On Sunday November 23, we had a great visit with Jo Kathryn Quinn of Caritas. Jo Kathryn is Director of Self Sufficiency Services for Caritas. Caritas performs important services targeted at Austin and Travis County residents. In addition to providing direct support such as 450 lunches daily, they provide homeless prevention support that helps keep residents from becoming homeless, refugee support and much much more.
Caritas is an important downtown neighbor. Our discussion included specific questions about who is eligible for support, and also what it really takes to live in Austin. Their guidelines indicate that $11.50 per hour is the wage it takes for a single adult to maintain a 1 BR apartment in Austin.
An important project coming up is an annual count of homeless residents scheduled for January. Look for some ideas on how to help soon.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Downtown Austin Plan
On Sunday November 16, CPC's own John Nyfler presented an overview of the Downtown Austin Plan and we discussed how some of the pending plans may affect CPC and the issues we are concerned about. This was a great presentation and look for a reprise -with additions if there is an appropriate Wednesday night available. In addition, we have a binder of information that John collected that will be available for others that organizes information by topic.
The formal Downtown Austin Master Plan is scheduled to be put to the City Council late 2008 or early 2009. The top 5 priorities of the plan are:
The formal Downtown Austin Master Plan is scheduled to be put to the City Council late 2008 or early 2009. The top 5 priorities of the plan are:
- Maintain Downtown's competitive position in the region -
- Make Downtown a stronger place. Be more purposeful about how density is achieved
- Keep Downtown authentic and diverse
- Re-invest in the Public Realm
- Dedicate leadership, capacity and funding to implement the Downtown Austin Plan
for more details go to the City Website http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/downtown/downloads/DAP_Five_Top_Priorities_1-2-08.pdf
Projections are that residential population of downtown could grow from 8500 to 25,000
The Waller Creek Tunnel project; The Cap Metro Mater Plan; Lance Armstrong Bikeway; The Library and other projects were reviewed.
In addition there will be a direct impact of the plan on Brazos street that will impact the Church facility and parking.
Monday, October 27, 2008
November 2 Personal Action Water Conservation at Home
Mark Hastings has prepared a hands on, what it is possible to do, talk on solving water issues individually in your own home.
Water Issues in Texas
On Sunday October 26, Andy Sansom presented a detailed picture of issues facing natural resources and water in Texas. Update to come
Elections 2
On Sunday October 19 we discussed various local elections and the issues.
The most spirited issue and range of opinions related to Austin Proposition 2.
Class members included those with long support for the Stop Domain Subsidies efforts and its potential detriment to Austin and others that are concerned about the impact on future developments in Austin.
The Austin Chronicle has several articles and letters to the Editor this week which represent a microcosm of this issue.
The most spirited issue and range of opinions related to Austin Proposition 2.
Class members included those with long support for the Stop Domain Subsidies efforts and its potential detriment to Austin and others that are concerned about the impact on future developments in Austin.
The Austin Chronicle has several articles and letters to the Editor this week which represent a microcosm of this issue.
Resources on Courts and Elections
Here is a summary of what was discussed on October 12 and resources to reach your own opinion.
Here are the web resources that John used.
The link below is for all the Texas Court Elections
www.texasbar.com/
on left hand side, select about the state bar then select Member directory and look up the candidates.
The link below has the pdf of the State Bar Poll for all the Texas judicial elections: CAVEAT, this poll was taken in the spring and included other primary candidates so sometimes there are ratings for 4 names. It is not clear to me just exactly what it means unless a candidate is rated very, very low compared to others.
www.texasbar.com/pollresults
The link below is for the rating by the Houston Bar Association
www.hba.org/folder-poll-results/qual08.pdf
The link below is good for the Texas Supreme Court candidates. It actually covers judicial elections nationwide but you can find Texas under the State Judicial Elections tab on the home page:
http://judgepedia.org/
Candidate web pages:
www.justicephiljohnson.com
www.lindayanez.com
www.reelectdalewainwright.com
www.samhoustonforjustice.com
http://libertarianpartycandidates.us/candidates/david-g-smith-2008-justice-supreme-court-place-7
www.wallacejefferson.com
www.judgejimjordan.com
News article on Linda Yanez
www.texasobserver.org/article.php?aid=2793 on Linda Yanez
Here are the web resources that John used.
The link below is for all the Texas Court Elections
www.texasbar.com/
on left hand side, select about the state bar then select Member directory and look up the candidates.
The link below has the pdf of the State Bar Poll for all the Texas judicial elections: CAVEAT, this poll was taken in the spring and included other primary candidates so sometimes there are ratings for 4 names. It is not clear to me just exactly what it means unless a candidate is rated very, very low compared to others.
www.texasbar.com/pollresults
The link below is for the rating by the Houston Bar Association
www.hba.org/folder-poll-results/qual08.pdf
The link below is good for the Texas Supreme Court candidates. It actually covers judicial elections nationwide but you can find Texas under the State Judicial Elections tab on the home page:
http://judgepedia.org/
Candidate web pages:
www.justicephiljohnson.com
www.lindayanez.com
www.reelectdalewainwright.com
www.samhoustonforjustice.com
http://libertarianpartycandidates.us/candidates/david-g-smith-2008-justice-supreme-court-place-7
www.wallacejefferson.com
www.judgejimjordan.com
News article on Linda Yanez
www.texasobserver.org/article.php?aid=2793 on Linda Yanez
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Blog Action Day - Poverty in Austin - 2
Fact: On any given day in Travis County, 25,000 children between the ages of 5 and 12 reside in families with incomes below the Federal poverty guidelines. Some of them live week to week. It is astonishing to realize how much these people are just like the rest of us…hard-working, responsible, and caring.
Well, let’s start with one of the ministries we are involved with at CPC.
Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) – A program of Foundation for the Homeless
This is a shelter program that is based on a national model that provides basic room and board accommodations while they work towards achieving permanent residence and self-sufficiency. In Austin, a network of “host” churches (or other entities) will house up to 4 families for a week at a time at their facilities while also providing hot meals, shower and laundry facilities, and basic supplies. The network also includes “support” churches (or other entities) that will provide volunteer and supply support for the host entity that they work with.
What is so wonderful about IHN is that volunteers will see and experience the positive results from their involvement! Families that enter the program have a great chance of achieving permanent residence and self-sufficiency. We have a good core of volunteers for IHN and we occasionally get a chance to talk to the families. We LOVE it when a family lets us know that they will have their own residence soon! And they are so thankful for our hospitality! Hugs and prayers are often exchanged as they leave after their week-long stay, and some of us even joke that we hope we don’t see them when our next host week arrives! (In other words, our mutual hope is that they will have permanent residence by that time!)
If you are part of a congregation, community group, or other organization that is not currently involved in this valuable outreach, you are strongly encouraged to communicate this to your congregation or group and organize a team to help! If desired, your team may begin in a support role, then may become a host at a later time, or your team may have the facilities to become a host immediately. Most of the volunteer activities during a host week are easy and require only a short time commitment:
· Help cook/host meals for the families
· Check and buy supplies as needed; donate food or supplies
· Help with move-in (carry guest belongings to rooms, set up rooms and make beds, set out towels, etc)
· Spend a night at the host facility
· Help with move-out and clean/restore rooms used
· Help with washing bedding and towels after host week ends
Foundation for the Homeless is always eager to meet or talk with potential volunteers. We provide screening and training for IHN volunteers and anyone working with children. Volunteer application forms may be downloaded at http://www.foundationhomeless.org/ and faxed to (512) 453-6732.
We are also eager to recruit new congregations as host or support congregations for Family Promise/Interfaith Hospitality Network Shelter Program. Contact Shelby Menina, IHN Director at smenina@foundationhomeless.org or Sharon Lowe, Executive Director at slowe@foundationhomeless.org or call 453-6570.
Well, let’s start with one of the ministries we are involved with at CPC.
Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) – A program of Foundation for the Homeless
This is a shelter program that is based on a national model that provides basic room and board accommodations while they work towards achieving permanent residence and self-sufficiency. In Austin, a network of “host” churches (or other entities) will house up to 4 families for a week at a time at their facilities while also providing hot meals, shower and laundry facilities, and basic supplies. The network also includes “support” churches (or other entities) that will provide volunteer and supply support for the host entity that they work with.
What is so wonderful about IHN is that volunteers will see and experience the positive results from their involvement! Families that enter the program have a great chance of achieving permanent residence and self-sufficiency. We have a good core of volunteers for IHN and we occasionally get a chance to talk to the families. We LOVE it when a family lets us know that they will have their own residence soon! And they are so thankful for our hospitality! Hugs and prayers are often exchanged as they leave after their week-long stay, and some of us even joke that we hope we don’t see them when our next host week arrives! (In other words, our mutual hope is that they will have permanent residence by that time!)
If you are part of a congregation, community group, or other organization that is not currently involved in this valuable outreach, you are strongly encouraged to communicate this to your congregation or group and organize a team to help! If desired, your team may begin in a support role, then may become a host at a later time, or your team may have the facilities to become a host immediately. Most of the volunteer activities during a host week are easy and require only a short time commitment:
· Help cook/host meals for the families
· Check and buy supplies as needed; donate food or supplies
· Help with move-in (carry guest belongings to rooms, set up rooms and make beds, set out towels, etc)
· Spend a night at the host facility
· Help with move-out and clean/restore rooms used
· Help with washing bedding and towels after host week ends
Foundation for the Homeless is always eager to meet or talk with potential volunteers. We provide screening and training for IHN volunteers and anyone working with children. Volunteer application forms may be downloaded at http://www.foundationhomeless.org/ and faxed to (512) 453-6732.
We are also eager to recruit new congregations as host or support congregations for Family Promise/Interfaith Hospitality Network Shelter Program. Contact Shelby Menina, IHN Director at smenina@foundationhomeless.org or Sharon Lowe, Executive Director at slowe@foundationhomeless.org or call 453-6570.
Blog Action Day 1 - Poverty in Austin
Today we begin with a description of one of Austin's organizations helping face poverty.
Foundation for the Homeless: Keeping Families Together In Shelter and Beyond
On any given day in Travis County, 25,000 children between the ages of 5 and 12 reside in families with incomes below the Federal poverty guidelines. (Census data). These are the families most likely to join the ranks of the “invisible” homeless--families who continue in school or work while living with friends, other family, in hotels or in their car. Most often, these families have been pushed out of their homes by some catastrophic event such as illness, job loss, transportation loss, loss of a loved one, mounting debts or a bad divorce.
Foundation for the Homeless, Inc. is the only organization in the Austin area that routinely provides shelter and case management services to intact (two parent) or to single father homeless families. Each family gets its own room or private space. Other shelter programs generally split-up families by gender, serve only single-parent families, serve only families where the parents are younger than 25 or serve only immigrant families. Foundation for the Homeless also serves single-parent, young and immigrant families, provided they have one or more children under the age of 18.
FFH provides shelter and case management services to families through its Interfaith Hospitality Network Shelter Program (IHN) and Passages Supportive Services Program. During 2007, the IHN Shelter Program served 35 families or 105 individuals, including 65 females and 40 males. Approximately 2/3 or 65 these individuals were children under age 18: 31 were age 5 and under; 19 were ages 6 through 12; and 15 were ages 13 through 17.
Foundation for the Homeless: Keeping Families Together In Shelter and Beyond
On any given day in Travis County, 25,000 children between the ages of 5 and 12 reside in families with incomes below the Federal poverty guidelines. (Census data). These are the families most likely to join the ranks of the “invisible” homeless--families who continue in school or work while living with friends, other family, in hotels or in their car. Most often, these families have been pushed out of their homes by some catastrophic event such as illness, job loss, transportation loss, loss of a loved one, mounting debts or a bad divorce.
Foundation for the Homeless, Inc. is the only organization in the Austin area that routinely provides shelter and case management services to intact (two parent) or to single father homeless families. Each family gets its own room or private space. Other shelter programs generally split-up families by gender, serve only single-parent families, serve only families where the parents are younger than 25 or serve only immigrant families. Foundation for the Homeless also serves single-parent, young and immigrant families, provided they have one or more children under the age of 18.
FFH provides shelter and case management services to families through its Interfaith Hospitality Network Shelter Program (IHN) and Passages Supportive Services Program. During 2007, the IHN Shelter Program served 35 families or 105 individuals, including 65 females and 40 males. Approximately 2/3 or 65 these individuals were children under age 18: 31 were age 5 and under; 19 were ages 6 through 12; and 15 were ages 13 through 17.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Sunday October 12 - The Courts
Election season is upon us.
On October 12th and 19th, the social issues class will be addressing some of the election candidates this Fall. We scheduled it this early because there are many early voters in the class. If you have already used your mail in ballot privilege, we are too late.
On the 12th we will cover some of the general state elections and in particular the Texas Supreme Court . Central Presbyterian's own John Harmon will join us to talk about the role of the Supreme Court in Texas. (On the 19th we will look at local house and senate and county offices; I am looking for volunteers to cover such elections. See issues from Jim's email ).
Party affiliation: in this order: Republican, Democratic, Libertarian, Independent.
Railroad Commissioner Michael L. Williams - Y Mark Thompson - N David Floyd - N - -
Chief Justice, Supreme Court Wallace B. Jefferson - Y Jim Jordan - N Tom Oxford - N - -
Justice, Supreme Court, Place 7 Dale Wainwright - Y Sam Houston - N David G. Smith - - -
Justice, Supreme Court, Place 8 Phil Johnson - Y Linda Reyna Yañez - N Drew Shirley - N - -
Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3 Tom Price - Y Susan Strawn - N Matthew E. Eilers - N
- -
Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 4 Paul Womack - Y J.R. Molina - N Dave Howard - N - -
Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9 Cathy Cochran - Y - William Bryan Strange, III - N - -
On October 12th and 19th, the social issues class will be addressing some of the election candidates this Fall. We scheduled it this early because there are many early voters in the class. If you have already used your mail in ballot privilege, we are too late.
On the 12th we will cover some of the general state elections and in particular the Texas Supreme Court . Central Presbyterian's own John Harmon will join us to talk about the role of the Supreme Court in Texas. (On the 19th we will look at local house and senate and county offices; I am looking for volunteers to cover such elections. See issues from Jim's email ).
Party affiliation: in this order: Republican, Democratic, Libertarian, Independent.
Railroad Commissioner Michael L. Williams - Y Mark Thompson - N David Floyd - N - -
Chief Justice, Supreme Court Wallace B. Jefferson - Y Jim Jordan - N Tom Oxford - N - -
Justice, Supreme Court, Place 7 Dale Wainwright - Y Sam Houston - N David G. Smith - - -
Justice, Supreme Court, Place 8 Phil Johnson - Y Linda Reyna Yañez - N Drew Shirley - N - -
Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3 Tom Price - Y Susan Strawn - N Matthew E. Eilers - N
- -
Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 4 Paul Womack - Y J.R. Molina - N Dave Howard - N - -
Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9 Cathy Cochran - Y - William Bryan Strange, III - N - -
Education Action
In our follow up discussion on education we reviewed Breakthrough Austin information and looked for actions we could take to help. Some of the ideas for potential action include:
- Individuals volunteer as mentors for Breakthrough
- Survey Mission partners for opportunities to support high school education with low income youth.
- Partner with another church to support junior high and high school students
- Offer Church program for Austin high or other youth for tutoring or other activities
Health Care Summary
Our discussions about health care led us to view that more universal health care on a national level is still an important priority to revisit early in 2009 or at least after the elections when we know whose plan will become the basis for further discussion.
Senator Kirk Watson
Senator Kirk Watson presented an overview of social issues facing Texas at CPC's Wednesday night program. Senator Watson was both direct and humorous in his presentation of issues and lessons that he learned growing up that lead him to prioritize education, jobs, and health care access among his priorities for social issues.
His comments were illuminating regarding the CHIP program for health care support to lower income children. From a business standpoint, every dollar the state spends generates $2.66 in additional spending all going to Local Texas Businesses (hospitals, doctors, clinics) who in turn will purchase goods and services from other businesses. Few business development plans can get such a return.
Senator Watson also discussed his involvement in trying to help Johnston High students and he is looking for ways to support at risk schools in the next legislative session.
His comments were illuminating regarding the CHIP program for health care support to lower income children. From a business standpoint, every dollar the state spends generates $2.66 in additional spending all going to Local Texas Businesses (hospitals, doctors, clinics) who in turn will purchase goods and services from other businesses. Few business development plans can get such a return.
Senator Watson also discussed his involvement in trying to help Johnston High students and he is looking for ways to support at risk schools in the next legislative session.
Breakthrough Austin
On Sunday September 21 Barry Aidman Executive Director of Breakthrough Austin spoke to the Social Issues Class. Breakthrough Austin provides paths to College for low income students in Austin. Their web site is www.breakthroughaustin.org
The statistics are incredible. Overall 79% of High School Students graduate in 4 years. In the target group that Breakthrough works with the statistic is 36%. Similarly, the greatest predictor of whether a student goes to college (statistically) is income. 51% of upper income students go on to college while 6% of lower income students do.
So its the parents right? Wrong. In the survey group parents and kids both want to go to college. The barriers that they face are many and tough to categorize.
Breakthrough targets middle school students and puts them on the path by helping with
The statistics are incredible. Overall 79% of High School Students graduate in 4 years. In the target group that Breakthrough works with the statistic is 36%. Similarly, the greatest predictor of whether a student goes to college (statistically) is income. 51% of upper income students go on to college while 6% of lower income students do.
So its the parents right? Wrong. In the survey group parents and kids both want to go to college. The barriers that they face are many and tough to categorize.
Breakthrough targets middle school students and puts them on the path by helping with
- Academic preparation
- Attitude needed to navigate system and get to college (been through the bureaucracy in a bigger school lately)
- Family encouragement (Loans a big issue)
- College Prep activities
Programs include:
- Core Program
- Case management
- Summer Programs
- Monitoring
- High School Placement
- Alumni support
We will be spending more time on education but if you cannot wait contact Breakthrough and volunteer.
Ann Kitchen Discusses New Insurance Program
On September 14, Ann Kitchen Executive Director of ICC (Indigent Care Coalition) of Central Texas presented information regarding the Central Texas Regional Health Coverage Project. This project intends to offer small to medium businesses (2-50 empoyees) new options for low cost health care coverage. See www.healthcarecentraltexas.com for details.
Ann's presentation described their process and objectives for this unique program which can be successful with just 10,000 enrollees in 3 years. Medical Providers should receive competitive payments and employers should be able to offer more cost effective health care in cases where it is not offered now.
Communication will be key when this program launches. If you do not have healthcare at work or are a small business employer go to the web site above and check it out.
Ann's presentation described their process and objectives for this unique program which can be successful with just 10,000 enrollees in 3 years. Medical Providers should receive competitive payments and employers should be able to offer more cost effective health care in cases where it is not offered now.
Communication will be key when this program launches. If you do not have healthcare at work or are a small business employer go to the web site above and check it out.
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