Layla was tired. A single mom of two teens, she worked full-time and still struggled to afford the basics. She and her children shared a bedroom in her sister’s house. Without a car, she relied on buses and family rides to get to work and…
The federal government shut down on October 1 and reopened on November 12. Full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits resumed November 14, providing vital support to thousands of Central Texans who rely on SNAP to feed…
Belonging is the foundation for a thriving community. When families are economically stable, have reliable access to resources they need to be healthy and well, and feel connected to their communities, they can reach their full potential.…
The first few days and weeks home with a new baby can be a challenging time for all families, and research indicates that more than 90 percent of families can use some additional support. Family Connects Austin/Travis County nurses are…
Maria Dominguez, founder of Cielito Lindo Spanish Immersion Preschools, has grown her program to three locations across Greater Austin. Maria Dominguez knew she wanted to be a teacher since she was 9. Sitting outside her apartment with an…
Many college students face major barriers to completing their education. They lack access to basic resources like food, transportation, health care, and child care needed for college and career readiness. To help them reach their full…
Stephanie Myers never thought she’d be feeding 300 families a week. Her bakery closed in 2020, and she and her business partner found themselves with hundreds of pounds of flour and no idea what to do with it. So, they baked loaves of…
We continue to recover and rebuild following the devastating July 4 Central Texas floods. The damage is extensive, and recovery will continue for months to come. We also continue to mourn with those who lost loved ones. We are grateful to…
They were running out of options. After months of doctor visits, one thing became clear: 17-year-old Marco needed life-saving scoliosis surgery. The curve in his spine was worsening as he grew, beginning to crush his lungs and making it…
*Trigger warning: This story contains content about suicidal ideation. She was sitting on the side of the road in her broken-down car. The last time she felt this overwhelmed, she was admitted to a psychiatric hospital. One year earlier…
Empowering. Energizing. Uplifting. A sold-out crowd of more than 300 people came to Gathering for Good on May 1, 2025, to support United Way’s mission to break economic barriers and build opportunity for all. Thanks to the generous gifts…
Growing up, Kendra never imagined she’d one day be giving back to the very place that once helped her family survive. “As a child, we came to the Round Rock Serving Center to get help with our bills, canned goods, and pastries,” Kendra…
Program evaluation shows investing in whole-family success makes an impact Parenting students are nearly twice as likely to leave school for preventable reasons: lack of child care, conflicting course and work schedules, and even…
The Success By 6 Coalition is a network of child and family advocates – providers, parents, policymakers, civic leaders, and experts – with a shared goal to ensure every child enters Kindergarten happy, healthy, and prepared to succeed in…
United Way Capitol Day on February 26, community advocates visited the Texas State Capitol and met with 13 elected officials about ways to support early care and education and access to resources. Community members, nonprofit and corporate…
Understanding how early education is funded in Travis County By Margo Kinneberg, Early Care and Education Special Project Manager Creating a Local Funding Stream Last week, Children’s Funding Project published a case study of Travis…
On March 1, 2025, United Way for Greater Austin will host its 7th annual A Night United, a sold-out evening of impact, philanthropy and celebration. This highly anticipated event brings together Austin’s business and community leaders in…
United Way for Greater Austin Welcomes Ingrid K. Taylor as New CEO Austin, Texas – Following an extensive national search, United Way for Greater Austin is proud to announce Ingrid Taylor as its new Chief Executive Officer. “I am honored…
United Way for Greater Austin brings our community together to advocate for change that affects all of us. Here’s what you need to know. Our work in high-quality early care and education and equitable access to resources must be…
We are thrilled to share the news that Travis County Proposition A passed in last month’s election. This is a huge win for Travis County and beyond as our region sets a new standard for access to quality and affordable early childcare for…
Serving as CEO of United Way for Greater Austin over the last nine years is the honor of my lifetime. I knew from day one that I was standing on the shoulders of giants, but I never imagined the immense joy I would discover in this…
Every year, United Way’s Navigation Center helps local families access free or low-cost holiday meals, gifts, and events across Central Texas. To make it easy for community members to find these seasonal events, we’ve compiled a calendar…
Dear United Way Supporters, Since launching the Success By 6 Coalition in 2012, United Way for Greater Austin has seen incredible progress in ensuring that more children have access to high-quality and affordable childcare. We have now…
By Tamra Jones, Public Affairs, H-E-B For over two decades, United Way for Greater Austin has been proud to partner with H-E-B for its annual Feast of Sharing, an event that brings together thousands of volunteers to help provide meals to…
This year marks 100 years since United Way for Greater Austin began making a difference in the community. Together with our neighbors, elected officials, nonprofits, subject matter experts, foundations, and community leaders, we are…
By Cecy Tamez-Rodriguez We’re thrilled to announce that the 2-Gen Coalition for Economic Advancement has released their 2024-2027 Strategic Plan. Based on the belief that our community is vibrant and prosperous when families can meet their…
By Becca Bice, Director of Economic Advancement “When we first reached out to United Way for support, our only thought was increasing child care options for young parents trying to re-engage with education. Becoming involved with United…
By Becca Bice, Director of Economic Advancement “When we first reached out to United Way for support, our only thought was increasing child care options for young parents trying to re-engage with education. Becoming involved with United…
Nurturing. Energizing. Unifying. A sold-out crowd of more than 350 people came to Gathering for Good on May 2 to support United Way’s mission to break economic barriers and build opportunity for all. Thanks to the generous gifts of so many…
Nurturing. Energizing. Unifying. A sold-out crowd of more than 350 people came to Gathering for Good on May 2 to support United Way’s mission to break economic barriers and build opportunity for all. Thanks to the generous gifts of so many…