KVUE updates on shelters here

[en español abajo]

Travis County Emergency authorities have now opened up three more shelters for anyone in need. They are looking to open up more if they can find more volunteers (see info on volunteering below). Below are the three shelters that are now open for all individuals or families needing shelter. Shelters will remain open 24/7 and will continue to operate for as long as there is a need. Please be careful on the roads - and drive slowly. 

If you choose to go to a warming center/shelter, bring blankets and food with you if possible:

• Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road (Central Austin)
• Mendez Middle School, 5106 Village Square Drive (Southeast Austin)
• Northeast (formerly Reagan) High School, 7104 Berkman Drive (Northeast Austin)

If you need a ride to one of these shelters you can contact Austin Disaster Relief Network at 512-825-8211 or 211.

Also here are emergency numbers to share widely:

• Shelter Information: 512-305-4233
• Emergency Food: 211
• Medical Emergency: 911

The Austin Disaster Relief Network is in need of volunteers so they can open more shelters. Volunteers will assist in greeting/checking in people who arrive. AISD is willing to open more facilities but they don’t have the people-power. The volunteers do not need to be previously trained. Please call ADRN at 512-825-8211 to volunteer.

Please call one of the CTI Organizers if you have any questions:

1. Doug Greco - 512-484-0590 (Travis and Williamson Co)
2. Monique Vasquez - 520-248-8853 (Travis and Bastrop Co)
3. Catherine Wicker - 512-771-9691 (Hays Co)
4. Liz Ligawa - 254-292-8484 Waco and College Station

Las autoridades de emergencia del condado de Travis han abierto tres refugios más para cualquier persona que lo necesite.  Quieren abrirse más pero necesitan encontrar más voluntarios (consulte la información sobre voluntariado a continuación).  Hay tres refugios que ahora están abiertos para todas las personas o familias que necesitan refugio. Los refugios permanecerán abiertos las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana y seguirán funcionando durante el tiempo que sea necesario. Tenga cuidado en las caminas - y maneje lentamente.

Comparta esta información por favor.

• Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road (el centro de Austin)
• Mendez Middle School, 5106 Village Square Drive (sureste de Austin)
• Escuela secundaria Northeast (Reagan), 7104 Berkman Drive (noreste de Austin)

Si elige ir a un centro de calentamiento/refugio, lleve con usted cobijas y comida si es posible.

Si necesita que lo lleven a uno de estos refugios, puede comunicarse con Austin Disaster Relief Network al 512-825-8211 o 211.

También aquí hay números de emergencia para compartir ampliamente.

• Información de refugios: 512-305-4233
• Comida de emergencia: 211
• Emergencia médica: 911

Austin Disaster Relief Network necesita voluntarios para abrir más refugios. Los voluntarios ayudarán a saludar / registrar a las personas que lleguen. AISD quisiera abrir más ubicaciones, pero no tienen suficiente gente para hacerlo ahorita. Los voluntarios no necesitan formación previa. Por favor llame a ADRN al 512-825-8211 para ser voluntario.

Y llame a uno de los organizadores de CTI si tiene alguna pregunta:

• Doug Greco - 512-484-0590 (Travis and condado de Williamson)
• Monique Vasquez - 520-248-8853 (Travis and condado de Bastrop)
• Catherine Wicker - 512-771-9691 (condado de Hays)
• Liz Ligawa - 254-292-8484 Waco y College Station

Fr. Paul Skeith from SoCo Episcopal Community and CTI spoke at the Travis County Commissioners Court this week to advocate that any private company receiving public tax subsidies from the county pay living wages, benefits, a career track, and strategy to hire locally. The Court subsequently adopted these and other worker safety measures as part of a package advocated by CTI congregations and member institutions including Workers Defense Project, LIUNA, and Central Texas Building Trades.

[Excerpts]

On Tuesday the Travis County Commissioners Court held a discussion on “Project Silicon Silver,” widely speculated to be the alias for chipmaking giant Samsung’s development contract. The discussion centered around acceptance of the preliminary application, along with a corresponding $150,000 fee paid out to the county by the developer.

The county is considering providing financial benefits in exchange for Samsung’s adherence to worker protection, wage, compensation, OSHA requirements and more.

Several citizen callers also stressed the need for county stipulations, including a living wage indexed to cost of living, local employee minimums and health insurance benefits for employees.

Father Paul Skeith of SoCo Episcopal Community advocated for all of the above issues, in addition to the opportunity for employees to rise within the company.

Jessica Wolff with Workers Defense Project highlighted the strengths of the development standards, citing the local hiring requirement, construction training requirement and anti-retaliation provisions, and called for the standards set in this policy to become the county norm.

”We recognize this is a great first step and there’s still more work to be done,” Wolff said.

Project Silicon Silver Proceeds at a Gallop, Austin Monitor [pdf]

CTI leaders Ruby Roa of SoCo Episcopal and Trenton Henrichson of St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church advocated at Austin City Council this week for Austin to maximize affordable housing and public benefits for the city-owned redevelopment project at the former downtown Health South rehabilitation facility.

Councilmembers Tovo and Harper-Madison worked together to unanimously pass measures stipulating, among other community benefits, that "the central use of this tract is to be housing, specifically affordable housing."

[Photo Credit: HealthSouth Building/KXAN]

Austin City of Council Advances Plan to Bring Affordable Housing to City Land Near Downtown, KXAN Austin [pdf]