Five Critical Questions Every Nonprofit Must Address for Disaster Preparedness

08/29/2023 |

There are tons of resources on nonprofit management from strategic planning to funder engagement. Within these resources, we often leave out an essential topic: is our nonprofit ready for a prompt response during a disaster? 

In the dynamic and unpredictable world of today, disaster resilience must be a focal point for all nonprofit leaders. Resilience is not merely a buzzword; it signifies the capacity to adapt, organize, and react with intent after an unforeseen disaster. 

Here are five questions we believe every nonprofit should ask now.  

What type of disaster is most likely to affect us?

Not every city or region is prone to the same types of disasters. Prioritize action at your organization by identifying the type of event most likely to occur in your area. For instance, the most common disasters impacting Texas communities include tornadoes, hurricanes, flash floods, earthquakes, wildfires and drought.

Next, consider the primary hazards and their impact on your work. For example, if you serve a population that is largely senior in age, consider that many already do not have access to transportation. During a disaster, the impact of these limitations in mobility may be exacerbated. Develop a plan to address this need under extraordinary circumstances. In this same vein, consider what role(s) your nonprofit is uniquely positioned to help with during a disaster. Do you have the ability to have a skeleton crew for your work and have updates pushed out regularly on social media? Discuss this with your full team and ask how the organization can show up in unique ways.

Do we know our key contacts—including our county judge, emergency manager, and other social change leaders— that play an active role in disasters?

Your nonprofit can forge strong partnerships with emergency managers in blue skies, so that we can bring the two spheres of expertise together to plan an adequate and inclusive response for the whole community, including the people you serve. Do you know your local Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and/or Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD)? A COAD is a network of community organizations, businesses, nonprofits and individuals working together to plan community responses to a variety of emergency and disaster situations.

Both VOADs and COADs work to reduce the duplication of services and other inefficiencies that occur during times of disaster. Often, these groups may hold educational and networking sessions. Key areas of their work include planning, coordinating, and implementing disaster recovery resources. Forming relationships and getting to know their primary functions is very helpful before a disaster situation.

Do we need to implement a Disaster Response Plan?

The short answer is “yes,” but what type of plan will be most helpful to your organization? To get to the answer, consider what function of your nonprofit will be most deeply impacted. What services will the community turn to your organization for, and how will you meet those needs during a disaster? Will you be delivering direct service, raising funds on behalf of others, or temporarily expanding areas of an existing program to accommodate greater need? In addition to helping others, ensure that you are prepared to perform essential business functions such as payroll and critical client services.

If you foresee increased activity around giving and philanthropy, consider this: most disaster giving happens in the first six weeks when media coverage is high, but quickly drops off when the news cycle moves on. To prepare in the best way, decide whether your organization will take donations (both cash, stock, and in-kind) and how will you acknowledge the gifts. How will funds be distributed afterwards?

In the immediate aftermath of a major disaster, there will be a dearth of information while needs within your target population could be greater than ever. Thus, give yourself time now to think through the communications function. Start with these questions:

  • What is the ideal workflow to develop a crisis response narrative?
  • What is your role in interfacing with the media in preparation for a disaster? Do you have the resources internally to participate in interviews? If your organization expects press engagement, make a plan for who will support behind-the-scenes with collecting data and crafting key messages and who will be interacting directly with the media.

How do we begin to build a ‘culture of preparedness’?

Answers to the previous questions will help identify areas of organizational focus after a disaster. With this information, you can begin to plan what programmatic functions will likely be expanded after a disaster event. With this in mind, consider how to train and educate staff to complete their roles. Are there Emergency Management meetings that we should attend? Some examples may include local emergency management trainings and exercises, VOAD/COAD meetings, trainings with Texas Division of Emergency Management, and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) programs.

Building out a culture of preparedness requires that you review your internal capacity. Identify your existing strengths within the organization. After a disaster, you may need to shift roles for some staff. Identify the individual employees and teams that are likely to take on additional work and determine capacity gaps. Where are areas where you should cross-train teams? Remember to focus on the people not just the plan and infrastructure.

How can we mobilize volunteers during a time of crisis?

In what ways can volunteers play a role in ecosystem recovery? If you have an existing pool of active volunteers, consider if there is an easy tie-in to disaster response, even for virtual participation. Volunteer interest immediately following a disaster is high, but what happens after public attention wanes? Will there be volunteer needs months after the disaster? For volunteer needs in Texas, the VolunteerTX.org site is a great resource, where you can search for opportunities by activity type and location. You can preemptively research if you have a local Volunteer Center or Volunteer Connector Organization, which often serves as the contact point for local and national volunteer organizations, connecting Individuals with local opportunities.

Do not underestimate the power of social media alerts and online information sharing. There may be certain requests for particular donation items or foods after a disaster. Invoking the help of your existing volunteer network to share these requests can be deeply effective.

Nonprofits’ greatest strengths are our community-facing work as well as our collective numbers. With more than 130,000 nonprofits in Texas, our sector influences every community, maintains close social ties with local stakeholders, and understands the latest socio-political issues. Disaster response is a topic of increasing importance in today’s world that demands our attention. Since nonprofits possess a first-hand understanding of a community’s challenges, nonprofit leaders need to reflect on how to best leverage their knowledge and resources to respond after a disaster event. 

At OneStar, we have seen how iteratively conceptualizing our role has allowed us to more effectively respond to disasters. We hope these questions ignite dialogue and reflection on the potential impact on your work should disaster strike.  

Michelle VrynMichelle Vryn
Chief Development Officer
OneStar

Five Lessons in Resilience from the Texas COVID Relief Fund

06/17/2021 |

It has been more than a year since the Texas COVID Relief Fund was launched in May 2020, and we want to thank our partners for their commitment to building the resilience of Texas communities during this extraordinary time. Every dollar donated, every hour spent on a socially distanced video call, and every conversation about how we can help Texans recover have mattered greatly to our state.

Through the generosity of our donors, we were able to provide $955,350 in critical funding to 16 organizations, which in turn served nearly 475,000 individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the course of the year, we met with each of these grantees to have insightful conversations about their needs and experiences, which we are excited to share in our Texas COVID Relief Fund Progress Report. As we discussed opportunities and lessons learned, here are five key themes that emerged, along with words directly from our grantees.

  • General operating funds provided nonprofits the flexibility to use funds as needs arose. Nonprofits appreciated the ability to increase staff size, build internal capacity through improved business processes, and pilot new service models to adapt to pandemic safety protocols. “We used flexible operational funding to investigate and identify operational efficiencies in the service model needed for long-term stability.”
  • Virtual programming increased the ability of nonprofits to reach larger, more diverse audiences. Funding allowed organizations to increase and diversify their pool of volunteers and new hires, shift organizational culture to include more diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, and move forward system-change goals. “We’ve identified a need to broaden our target audience by reaching new audiences where they are through outreach & engagement on platforms and at times most accessible to them.”
  • Volunteers stepped up to help their neighbors and community. Committed and adaptable volunteers were more important than ever to nonprofits facing increased community needs and limited staff capacity. In the face of distancing requirements, volunteers found safe and innovative ways to continue to provide support. “Although most of our volunteers are age 65 or over, a keenly vulnerable population during the pandemic, they continued to give their time and energy. That shows their passion and love for our mission.”
  • Partnerships between local community organizations increased. The pandemic created opportunities to build community cohesion and highlighted the importance of collaboration as multiple service providers linked up to meet increasingly complex and interconnected needs. “Coordinated efforts via partnership with local organizations allowed us to serve the whole family, rather than just children.”
  • Resilience and clarity of purpose kept leaders moving forward. Nonprofits were navigating the compounding stress of several unprecedented events at once as the COVID-19 pandemic and Winter Storm Uri destabilized communities. These concurrent events delayed timelines and required additional operational pivots in services, challenging leaders to stay focused and resourceful. “The Winter Storm required us to pivot drastically. We remained nimble, did not let policy paralyze us so we could continue to serve our mission, and used all the resources at our disposal—including staff who were eager to serve.”

We are grateful for the efforts of our partners who have served Texas communities diligently through the good and bad days of the pandemic. As vaccination uptake increases and some sense of “normalcy” returns, we acknowledge our unprecedented collective journey through moments of immense grief and suffering as well as triumph and hope, and we look forward to continuing to learn and grow through these shared experiences.

Please download our Texas COVID Relief Fund Progress Report for more information, and check out our current disaster response initiative, the Rebuild Texas Hurricane Season Recovery Fund.

How to help Texas communities be #HurricaneStrong this hurricane season

06/01/2021 |

The Atlantic hurricane season officially starts in June, and forecasters this year are expecting above-average activity and a high likelihood of a major storm impacting Texas. After an extraordinary 2020 season, which generated a record-breaking 30 named storms and 11 storms to make landfall on the U.S. mainland, Texans are on high alert. Meanwhile local communities—still grappling with effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and Winter Storm Uri—are facing depleted resources as they brace for potential impacts of the hurricane season ahead.

Every year, hurricanes wreak enormous havoc and trauma for Texans—upending millions of lives and livelihoods, disrupting economies, and causing billions of dollars in damage. But while these storms are inevitable, we can mitigate their consequences by proactively preparing, planning, and identifying resources before disaster strikes.

In anticipation of another busy year, OneStar launched the Rebuild Texas Hurricane Season Recovery Fund, which preemptively coordinates donations to ensure funding is readily available and can be quickly deployed in the aftermath of a storm. Giving to the fund is one way you can help Texas communities be more resilient in the wake of this season’s events.

Everyone has a role to play in helping Texas communities be #HurricaneStrong this season. In the words of community development and disaster recovery expert Angela Blanchard, “People can survive individually, but they thrive collectively.” In addition to donating to the Hurricane Season Recovery Fund, here are other actions you can take:

  • Stay aware.
    Follow state and local officials and organizations like the Texas Division of Emergency Management or National Weather Service West Gulf River Forecasting Center on their social media channels to remain aware of conditions throughout the hurricane season. Also research how your local city or county shares important updates. For example, Hardin County Strong is launching a free app that will keep users updated on county information, alerts, news, declarations and more. Residents will also be able to register for assistance or to become a volunteer.
  • Volunteer.
    Texans give thousands of hours of time and talent to provide critical voluntary support to local communities during all phases of the disaster. But to be most effective, we strongly recommend that you identify and sign up to volunteer with an organization before a hurricane strikes, so communities can move quickly to action. Check out the full list of Texas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster and sign up to help today, which ensures you will be vetted and trained to respond when you are called upon in a disaster.
  • Prepare your organization.
    Nonprofits across the state support Texans day in and day out, whether in blue skies or during a hurricane. If you are part of a nonprofit serving the community, take the American Red Cross Ready Rating three question “quiz” to assess your organization’s readiness, and explore the Ready.gov Hurricane Ready Business Toolkit for templates and tools to develop an emergency and continuity plan. You can also share resources to help your partners, customers, and clients stay aware and be prepared this season. Visit TexasReady.gov for resources you can share with fellow Texans.
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Heat map of the state of Texas showing priority across counties.

Data-Driven Philanthropy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

05/10/2021 |

Background

In 2017 when Hurricane Harvey struck the Gulf Coast of Texas, various funders, even those with limited experience in disaster philanthropy, recognized their obligation to help mitigate the devastating toll of the disaster on Texans and nonprofit partners. One often-overlooked yet critical tool that the Houston-based Episcopal Health Foundation (EHF) leveraged to support the nonprofit and philanthropic community was data and research. EHF used FEMA data to produce maps and analysis to support local efforts and partnered with Kaiser Family Foundation to conduct rapid-response polling to assess the needs of Texans. The data revealed the significant racial, income, and geographic disparities in Harvey’s impact—exposing the need for recovery efforts to be community-specific and equity-focused. Three years later, those lessons remain cornerstones for effective philanthropic responses an unprecedented disaster—the COVID-19 pandemic.

Challenge

On May 6, 2020, Texas Governor Greg Abbott designated OneStar Foundation to manage the Texas COVID Relief Fund—a statewide coronavirus fund to address critical gaps in community resources in the areas of health, education, and community development. In total, the Texas COVID Relief Fund raised $920,000, while more than 1,000 organizations reached out to express a need for funding due to the pandemic.

While the state saw an outpouring of philanthropic support in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, the COVID-19 pandemic was different. The virus and its consequences impacted all Texans in almost all counties—while also impacting almost every corner of the world. Every nonprofit, foundation, small business, corporate donor, and community continues to cope with functioning in the “new normal.”

In response to the overwhelming demand, OneStar prioritized funding for unmet needs of communities that were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. However, it was difficult to identify exactly which communities these were at the time due to fragmented and inconsistent publicly available data and the diversity of approaches to the local health and economic crisis in each local jurisdiction. OneStar needed to analyze real-time public health data to better see how local communities were impacted differently by the pandemic and identify gaps in local response efforts. OneStar called upon partner organization EHF to conduct a statewide analysis that could identify communities disproportionately impacted by the virus. This data informed critical decisions in the grantmaking process so that finite resources could best respond to the pressing needs of the moment.

The partnership between the OneStar and EHF showcases valuable lessons on the multiple ways data and research can sharpen our ability to respond to complex challenges in the disaster landscape. While philanthropic giving plays an essential role in disaster recovery, the amount of funding a single organization can give to relief efforts was always going to be a drop in the bucket.

Solution

EHF and OneStar worked together to explore publicly available datasets on public health and socioeconomic risk factors. We aimed to objectively identify regions heavily impacted by the virus that were less likely to have sufficient resources to respond to the economic, social, and health challenges posed by the pandemic. Our goal was to create a heat map of Texas by plotting both COVID specific public health indicators alongside resiliency indictors.

COVID-19 Public Health IndicatorsResiliency Indicators
COVID-19 related deaths
COVID-19 related hospitalizations		CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index
Unemployment Statistics
Access to a local philanthropic fund

We used statistical data on COVID-19 related deaths and hospitalizations as opposed to COVID-case numbers due to the variation of testing capacity across counties. To highlight the socio-economic impact of the pandemic, we used unemployment statistics published by the Texas Workforce Commission and the Center for Disease Control’s Social Vulnerability Index. The CDC SVI includes 15 social variables, including poverty, lack of access to transportation, and crowded housing, that identify areas of high socio-economic insecurity. In short, the CDC has identified these 15 factors play into a community’s ability to prevent human suffering and financial loss in a disaster.

We wanted to know which areas of the state were already capable of raising and distributing philanthropic dollars in their communities to find where our funding would be most needed. We knew from the beginning that this data was not readily available, too hard to compile, and inconsistent. Ultimately, we were able to identify local communities with access to a local COVID-19 relief fund using Candid’s database and aggregated that data to the county level to compare across datasets.

Based on the indicators above, we identified 33 of the 254 Texas counties were highest need (13%), 92 counties were high need (36%), 105 counties were low need (41%), and 24 counties were lowest need (9%). We prioritized funding for regions with large clusters of “highest” and “high” need counties and rural areas with limited access to local COVID philanthropic relief funding. 

Geographic ScopeFunding ApprovedPercentage
Statewide
3+ Regions
2 Regions
1 Region		$485,000
$200,000
$160,000
$75,000		53%
22%
17%
8%
Total Funding$920,000100%

To reach the most people, we knew we needed to focus on providing grants to organizations which had a history of providing services statewide or across a significant proportion of the state. However, the data allowed us to identify and prioritize smaller regional organizations that cover a few highest need regions.

The analysis provided clarity on the impact of the coronavirus regionally. For example, in July, major metro areas like Dallas and Houston had large numbers of COVID-19 cases while smaller counties in the Rio Grande Valley region had higher rates of COVID-19 deaths, unemployment rates almost double the state average, and relatively fewer philanthropic dollars flowing into the region. This was a similar trend we saw during Hurricane Harvey, in which smaller or more rural communities that were most devastated by the storm received less news coverage and with it less philanthropic support compared to the Houston area.

Insights & Call to Action


We must learn from each disaster to better prepare for the next one. The COVID-19 pandemic taught us a few important things about the current state of data-driven philanthropy in Texas. Our partnership on this endeavor allowed us to envision what the philanthropic community could achieve by using research and data as a grantmaking tool. We draw the following insights from our collaboration:

  • The philanthropic sector must increase data transparency.
    Our society is built upon incredible diversity and deeply intertwined systems and issues and unfortunately no dataset can provide a full and complete snapshot of this reality. While data will likely always be imperfect, the more we use, aggregate, analyze, and act on data, the better informed our practices and policies will be. Greater transparency can ensure that government, philanthropic funders, and advocacy groups have a clearer picture of grantmaking to better advocate for and invest in communities. Without information on how much funding was available in certain locations and how it was being distributed in real-time, as a state we are passing up an opportunity to stretch and leverage our finite philanthropic dollars as far as they could go.
  • Data-driven philanthropy can improve equity.
    Foundations who desire to make systematic change focused on equity should use data to inform their grantmaking practices and policies, including funding research and evaluation in line with direct services. Research and evaluation can have systemic, community-wide policy impacts when used correctly to inform decision makers. We use research methods to evaluate which programs can successfully be scaled and replicated. However, many nonprofits do not have the time or budget to conduct regional or community-wide impact evaluations—a critical gap that philanthropy can help address.

Data can help us see which communities geographically and demographically are most in need. From data analysis on Hurricane Harvey and COVID, we now know that urban communities draw more attention and donations following a disaster. We can use that information to distribute funding more equitably to regions that are underserved and under resourced. The disparate impact of the COVID pandemic on African American and Hispanic communities was not readily known until we had data to show it. If done correctly, data shows us who, where, and in what way communities are most in need.

Closing


One day we hope to see an interconnected network of funders who collaborate in real-time by

  1. collecting usable grantmaking data;
  2. making data discoverable online and openly shared;
  3. discussing best practices for using data;
  4. identifying gaps in funding to better leverage dollars.

Research and data-driven grantmaking is one way we have the power to increase equity and demonstrate our resolve to support our communities in need. The Episcopal Health Foundation and OneStar Foundation teamed up to share our experience to start a larger conversation amongst our sector. We encourage you to reach out to us to continue the conversation on how to improve research and data-driven philanthropy in the nonprofit sector.

Robiel AbrahaRobiel Abraha
Research and Evaluation Officer
Episcopal Health Foundation

Megan MaldonadoMegan Maldonado
Program Manager, Rebuild Texas Fund
OneStar Foundation

Read More:

 
  • Texans’ Views On The COVID-19 Pandemic. (Published October 2020) The Episcopal Health Foundation conducted a statewide survey of Texans on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report highlights how the pandemic is affecting Texans differently depending on household income, race, whether they have health insurance, and many other factors.
  • The Impact of COVID-19 on Texas Nonprofits. OneStar Foundation and the United Ways of Texas developed, executed, and analyzed nonprofit surveys to identify the impact COVID-19 has had on the nonprofit sector in Texas.
  • The Center for Disaster Philanthropy, a thought leader in disaster philanthropy, and Candid released Philanthropy & COVID-19 in the First Half of 2020 report detailing global giving trends.
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Three AmeriCorps members wearing cloth facemasks hold up brown bags during a meal distribution.

#ServiceShoutout to 9 AmeriCorps Texas Programs Supporting COVID-19 Recovery

05/06/2021 |

Today, we’re joining the nationwide #ServiceShoutout celebrating the invaluable role that national service has played in COVID-19 recovery. Texas communities are stronger and more resilient because of their commitment and dedication.

With 17,900 national service members serving across the state, there are countless examples of how AmeriCorps is making a difference across our state. Here is a look at nine AmeriCorps programs and how they have adapted this year in response to our communities’ pressing needs.

  • ChildFund International AmeriCorps members have helped children and families throughout Texas protect themselves from COVID-19 and supported students’ social emotional learning through virtual lesson plans, video presentations, and curbside activities. Members conducted home visits and check-in calls with families, provided tips on helping children manage stress and stay safe, gave encouragement, and provided a listening ear. Here’s an example of one fun virtual activity that members used to keep students safe and engaged!
  • College Advising Corps has diligently supported students across Texas navigating the uncertainty caused by COVID-19, ensuring they do not lose valuable post-secondary opportunities. AmeriCorps members continued offering advising services by pivoting to teleservice. For example, AmeriCorps members utilized SMS texting capabilities as an outreach method; at The University of Texas at Austin, advisers collectively texted more than 1,000 students to continue distributing important college-going information. Check out our in-depth profile of the College Advising Corps response here!
  • Communities In Schools of San Antonio was a lifeline for thousands of kids affected by COVID-19 and the economic fallout. AmeriCorps members supported student engagement in virtual learning by doing porch visits, providing technology, and offering enrichment groups over Zoom. But beyond academic support, members also served more than 250 hours at weekly mobile food pantries, rotating between 18 schools to meet the urgent need for food assistance. Check out how Communities In Schools used their unique case management model and community connections to address the unprecedented needs of their students.
  • Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas has been delivering virtual programming during the COVID-19 pandemic that is exceeding expectations of parents and teachers. AmeriCorps members have conducted online workshops for 3,000 girls—from a six-week virtual Camp Out of the Box experience to the Okay to Say mental health education program. Girl Scouts collaborates with local school districts to ensure students continue to build social/emotional skills, participate in hands-on STEM activities, and develop mental health awareness during the COVID-19 shutdown. Check out how Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas helped kids learn science—even without the Internet.
  • Imagine Art in Austin provided support to their client base of artists with disabilities by pivoting to online platforms and developing extensive safety protocols during the pandemic. AmeriCorps members explored creative exhibition opportunities for local artists via digital galleries and outdoor venues throughout the community, and they delivered food, personal protective equipment, and art supplies to clients upon request. Here’s a peek at their latest exhibition, curated and installed by AmeriCorps members!
  • Legacy Community Health has been working diligently to meet the needs of their patients and the Houston community. AmeriCorps members assist patients with their social determinants of health to ensure they have access to COVID-19 resources and have supported contact tracing, various food distributions, and Legacy Community Health’s baby shower parade for expecting moms. Check out our in-depth profile of the Legacy Community Health response here!
  • Literacy First in Austin recognized how the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated long-standing disparities in access to a quality early education: their students were at greater risk of learning loss and needed additional early literacy support. AmeriCorps members were trained to effectively support and monitor student progress via Zoom and have provided hundreds of students with daily, one-to-one virtual tutoring. In addition to their tutoring responsibilities, Literacy First AmeriCorps members have also served the Central Texas community during the pandemic as COVID-19 contact tracers, food bank volunteers, elder support volunteers, virtual summer school support, and more.
  • Project Transformation North Texas continued to engage students throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with their PT@Home virtual video series, featuring literacy, STEM, art, social-emotional learning, and other supply-light educational activities that kids could join remotely. In addition, AmeriCorps members helped deliver more than 47,000 meals across nine sites in the north Texas area and hosted drive-through food and supply distribution with toys, cleaning supplies, and meal kits. After months of hosting after-school homework help, literacy assessments, and family fun nights over Zoom, this AmeriCorps program is supporting local public and charter schools as they reopen with in-person programming using extensive safety protocols.
  • Reading Partners North Texas kept summer reading alive through the pandemic by engaging AmeriCorps members to distribute reading materials to 540 students during summer 2020. The program adapted its literacy curriculum for a virtual environment: they created Reading Partners Connects, a one-on-one online tutoring platform, and offer a free digital library for students and families. Here’s a look at a day in the life of an AmeriCorps distance tutoring coordinator.

Hometown Hero: Faye Watson Continues a Family Legacy of Service in Wharton County

04/05/2021 |

After spending more than three decades in the world of corporate compliance in Houston, Faye Watson was preparing for quiet retirement in her hometown of Wharton, but Mother Nature had other plans. In the disaster-prone Gulf Coast of Texas, Faye found a new calling with Wharton County Recovery Team, a group of community organizers who assist local recovery and rebuilding efforts.

“The most fulfilling part of this role is seeing a community—my community—rebound from not only Hurricane Harvey, but three floods prior to Hurricane Harvey in a two-year period,” Faye said. “Many lived in homes that were built in the 1930s. They are a resilient people, but the devastation and frustration had really worn the residents of the West End down.”

In 2018, Wharton County Recovery Team (WCRT) received $1.4 million from OneStar’s Rebuild Texas Fund that funded the construction of 10 homes on Wharton’s West End for displaced families—some whom had been without permanent residence for more than three years. The group has built a total of 24 houses for Hurricane Harvey survivors and has overseen more than 300 repair and rebuilding cases. Throughout the journey, WCRT has built trust with the community to ensure critical needs are met.

“Those in most need of assistance may not be aware of the services that are available. Communications are key to ensure these individuals do not fall between the cracks,” reported the team.

Serving with WCRT was an indispensable opportunity for Faye to give back to her hometown and honors the legacy of service passed down by her family. Both of her parents were raised in Wharton: her father was a military veteran and engineer, and her mother was a homemaker with a heart for the community.

“My mother was a community activist before she even knew what activism was,” Faye said.

Having paved the way for new homes for so many families, Faye has plans build a home of her own and is still eyeing a retirement in Wharton—if Mother Nature allows.

“I’m waiting for the levee to be built in Wharton, in hopes that I won’t be required to build six feet off the ground and be required to walk up a flight of stairs when entering and leaving my home,” Faye joked.

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Texas Winter Storm 2021: How You Can Help - Ways that you can donate or volunteer to support Texas recovery

Winter Storm 2021: How to Help Texans Recover

02/19/2021 |

Last updated March 12, 2021

The massive winter storm that swept through Texas this February brought statewide devastation in the form of lethally cold temperatures and widespread power outages and water shortages. While the freezing weather and icy conditions have eased, the journey to recovery has only begun for the millions of affected Texans who have lost basic resources—shelter, food, water, heat—and endured costly damages. If you are seeking opportunities to help vulnerable Texans recover, we’ve rounded up a few ways that you help. Check back for new opportunities updated daily!

If you have additional ways for people to give or volunteer to support Texas recovery, please complete this form to submit your resource. If you or someone you knows requires immediate relief assistance, please dial 211 or visit 211texas.org.

Where to Give

Texas Emergency Management Council Nonprofit Members

Established by the Governor of Texas to advise and assist in all matters relating to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, the Texas Emergency Management Council coordinates the use of state resources to respond to during major emergencies and disasters and addresses requests for assistance that cannot be resolved at the local level.

  • American Red Cross 
    Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster. This includes providing food, shelter, relief supplies, emotional support and other assistance.
  • Salvation Army of Texas
    Monetary donations are the best way to support the ongoing work of The Salvation Army and provide the flexibility to quickly and efficiently meet immediate community needs. Donations will be used to provide food boxes, hot meals, blankets, shelter, emergency financial assistance and more to those impacted by the cold weather.
  • Texas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
    Texas VOAD is a membership-based nonprofit association that brings together more than 50 voluntary organizations that respond to disasters as a part of their overall mission. Texas VOAD member organizations are actively supporting, and will continue to provide support to, disaster-impacted communities throughout the State of Texas. Check out the full list of Texas VOAD members accepting financial donations on their website here.
Local Relief Funds & Nonprofits

Local Long Term Recovery Groups

A Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG), also known as recovery committees or organizations, are groups that organize the money, people power, and materials that help a community recover from a disaster. It is a collaborative network of individuals, businesses, faith-based & community nonprofit organizations, philanthropic funders, and other recovery partners. LTRGs work in close collaboration with local government. Find a local LTRG to support here.

Where to Volunteer

Texas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster 

Texas VOAD is a membership-based nonprofit association that brings together more than 50 voluntary organizations that respond to disasters as a part of their overall mission. As Texas continues to engage in cleanup and recovery activities from the February 2021 Winter Weather Event, volunteer interest and support will be a critical resource needed for the weeks and months ahead. Find Texas VOAD member organizations seeking volunteers on their website here.

Volunteer Centers

.Check your local volunteer center for open opportunities to get engaged in your community

Two VISTA members sorting through boxes of children's books.

How OneStar VISTAs are helping schools & nonprofits adapt to an extraordinary year

09/29/2020 |

Launching a new school year in the midst of global pandemic requires extraordinary flexibility and creativity. When schools and nonprofits need additional support, AmeriCorps members offer adaptability, enthusiasm, and commitment to get things done!

OneStar’s AmeriCorps VISTA members are dedicated to alleviating poverty, and ensuring quality educational opportunities is a key driver in that mission. Here are a few ways that our VISTA members have been able to help educational institutions pivot during this exceptional school year.

Developing virtual platforms

Remote instruction has become an essential facet the new school year, and VISTA members have utilized their technical skills to build a successful foundation for online learning. Volunteer & Corporation Engagement VISTA Dulce Montoya is designing systems and materials for Communities in Schools of Central Texas that support their virtual Reading Buddy, Tutor and Mentor services, which ensure students can continue to benefit from extra academic support from volunteers. At Beacon Hill Preparatory Institute, Development & Outreach VISTA Matthew Estrada has built an online reading and math learning platform that has rolled out to thousands of students in the Dallas area this school year.

Connecting families with basic needs

The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has left many families struggling to meet basic needs, which in turn can interfere with students’ ability to focus on academics. Donor & Outreach VISTA Ellen Throneberry at Communities in Schools of North Texas has coordinated with local school districts to distribute nearly 1,000 food bags to local households and stays in touch with the needs of local students and families through check-ins and follow-up phone calls. Communities in Schools of Central Texas has engaged Basic Needs Department VISTA Jessica Enriquez to develop and pilot new resource tools, communication materials, and documentation for this brand new department focused on providing critical needs for families.

Fostering collaborations

With everyone scrambling to adapt to this new reality, it is important to work together to ensure an effective and efficient educational experience for students. In addition to leveraging VISTA members to adapt program delivery, the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas have relied on their VISTA advisory board to build a cohort of nonprofit organizations that is exploring collaboration efforts.

Planning ahead

Plans to eventually return to the classroom are on the horizon, and VISTA members are ensuring students are ready for the transition. VISTA members serving with Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation are working on modifications to the My Home Library program, which will equip students enrolled in economically disadvantaged schools with six new books.

If you have the skills and commitment to help during this time, we invite you to join us and apply to serve with VISTA!

We are stronger when we come together.

Rebuild Texas Fund: Looking Ahead

08/18/2020 |

Today we commemorate the three-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey and celebrate the inspiring progress Texas communities have made toward rebuilding stronger than ever. We invite you to download the three-year recap to learn more about our Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts through the Rebuild Texas Fund.

The OneStar Foundation is honored and humbled to continue the work conceived by the Rebuild Texas Fund in partnership with the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation.

Three years ago, it was hard to imagine where we would be today. The impact of Hurricane Harvey was so devastating and far-reaching, yet in its wake, communities have come together like never before. We are truly a nation of helpers, with strangers showing up like neighbors to take care of one another, rebuild homes, reopen businesses, and create a new beginning.

It gives me hope to see how far we’ve come. Together, we are creating stronger and more resilient communities.With our 40-year history of supporting the nonprofit sector and local communities in Texas, including during times of disaster, we will build upon the legacy created through this partnership to revive Texas and transform communities.

The Rebuild Texas Fund was built on collaboration from the beginning, and this spirit of partnership has been at the heart of every project along the way. It takes more than one set of hands to construct a home, to build a ballpark, to open the doors of a small business. In partnership with the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, and with the support of Governor Abbott and First Lady Cecilia Abbott, it has been deeply inspiring to serve as part of such a powerful collective effort. The devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey required a Texas-sized response, one that could only be achieved together.

The OneStar Foundation is eager to embark on another chapter of the incredible work begun. Although the funds for Harvey have all been deployed into communities, we’ll continue to support and sustain the work alongside those communities, applying the important lessons learned. Thank you for the opportunity.

Warmest regards,

Chris Bugbee
President & CEO
OneStar Foundation

 

 

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AmeriCorps Texas Responds: Advise TX College Advising Corps keeps students on track during pandemic

04/22/2020 |

“We are constantly reassuring students that everything is going to be okay, but also being super honest that we don’t know where things are going. It’s best to keep them task-oriented.”

Calep Smith
AmeriCorps adviser at Madison High School
Advise TX College Advising Corps at The University of Texas at Austin

 

When school closures were announced last month in response to COVID-19, the Advise TX College Advising Corps at The University of Texas at Austin sprang into action to ensure they could continue providing support to high school students throughout Texas. College Advising Corps engages recent college graduates as AmeriCorps members to provide on-campus mentorship and training to low-income, underrepresented, and first-generation students pursuing higher education.

“Because this organization was already equipped with the infrastructure to deal with a situation like this, it has been amazing to see all the resources that have been immediately made available to advisers to provide uninterrupted service to the student body,” said Cheryl Sawyer, Advise TX Program Director. “Whether we are physically present or not, our impact is felt, and the students that we serve are not missing a beat in getting the support that they need.”

The transition to virtual advising sessions has been smooth and intuitive for the program, which employs e-mail, text messaging, social media, and online conferencing tools to sustain its efforts. For students who lacked access to technology, AmeriCorps members have worked directly with schools to assist in finding ways to connect with students and keep them on track in their post-high school graduation plans.

To fill the gap in resources typically accessible on campus, several AmeriCorps members affiliated with Advise TX College Advising Corps have created and launched a virtual Go Center, an online portal high school students can visit to learn about college admissions, financial aid, and post-graduation options. The robust website has links to customized content for all 23 Texas high schools served by College Advising Corps at the UT program.

“It’s a tool that advisers can use to help guide their students if they are still hesitant or may not understand certain steps,” said Alexis Maxie, an AmeriCorps member who helped develop the project. “It combines a lot of outside resources so that students don’t have to look too hard to find the help that they need.”

The deeper challenge for AmeriCorps advisers has been coaching students through the anxiety and ambiguity of applying for college and financial aid in the midst of a global pandemic. The already-complex process has been further complicated by shifting deadlines and office closures—which add new barriers to securing required documents like transcripts, recommendation letters, and vaccination records. With many school districts announcing indefinite closures, some students are struggling to adapt to online coursework for the first time, and many are wondering about the logistics of graduation. Others who have already been granted college admission are disappointed and nervous about missing the critical campus orientation this summer.

In the midst of this uncertainty, AmeriCorps members have taken on the role of keeping students focused on their goals and identifying resources to keep them moving forward one step at a time.

“We are constantly reassuring them that everything is going to be okay, but also being super honest that we don’t know where things are going,” said AmeriCorps adviser Calep Smith, who serves at Madison High School in Houston. “It’s best to keep them task-oriented.”

Last week, Zachary Torres, an AmeriCorps adviser serving with Americas High School in El Paso, coached one student through the daunting process of choosing a college to attend. When the student expressed her intense anxiety around not being able to get in contact with admissions offices, Torres was able to secure a virtual online meeting with representatives from The University of Texas at Austin—who announced that the student would be receiving a full scholarship and helped finalize her decision.

“She has been messaging me daily trying to figure out things,” Torres said. “At the end of day, she is going to be able to attend her dream university. She has everything paid for, so that takes a worry off the shoulders of her and her parents. I think it has become a lot easier for her now to get through her days without stressing as much.”

AmeriCorps adviser Devany Cantu, who serves at PSJA Early College High School in the Rio Grande Valley, worked closely with one student who was distressed about the cancellation of his ACT admissions exam, which is a requirement for transferring from a community college to a university. Cantu set up a FaceTime meeting and walked the student step-by-step through the online process of rescheduling the test.

“Students are already worrying about so many other things that sometimes even simple tasks can feel impossible,” Cantu said. “I just let them know like I’m here every step of the way.”

AmeriCorps members are constantly reminding students that despite the physical separation caused by the coronavirus, they are always accessible and available to provide support and guidance. Perhaps more than ever, advisers are gaining a deeper understanding of students’ lives as they navigate responsibilities at home and work and are forced to open up about their stresses and concerns.

“I am the oldest child and a first-generation college student. I had to do everything on my own. Watching the news and the changes that have been happening, I feel empathy for the student who may not have anyone,” Cantu said. “‘I am my students.’ I say that all that time. I have cried I don’t know how many times thinking about them and wondering if we are doing enough, and I am dedicated to them one hundred percent.

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