A Look Back at the 2023 Texas Nonprofit Summit

03/02/2023 |

Austin | February 27-March 1, 2023

The 2023 Texas Nonprofit Summit marked an exciting return of OneStar’s flagship event. The conference, themed RE:engage, invited attendees to explore sector issues as they relate to today’s ever-evolving Texas landscape. Sessions were focused around building momentum and leaning into the vast possibilities for social change.

The conference kicked off with high-energy keynotes from Tracy Spears and Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew. We closed out the opening plenary with getting up, moving, and connecting with Forklift Danceworks. Attendees were offered a variety of breakout sessions and deep dives designed to induce collaborative strategy, strengthen leadership, and build the adaptive capacities of our organizations. On day three, nearly 125 attendees headed to the Texas Capitol to participate in our first Texas Nonprofit Strong Day. Information sessions educated attendees on the ways in which government impacts their work and how they can be empowered to advocate on behalf of the Texas nonprofit sector.

With more than 350 attendees, we drew a statewide crowd of nonprofit leaders and supporters who came to both learn and celebrate the strength and impact of the Texas nonprofit sector. Our sponsors, including Texas Mutual, NRG, UFCU, and the RGK Center for Philanthropy & Community Service, were critical in enabling such a great three-day education experience. Thank you to our engaged attendees for showing up making this year one of deep connection and innovation.

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2023 Texas Nonprofit Summit

The Texas Nonprofit Summit was such a great networking opportunity. It is important that we are able to learn and share with others. It definitely assisted me in seeing the big picture and how important each nonprofit is in the lives of our citizens.

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Keynote Addresses

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RE:engage | 2023 AmeriCorps Texas Grantee Meeting

03/02/2023 |

The 2023 AmeriCorps Texas Grantee Meeting featured the theme of RE:engage, a “subject line” that regards the need for engagement in its many forms. How can we inspire and support our current, future, and past AmeriCorps members? How do we keep service site partners and communities we serve interested and involved in our work? The theme also doubled as a call to renew our enthusiasm for the impact of national service and take bold action as we move forward together.

This year, our AmeriCorps Texas Grantee Meeting was integrated with the Texas Nonprofit Summit, our annual statewide conference for Texas nonprofit changemakers, which offered AmeriCorps grantees extended opportunities for growth and networking.

Here are a few memorable highlights from this year’s AmeriCorps Texas Grantee Meeting:

  • Coming together in-person. After three years of online events, we were thrilled to have the opportunity to bring all our grantees together to participate in community live and in-person. While we have remained engaged virtually, nothing beats holding space together in the same setting. Being in-person allowed the AmeriCorps Texas team and grantees to meet new folks, reconnect with long-time colleagues, and strengthen current relationships. The Ready, Set, Connect networking activity provided attendees with time to discuss challenges and best practices with new and old colleagues. It is through this relationship-building and sharing of insights that we can all grow AmeriCorps in Texas.
  • Strategizing creative ways to recruit and retain members. Through a robust lunch and learn discussion with CitySquare and Serve Houston, grantees heard about recruitment challenges and best practices to address them. Three of our Workforce Development Planning grantees — American YouthWorks, Communities In Schools of San Antonio, and Reading Partners — shared career pathways they are seeking to develop for their members. Some of these strategies include member/mentor matching and coordination with employers to offering certifications and graduate school admissions support. Additionally, Mission Capital provided grantees with information on ethical data collection and strategies for how to share data stories through an equitable lens which could help support recruitment efforts.
  • Supporting sites through a holistic approach. It is through supportive service sites that AmeriCorps members grow and thrive. Communities In Schools of Central Texas shared how incorporating member and site supervisor input and feedback sessions informed and improved their program model by making it more strengths-based and community-centered. Grantees learned about how Sewa practices cultural humility with their community by learning more about their cultures and using that information to inform how they do outreach and build productive service environments. Amy Salinas from On3Learn presented on the four dimensions of success and provided attendees with tools and strategies for successful multi-site management.
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2023 AmeriCorps Texas Grantee Meeting
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First Lady Cecilia Abbott, OneStar Foundation Announce 39th Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards Recipients

02/02/2023 |
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This press release was originally posted here by The Office of the Texas Governor.

AUSTIN — Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott, Honorary Chair of the Governor’s Volunteer Awards, today announced the recipients of the 39th Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards. These awards, presented in conjunction with OneStar Foundation, honor the exemplary service of individuals, groups, and organizations that have made a significant and measurable contribution to Texas communities through service and volunteering in the past year.

“I am thrilled to recognize the 14 outstanding awardees of this year’s Governor’s Volunteer Awards for their selfless dedication to Texans across the state,” said Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott. “The true strength of Texas is found in our people, and this year’s award winners are a moving testament to the character of the Lone Star State.”

“This year’s award recipients reflect the strength and resilience inherent in the Texan spirit of service,” said Chris Bugbee, OneStar President and CEO. “We are honored to shine a spotlight on these stellar examples of volunteer service with the hope that it will inspire even more generations of Texans to get involved and take action in their own community.”

Awardees will be honored during National Volunteer Month in April at a reception hosted at the Texas Governor’s Mansion.

The recipients of the 39th Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards are:

  • Harriet Marmon Helmle (San Antonio): Governor’s Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award

    Harriet Marmon Helmle has dedicated most of her life to improving education, helping the homeless and disabled, improving medical care for all, and giving girls and women the tools needed to succeed. During the past four decades, she has raised tens of millions of dollars for San Antonio area nonprofits. In 1984, Harriet founded San Antonio Youth Literacy to reach high-risk high school students and their families in disadvantaged neighborhoods that now serves over 900 students on 75 campuses. 

  • Mindy Gross (Fort Bend): Governor’s Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award

    Mindy Gross has worked with the Fort Bend Women’s Center since the late 1990s to assist domestic violence and sexual assault survivors and their children in achieving safety and self-sufficiency. Mindy’s countless volunteer hours and continued commitment have enhanced the Richmond community, volunteers, and staff. In various leadership roles, Mindy has worked with Child Advocates of Fort Bend County and the United Way. She also founded the STARS volunteer auxiliary in 2004, co-founded and served as inaugural co-chair for their annual Girlfriends Giggle benefit, and raised more than $1 million for Fort Bend Women’s Center’s programs and services. 

  • Rose Wilson (Lubbock): Governor’s Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award

    Rose Wilson continues to leave an outstanding legacy in Lubbock with decades of volunteer service spanning from fighting food insecurity to mentoring students to advancing social justice causes. At 95 years old, Rose continues to engage in new volunteer opportunities, help organize events, and serve on boards. Rose has been active with the Lubbock NAACP since the 1960s, becoming the first African American woman to be elected president in 1978 and remaining president for 30 years. She continues to serve on the executive board of the Lubbock NAACP, helping with membership drives and fund development and serving on the finance committee.

  • Catherine Bai (Houston): First Lady’s Rising Star Award

    After seeing the loneliness experienced by many nursing home residents, Catherine Bai started an Adopt a Senior program for residents rarely visited by family members. She soon realized the power of music therapy to help people with dementia and founded the Pearland branch of WeCareAct, a student volunteer organization to involve youth in community service in the Greater Houston area. So far the group has more than 100 volunteers, 1,000 hours dedicated, nine formal holiday concerts organized, and 900 seniors and community members served. Catherine presented her music community service project to the 2022 Future Problem Solving International Conference to raise awareness of the elderly in need.

  • Vedha Vaddaraju (Dallas): First Lady’s Rising Star Award

    Vedha Vaddaraju co-founded Letters of Gold, a Texas nonprofit with the mission of uplifting Texas residents and individuals around the world with letters of light in times of darkness. Letters of Gold delivers more than 3,000 letters to different groups in need every month, primarily in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and Texas. As a rising senior in high school, Vedha leads a team of almost 100 youth volunteers throughout Texas and has chapters of her organization in nearly 10 schools in the DFW area. Having the opportunity to speak in global conferences for the past two years and featured on various news sources in Texas, Vedha uses her skills to empower those around her to write letters and offers monthly training sessions for youth to encourage them to act in their community.

  • Elizabeth Watkins (Frisco): Volunteer of the Year Award

    Elizabeth Watkins founded Refresh Frisco in 2019 to provide hygiene products to students in need. With the mission in mind that proper hygiene is critical for a child’s health and self-esteem, Elizabeth set out to ensure that every child in her community has access to personal hygiene items. As an example of their rapid growth, Refresh Frisco served around 150 students in November 2019 and, by May 2022, had expanded to serve over 1,400 children in K-12 in Frisco ISD. She has recently expanded to Refresh Little Elm, serving more than 300 LEISD students and growing. 

  • Dr. Gary Beach (Austin): Volunteer of the Year Award

    Dr. Gary Beach began volunteering with The Volunteer Healthcare Clinic in 2008 and has improved the lives of countless uninsured patients. As a Vietnam veteran, Gary received the Meritorious Mast from the U.S. Marine Corps and went on to become an acclaimed physician for more than 42 years. He has repeatedly won Top Doctor awards in both Texas Monthly and Austin Monthly. Gary also uses his volunteer time at VHC to mentor the next generation of healthcare providers. He has supported and taught many pre-med students who have gone one to medical schools such as Dell, Southwestern, McGovern, Baylor, UTMB, TAMU, and Stanford.

  • Diana & Glen Egley (New Danville): Volunteer Family of the Year Award 

    Diana and Glen Egley are committed volunteers at New Danville, a rural nonprofit community in Willis for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Diana is president of Legally Authorized Representative Alliance, an organization that sponsors activities and supports New Danville’s day program clients and residents, where Glen also often volunteers. The family is central to the annual Christmas Market at which clients get to shop for free gifts to give to their family and friends, and they are also key volunteers for theater productions performed by New Danville clients. The Egleys also volunteer for Love Fosters Hope, a nonprofit that serves children and teens in foster care who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned.

  • LGI Homes (Fort Bend, Harris & Montgomery Counties): Corporate Volunteering Champion Award

    LGI Homes has made a tremendous impact by planning, completing, and funding a $25,000 project for SIRE, a nonprofit that supports individuals with special needs through therapeutic horsemanship. More than 40 LGI Homes employees provided over 500 hours of volunteer labor for the organization, constructing 10 stalls and outfitting a building for saddles and equipment. In October 2022, LGI Homes also oversaw the completion of a new 4,500-square-foot education and visitors center, valued at $1.2 million, which provides classroom space for SIRE programs, meeting space for local organizations serving people with disabilities, and office space for SIRE staff. LGI Homes is also very involved with Habitat for Humanity in Montgomery County and has employees serving on the board of directors at both SIRE and Habitat for Humanity.

  • Midland High School Football (Midland): Innovation in Volunteerism Award

    The Midland High School Football program has developed a reputation of being the go-to for volunteers in Midland. Head Coach Thad Fortune has built the MHS football program to include intentional and service leadership-based volunteer programming. It starts with his “Path of the Bulldog” principles given to every football player and parent beginning in 7th grade through 12th grade, reaching more than 600 students. MHS Football players are led by Coach Thad in intentional and coordinated volunteer service, including summer trash pick-ups in partnership with Keep Midland Beautiful and “Books and Bulldogs” summer reading programs with the Midland YMCA. 

  • Unite & Inspire (Houston): Innovation in Volunteerism Award

    Unite & Inspire is a youth-led nonprofit with a mission to unite and inspire children, youth, and adults into giving back to their communities through volunteering and to share resources that cultivate their growth as responsible global citizens. Their volunteer projects include disaster relief campaigns, STEAM education, cause-related internships, services for children and seniors, and medical and health support of cancer patients, first responders, and military. During Winter Storm Uri, they provided 500 families with hot meals, essential supplies, and recovery care packages. 

  • Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group (Aransas, Bee, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio & San Patricio Counties): Excellence in Disaster Volunteerism Award

    Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group (CBDRG) is an established network of business, nonprofit, faith-based, private sector, and government organizations partnering to support long-term disaster recovery in 11 counties of the Coastal Bend. In response to Hurricane Harvey, CBDRG rebuilt 81 homes, replaced 79 manufactured homes, and completed 181 major repairs at a cost of $8.5 million. CDBRG provided disaster case management for 1,282 clients, with 450 of the clients fully recovered from the disaster. In Winter Storm Uri, they helped 133 clients restore basic water service that was lost due to freezing pipes. 

  • Texas Search and Rescue (Statewide): Excellence in Disaster Volunteerism Award

    Texas Search and Rescue (TEXSAR) is composed of volunteers who are dedicated Texans serving Texans with a spirit of “service above self” during times of emergency, loss, disaster, and pain. TEXSAR makes itself available as a resource to all 254 counties in the state when requested by local, state, or federal agencies. Though “search and rescue” is part of the organization’s name, TEXSAR has played particularly significant roles in disasters of various sorts, ranging from floods to fires to pandemics to winter storms. TEXSAR volunteers are valuable additions to the efforts of law enforcement, fire, and other agencies because of their spirit, dedication, training, empathy, professionalism, and preparedness—all of which adds up to excellence at times that Texans need it most. 

  • Samiksha Deme (Houston): National Service “Make a Difference” Award

    Samiksha Deme joined Sewa International’s Disaster Preparedness Group as an AmeriCorps Outreach Specialist. With her educational knowledge and skillset in environmental science, Sami is transforming critically needed disaster preparedness training for underserved and often marginalized communities. Sami’s preparedness trainings are centered on environmental justice, healthcare equity, and the crossroads between natural and human-made disasters. Sami also takes on volunteer projects outside her service responsibilities—from vaccine clinics to clothing drives for Afghan refugees to personal essentials for the homeless. 

For more information, visit onestarfoundation.org/governors-volunteer-awards.

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About OneStar

OneStar strengthens Texas communities by creating pathways for individuals and organizations to engage, connect and accelerate their impact. We advance service and volunteering as effective solutions to our state’s toughest social challenges. We are recognized as a statewide voice for the Texas nonprofit sector and a respected partner to foundations, state agencies and the business community. Born from state government in 1974, we carry out our mission with direction and guidance from the Office of the Texas Governor. Learn more at onestarfoundation.org.

How Texas State Agencies Build Community Resilience & Education through Nonprofit Partnership

01/20/2023 |

Texas Interagency Coordinating Group (ICG) highlights best practices for government & nonprofit collaboration to strengthen the public sector and better support vulnerable Texans. To effectively reach all communities, ICG recognizes the importance of building partnerships and sharing resources with the Texas nonprofit sector and identifies best practices for collaborating with faith-based and community organizations.

In 2022, ICG highlighted best practices of collaboration that centered on community resilience and education.

  • The Office of the Attorney General partners with Texas community organizations to promote educational messages in the fight against human trafficking. The agency partnered with the high school students through Project Protect Our Children to highlight statewide efforts in the fight against human trafficking, discuss the current climate and concerns for youth in schools today, and discuss how students can involve more youth in advocacy. This collaboration gave students the opportunity to answer the call to action and created a platform to advance key messages.
  • The Public Utility Commission of Texas works with Texas faith and community-based organizations to disseminate educational materials on energy conservation and customer assistance programs. PUCT conducted outreach events that distributed school supplies to student alongside tips and resources for community members on available assistance programs.
  • Texas Department of Agriculture amplifies key initiatives by partnering with educational institutions. Their Farm to School program improves access to local foods in schools through procurement assistance and agricultural education. Additionally, the agency collaborated with Share Our Strength to provide texting tools to help families find federally funded meals throughout the summer.

For more examples of how nonprofit organizations and government collaborate, check out the 2022 Interagency Coordinating Group Legislative Report.

Texas Nonprofit Council works alongside the Interagency Coordinating Group to strengthen the nonprofit sector and build equitable collaborations. Check out the 2022 Texas Nonprofit Council Interim Report to the legislature to learn more of their efforts as a council.

Year in Review: 10 Highlights from 2022

12/30/2022 |

As we prepare to face the new year ahead, OneStar reflects on the partnerships built and milestones reached. We are so grateful to our fellow Texans who joined us last year in our vision of building thriving and more resilient communities! Here are 10 highlights from 2022 that made an impact on our work:

No. 1: Celebrating service at the Governor's Volunteer Awards

After two years of virtually recognizing Governor’s Volunteer Award recipients, we were thrilled to celebrate these inspiring award recipients in person during a reception at the Texas Governor’s Mansion this April. These extraordinary awardees exhibited an enduring commitment to service amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and rose to the challenge of meeting exceptional community needs in creative ways. Stay tuned for an announcement coming soon on this year’s Governor’s Volunteer Award winners!

No. 2: Empowering programs with AmeriCorps Recruitment Institute

This spring, we hosted our first-ever AmeriCorps Recruitment Institute to equip national service programs in Texas with member recruitment strategies, from attracting a diverse talent pool to building local partnerships. This interactive training provided more than 60 participants with a solid framework for recruitment planning and empowered participants to develop customized strategies to meet their unique recruitment goals.

No. 3: Supporting Uvalde community with Robb School Memorial Fund

We were incredibly moved by the outpouring of generosity for the victims and survivors of the shooting in Uvalde in May. In the aftermath of this tragedy, we launched the Robb School Memorial Fund and collected nearly $7.2 million from donors across the world who wanted to offer their compassion and support. These donations were merged with the Uvalde Together We Rise Fund, a $22.3 million philanthropic collaboration that ensured all funds raised were distributed directly to those most impacted by this devastating event.

No. 4: Gaining inspiration & insight at OneStar's staff retreat

In May, we were inspired and energized during our staff retreat in Austin – our first time in years to gather as a team to refocus and brainstorm together on our shared purpose and identity. It was a valuable opportunity to align on OneStar’s mission of strengthening Texas communities and generated lots of insights to propel our work for the year ahead. We also put our passion into action by volunteering with Austin Sunshine Camps on revitalization and outreach service projects.

No. 5: Building service leaders at Texas Volunteer Management Conference

Effective management of volunteers ensures that the time and talents of those who serve make a meaningful social impact. In June, we were thrilled to sponsor the Texas Volunteer Management Conference, which provides professional volunteer managers with insights and inspiration for their work engaging communities. In addition to providing funding and scholarships, OneStar CEO Chris Bugbee offered an inspiring opening address, and our Director of Statewide Initiatives Millicent Boykin was honored with the 2022 TVMC Legacy Award in recognition of her leadership and commitment to promoting volunteer service.

 

 

 

 

No. 6: Distributing record levels of AmeriCorps funding in Texas

In June, we announced $32.7 million in federal grants, distributed to 50 organizations to engage AmeriCorps members across the state. This funding represents the largest-ever investment in national service in Texas and is a testament to the powerful impact of our AmeriCorps members. This year, we anticipate engaging a record 3,600 AmeriCorps members to help local Texas communities thrive and build resilience.

No. 7: Convening disaster leaders with America's Service Commissions

In August, America’s Service Commissions partnered with OneStar to host their Commission Disaster Convening in Austin. During this gathering, commissions from across the nation shared ideas and offered diverse perspectives on how each state approaches disaster resource management, support roles, planning, and training. We were grateful for the opportunity to learn and network with our colleagues to ensure we are better prepared to face the next disaster or emergency. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No. 8: Building support & resources for Texas rural communities

This year, we intensified our efforts to support and engage rural Texas communities in effective volunteer management. In October, we announced the launch of the Texas Rural Nonprofit Network, a cohort of 25 nonprofits operating in or serving Texas rural communities. These organizations  have received access to networking opportunities, coaching, training, and on-demand tools & resources to boost organizational growth and impact in our state’s rural regions. We also furthered our rural engagement by sponsoring and presenting at Fayette Community Foundation’s Rural Philanthropy Day, which brought together more than 160 nonprofit leaders and funders in November.

No. 9: Opening new office space in Austin & Dallas

This year, OneStar found new office space to call home. In May, our first-ever Dallas location opened at the Water Cooler at Pegasus Park, a cutting-edge campus that houses organizations committed to advancing change in the community. In November, we relocated our Austin office to a more central location east of downtown. These physical spaces expand OneStar’s geographic presence in Texas and provide a venue for fostering partnership and collaboration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No. 10: Launching Texas Nonprofit Strong to promote collaboration & advocacy

In partnership with United Ways of Texas, we launched Texas Nonprofit Strong in September to equip nonprofits in our state with valuable tools and resources and to provide a strong, unified voice that can represent the overall sector. The new website at txnonprofits.org contains valuable data on the sector’s economic impact, links to recent research, directories of capacity-building partners, and a toolkit to help you promote the importance of Texas nonprofits. We also hosted our first convening of the Advocacy Network, which will help guide priorities and advocacy strategy for Texas Nonprofit Strong.

Logo - Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy at The Bush School at Texas A&M University

Earn a Certificate in Nonprofit Career Development

10/24/2022 |

AmeriCorps members and recent alums are invited to apply for a Nonprofit Career Development Certificate program through the Center for Nonprofits and Philanthropy at The Bush School at Texas A&M University. The program will run February to April 2023. Coursework is approximately 3 hours a week: 2 hours asynchronously, and one hour Monday evenings. All coursework is virtual, and course descriptions are listed below.

Priority selection will be given to individuals who:

  • are between 17 to 25 years of age
  • are serving or recently served as an AmeriCorps member in the state of Texas
  • reflect the race and/or income of communities being served

Selected individuals will receive a scholarship to cover the full cost of the certificate program. Technology scholarships may also be available to ensure access to technology is not a barrier to participating.

Applications are currently being accepted through November 30, 2022. Individuals will be notified of scholarship decisions early January 2023.

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This opportunity is powered by OneStar, and made possible with the support of the National Philanthropic Trust as recommended by the Schultz Family Foundation. 

Course Descriptions

Social Justice Leadership at Nonprofit Organizations

Deepens participant knowledge of biased systems within nonprofits which have contributed to a longstanding culture of inequity with regard to leadership roles, build participants’ abilities to recognize and take inventory of associated fairness barriers, and empower learners to address these issues from a data perspective to accelerate racial equity at nonprofit organizations.

Situational Leadership Model

Focuses on and introduces the highly regarded theory of leadership, known as the Situational Leadership Model, which focuses on leadership in situations. The assertion of the theory is that different kinds of leadership are required for different situations, and it continues to serve as an important tool for managers and leaders in a variety of professional settings.

Nonprofit Strategic Management

Provides a framework, the Nonprofit Strategic Management Cycle, which identifies strategic decision areas to consider as nonprofit leaders to create social value and sustain organizational operations.

Nonprofit Performance Measurement

Highlights performance measurement as a system that organizes information based on the regular collection and analysis of performance data. Course is designed to assist learners develop implementation skills by using a public service performance measurement system which is built on the concept of the balanced scorecard.

Understanding Fundraising

Introduces participants to the fundamentals of philanthropy at organizations. Participants will acquire knowledge about trends in giving, fundraising ethics, understanding revenue streams, and the various professional fundraising functions and their associated leadership best practices.

Announcing the Texas Rural Nonprofit Network

10/18/2022 |

We are pleased to introduce the inaugural cohort of the Texas Rural Nonprofit Network! Launched in September 2022, this new network engages 25 nonprofits operating in or serving Texas rural communities. In partnership with Resilia, a social impact technology organization, members have access to networking opportunities, coaching, training, and on-demand tools and resources to boost organizational growth and impact.  During this pilot year, we aim to listen and learn about the unique needs facing Texas rural communities and continue to develop opportunities to support nonprofits serving in these areas.

Special thanks to Volunteer Generation Fund for investing in this initiative!

  • Cactus Nazarene Ministry Center
    Cactus
  • Cibolo Center for Conservation
    Boerne
  • CitySquare Paris
    Paris
  • Coastal Prairie Conservancy
    Waller
  • Collegiate Edu-Nation
    Roscoe
  • Creative Kids Inc.
    El Paso
  • Fayette Community Foundation
    La Grange
  • Fort Bend Women’s Center
    Richmond
  • Gardenia E. Jannsen Animal Shelter
    La Grange
  • Greater Longview United Way
    Longview
  • Henderson County HELP Center – Maggie’s House
    Athens
  • Hesed House of Wharton
    Wharton
  • Homeland Preparedness Project
    Alvin
  • Kaufman Christian Help Center
    Kaufman
  • Keep Andrews Beautiful
    Andrews
  • MatriArk Village, Inc.
    Caldwell
  • Permian Basin Adult Literacy Center
    Midland
  • Rutherford Ranch Rescue
    Sealy
  • Texas Association of Charitable Clinics
    Austin
  • Texas Christian Professional Women Network
    Beaumont
  • The Boys & Girls Club of the Highland Lakes
    Marble Falls
  • Tiny Evie Rocks
    Tyler
  • United Way of Palo Pinto County, Inc.
    Mineral Wells
  • Willacy County EMS Inc.
    Raymondville
  • Women on the Rock, Inc.
    Palestine
AmeriCorps member in blue shirt on a video conference call

Developing workforce pathways for AmeriCorps members

09/30/2022 |

AmeriCorps members make an extraordinary impact meeting the needs of Texas communities, and OneStar is committed to investing in the development of workforce pathways for these dedicated individuals to expand the impact of their term of service.

We are pleased to announce OneStar has awarded $1 million in AmeriCorps funds to 15 organizations to develop more opportunities to support these committed AmeriCorps members in leveraging their service experience into employment opportunities, equipping them to continue making a difference after their service ends. Selected programs will create program models that focus on the service-to-career pipeline, including:

  • designing and developing training opportunities,
  • developing community and employer partnership,
  • creating data tracking systems, and
  • developing certificate or training programs.

Funding was prioritized for program development that would engage opportunity youth and would create pathways to employment through a term of service for AmeriCorps members that are 17-25 years old whose race and income reflect the communities served.

All 15 organizations that have received this funding will be participating in a monthly learning collaborative to share ideas, best practices, and lessons learned. These learnings will then be shared more broadly within the AmeriCorps Texas network. The learning collaborative is made possible with the support of the National Philanthropic Trust as recommended by the Schultz Family Foundation.

The $1 million in funding, administered by OneStar, will be distributed to the following organizations operating in Texas. Click to learn more about each program’s workforce development initiatives!

AmeriCorps Texas Workforce Development Initiatives

American YouthWorks (AYW) is working to create an AmeriCorps service year experience that effectively blends service and training to create meaningful career pathways for our AmeriCorps members. AYW will work with local employers to identify and implement industry-recognized occupational certifications that both enhance employability and can be integrated into an AmeriCorps Training Plan. By strengthening AmeriCorps as a pathway to careers, AYW will have developed a powerful tool for marketing AmeriCorps to recent and soon-to-be high school graduates. From there, AYW will develop and implement a multi-level engagement strategy with local high schools. Together these two strategies will help AmeriCorps service fulfill its potential to impact local communities both through service and workforce development.

Austin Achieve Public Schools (AAPS) will create two pipeline programs during the upcoming year: one for teachers and one for education administrators. AmeriCorps members who are interested in teaching as a career will have an opportunity to earn their teaching certification during their second year of service through a partnership with a local provider. Similarly, we will develop a pipeline for those wishing to enter school administration careers following their service.

Breakthrough will be developing a variety of support initiatives to set-up year-round full-time members and quarter-time members for the next step after service. A key strategy will be to investigate options for providing a path toward a professional credential such as alternative teaching certification, nonprofit certification, or other transferable and marketable micro-credentials. Breakthrough will also focus on partnership development with colleges, corporations, and community organizations to support the skill development of members and placements in careers.

ChildFund International

ChildFund International’s Workforce Development funding will support the mapping and mobilization of key stakeholders to contribute towards the design of ChildFund’s AmeriCorps Workforce Development “service to career” suite of skills-building, training and other activities. Stakeholders include: 1) Local employers to identify most desired and gaps in workforce skills/competencies (i.e. life skills, digital skills, technical, etc.) among current pool of young employees; 2) A Youth Reference Group of representative youth currently seeking or part of the workforce to develop audio/visual materials highlighting their own and peers’ workforce development perspectives, challenges/needs and interests. Based on input from key stakeholders, ChildFund International will develop and organize suite of resources to support AmeriCorps members exploration of “service to career” pathways and secure a living wage, including:  1) Online career resources and training courses with certification for completion; 2) a database of and “badge” recognizing ‘Youth Friendly Employers’ and 3) Training of Trainers for ChildFund Texas AmeriCorps staff who will implement these workforce development initiatives among AmeriCorps members in the coming years. 

Core to College Possible’s objectives will be the hiring of a Corporate Engagement Manager to serve as a liaison between members and the local business community and create visibility for our members in the Austin job market. Additionally, College Possible intends to create a customizable training program using existing and new systems that identify weaknesses in the member’s hiring profile as well as future career interests and tailor a program of skill-building training to their individual needs. We intend for this to improve members’ post-service career opportunities, as well as be a powerful recruitment tool.

Communities In Schools (CIS) of Central Texas will buildout Next Step, an eight-week service and post-secondary readiness program delivered during June and July beginning in 2023. Next Step will engage recently graduated CIS students as AmeriCorps Members in a service opportunity that is designed to provide both on-the-job training through summer program support and individualized coaching to develop employability skills connected to their post-secondary goal. The workforce development funds will be used to support CIS staff capacity to create this program and to build additional capacity by engaging consultants to design participatory feedback and evaluation activities for the target audience that will directly inform curriculum development and support strategies for program implementation.

Communities In Schools of San Antonio’s (CISSA) AmeriCorps program will develop the next generation of representative and culturally sensitive social services professionals by providing participants with hands-on experience in providing case-management and wraparound support services in the school environment. The COVID-19 crisis has compounded the need for well-qualified social services professionals with the knowledge, skills, and commitment to meet the needs of vulnerable students and families impacted by the long-lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. CIS-SA will hire a consultant to create a model for individualized professional development pathways where members create a unique professional development plan based on their individual goals with guidance from their Site Supervisor. CISSA will create a network of support and resources for members to prepare to the next step in their career after their service ends.

Imagine Art is offering a workforce development track that is designed to strengthen and prepare AmeriCorps Members for post service employment opportunities. Imagine Art recognizes the need to provide specialized career and workforce development to its AmeriCorps members to ensure a successful career transition after AmeriCorps. These new services will support the member’s basic needs around career planning and execution, career exploration, structured job training, career advising, employment services and access to employer networks.

Reading Partners will develop and launch the RPNTX AmeriCorps Career Pathways program.  In our newly designed program, AmeriCorps members will select one of five offered career pathways at the beginning of their term. Each pathway experience will include courses and professional development activities taught by experts and professionals in fields related to their chosen pathway. In addition to specific pathway work, all AmeriCorps members will take part in resume building, interview and networking practice, and time with an assigned mentor.

Sewa Houston AmeriCorps Program will originate a bold blueprint to foster prosperity for individuals and their communities by providing training, professional and personal development opportunities, and access to employment resources that will maximize success along their career pathway. Sewa will create a workforce development initiative that supports AmeriCorps members in gaining employment upon completion of their service terms by training in a mix of soft and hard skills, using a holistic approach that helps members to interface professionally and enhance eventual on-the-job productivity. Our program will take a long view that focuses on what members need to know in the future to maximize their personal and professional growth and their long-term contributions to their communities.

Teach For America – Texas proposes to launch a statewide career services program, available to existing and recently exited AmeriCorps members in Texas, regardless of their prior service location; this statewide career services program will be coordinated through the Austin regional team, with support from our regional teams in Houston, Dallas – Fort Worth, the Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and the national Teach For America alumni team.  First, through this initiative, Teach for America (TFA) would focus on creating systems and guidelines to clearly define the talent matching work, sharing statewide opportunities, and connecting with alumni across regions.  Second, TFA would develop a deeper understanding of where TFA alumni are currently working across the state and identify all organizations across the state that meet the needs of TFA alumni and fall within a catalytic career pathway – school/system leadership, policy, social innovation, and community/civic leadership.

Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS) will research and scale best practices to bolster the current TNOYS AmeriCorps Program, a service opportunity specifically designed for Youth and Young Adults (YYA) with lived experiences of system involvement in foster care, homelessness, juvenile justice, and others. Specifically, TNOYS will be exploring options for a certification or credential for work-based learning in the youth services field to ensure TNOYS AmeriCorps members are competitive job candidates. Additionally, TNOYS will research and develop best practices and training on employing YYA with lived experiences and reconnecting Opportunity Youth to work to bolster the youth services field. Finally, TNOYS will leverage their relationship with employers and develop and design a job fair for TNOYS AmeriCorps members so that they gain employment after their term of service ends. 

Texas HIPPYCorps will further establish mechanisms leading to members’ successful transition to the workforce following service. In the first phase of a three-phase approach, Texas HIPPYCorps’ efforts begin with gathering information from former HIPPY members about what supported their transitions to employment, what benefits they gained from their service, what skills they developed, what barriers they faced, and how their experiences impacted their career trajectories and transition to the workforce. This information creates the foundation for developing evidence-based training modules and skill-building activities supporting current and future members’ successful workforce transition and ameliorating barriers identified by former members. The final phase focuses on creating a formal tracking system to trace current and future members’ post-service workforce and education related activities. 

The University of Texas Charles A. Dana Center Literacy First Program will use the planning grant funds to strengthen the AmeriCorps program serving in Austin/Central Texas with a focus on the Bilingual Teacher Certification pipeline and other workforce development pipelines attractive to the non-traditional AmeriCorps member (High School Graduate/Associate Degreed Adults). Literacy First staff will evaluate recruitment practices, design responsive workforce development training specific to the bilingual community, explore additional supports for Adult English learners (as well as Spanish learners) and prepare for piloting workforce development trainings as a result of these activities. The objectives and priorities of this project will be to focus on a more diverse population as AmeriCorps tutors for the Literacy First program including non-traditional AmeriCorps members from the parent community, as well as those finishing high school and early college (Associates Degreed individuals).

As part of this planning grant, West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) proposes to develop a training and certificate program that will focus on the development of skills the panhandle’s regional employers are looking for in current and future employees. These skills will improve the overall employability, economic mobility, and economic stability of members serving with our program. Working with local employers, the University’s Continuing Education Department and Career Services, our local workforce development board, a consulting firm, and other relevant groups WTAMU will build a program for professional development. Partnering with local employers and our region’s Workforce Solutions, we will create a professional network and career pipeline for members that connect them to living wage employment opportunities. Upon completion of their term of service, members will not only be prepared for the workforce, but employers will know members possess the skills they are looking for and recognize them as highly qualified candidates

OneStar | Texas Rural Nonprofit Network

Join the Texas Rural Nonprofit Network

08/04/2022 |
Rural nonprofits across Texas are invited to become part of the 2022-2023 Texas Rural Nonprofit Network. The Network was established to foster networking, collaboration, volunteer management development, and resource sharing among nonprofits engaging volunteers to support thriving rural communities. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, August 31.
Apply

Benefits

OneStar has partnered with Resilia, a social impact technology organization, to give 25 nonprofits access to their exclusive online platform. Resilia offers technology and 1:1 coaching to support effectiveness, creativity, and workflow in nonprofits across the country. Texas Rural Nonprofit Network services will be centered on providing hands-on resources for nonprofits serving rural communities, and to strengthen their volunteer recruitment and engagement strategies.

Network members will have access to a suite of on-demand tools and resources to support organizational growth and impact, which include:

  • Curated resources that support development in storytelling, fundraising, volunteer management, compliance, and much more
  • Unlimited 1:1 consultation with nonprofit coaches on core nonprofit functions
  • Peer-to-peer learning experience that includes workshops for network development and collaboration
  • Tools to capture program outputs, outcomes, and impact narratives
  • 40+ downloadable and customizable templates spanning sample fundraiser plans, elevator pitch, bylaws, and strategic plans
  • Grants database of 60,000 grantmakers and thousands of grant awards to support diversifying funds and increasing mission impact.

Selected nonprofits can invite unlimited users from their organization to access all these services from September 2022 to July 2023.

Eligibility

To be considered for the Texas Rural Nonprofit Network, organizations must complete the application no later than Wednesday, August 31, 2022, and:

  • Operate in a rural* area and/or serve a rural community
  • Be designated as a 501(c)(3) organization
  • Recruit and engage volunteers (or plan to utilize volunteers)

Primary consideration will be given to applicants presenting needs that, if solved, will significantly increase organizational capacity and/or directly impact their mission. Priority will also be given to organizations that are at least 50 miles outside of the geographic footprint of a volunteer center and have an operating budget under $500,000.

Organizations selected to participate in the Texas Rural Nonprofit Network will be notified by Monday, September 12, 2022. The program will officially launch in September 2022.

Apply

For additional information or questions, please submit all inquiries to volunteer@onestarfoundation.org or call 512-287-2007.

*OneStar uses rural-urban commuting area (RUCA) codes to classify program addresses as either rural or urban for analytic purposes. RUCA codes classify U.S. census tracts using measures of population density, urbanization, and daily commuting. Census tracts with an urban cluster population of less than 50,000 are considered rural (RUCA codes 4-10). Applicants can designate themselves as serving rural communities if some or all service locations are in rural areas as defined by RUCA codes or if the program can provide other compelling evidence that the program is rural in the narrative portion of the application. This self-designation will be considered in membership selection decisions. For more information about RUCA codes, please visit the USDA website.

Robb School Memorial Fund joins philanthropic partnership to distribute funds to victims of Uvalde tragedy

06/22/2022 |

In the wake of the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022, OneStar helped support the outpouring of generosity and compassion for the Uvalde community and facilitated donations to  the Robb School Memorial Fund held locally at First State Bank of Uvalde. To date, OneStar has collected more than $4.7 million on behalf of the fund.

Based on the recommendation of a local steering committee comprised of members of the Uvalde community,  the Robb School Memorial Fund, including donations received through OneStar, will join forces with other philanthropic initiatives to partner with National Compassion Fund (NCF). The collaborative philanthropic effort will be called the Uvalde Together We Rise Fund.

NCF is a subsidiary of the National Center for Victims of Crime and a leading national authority on mass-casualty crime.  The organization helps survivors navigate the process of accessing funds in a respectful, dignified, victim-centered manner and also preserves the intent of donors who want to know that their gift is going directly to those harmed.

Details on the Steering Committee, National Compassion Fund, and the Uvalde Together We Rise Fund can be found in the press release distributed by the committee.

Anyone wishing to donate to support Uvalde can continue to give through the Robb School Memorial Fund.  OneStar will coordinate with the National Compassion Fund to ensure all donations are directed to the Uvalde Together We Rise Fund for distribution.