OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
We have learned alongside our Community Partners as they have faced challenges, overcome barriers, and achieved extraordinary successes. Find out more about each project and the outcomes below.
YEAR
2018
GRANT CATEGORY
Education
GRANT AMOUNT
$111,500
Organization:
Communities In Schools of Central Texas
Project Title:
ASPIRE Family Literacy Program
Project Description:
Communities In Schools (CIS) of Central Texas supports students in 66 schools, meeting immediate needs such as food or clothing and more complex ones like emotional support or counseling, empowering public school students to stay in school and achieve in life. For 23 years, the CIS-ASPIRE Family Literacy Program has provided integrated two-generational services—including comprehensive early childhood, adult, and parenting education—to high-need families with very young children.
Our grant will support ASPIRE’s core operating costs which will help CIS provide services to a minimum of 100 families in southeast Austin, preparing children for kindergarten and equipping their parents with the skills and education to help their entire family succeed.
Grant Status:
Impact Austin’s $111,500 grant supported the Aspire Literacy Program with two-generation services.
In 2018-19, CIS served 91 parents and 141 children. In 2019-2020, they served 77 parents and 134 children. All 3-5 year olds demonstrated gains in pre-literacy skills, and 100% of K, 1st, and 2nd graders were promoted to the next grade. Of adult students, 82-89% showed gains in math, reading, writing, and English language attainment. Grant funds also updated and refurbished the CIS learning area with new equipment and materials.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, CIS pivoted to virtual programming, alternating service to children and parents. Impact Austin agreed that $5,000 of grant funding would be re-directed as financial assistance.