A website is a showcase of an organization’s identity and a gateway to a deep and meaningful understanding of its core purpose. Last year, OneStar announced a new mission statement centered on strengthening communities by creating pathways for Texans to engage, connect, and accelerate their impact. Realizing our online presence needed to reflect this commitment, we have relaunched our website at onestarfoundation.org to serve as a portal for you to find opportunities to take action.

We believe that everyone has a role to play in building resilient and thriving Texas communities, so we often serve as a bridge—across sectors and between individuals and organizations, each with varying needs. Our new site features robust site navigation that provides a clear overview of the scope of OneStar’s work and makes it intuitive for you to find resources relevant to your important work for Texas.

We invite you to explore the new website and discover how we can work together to build stronger Texas communities. Here are a few key features that you can look out for:

• Mobile-responsive. As of 2016, the majority of web traffic worldwide has come from mobile devices. To accommodate to this trend, we made it a priority to build a responsive website that adapts to your phone and tablet, allowing you to access information and resources while on the move.
• Calls to action. OneStar wants you to get involved: to join AmeriCorps, volunteer in your community, donate to support our work, and advocate for the nonprofit sector. We have made these activities easily accessible from anywhere on our website. Also be on the lookout for the blue and gold buttons prominently featured at the top of each webpage that make it clear how you can engage with our programs.
• Categorized blog. The new OneStar blog is organized by category, allowing you to find posts related to your interests. Our goal over the coming year is to share timely stories of inspiring individuals and organizations serving in Texas communities and ways you can take action for our fellow Texans.
• Grantee directories. We promote AmeriCorps as an effective solution to our state’s toughest social challenges and hope to better highlight the incredible scope and impact of national service programs in Texas. On our new website, we have created dedicated profile pages for each our AmeriCorps Texas grantees and AmeriCorps VISTA host sites, organized in searchable directories that can be filtered by focus area and geography. This makes it easy for you to find local AmeriCorps programs of interest to you. You can also explore the impact of funding from our Rebuild Texas Fund, which supports the recovery and rebuilding of Texas communities impacted by natural disasters.

We are grateful to the OneStar staff and stakeholders who shared experiences and insights that shaped the new website, and our special thanks to the talented team at HMG Creative for turning this vision into reality!

Our new website went live on Wednesday, March 17, and we appreciate your patience and feedback during this launch phase. Please feel free to contact me with ideas for how we can continue to improve our online platform, and we look forward seeing how the new website can support your work in the years ahead!

Joshua Winata
Communications Officer

Around this time last year, I was laying out ambitious plans for a fresh start with the dawning of a new decade. I think we can all agree that 2020 did not go as expected! Despite the many challenges we have encountered this year, I am proud of how OneStar and our partners have responded—including launching the Texas COVID Relief Fund, coordinating research efforts on the impact of the coronavirus on Texas nonprofits, and pivoting our AmeriCorps programs to meet evolving community needs.

This year, OneStar also embarked on a strategic planning process. The extraordinary circumstances of 2020 have pushed us to reflect deeply on our values and examine what is at the core of our organization, and our favorite part of the process has been hearing from you. A key theme that emerged from our stakeholder interviews was that you appreciate the support and guidance that OneStar provides but struggle to find a succinct way to communicate what we do. The feedback was unsurprising: OneStar wears many different hats, and we pride ourselves on being responsive and adaptable, which often leads us to take on unexpected roles and responsibilities.

But as we look ahead to facing new and complex challenges together, your insight spurred us to ensure our new purpose statements provide greater clarity on how OneStar can best support your work in strengthening Texas communities. I am excited to share with you our new vision, mission, and beliefs that will guide OneStar into its next chapter!

This new vision statement reflects our desire to see Texas communities built on the compassion and cooperation of its people. Texas is an immense and diverse state, and as we celebrate our unique differences, we also want to reinforce our shared desire to make Texas a better and more equitable place for all. As we have witnessed from the events of 2020, we know that there is a long journey ahead to make this vision a reality, but we have also witnessed Texans coming together in the most difficult of circumstances.

This year, many of us felt helpless as our lives and the community around us were turned upside down, which can be a frightening and overwhelming experience. OneStar exists to empower you in times like these to take action and create meaningful impact. I have spoken with many friends and colleagues who are looking to 2021 as a fresh start for a brighter future. I too share in the hope that things are going to get better, and I believe OneStar has a role to play in harnessing this optimism and enthusiasm to create lasting change.

OneStar’s belief statements reveal our core assumptions about the power Texans have as individuals and as a collective to create change. During this holiday season, I invite you to reflect on these beliefs with us and consider how you can be a part of shaping the world around you.

These purpose statements will guide our priorities for 2021 and beyond, and I am excited to share new initiatives and tools in the coming year that are designed to facilitate Texans coming together and help you engage more deeply with your community – stay tuned! On behalf of the OneStar family, I wish you a safe and healthy holiday season and bright new year!

With the dawning of a new year and a new decade, there is an energy and excitement in the air as we look ahead to a fresh start. Since my appointment as President & CEO of OneStar Foundation this past fall, I have had the opportunity to meet with partners and stakeholders to discuss their goals and vision for Texas. Many of us are seeing 2020 as an opportunity to finally take action on our well-laid plans. Well, it sounds like this is the year we are going to get things done!

As we embark on a new chapter together, a few critical themes have emerged that we must bear in mind as we build the foundation for a successful decade.

• In a state as expansive and diverse as Texas, we will find our strength in collaboration. In my recent conversations, I have found an extraordinary willingness from organizations and individuals to work together for the greater good of Texas. One of OneStar’s priorities in the coming year is to cultivate a unified statewide voice for the nonprofit sector built on common needs and goals. Expanding on the report Built for Texas: The Impact and Opportunity of Our Nonprofit Sector, published last year in partnership with United Ways of Texas, we will be supporting sixteen regional meetings throughout the state this quarter to have relevant conversations with you about how we can better collaborate to overcome shared barriers and tell the story of our sector. Stay tuned for how you can get involved in a regional convening near you!

• Texas is big – and it continues to grow at an impressive rate. We have the fastest growing economy in the United States and currently top the charts in population growth. The pressing question is how we can be strategic and thoughtful about how we approach the challenges and opportunities of this growth. During our board meeting and annual grantee meeting with our AmeriCorps Texas programs next month, we have invited Dr. Steve Murdock, former director of the U.S. Census Bureau and State Demographer of Texas, to discuss demographic trends in Texas and the projected impacts on social issues, such as health and education. We hope to use these insights to inform how we can leverage and promote service and volunteering for maximum impact in the coming decade.

• The definition of what it means to serve your community is expanding. Service and volunteerism has always been at the core of OneStar’s identity, but what that means in practice has evolved. We agree with our friends at Points of Light, who are looking beyond traditional labels like “volunteer” to create a world where it is easy to do good. This means encouraging people to do good in ways most meaningful to them, which certainly includes traditional community service—but may also entail advocating for a cause on your social media networks, voicing your opinion at a city council public forum, organizing a fundraiser for a worthwhile cause, dedicating a year to AmeriCorps, voting in your local election, and so much more. Service is a vehicle through which we all can make a difference in our communities, and this year OneStar will promote service in its many forms and make it impossible for Texans to sit on the sidelines.

Thank you to our partners and stakeholders who have given me such a warm welcome in my new role and have demonstrated continued enthusiasm for working together with OneStar. I look forward to listening and learning from all of you in the coming months and look forward to a productive new year!

Regards,

Chris

Girien Salazar is the Executive Director of the Faith & Education Coalition for the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference and was appointed to the OneStar National Service Commission in December. Check out Girien’s bio to learn more about his impressive background and accomplishments.

We sat down with Girien to talk about how his upbringing and military service have fueled his passion for service and volunteering and his commitment to serving diverse faith communities.

Why did you want to serve on the board of OneStar?

Texas is an exceptional and wonderful state. There’s a reason why many consider our state to be a beacon on a hill. Texas needs to continue attracting people to come and see what it is we’re doing that allows us to prosper—not just economically, but also in the spirit of service to our state. There are many people at all levels—from local neighborhoods to state government—that are serving because they believe Texas is great.

This past year, I was encouraged by a good colleague and mentor of mine to apply for the OneStar board, and I wanted to make myself available to the state and the governor to serve my community in any way I can. One of the things that is always dear to my heart is ensuring nonprofit organizations—and especially religious organizations—always have a voice and are always considered as stakeholders in the community. Through this role, I hope to ensure that OneStar has strong outreach to both secular and religious nonprofits and serves all different faith communities.

What unique skills and perspectives do you bring to the OneStar board?

One of the unique skills I bring, which stems from my religious background and from my service with the Navy, is having a cultural and religious sensitivity and awareness. That’s part of my upbringing. I served as a religious program specialist with the Navy and worked alongside numerous faith groups, so I have learned to view things in different ways. Also, I am a Tejano, which means I’m proud of my Mexican heritage, but I’m also a proud Texan. I bring the Hispanic perspective.

How did you first get involved in service & volunteering? Can you share some volunteer service experiences have been particularly memorable or meaningful to you?

My first introduction into service and volunteering was through my faith community and church. We did service projects like serving community meals, performing music productions, and visiting nursing homes. Growing up, I also participated in a lot of summer youth camps. We would host several hundred students a week, and we would be responsible for activities, programs, competitions, and community building. That involved more planning and coordination, and it was a lot of fun.

When I was in college in Waxahachie, I participated in a program called D.E.A.R., which stands for Drop Everything And Read. We would go to the nearby elementary school and pick up a book and read with students. We would make funny voices and inflections to make it an enjoyable experience for them. I really enjoyed that and wish I could do that more often.

While serving in the Navy, I was involved in a basketball diplomacy program in Djibouti, Africa. When I was deployed there, we would bring locals onto our base and organize pick-up games. The whole base would come out and watch at the little basketball court we had, and we oftentimes went out to town and played games there. It was just a wonderful community relations project because we got to connect with the Djiboutians and make some really good friendships.

“We can’t count on merely throwing money at a situation and hoping something will get done. We need to rely on the goodness of people’s hearts and the responsibility and obligation we have toward one another.”

Why do you think it is important for people to serve and volunteer? What value does service and volunteering add to Texas communities?

Volunteering gives honor and dignity to often neglected communities. I think of the times I visited older generations at nursing homes or those experiencing homelessness, who are neglected and forgotten. When people get together—to plan an event or community lunch, to play board games at an assisted living center, or just to hang out and have a conversation—it gives honor and dignity back to these individuals who have been marginalized and pushed to the side. I’ve seen it also in education: a lot of local schools may be underfunded and understaffed, but volunteers come into the schools and can be a resource. That needs to happen because we can’t count on merely throwing money at a situation and hoping something will get done. We need to rely on the goodness of people’s hearts and the responsibility and obligation we have toward one another.

When I was serving on board for San Antonio Parks & Recreation, there were projects that the city would undertake for the parks, but then there were also community groups—people who were volunteers and wanted to make the parks more beautiful—who would connect with others in their neighborhood and say, “How can we get together and improve this trail?” They would do that out of the goodness of their hearts. It was a powerful reminder that the caretakers of our communities aren’t just elected officials—it is every individual who lives there.

What causes are you passionate about?

One of the issues I’m very passionate about is Hispanic education. There are invisible barriers and challenges that the Hispanic community faces when it comes to educational access. I get to serve in a role where I engage with Hispanic pastors and parents and help them to understand some of these barriers and encourage them to find ways for their churches and congregations to promote educational success. It is really important to me to ensure all students—no matter their ethnic background or socioeconomic status—have access to high quality education. That’s one of the reasons I am pursuing my PhD: because I want to provide pathways for my children and those who come behind me.

Another cause that is very important to me is religious liberty and accommodations, which means allowing people to be their full selves and live according to their deepest convictions. That’s something that is not just privy to Christian communities, but a right that should be afforded to individuals of all religious backgrounds in our state. While I was serving in the Navy, I witnessed the efforts our military makes to ensure our soldiers and service members have a place where they can recalibrate when they are serving overseas, and oftentimes that’s through their faith. I want to ensure people are allowed to have a religious experience no matter where they are, even if they are miles away from their families and congregation.

If you could choose a quote to live by, what would it be?

I always tell myself: be willing to lead and teach in your strengths and to serve and learn in your weaknesses. There are going to be a lot of opportunities in your life to serve and learn from people, and you should take advantage of those opportunities. And when opportunities come to lead and teach, you should take those as well. That is why I truly appreciate the work of our state in promoting volunteerism: because we have a lot of people who are in need of a helping hand or listening ear, somebody just to give attention and demonstrate someone cares for them. I think those are the opportunities we have to serve and to learn and lead and teach.

As 2019 draws to a close, OneStar reflects on 10 notable highlights from the past year. We are so grateful for our wonderful partners who are committed to promoting service and volunteering in Texas and are proud of everything we have accomplished together. We look forward to seeing how the seeds we planted this year strengthen our communities in the new decade!

1. Texas Strong Summit

In January, OneStar launched the inaugural Texas Strong Summit, which brought together nearly 200 partners from the local, state, and federal levels to explore creative, community-based solutions for dealing with post-disaster resource constraints. We engaged representatives from Long-Term Recovery Groups, community and voluntary organizations, and government officials across Texas in highly interactive discussions and group simulations, which attendees described as “enlightening” and “great networking” opportunities.

Click here to download the presentations, materials, and resources from the Texas Strong Summit.

2. National Commission for Military, National & Public Service

In March, OneStar was invited to testify before the National Commission on Military, National & Public Service to discuss ways to improve current national service policies and processes—ensuring access to, awareness of, and aspiration for national service. We recommended streamlining and simplifying national service grant programs to engage smaller and more rural organizations, increasing the living allowances to promote access and equity among prospective national service participants, and creating more part-time service opportunities to develop a pipeline of quality AmeriCorps members.

The commission has conducted public hearings throughout the country and will be making final recommendations for the Congress, the President, and the American public in March 2020. You can submit your ideas and comments to the commission through the end of the year!

3. Joint VISTA Training

In March, we hosted a joint training that brought together OneStar AmeriCorps VISTA Intermediary Project members with their counterparts serving with Texas Association of Charitable Clinics, Texas Homeless Network, Feeding Texas, and the CNCS Texas State Office. This event helped VISTAs from around the state grow professionally and gain skills with a variety of workshops covering social media marketing, event planning, interoffice communication, partnership development, asset mapping, project management, and so much more. VISTAs are often the only members serving at their site, so this opportunity provided valuable space to network with their VISTA colleagues and other nonprofit professionals.

If you are passionate about eliminating poverty while also honing your own professional skills, check out our current VISTA openings.

4. Resilent Response Forum

In June, OneStar, Good360 & All Hands and Hearts – Smart Response co-presented the Resilient Response Forum, which convened industry leaders to share disaster recovery best practices and identify ways to implement a more resilient response to natural disasters. Business, nonprofit, and government leaders explored and committed to the Resilient Response pledge, which outlines principles for thoughtful and purposeful giving for disaster response and recovery.

You can take the pledge for a more resilient response to natural disasters!

5. Rebuild Texas Fund Two-Year Progress Report

As we commemorated the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey’s landfall in August, the Rebuild Texas Fund, a collaborative project of OneStar Foundation and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, announced that all $100 million in donated funds are at work in community rebuilding projects!

Over the past couple years, we have encountered creative ingenuity, inspiring resilience, and boundless generosity from Texans supporting their neighbors in need. We are grateful to the volunteers and donors who have been instrumental in the rebuilding and recovery process, and we look forward to continuing to work alongside local communities as they complete their funded projects in 2020.

To learn more about the incredible progress made over the past two years, read our 2-Year Community Progress Report.

6. ASC Innovation & Leadership Award

America’s Service Commissions named OneStar Commissioner Mary Grace Landrum as 2019 Outstanding Commissioner of the year during their Innovation and Leadership Awards reception this September in Washington, D.C. This awards program is held each year to recognize the leadership and accomplishments of state service commissions from across the nation.

Mary Grace has served on the OneStar National Service Commission since 2011 and has drawn from her extensive political and professional connections to educate and advocate for national service. She represents the state of Texas on ASC’s States for Service Public Policy Coalition and advocates for service and volunteerism at the local level. Click here to learn more about Mary Grace and this well-deserved honor.

7. New OneStar Leadership

OneStar was excited to welcome Chris Bugbee as our new President and CEO this year! Chris has been with OneStar for 13 years—most recently serving as Chief Operating Officer—and was appointed to the position of President & CEO by Governor Greg Abbott in October. In the months since his appointment, Chris has been meeting with our partners and stakeholders to learn how we can foster better collaborations and exploring new strategies and approaches to promoting service in Texas.

Chris fills the role of President & CEO following the departure Elizabeth Darling, who led OneStar for 10 years before being appointed and confirmed as Commissioner of the Administration for Children, Youth and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services this fall. We are so grateful to have amazing leaders committed to strengthening Texas communities through service and look forward to this new chapter!

Click here to check out a welcome letter from Chris.

8. 25 Years of National Service

In October, OneStar commemorated the 25th anniversary of AmeriCorps with lively and exciting celebrations across the state. This milestone was an opportunity for OneStar look back at the extraordinary accomplishments of AmeriCorps members over the years, and to look forward by welcoming a new class that will be carrying on the enduring legacy of national service in the coming year.

At OneStar’s flagship event in Austin, about 400 AmeriCorps members and friends of national service gathered for a celebration powered by AmeriCorps alums. The event featured with a ceremony showcasing stories from current and past members, a panel of AmeriCorps alums spanning 25 years, remarks from Director of AmeriCorps VISTA Desiree Tucker-Sorini, and the AmeriCorps pledge led by Austin Mayor Steve Adler. In addition, guests enjoyed networking at the AmeriCorps Festival, where AmeriCorps alums hosted interactive activities and resources as a living showcase of career paths stemming from national service.

You can check out our 25 Years of AmeriCorps Alums video series for inspiring examples of how national service can change lives. If you are interested in applying to become an AmeriCorps program, please review our notice of funding to learn more!

9. Governor’s Volunteer Awards

In October, we honored another group of inspiring Texans at the prestigious 36th Annual Governor Volunteer Awards, which recognizes the extraordinary service of individuals and organizations that have made a difference in local communities through service. This year, we added a new category for community colleges, which was awarded to the Austin Community College Student Life Food Pantry and Resources Program for creating on-campus food pantries maintained and operated by student volunteers. Award recipients were celebrated at a reception hosted by Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott at the Governor’s Mansion, and Texas Secretary of State Ruth Hughs also offered remarks of encouragement and thanks to the honorees.

Click here to learn more about the innovative accomplishments of these Texas volunteers, and consider volunteers in your network who you can nominate in 2020!

10. Texas Nonprofit Summit

After years of hosting smaller regional nonprofit summits, OneStar returned the Texas Nonprofit Summit to a statewide format that brought together about 300 nonprofit professionals, board members, funders, business leaders, and government and academic representatives this October in San Antonio. This year’s theme was Finding a Common Thread: Strengthening the Fabric of our Communities – and we did just that by networking and engaging in interactive learning. We were able to highlight the amazing collaborative community engagement efforts of SA 2020, screen the powerful documentary Community First, A Home for the Homeless, gather inspiration from our keynote speaker Edie Lutnick of Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund, and participate in hands-on, research-driven workshops. It was a remarkable opportunity to connect with colleagues around the state and build resilience by strengthening our networks.

You can check out the photos and download event materials here, and stay tuned for details coming soon on the 2020 Texas Nonprofit Summit!