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WE'RE MEETING HERE IN PERSON AT 700 LAKO WITH COMMISSIONER SHADE.
[Austin Homeless Student Assistance Fund News Conference]
AND I'M A NEWER ADVOCATE TO THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS, PARTICULARLY STUDENT OR YOUTH HOMELESSNESS.AND I'M THE CREATOR OF THE NEW CITY OF AUSTIN HOMELESS STUDENT ASSISTANCE FUND, WHICH HAS BEEN ON THE UTILITY BILL SINCE FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND WATCHING THIS NOW OR AT A LATER TIME.
ALL THE FOLKS FROM THE MEDIA, THE PRINT MEDIA, THE ONLINE MEDIA, ET CETERA.
UH, AFTER I SPOKE WITH OTHERS, THEY'LL COME TO THE PODIUM AND THEY'LL GIVE US THEIR NAME AND WHAT THEIR JOB TITLE IS, AND IDEALLY, AS THEY'RE SPEAKING, TELL US WHAT CONNECTION THAT THEY HAVE TO THIS ISSUE, UH, AND WHY THEY BELIEVE IT'S IMPORTANT TO THEM OR TO THEIR ORGANIZATION.
IT IS QUITE A CHALLENGE, AND WE'LL GET MORE INFORMATION SOON FROM A I S D ABOUT THE EXTENT OF THAT CHALLENGE FOR STUDENT OR YOUTH HOMELESSNESS.
THE FOCUS WILL BE ON THE HOMELESS STUDENT FUND, BUT I'LL ALSO GIVE SOME HISTORICAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE OTHER FUNDS THAT ARE ON THE BILL NOW.
AND THAT INFORMATION IS, YOU WANNA GO AHEAD AND KICK IT UP? YES, PLEASE.
I NEED THE, I NEED THE GRAPHIC.
SO CAN YOU COME UP WITH THIS PLACE AND HOLD IT UP? IF SOME OF 'EM WERE GETTING A PAPER BILL, THIS IS WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE.
IT WOULD BE THIS FUND HERE THAT'S HELPED PEOPLE PAY THEIR BILL IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION IF THEY LOSE THEIR JOB OR THEY LOSE THEIR HEALTH COVERAGE, CALLED THE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM CONTRIBUTION, OFTEN CALLED PLUS ONE.
THIS HAS BEEN ON THE BILL FOR THE LONGEST TIME AND IS GENEROUSLY DONATED TO BY CITIZENS AND ALSO SUPPLEMENTED BY AUSTIN ENERGY AND FUNDING FROM AUSTIN ENERGY.
THE SECOND ONE IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER IS THE PARKS AND LIBRARIES FUND.
THAT FUND HAS BEEN ON THE BILL FOR OVER 10 YEARS NOW.
ORIGINALLY IT WAS A DIFFERENT NAME, AND THE PARKS PORTION OF THAT FUND HELPS PAY FOR HALF THE COST OF SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FAMILIES THAT CAN'T NORMALLY FUND THE COST OF A SUMMER CAMP OR A SPORTS LEAGUE.
THE FINAL ONE IS THE HOMELESS STUDENT ASSISTANCE FUND, AND THAT'S BEEN ON THE BILL SINCE FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR, AS I MENTIONED.
AND THAT ONE IS ONE THAT WE'RE HERE TO FOCUS ON TODAY.
ON THE PARKS AND LIBRARIES FUND, FOR EXAMPLE, 119 GRANTS WERE GIVEN SO FAR THIS YEAR.
THE HOMELESS STUDENT FUND FOR POINT OF CONTEXT IS THERE WERE BEFORE FEBRUARY OF 2023, THERE WERE ABOUT 390 DONORS AND ABOUT $1,600 IN DONATIONS MONTHLY THAT MONTH WHEN IT WAS A DIFFERENT NAME AND A DIFFERENT PURPOSE.
FORTUNATELY, IT WENT UP IN FEBRUARY, 50% MORE DONORS, 50% MORE DONATIONS.
IT'S, I'M HOPEFUL THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO COLLABORATE VERY SUCCESSFULLY WITH THE DEPARTMENTS OF THE CITY.
I'VE ALREADY ASKED AUSTIN ENERGY TO PUT IN THEIR NEWSLETTER ABOUT THE HOMELESS STUDENT ASSISTANCE FUND.
I'VE TALKED TO A P H TO AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH, AND I'M TRYING TO KNOCK ON EVERYONE'S DOOR OUT THERE WHO'S INTERESTED, WHO HAS AN EE NEWSLETTER, AND I'VE ALSO EVEN CONTACTED A FEW OF MY FRIENDS ON THE CITY COUNCIL TO SEE WHAT THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO TO, UH, SHOW, SHOW, CONTINUE TO SHOW THEIR LEADERSHIP.
SO WE DON'T HAVE ANY SHORT-TERM GOALS ABOUT DONORS AND DONATIONS.
ALL THE ISDS WILL, UH, RECEIVE A PROPORTIONATE AMOUNT OF THE FUNDING THAT'S REMITTED ONCE PER YEAR.
AND THAT NUMBER IS UNKNOWN BECAUSE THIS CURRENT YEAR IS NOT ALREADY PASSED.
SO RIGHT NOW, IN TERMS OF THE WAY THAT THE WOULD FLOW, I'M GONNA INTRODUCE THE NEXT SPEAKER, AND THAT IS THE CHIEF OF FINANCE FROM A I S D.
ANYONE HERE? MR. GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.
I'M THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER FOR AUSTIN, I S D.
UH, ON BEHALF OF THE DISTRICT, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK, UH, THE CITY OF AUSTIN, AUSTIN ENERGY, UH, THE RESIDENTIAL COM, UH, CUSTOMERS, AND ALSO SCOTT JOHNSON FOR THE CREATION OF THIS FUND.
UH, UNDER, UH, AUSTIN, I S D, WE HAVE A PROGRAM CALLED PROJECT HELP.
AND THIS IS A PROGRAM WHOSE MISSION IS TO ENSURE THE EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PROTECTION OF OUR STUDENTS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
AND SO WE ARE, UH, VERY GRATEFUL, UH, FOR THIS FUND, UH, IN 2223.
JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR PROJECT HELP PROGRAM, UH, WE ASSISTED 900 STUDENTS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
AND SO WE ARE ONE OF EIGHT DISTRICTS WHO WILL BENEFIT, UH, FROM THIS FUND.
AND WE, UH, AS, UH, ONCE WE RECEIVE THESE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS, WE WILL MOVE FORWARD AS A DISTRICT,
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UH, TO ENSURE THE STUDENTS LIVING WITH HOUSING INSTABILITY, UH, RECEIVE THE SERVICES AND THE, UH, HELP THAT THEY NEED, UH, TO ENSURE THAT THEY CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY.HELLO, MY NAME IS CARLA ROBERSON.
I SERVE AS THE COORDINATOR OF THE PROJECT HELP PROGRAM FOR AUSTIN.
I SS D AND IT IS A PLACE WHERE WE LOOK EVERY DAY TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS.
WE HAVE A STAFF OF SIX PEOPLE WHO DO THIS WORK ACROSS OUR DISTRICT, ACROSS THE BOARD.
UM, AS THE CHIEF SAID, LAST YEAR, WE SERVED ABOUT A 900 STUDENTS.
WE DO ANTICIPATE THAT THOSE NUMBERS TO GO UP BECAUSE, UM, HOMELESSNESS IS SOMETHING THAT'S NOT GOING AWAY.
I'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU A, A A QUICK LITTLE TIDBIT OF, UH, A STUDENT THAT WE HAD THE FORTUNE OF WORKING WITH LAST YEAR.
SHE CAME TO US FROM ANOTHER STATE, UH, UNSURE WHAT SHE WAS GOING TO DO, HAD NOWHERE TO LIVE.
SHE THOUGHT SHE HAD FAMILY IN THE AREA, SO WE WERE ABLE TO CONNECT WITH HER IMMEDIATELY LOCATE FAM FRIENDS OF HER FAMILY.
AND WE, WITHIN ABOUT A MONTH, GOT HER STABLE AT A CAMPUS SHE IS NOW WORKING.
SHE IS A RISING JUNIOR THIS YEAR, AND SHE IS TOP OF HER CLASS, BUT WE KNOW, AND SHE CONTINUED TO SAY THAT TO US ALL YEAR THAT IT, HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR PROJECT HELP, HELPING ME GET MYSELF STARTED, I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE A SUCCESSFUL STUDENT.
AND SOME OF THE THINGS WE HELPED HER WITH WERE BACKPACKS AND TRANSPORTATION.
WE GOT HER IN TOUCH WITH HEALTH SERVICES SO SHE COULD GET DENTAL WORK DONE AND VISION THINGS, AND JUST ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO AND WE KNOW.
BUT FOR SOMEONE WHO'S 16, TO KNOW THAT SHE NEEDED SUPPORT AND SHE KNEW HER CAMPUS KNEW WHERE TO FOCUS HER TO, WHICH WAS US, AND WE WERE THERE TO HELP HER.
WE'RE ALSO VERY PROUD THIS YEAR IN, IN MAY, THROUGH OUR PROGRAM SUCCESSFULLY, 15 HOMELESS STUDENTS GRADUATED.
UM, WITH THAT, WE WERE ABLE TO GIVE THEM SOME INCENTIVES AS THEY BEGAN THEIR JOURNEY TOWARD COLLEGE AND TECHNICAL PROGRAMS. AND WE'RE JUST VERY PROUD.
AND WE KNOW THAT THE FUNDS FROM THIS, THE, THE, THE FUNDS THAT WE WILL RECEIVE FROM THIS FUNDING SOURCE WILL GO GREATLY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS IN THEIR BASIC LIFE NEEDS.
THANK YOU FOR BEING GENEROUS TO OUR, OUR SCHOOLS.
THANK YOU FOR THINKING OF KIDS.
KNOW THAT YOUR DONATIONS WILL BE USED.
AND ANN HOWARD, TRAVIS, EXCUSE ME.
MY NAME'S ANN HOWARD, AND I'M THE TRAVIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER FOR PRECINCT THREE.
UM, BUT I SPENT, UH, ALMOST 10 YEARS AS THE ECHO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT ENDING COMMUNITY HOMELESSNESS COALITION.
AND DURING THAT TIME, WE HEARD SO MANY STORIES OF CHILDREN WHO WERE EXPERIENCING HARDSHIP.
ONE VERY, UM, TELLING NIGHT WAS WE WERE IN A LIBRARY HAVING FAMILIES COME IN AND TALK ABOUT THE NEED FOR HOUSING.
AND THIS ONE YOUNG LADY TOLD US THE STORY OF HOW HER FAMILY WOULD START THE MORNING AT A GAS STATION BATHROOM SO THAT HER DAD COULD SHAVE IN THE BATHROOM.
SHE ALSO TOLD US THE STORY OF HOW HER BROTHER WAS ASTHMATIC, AND THERE WAS NOWHERE TO PLUG IN THE, WHATEVER YOU CALL THE MASK KIND OF DEAL NEBULIZER, I THINK IS WHAT IT WAS.
AND THEN YOU START THINKING ABOUT WHERE DO KIDS WHO DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO CALL HOME, DO THEIR HOMEWORK? WHERE DO THEY WORK ON THEIR SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT? WHERE DO THEY INVITE KIDS TO, TO PLAY OR HAVE A BIRTHDAY PARTY? WE THEN, UH, YEAR OR TWO ROLLED AROUND AND HOUSING WORKS HOSTED A SUMMIT ABOUT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND, UM, EDUCATION.
AND THE DOCTOR THAT ENDED THE PROGRAM SAID, HOUSE YOUR HOMELESS CHILDREN BECAUSE OF HOW IT CHANGES THE TRAJECTORY FOR THEIR LIFE.
I THEN HAD THE INTENSE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH SUSAN MCDOWELL AND LIFEWORKS ON ENDING YOUTH HOMELESSNESS.
WE'RE, WE'RE STILL WORKING ON THAT, BUT THE, THE CONCEPT OF WHAT ARE THE DRIVERS TO HOMELESSNESS FOR YOUNG ADULTS? AND WHEN YOU LOOK BACK AND WHAT HAVE THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE EXPERIENCED IN THEIR CHILDHOOD, WHAT HAS BEEN THEIR SCHOOL EXPERIENCE OR THEIR FOSTER CARE EXPERIENCE, WE KNOW THERE ARE THINGS TO MAKE BETTER.
AND I THINK THIS EFFORT THE CITY HAS DONE THANK YOU, THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBERS, IS TO REALLY HELPS CREATE AWARENESS AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR
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EVERYBODY TO GIVE WHAT THEY CAN.SO I'M JUST REALLY EXCITED TODAY THAT THIS HOMELESS STUDENT FUND IS, YOU KNOW, HITTING THE, THE NEWS AND THE, THE, THE ENVELOPES OR, YOU KNOW, EMAIL AND, UM, MAYBE WE CAN ALL PITCH IN SO THAT KIDS AROUND THIS COMMUNITY HAVE A, A, A GOOD STRONG START, UM, IN SCHOOL.
UH, I REALLY APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS OF, UH, SCOTT, UH, AND SO MANY OTHERS TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
UH, I'M SURE THAT, UH, EVERYBODY IS FAMILIAR WITH THE AUSTIN UTILITY BILL, WHERE THERE'S THIS KIND OF A SERIES OF BOXES THAT YOU CAN CHECK IF YOU WANTED TO ADD A DOLLAR TO THIS OR A DOLLAR TO THAT.
IT'S THE HOMELESS STUDENT FUND.
UH, THE MONEY AS A SPEAKER, SO, UH, UH, SO APPROPRIATELY SAID, IS GONNA GO TO HELP HOMELESS YOUTH, WHICH IS SUCH A TRAGEDY, IS SO DAMAGING TO THEIR FUTURES.
UH, YOU JUST CANNOT SUCCEED, UH, AS A STUDENT, UH, IN, IN THE FUTURE IF YOU ARE, UH, A YOUTH WHO IS SURVIVING ON THE STREETS.
WE CANNOT HAVE, UH, OUR YOUTH IN AUSTIN, UH, LIVING THOSE KINDS OF LIVES.
SO WE'VE GOTTA PREPARE PEOPLE FOR SUCCESS.
AND THIS IS A WAY THAT, UH, IT'S PRIVATE DONATIONS.
IT'S JUST A CITY TRYING TO FACILITATE DONATIONS THAT WILL THEN GO TO, UH, VERY WORTHY GROUPS THAT WILL ASSIST YOUTH THAT ARE SUFFERING FROM HOMELESSNESS, GETTING SO EXCITED TO, TO MAKE THAT CHANGE.
PRIOR TO THIS, IT WAS A ENERGY ASSISTANCE DONATION, UH, AND THE CITY HAS A ENERGY ASSISTANCE FUND, UH, WHICH IS PRETTY GOOD AT, AT HELPING PEOPLE PAY THEIR UTILITY BILLS.
THE YOUTH HOMELESSNESS WAS SUCH AN URGENT NEED.
UH, WE'VE GOT TO HELP, UH, THOSE KIDS.
AND, UH, AGAIN, I'M JUST VERY PROUD TO, TO BE PART OF IT.
AND AGAIN, THANKS TO, UH, SCOTT AND TO, UH, AND HOWARD BOTH IN HER CAPACITY AS A COUNTY COMMISSIONER AND, AND, UH, PRIOR AS, AS ECHO, UH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
THANK Y'ALL FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO.
AND, UH, WE'RE EXCITED TO, UH, TO, UH, PLAY A PART AND, AND DO, UH, UH, DO, UH, UH, WHAT WE CAN TO, UH, HELP YOUTH HOMELESSNESS AS WELL.
AND LET ME INTRODUCE MY, UH, COLLEAGUE, VANESSA FUENTES.
THANK YOU, COUNCILOR MARVELLA.
I APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE, AND I'M SUPER EXCITED TO BE HERE WITH Y'ALL THIS MORNING.
AS SOMEONE WHO FIRMLY BELIEVES THAT HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT AND THAT NO AUSTINITE SHOULD STRUGGLE WITH HAVING A ROOF OVER THEIR HEAD OR ACCESS TO HEALTHY QUALITY FOOD, UM, THIS IS A WONDERFUL POSITIVE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
AND I CERTAINLY LOVE, WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT THIS INITIATIVE IS THAT IT'S ABOUT AUSTINITES HELPING AUSTINITES NEIGHBORS, HELPING NEIGHBORS.
AND THIS IS PARTICULARLY ABOUT HELPING OUR KIDS HERE IN AUSTIN.
SO I'M SUPER EXCITED AND I WANNA THANK SCOTT JOHNSON FOR YOUR FIERCE ADVOCACY AND GETTING THIS HOMELESSNESS STUDENT ASSISTANT FUN OFF THE GROUND.
AND I REALLY DO BELIEVE IT'S GONNA MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
WE'VE ALREADY HEARD HOW, UH, THIS PROGRAM, UH, IN THE PAST HAS HELPED 900, UH, STUDENTS WITH PROVIDING THE ESSENTIALS FROM SCHOOL SUPPLIES, CLOTHING, ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, DENTAL CARE, ALL THE THINGS THAT HELP OUR KIDS IS WHAT THIS PROGRAM WILL ELEVATE AND DO EVEN MORE OF.
AND SO WITH THAT, I HAVE A SPECIAL MESSAGE ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS THE NUMBER OF HOMELESS STUDENTS IS GROWING IN CENTRAL TEXAS, AND WHEREAS THE EXPANSION OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD AND ACCESS TO CLEAN CLOTHES ARE ALL NEEDED TO SECURE A THRIVING COMMUNITY.
WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN HOMELESS AS STUDENT ASSISTANCE FUND SEEKS TO PROVIDE UNHOUSED STUDENTS WITH THE FUNDAMENTAL RESOURCES NEEDED TO SUCCEED.
NOW, THEREFORE, I VANESSA FUENTES AUSTIN CITY COUNCILWOMAN, ALONGSIDE MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCIL MEMBER CHITO VELA ON BEHALF OF KIRK WATSON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM AUGUST 9TH, 2023 AS HOMELESS STUDENT ASSISTANCE FUND AWARENESS DAY AND RECEIVING THIS PROCLAMATION IS SCOTT JOHNSON AND EDUARDO RAMOS.
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OKAY, ARE WE DONE? SORRY.SUSAN MCDOWELL FROM FROM LIFEWORKS.
I'M SUSAN MCDOWELL, C E O OF LIFEWORKS, WHERE WE ARE FEARLESS ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH WHO ARE ON JOURNEYS TO LIVES.
THEY'RE GONNA LOVE THAT INVOLVES STABILITY FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.
AND AS PART OF OUR MISSION, WE HOUSE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF UNHOUSED YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS EVERY YEAR.
AND HERE'S A LITTLE KNOWN FACT FOR THE YOUTH THAT WE HOUSE, MORE THAN 50% OF THEM ARE THEMSELVES ALREADY PREGNANT OR PARENTING.
ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO, IT WAS ABOUT 10 MINUTES BEFORE WE SHUT DOWN ONE OF OUR OFFICES IN THE EVENING.
IT'S ABOUT EIGHT O'CLOCK AT NIGHT, AND A YOUNG WOMAN WALKS IN 16 YEARS OLD WITH HER, WITH HER BABY, WHO WAS ABOUT THREE OR FOUR MONTHS OLD, AND SHE DIDN'T FEEL SAFE.
SHE DIDN'T HAVE A PLACE TO SLEEP THAT NIGHT.
SHE COULDN'T FIND A SHELTER THAT HAD ROOM FOR HER.
AND SHE SHOWED UP ON OUR DOORSTEP WITH TWO THINGS.
SHE WANTED TO BE SAFE THAT NIGHT.
SHE WANTED SAFETY FOR HERSELF AND HER CHILD.
AND SHE ALSO WANTED TO GO TO SCHOOL THE NEXT DAY.
SHE WANTED A SAFE PLACE TO SLEEP, BUT SHE WAS BOUND AND DETERMINED TO GO TO SCHOOL THE NEXT DAY BECAUSE SHE HAS HER EYES ON COLLEGE.
SO THIS IS WHY WE NEED THIS FUND.
PROJECT HELP IS AN AMAZING RESOURCE FOR YOUTH WITHIN A I S D.
AND I THINK IF THERE HAD BEEN MORE RESOURCES AND MORE PUBLIC AWARENESS, WE COULD HAVE CONNECTED HER TO PROJECT HELP AND TO RESOURCES SOONER THAN HER HAVING TO EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS THAT NIGHT.
ADDITIONALLY, IF THERE HAD BEEN MORE FINANCIAL RESOURCES, SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT COULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS HOMELESSNESS A LITTLE MORE RENT ASSISTANCE IN THE FAMILY, BACKPACKS, CLOTHES, CHILDCARE.
THERE COULD HAVE BEEN RESOURCES TO PREVENT THIS YOUNG WOMAN FROM EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND SO MANY LIKE HER.
SO THIS IS A INCREDIBLY POSITIVE NEXT STEP, NOT JUST IN THE MONEY RECEIVED, BUT ALSO IN THE AWARENESS THAT WE'RE GOING TO RAISE.
I'M ASKED EVERY DAY, WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP WITH HOMELESSNESS AND PARTICULARLY HELP WITH YOUTH HOMELESSNESS, BECAUSE AS ANN MENTIONED, WE KNOW THAT EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IS, AS AN ADOLESCENT, IS ONE OF THE GREATEST PREDICTORS TO EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AS AN ADULT AND EVEN CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS.
SO THIS IS THE POINT TO INTERVENE.
THIS IS THE POINT TO, UH, TO MAKE AN INVESTMENT THAT WILL REALLY HELP THE TRAJECTORY OF A YOUNG PERSON'S LIFE.
AND I OFTEN HEAR, WHAT'S THE CITY DOING? WELL, THE CITY HAS DONE SOMETHING AMAZING WITH THIS OPPORTUNITY.
AUSTIN ENERGY IS DOING SOMETHING AMAZING WITH THIS OPPORTUNITY.
SCOTT, OUR FEARLESS ADVOCATE IN MAKING THIS HAPPEN HAS DONE SOMETHING REALLY IMPORTANT HERE NOW.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT EVERYBODY IN AUSTIN CAN DO, CONTRIBUTE TO THIS FUND, AND MAKE A REAL IMPACT IN THE LIVES OF STUDENTS WHO ARE STRUGGLING, BUT STUDENTS WHO HAVE THE SAME AMBITIONS AND DREAMS OF ANY STUDENT IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
SO I URGE YOU TO CONTRIBUTE, AND I THANK YOU.
UH, MY NAME IS DIANA GRAY AND I HAVE THE HONOR OF SERVING AS THE HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICER FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
UM, PART OF OUR, UH, CHARGE AS THE HOMELESS STRATEGY DIVISION, UH, IS TO GUIDE POLICY AND INVESTMENT AROUND HOMELESSNESS.
BUT ANOTHER BIG PART OF OUR WORK REALLY IS TO COORDINATE BOTH WITHIN THE CITY AND WITH OUR PARTNERS ACROSS THE COMMUNITY.
UM, WE NEED SO MANY PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS WITH THEIR SHOULDERS TO THE WHEEL ON THIS ISSUE, AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE SO EXCITED TO BE HERE TODAY, UH, TO CELEBRATE THE CREATION OF THIS FUND AT AUSTIN ENERGY, UH, TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AS THEY WORK WITH STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOUSING INSTABILITY.
UM, THIS IS SO CRITICAL, AS SUSAN SAID, BECAUSE THESE ARE THE FOLKS WHO INTERACT DAY IN AND DAY OUT WITH STUDENTS WHO HAVE THE RELATIONSHIP AND THE TRUST WITH THOSE STUDENTS SO THAT THEY OFTEN KNOW WHEN A CRISIS IS EMERGING BEFORE THAT FAMILY MIGHT REACH OUT EVEN TO A PARTNER NONPROFIT.
SO WE REALLY RELY ON THE DEPTH OF THOSE RELATIONSHIPS AND THE FREQUENCY OF CONTACT.
UM, IT IS SO CRITICAL BECAUSE WHILE HOMELESSNESS IS A VERY VISIBLE ISSUE IN OUR COMMUNITY, OFTEN THE HOUSING
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INSTABILITY OF FAMILIES OR EVEN SINGLE STUDENTS CAN BE INVISIBLE.AND SO WE REALLY APPRECIATE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF OUR, OUR PARTNERS, UH, IN THE SCHOOL SPACE AS WELL.
AND THIS ISN'T JUST, UM, A RIGHT NOW, UM, ISSUE.
WE'RE ABLE TO INTERVENE IN CRISIS, BUT AGAIN, AS HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN SAID, WE KNOW THAT HOUSING INSTABILITY HAS A, A DRAMATIC IMPACT ON EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT.
WE WANT OUR STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO LEARN AND TO BE BUILDING THEIR FUTURES IN GENERAL.
AND WE KNOW THAT HOUSING INSTABILITY DURING CHILDHOOD IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST INDICATORS OF HOMELESSNESS LATER IN LIFE.
SO WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AN EASY CONTRIBUTION.
IT'S, WE KNOW THAT AUSTINITES, UM, AND FOLKS IN THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES CARE ABOUT HOMELESSNESS.
WE KNOW THAT THEY CARE ABOUT OUR STUDENTS, AND THIS IS A FANTASTIC WAY THAT ANYBODY WHO'S AN AUSTIN ENERGY CUSTOMER CAN CONTRIBUTE TO A SOLUTION.
UH, AND SO WE'RE JUST REALLY EXCITED TODAY AND, UM, URGE EVERYONE TO PARTICIPATE.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH AND CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE FOR BRINGING THIS TO FRUITION.
I AM THE PROGRAM COORDINATOR FOR OUR YOUTH DEPARTMENT AT CARITAS OF AUSTIN.
IT IS MY PLEASURE TO BE HERE WITH YOU TODAY TO DISCUSS THE IMPORTANCE OF ENDING YOUTH HOMELESSNESS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THE GREAT WORK OUR CITY AND FELLOW NONPROFITS ARE DOING TO END THIS DEVASTATING REALITY.
EACH YEAR IN AUSTIN, WE KNOW THERE ARE AROUND 1600 YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
THERE IS A DIRE NEED TO END HOMELESSNESS FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND PROVIDE SERVICES TO HELP THEM REBUILD WELLBEING IN THEIR LIVES.
IN LIGHT OF THIS NEED, CARAT HOUSE OF AUSTIN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LIFEWORKS AND SAFE, DEVELOPED AND LAUNCHED OUR YOUTH HOUSING PROGRAM IN 2018.
WITH THIS PROGRAM SPECIFICALLY CREATED TO, FOR YOUTH AGED 18 TO 24, WE ARE ABLE TO INTERVENE EARLY IN YOUNG PEOPLE'S LIVES TO PROV, PROVIDE THEM WITH A SAFE, STABLE PLACE TO CALL HOME AND TO END THEIR HOMELESSNESS BEFORE IT BECOMES LONG LASTING.
THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, WE ARE ABLE TO PERSONALIZE OUR SERVICES TO MEET THE UNIQUE NEEDS AND CHALLENGES FACED BY TODAY'S YOUTH.
INDIVIDUALIZED CASE MANAGEMENT PROVIDES GUIDANCE, SUPPORT, AND PRACTICES IN AUTONOMY THAT MANY YOUTH HAVEN'T EXPERIENCED FROM UNSTABLE CHILDHOOD HOMES OR FOSTER CARE SYSTEM.
SINCE CARES HOUSE OF AUSTIN'S YOUTH PROGRAM BEGAN IN 2018, WE HAVE PROVIDED STABLE HOUSING ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD, EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, AND JOB TRAINING FOR OVER 200 YOUTH.
WE CELEBRATE THE SUCCESS KNOWING IT MEANS 200 YOUNG ADULTS, OUR SAFELY HOUSED AND SUPPORTED WITH FOOD EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES.
YET WE KNOW THERE ARE MANY YOUTH WHO ARE STILL COUCH SURFING, SLEEPING IN THEIR CARS, AND EVEN LIVING ON THE STREETS.
HAVING MORE RESOURCES TO TRANSITION MORE YOUTH INTO SAFE, STABLE PLACE TO CALL HOME IS VITAL TO ENDING YOUTH HOMELESSNESS.
THIS VOLUNTARY DONATION FUND THROUGH THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S UTILITY BILLS PROVIDES CRITICAL SUPPORT AND AWARENESS FOR YOUTH AND STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS TRANSITION A YOUTH FROM HOMELESSNESS TO HOME.
SO WE FULLY SUPPORT AND ARE PROUD THAT WE ARE THAT OF THIS VOLUNTARY FUNDING STREAM IS AVAILABLE FOR THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY TO HELP END HOME HOMELESSNESS FOR OUR YOUTH.
TOGETHER WE ARE TRULY ENDING HOMELESSNESS AND MAKING AUSTIN MORE VIBRANT FOR ALL.
I'M THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC POLICY DIRECTOR AT THE ENDING COMMUNITY HOMELESSNESS COALITION OR ECHO.
UM, I WANNA THANK ALL MY COLLEAGUES AND, AND SCOTT ESPECIALLY FOR, FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY.
WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO CELEBRATE THIS, UH, ACHIEVEMENT HERE TODAY.
ECHO CONTINUES TO FULLY SUPPORT THIS DONATION FUND THROUGH THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S UTILITY BILLS TO SUPPORT STUDENTS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
NOW, HOMELESSNESS MAY LOOK A LITTLE BIT, UH, DIFFERENT FOR MANY FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY WITH SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN.
A LOT OF COUCH SURFING DOUBLING UP LONG-TERM HOTEL STAYS, BUT IT STILL CARRIES LIFELONG EFFECTS.
IT'S THE ADEQUATE SOCIAL SUPPORTS AREN'T THERE.
JUST BECAUSE IT LOOKS DIFFERENT, IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE TRAUMA OF HOUSING
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INSTABILITY ISN'T STILL THERE.UM, SO SCHOOL IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT PROVIDES A LOT OF STABILITY, UM, FOR, FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
IT ESTABLISHES A ROUTINE, UM, IT FOSTERS CONNECTION WITH WITH THEIR COMMUNITY.
UM, AS, AS WE'VE HEARD ABOUT CARLA'S WORK WITH, UM, AUSTIN ISDS, PROJECT HELP SCHOOL ALSO SERVES AS A, A TRUSTED AVENUE FOR STUDENTS AND, AND PARENTS TO ACCESS THE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED REALLY TO REGAIN THEIR STABILITY AND END THEIR HOMELESSNESS.
AND THAT'S JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF THE GREAT WORK BEING DONE IN IN SCHOOLS, UH, ACROSS OUR, UM, AREA ACROSS AUSTIN AND TRAVIS COUNTY.
AND IT'S, IT'S WORK THAT REALLY DOES HAVE LIFELONG EFFECTS.
AS, AS WE'VE HEARD HERE TODAY, WE KNOW THAT HOUSING INSTABILITY IN CHILDHOOD, UH, GREATLY INCREASES THE RISK THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS, UM, AS AN ADULT.
SO WE KNOW THAT OUR COMMUNITY THRIVES WHEN WE INVEST IN OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERYONE TO MEET THEIR POTENTIAL.
IN THIS DEDICATED FUNDING STREAM THAT IS NOW AVAILABLE ON THE AUSTIN ENERGY, UH, BILLS, UM, IT, IT CREATES THIS FUNDING STREAM TO SUPPORT THESE EFFORTS WITHIN OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS.
AND IT'S AN INVESTMENT IN AUSTIN'S FUTURE.
AND SO WE'RE INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL TO YOU, UH, SCOTT, FOR LEADING THIS EFFORT.
UM, AND EVERY AUSTIN ENERGY CUSTOMER WHO IS DONATING TO THIS FUND, WHO HAS DONATED, WHO, WHO HAS DONATED, UM, WHO WILL DONATE, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THAT BECAUSE AS YOU, AS YOU'VE HEARD TODAY, IT REALLY DOES MAKE A HUGE IMPACT IN, UH, IN KIDS' LIVES.
I'D LIKE TO THANK ALL THE SPEAKERS WHO CAME TODAY.
UH, IS THERE ANYONE HERE FROM THE, FROM THE MEDIA, FROM, IS THERE ANYONE HERE FROM THE MEDIA? OKAY.
IS THERE ANYONE WHO'D LIKE TO BE WITH THE MEDIA
THE DONATIONS THAT ARE MADE ON THE UTILITY BILL ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE TO THE, TO THE EXTENT THAT THE LAW ALLOWS.
YOU'VE HEARD THAT TERM BEFORE, THAT, THAT SAYING BEFORE.
AND THE CITY REALLY HAS A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES TO SPEAK THEIR VALUES WITH WHAT THEY DO WITH A BUDGET, WITH WHAT THEY DO, THAT THAT'S ON THE UTILITY BILL.
SO I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT OF COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES AND COUNCIL MEMBER VELA AND THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT SPONSORED AND CO-SPONSORED THIS ITEM IN DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR.
AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD HEALTHY GROWTH FOR THIS FUND AND HOPE THE OTHER FUNDS PROSPER ALSO IN THE FUTURE.
ANYONE HAVE ANY OTHER COMMENTS? THANK YOU.
SO, SO WE GOTTA GET READY FOR A MEETING.
YOU GUYS ARE DOING A, CREATED SOME THE HOMELESS SITUATION BY DAMAGED AND, UH, THAT AFFECTS THE BOTTOM LINE ON ECONOMY.
UH, I DON'T WORK WITH A I T BUT WHAT I'VE ASKED IS IF THEY COULD GET YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION AND THEN GIVE THAT QUESTION TO THE APPROPRIATE PERSON AT A I D AND HOPEFULLY GET AN ANSWER FOR YOU.
THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND STREAMING THIS LATER ON.
AND WE HOPE YOU'LL BE ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN THE
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HOMELESS STUDENT ASSISTANCE FUND PROGRAM.