Austin, it’s time to vote for your favorite Project Jumpstart finalist

What ARCH does

Austin Resource Center for the Homeless works to provide a pathway home for its neighbors experiencing homelessness by offering emergency shelter, affordable housing, recuperative medical care, and supportive services, and promoting community awareness. ARCH serves as the first point of entry into the homeless social service system for many of Austin’s adults experiencing homelessness. Their doors are open to everyone, whether this is their first time being homeless, or they’ve been living on the streets for years. ARCH is designed to assess client needs, provide information on how and where to access services, and meet the basic emergency needs of homeless adults. ARCH also provides sleeping areas for homeless people to rest—day or night—and a Day Resource Center to get out of the elements during the day. More than 6000 homeless men and women utilized ARCH from 2016 – 2017, averaging approximately 423 individuals each day in the Day Resource Center, and sleeping more than 230 men each night.

Why ARCH is important to Valerie

The work that ARCH does is important to Valerie because years ago, she experienced homelessness herself and spent time at ARCH until she was able to get back on her feet. She’s grateful for how they helped her during a time of need, and has nominated ARCH for a Project Jumpstart grant as a way to give back to the cause. Valerie has been driving with Uber for about a year, and uses the tips she gets while driving with Uber to buy water and food for the homeless in Austin.

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What APA! does

Austin Pets Alive! is a nonprofit organization dedicated to stopping the killing of Austin’s adoptable dogs and cats. APA! is leading the no-kill movement in Austin by energizing the public and maintaining comprehensive, innovative, and life-saving programs designed to save the animals most likely to be euthanized in shelters.

In 2008, APA! embarked on a bold and aggressive initiative to make Austin a no-kill city as fast as possible. They began building the resources needed to create a safety net for the pets of Central Texas and their owners. By looking at the reasons why animals are killed in shelters, APA! was able to create specific lifesaving programs that addressed the issues head on. Since developing this innovative and comprehensive program, Austin Pets Alive! has saved more than 50,000 dogs and cats since 2008.

Why APA! is important to Amy and Edgar

This Project Jumpstart cycle, many driver-partners nominated Austin Pets Alive! for a Jumpstart grant. Amy, one of those driver-partners, grew up in a family with 5 dogs and 3 cats. When the summer time heat kicked in, she read that APA! needs more help than ever to help keep pets safe in the extreme heat. Amy loves the great work APA! does for animals in the Austin community, and she hopes this grant can help them save even more animals without homes. Edgar, who also nominated APA!, says that animals have always been a huge part of his life. He wants to see APA! win a Project Jumpstart grant so they can continue to help animals in need.

Amy, one of those driver-partners, grew up in a family with 5 dogs and 3 cats. When the summer time heat kicked in, she read that APA! needed more help than ever to help keep pets safe in the extreme heat. Amy loves the great work APA! does for animals in the Austin community, and she hopes this grant can help them save even more animals without homes.

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What CASA does

Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children exists to promote and protect the best interests of children who have been abused or neglected by training volunteers to advocate for them in courts, schools, and our local community to help them find safe, permanent, and loving homes. For every child in the CASA program, CASA of Travis County works to connect them with a trained volunteer advocate, a safe home, and a promising future.

Why CASA is important to George

George and his wife have spent time volunteering with CASA and have witnessed first hand the important work they do for children in need. George says, “This is an invaluable asset of empowerment to at-risk children and families involved in the child welfare system. CASA gives children with life challenges an opportunity to thrive.” George started driving with Uber about a year ago and has completed over 2200 trips. His favorite part about driving is welcoming people to Austin and acting as a tour guide to those visiting the area. George hopes his Project Jumpstart application will shed light on the work CASA is doing to help children in need.

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