Austin Voices Programs and Initiatives
Since 2003, Austin Voices has been recognized for its work in developing youth and parent leadership, as well as fighting for high-quality schools in every zip code. Using the community school model, Austin Voices has worked with campuses to increase enrollment, attendance and graduation rates, reduce dropouts and increase equity through innovative programs. At the state level, Austin Voices has been a leader in the fight for increased school funding, reductions in burdensome standardized testing, and equitable education. Over 32,000 people have attended Austin Voices events at the state capitol over the past 9 years.
Austin Voices for Education and Youth is currently focusing our work of strengthening schools and expanding opportunities for Austin’s youth by organizing around and implementing four goals:
- Support for schools, students and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Austin Voices has provided food to over 10,000 families since March, 2020, along with thousands of free books, PPE, and assistance with medical needs. Through partnerships with the City of Austin and Austin Energy, we have also provided rent and utility assistance to hundreds of Austin's neediest families who have faced job loss and reduction in income. We have also provided 130 laptop computers and free digital literacy classes (with ACC) to families struggling to support their children during virtual learning.
- Creating community school initiatives, including developing community-based school improvement plans, creating partnerships, and expanding opportunities for youth. Last year, over 12,000 families were involved in Austin Voices' community events and meetings, aimed at strengthening schools and reducing inequities. A 2-day virtual Innovation Summit in June brought 28 campuses and 200 participants together from AISD and five other school districts to get a head start on the challenges of opening the 2020-21 school year.
- Supporting families with wraparound supports that reduce social and economic barriers for students through eight school-based Family Resource Centers at Burnet MS, Dobie MS, LBJ HS, Martin MS, Mendez MS, Navarro ECHS, Northeast ECHS and Webb MS. Last year, we supported over 4,000 families with services, with students at over 100 AISD campuses.
- Building youth and parent leadership. Examples include after school programs at Northeast and Akins High Schools, a student-led school board candidate forum, over 40 parents trained as community block leaders in their neighborhoods, and an adult academy offered a range of adult education and parenting classes with over 900 participants in 2019-20.