendra said. Her mother, a single parent who had moved to Texas without a support system, worked hard to care for Kendra and her two sisters. “My mom never made it known she was counting pennies at the end of the week for groceries,” Kendra said. Now, as an adult and a mother herself, Kendra sees those struggles through new eyes. “Looking back, I know that things were hard. I didn’t have the nicest clothes. We didn’t have cable,” Kendra said. “But my mom was strong and instilled a love for community in us.” Today, Kendra works at Farmer’s Insurance and is raising two young children with her husband in Round Rock. Inspired by the strength of her mother, Kendra is committed to giving her kids the opportunities her own mom fought to provide. When Farmer’s Insurance offered a chance to volunteer with United Way for Greater Austin, Kendra didn’t think twice. “When the chance came to volunteer at the Serving Center for United Way’s Fall Day of Caring, I knew that’s what I wanted to do. They helped me through my childhood to be able to eat and have a roof over my head,” Kendra said. “I wanted to help someone who has the same story as […]
Program evaluation shows investing in whole-family success makes an impact Parenting students are nearly twice as likely to leave school for preventable reasons: lack of child care, conflicting course and work schedules, and even convenient transportation*. Today, 1 in 5 college students in the US are parents **. Without adequate support, they face higher risks of financial insecurity, reduced quality of life due to time constraints or “time poverty,” and discontinuing college courses. Over the last four years, The Parenting Students Project (PSP) pilot program provided comprehensive support for a group of these students. The program set out to improve academic outcomes and financial stability for the families. The results proved organization and institutional collaboration is a key combination: We partnered with Austin Community College to undergo this pilot program. We also partnered with Trellis Strategies to evaluate its impact. Trellis evaluated 91 students in the program and released their evaluation results in a report earlier this year. The report highlights the value and impact that the Parenting Students Project resources had on students. The resources included: $500 monthly stipend Peer networking/engagement Leadership and advocacy opportunities Academic counseling Other wrap-around services, such as child care stipends Read the Report Report Highlights: 88% of students who had ever participated in the PSP had either graduated or were still enrolled at ACC in Spring 2024, compared to 54% of parenting students who had never participated. 95% of students who participated in the PSP in a given term were retained into the following […]
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 […]
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 […]
Understanding how early education is funded in Travis County By Margo Kinneberg, Early Care and Education Special Project Manager Creating a Local Funding Stream Last week, Children’s Funding Project published a case study of Travis County’s path to approving Proposition A in 2024. United Way for Greater Austin played an important role in this victory, which dedicates a portion of local property taxes to creating more affordable, high-quality child care and after school programs in our community. The case study highlights the years of coalition-building and advocacy that led to the successful ballot measure. Travis County’s Fiscal Landscape The fiscal map shows the number of funding sources that support each early childhood age range and describes each of those sources. Thanks to support from the City of Austin and technical assistance from Children’s Funding Project, we have created an early childhood fiscal map for the years preceding the passing of Proposition A. Partners can use this interactive tool to see the variety of sources that fund early childhood education in Travis County. It shows fluctuation in these funding streams over time; overall funding decreased from 2022 to 2023 – at the same time, the need for affordable child care increased. This trend underscores the importance of Proposition A and its creation of a sustainable, dedicated funding source for early childhood education. What’s Next Travis County is working to implement Proposition A, which will be overseen by Health and Human Services. The Austin/Travis County Success By 6 coalition is supporting the […]
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, […]
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 […]
United Way for Greater Austin brings our community together to advocate for change that affects all of us. Here’s what you need to know. Our work in high-quality early care and education and equitable access to resources must be implemented at the policy level to bring about lasting change. That’s why we use grassroots advocacy – to make sure our efforts have lasting solutions. As we enter the 89th Texas Legislative Session, United Way has adopted a 2025-2026 Public Policy Agenda to ensure our biggest goals are rooted in a plan for action. Throughout the Session, we’ll be working hands-on with early educators, resource specialists, civic and coalition leaders, and nonprofit partners to voice our most pressing concerns to legislators. Advocacy Opportunities We are excited to share two advocacy opportunities at the Texas Capitol. At these events, we will lobby with state, city, and district representatives for their support on crucial bills that align with our goals of early care and education, and access to basic resources. February 26, 2025: 2025 Texas United Capitol Day Join us to lobby with state legislators by filling out this form. Please include United Way for Greater Austin as your United Way affiliation. March 6, 2025: Early Childhood Capitol Day Stay tuned for more details. Through the 89th Legislative Session and beyond, you can also join us as an advocacy volunteer! As an advocacy volunteer, you can get involved in a variety of ways – like gaining education about an issue, raising public awareness […]