Monday, September 9, 2013, Austin City Council members will make important City Budget decisions that directly affect our families. Even though Austin is a growing city, for years funding has been cut in areas that are important to our families, like youth programs, libraries and parks. Austin Interfaith is working with congregations and schools across the city to ensure the budget reinvests in the people of Austin. We can make sure council members hear our voice by working together to make hundreds of calls and emails before Monday morning. It's quick and easy!

In emails please be sure to use the Subject: Austin Interfaith Budget Priorities (otherwise all of our emails will not be counted together!).

Click here for more info and Council Members' Contact Info

"Central Health is building a 70,000-square foot facility called the Southeast Health and Wellness Center. Slated to open in fall 2014, the center will cost Travis County taxpayers about $8 million. It will have exercise classes and nutrition counseling, aimed at combating some of the area’s biggest health challenges.  But one of its strongest critics is Ofelia Zapata..."

[Photo Credit: Felipa Rodriguez for KUT News]

A Tipping Point for Healthcare in Dove Springs?, KUT News

Public Calls for Health Organization To Be More Open, Austin American Statesman (08/07/13)

"The Launchpad Fund, which gave nonprofits $10 million starting in the 2010-11 biennium to support career training programs for low-income students, will be replaced by the Texas Innovative Adult Career Education Grant program. The ACE grant program will award about $5 million under a similar model to nonprofits for the next biennium. It will be administered by Austin Community College, which will step into the comptroller's office's current oversight role....

Said Minerva Camarena-Skeith, a representative of Austin Interfaith, the nonprofit that helped found Capital IDEA with business community members and advocates for public funding: “It still gives these job-training programs the opportunity to apply for these $5 million, and also be able to leverage more city and local funds.”

[Photo Credit: Callie Richmond, Texas Tribune]

Job Training  Program Adjusts Amid Funding Cuts, Texas Tribune

Governor Signs Bill: $5 Million for Adult Career Training, Network of Texas IAF Organizations