We Can Do This Together

I was sitting in a administrative meeting at the school where I work, listening to the faculty and staff talk about the ramifications of a $30 million shortfall in the AISD budget next year.  Of course, everyone knew that drastic cuts were coming and that hundreds of jobs might be lost.  It wasn't a very upbeat meeting.  I sat there thinking how it's tough enough to face all the challenges of a Title I school (significant number of at-risk, low-income students) without losing so many of the resources necessary to be successful. That it's tough enough to succeed in a district with no Title I schools, but so much more difficult in a district with several.

One of the lessons to be learned is that no urban school district can provide all the funding necessary to accomplish their mission.  It will require even more collaboration with local partners, including nonprofit organizations like ours (Urban Connection Austin). Which is why our proposal to the district next Spring is to assume most of the financial responsibility for our Family Resource Center.

Over the last two years I've heard a lot of rhetoric, from individuals and churches, asserting that Christians are the logical ones to help the "working poor."  I like the sound of that.  I've always believed that Christians are the most motivated and equipped to change the world and minister to the poor.  Now it's to put our money where our mouth is.  

I believe we have the opportunity, in these difficult times, to put down roots in this community and establish relationships of trust with our neighbors if we will assume the financial responsibility for maintaining this ministry. Otherwise, I fear that it will be lost in a wave of budget cuts over the next few months.  This would be tragic, given the progress we have made in just one year and the prospect of truly "moving the needle" when it comes to helping move families from crisis to stability and self-sufficiency.

Over the next few months you will hear more about our campaign to raise the funds necessary to preserve and secure this important work.  We will be appealing primarily to a broad base of those that can give $25, $50, or $100/month.  Many faith-based organizations like ours depend primarily on large donations, but our mainstay has always been those individuals that believe in what we're doing and continue to support us on a monthly basis.  If we are to secure the trust of Austin ISD, we must prove ourselves trustworthy.  I hope you will join us.