In the Austin American Statesman, by Fr. Bill Wack & Rabbi Alan Freedman of Austin Interfaith: 

 When a society – whether local, national or global – is willing to leave a part of itself on the fringes, no political programs or resources spent on law enforcement or surveillance systems can indefinitely guarantee tranquility.” — Pope Francis, Gospel of Joy

The crafting of budgets is an essential activity undertaken by local governments this time of year. These budgets are moral documents — statements of our community values. These are neither left-leaning nor right-leaning values. Where we spend our collective resources reflects what matters most to all residents of Austin and Travis County.

When Austin Energy moved to more quickly cut off electricity from families in arrears Austin Interfaith stepped in to negotiate a better deal for those trying to lower their debt.

The problem began with billing errors.  In 2011 Austin Energy switched to a new, problematic billing system, resulting in billing errors for tens of thousands of families and collection problems for Austin Energy.  Residential utility debt increased from $15.8 million in 2011 to $91 million by May 2015.  With 27 thousand families in active repayment of uncollected bills, 8 thousand of which were already participating in the city’s low-income Customer Assistance Program and exempted from disconnection, Austin Energy targeted the remaining 19 thousand customers for inevitable cut-off.

Austin Interfaith leaders and allies negotiated that only those with over $1,000 in debt be subject to disconnect and that customers with smaller debt be contacted by specially trained Austin Energy representatives who will work with them to resolve the situation without disconnecting them from utilities.

Austin City Council OKs New Rules for utility Customers in the Red, Austin American Statesman [pdf]

Austin Energy to Tighten Up Collections, Austin Monitor [pdf]

Austin Interfaith and Austin Independent School District (AISD) jointly announced they will launch a program to train high school students at Travis, Crockett and Lanier how to land and keep a job.  

Modeled off the Summer Youth Employment program, created by Austin Interfaith 20 years ago in partnership with the City and County, this program will teach high schoolers leadership and soft skills like timeliness, and professional conduct with bosses and colleagues.  Another goal is to develop summer internships in 2016  for students who complete the leadership training.  Senator Kirk Watson was in attendance at the press conference at which AI leaders Rev. Robert Elford and Ms. Ofelia Zapata spoke.  

This program launch is happening with the support of AT&T.

[Photo Credit: Julie Change / Austin American Statesman]

Austin Interfaith to Launch Jobs Program at Three High Schools, Austin American Statesman [pdf]

Austin Interfaith Launches Internship Program for At-Risk High School Students, Community Impact [pdf]

Austin Interfaith, AISD Launch New Leadership Development Program for Crockett, Lanier and Travis High Schools, Austin Independent School District

Austin Interfaith and AT&T Launch a Campaign to Keep At-Risk Students in School, KXAN

Video of Press Conference, AISD