AUSTIN, Texas – April 19, 2021 – Following an unprecedented year of virtual meetings with new technologies, the young philanthropists of Girls Giving Grants (g3), Impact Austin’s youth initiative, voted to award $7,600 to the Center for Survivors of Torture.
“In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Girls Giving Grants made the decision to hold virtual meetings and site visits. As we adjusted to our new online platform, we became acutely aware of both the necessity for technology and the disparity in access in our community. So, we are proud to announce that our grant will support the Center for Survivors of Torture's Healing Children Program, which provides access to web-based telehealth and virtual counselling services for child victims of torture,” said Girls Giving Grants President and Liberal Arts and Science Academy senior Ava Motes. “Our funding will ensure that upwards of 200 refugees and asylum seekers have the technology and internet service needed to connect with therapy sessions, art classes, legal advising, and other essential CST programs. Not only will this help victims of torture receive the trauma-informed care that they need, but it will also give them the asset of technological access and literacy––which we foresee will be important long after the pandemic is over,” said Motes.
The g3 team virtually reviewed 31 applications for funding, selected eight semi-finalists for closer evaluation, and conducted two site visits via Zoom. The grant to the Center for Survivors of Torture will provide a tablet and six months of internet services to children, which will allow them to continue receiving recovery services and attend school without interruption.
Since 2006, g3 has awarded $98,000 to the Greater Austin community. Past recipients include Friends of the Children, Mothers' Milk Bank, The Refuge for DMST, Foster Angels, Center for Child Protection, People’s Community Clinic, Austin Sunshine Camps, Hospice Austin, Helping Hand Home, Casa Marianella, Austin Diaper Bank, and LifeWorks.
This year’s class of Girls Giving Grants includes 74 young women in grades 8 – 12. The g3 membership contribution is $125 ($100 directly to the grant and $25 for g3 program materials and administration). Each year, $100 donations are combined into one meaningful grant of the group’s choice to a Central Texas nonprofit serving youth. g3 is a model of collective giving designed by Impact Austin to educate and engage young philanthropists.
The 2020-21 Class of Girls Giving Grants includes students from the following nineteen Austin-area schools and home schools: Anderson High School; Ann Richards School for Young Women, Austin High School, Bowie High School, Dripping Springs High School, Harmony School of Endeavor, Hill Country Middle School, Hyde Park High School, Lake Travis High School, Liberal Arts and Science Academy, McCallum High School, Online Public School, Rawson Saunders School, St. Andrew's School, St. Michael's Catholic Academy, St. Stephen's Episcopal School, Trinity Episcopal School, Westlake High School, and Westwood High School.
Enrollment for the 2021-2022 class will open in late summer. For further information on joining the g3 class of 2021-2022, please contact g3@impactaustin.org.
About Impact Austin
Impact Austin’s mission is to cultivate the collective wisdom and strength of women to transform ourselves and our communities through philanthropy. Impact Austin has now granted nearly $7.44 million to nonprofit organizations and collaboratives in Central Texas. Learn more at impactaustin.org.
About Girls Giving Grants
Impact Austin’s youth initiative, Girls Giving Grants (g3), creates learning and leadership opportunities for Central Texas girls in grades 8-12. Each participant contributes $100 towards a Central Texas nonprofit working to improve the lives of children; g3 has awarded $98,000 since 2006. Learn more at impactaustin.org/girls-giving-grants.
