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| Capital Metro Board Votes to Increase Fares |
 The Capital Metro Board approved a fare increase today that will go into effect January 18th. Fares for senior and disabled riders with a valid Capital Metro issued ID will remain free.
The base fare for a single bus ride will increase from 75-cents to $1 unless derailed by the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO). State legislation passed this year allows CAMPO to veto base fare increases. Visit www.capmetro.org for the new fare schedule. |
| State of Working Texas |
| The Center for Public Policy Priorities has released its annual report, The State of Working Texas 2009. The report shows that, although our state was late to feel the effects of the recession, it has caught up with us. The unemployment rate climbed to 8.2 percent in September with 44,700 Texas jobs lost.
Median wages in Texas were $14.11, lower than the national average of $15.74 and the Southern states' average of $14.93. The report finds that men's wages have lost more ground than women's wages. | |
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| CAN Appreciation Reception |
| CAN's annual celebration of the many people and organizations that work to build a healthier and more equitable community will be held on Friday, November 20th from 4 - 6 p.m. at the Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River Street. The 2009 Butler Awards will be announced at that time. RSVP to bahrns@austinisd.org . |
| CAN Community Calendar |
The new CAN website features a calendar of community events. Check out the events in our community and add your events to the calendar at www.caction.org. | |
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| Comment on Proposed Changes to Travis County CDBG Projects |
Travis County invites the public to comment on proposed changes to its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. The proposed changes include the reprogramming of $500,000 in CDBG funds and program design changes to four CDBG projects.
Learn more about the proposed changes by visiting the Travis County CDBG website www.co.travis.tx.us/CDBG or calling Christy Moffett at (512) 854-3460. You can comment by attending a public hearing on November 24th or by submitting comments in writing from November 11th through December 10th. |
| Imagine Austin - Help Build the City of Our Dreams |
The City of Austin will hold six community forums in all sectors of town next week to inspire Austinites to dream about the City's future. Find the forum in your neighborhood and learn more about the Comprehensive Plan at www.cityofaustin.org/compplan/. Children are welcome...it is their future, after all. |
| HousingWorks Summit: Re-Visioning Austin & Affordability |
| HousingWorks' sixth annual fall summit, held in conjunction with Liveable City and AIA Austin, will explore how the goal for "all kinds of housing in all parts of town" can be achieved through Austin's Comprehensive Plan. The summit will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 14th at the Senior Activity Center, 2874 Shoal Crest. Register via email to: HousingWorksSummit@yahoo.com. |
| Homeless Resource Fair |
The Homeless Resource Fair, formerly known as Stand Down, will be held November 14th. The event, sponsored by the Ending Community Homelessness (ECHO)Coalition, connects homeless individuals and families with resources. The event will be held at the Pan American Recreation Center, 2100 E. 3rd Street.
Services available include medical services, referrals to social service agencies, legal assistance, haircuts, food, sleeping bags, clothing, and more. The Homeless Resource Fair connects homeless individuals with a community that can restore their hope. Last year more than 700 attendees were served. To register as a service provider or for more information, contact Katie Falgoust at (512) 480-0772 ext. 206, or Katie.falgoust@austingoodwill.org. |
| Fighting the Stigma of Mental Illness |
 A national public awareness campaign to fight the stigma associated with mental illness features Glenn Close and her sister Jessie Close who suffers with bipolar disorder. 1 in 6 adults and almost 1 in 10 children suffer from a diagnosable mental illness. Yet, for many, the stigma associated with the illness can be as great a challenge as the disease itself. The message of Bring Change 2 Mind is that this bias must end. Click on the logo to hear the real life stories of people who suffer with mental illness. |
| Chamber Calls for ACC to Continue Phenomenal Growth |
 Austin Community College enrollment is growing faster than the region's total population, but the college must grow even faster to meet the area's college enrollment goals and to improve economic competitiveness, according to a report by the Austin Chamber of Commerce. The second annual Austin Community College Progress Report is part of the Chamber's "20,010 by 2010" initiative to increase metro-Austin's college enrollment by 20,010 more students by the year 2010. |
| TANF Students Go to College For Free! |
| High school graduates whose families get Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) can get their first year of college paid for by the State. Texas residents who graduate from a public high school in Texas and whose family received TANF for at least 6 months during their senior year may qualify for this state benefit. Students must enroll in state-supported colleges or community colleges no later than 2 years after graduating from high school.
To find out how to apply for free college tuition and fees, visit with a high school counselor.
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| Impact of Healthcare Reform on Local Business and Economy |
 A panel of state and national experts will discuss the likely ramifications of healthcare reform on business and the economy at a luncheon on November 19th sponsored by the University of Texas School of Law in partnership with the Austin Chamber and other regional Chambers of Commerce. Panelists include a professor of economics, the president of the American Medical Association, the Vice Provost for Health Affairs at UT Austin, and a business CEO. The event will explore what to expect next as our nation attempts sweeping reforms of the healthcare system. Visit the Austin Chamber website to learn more and to register.
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Community Action Network is a collaboration of organizations and individuals in Central Texas who are working together to build a community of equity and opportunity.
CAN's role in the community is to ...
- Enhance awareness of community issues;
- Strengthen partnerships and connect planning efforts;
- Support collaborative strategies that maximize community resources and impact; and
- Mobilize action by reporting on progress made to improve the community's well-being.
CAN Partners: Austin Area Human Services Association, Austin Area Interreligious Ministries, Austin Chamber, Austin Community College, Austin Independent School District, Austin Travis County Integral Care, Capital Metro, City of Austin, Community Justice Council, Integrated Care Collaboration, Seton Family of Hospitals, St. David's Community Health Foundation, St. Edward's University, Travis County, Travis County Healthcare District, United Way Capital Area, University of Texas at Austin, and Workforce Solutions - Capital Area.
CAN Issue Area Groups: Aging Services Council, Austin/Travis County Victim Services Task Force, Basic Needs Coalition, Behavioral Health Planning Partnership, Central Texas After-School Network, Child & Youth Mental Health Planning Partnership, Ending Community Homelessness Coalition, Early Care and Education, HousingWorks, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Coalition, Literacy Coalition of Central Texas, Ready by 21, Reentry Roundtable, and Regional Transit Coordination Committee. | |
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