Community Needs Spotlight
Nonprofits and community leaders discuss issues that affect all Austinites!

I Live Here, I Give Here

What is a Community Needs Spotlight?

Many people don’t realize Austin is filled with folks with urgent needs that are not being fully met by the community. Our Community Needs Spotlight are an excellent opportunity for you to learn about a specific issue in Austin each month. We meet with area experts, gather their knowledge and insights, and create a monthly Issue Paper that we publish on our website and distribute in print.

Watch the Community Needs Spotlight videos on our website to see the faces of Austin’s Nonprofits at work. Learn more about Austin’s needs every month and how you can make a difference.

Download our Community Spotlight Issue Paper

Events this week:

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Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
PATH: A contemplative worship service. : 7:00 pm @ First Presbyterian Church PATH. Prayerful. Attentive. Thoughtful. Holistic. Pre-modern worship for the post-modern world. This complative service is held the second Sunday of each month at First Presbyterian Church. We gather to sing, pray, light candles, listen, sing some more, pray some more. Hope always. Join us! Childcare provided. More Information: http://www.facebook.com/PATHatFPC?sk=info Get directions Episcopal Church of the Resurrection Concert Series: Compass Rose: 5:00 pm @ Episcopal Church of the Resurrection Austin’s wildly eclectic new Medieval/Modern chamber ensemble/world music band delivers an eclectic mix of “oh wow” sounds, seamlessly blending the familiar and the unknown. Ancient Turkish longas, haunting Balkan harmonies, familiar cover tunes and original compositions, medieval accordion to experimental electric guitar – you’ll be delighted and amazed! More Information: http://www.compassroseonline.net/index.html Get directions Romeo & Juliet: 3:00 pm @ The Long Center for the Performing Arts Stunningly beautiful, Ballet Austin's Romeo & Juliet features exquisite costumes layered with Prokofiev's majestic score and a set illuminated by an Italianate tapestry of stained glass colors. A spectacle that speaks to heart, mind, and soul. A timeless and unforgettable tale of young love is given new life in Ballet Austin's original interpretation of this Shakespearian classic. Passion and pathos come alive in Artistic Director Stephen Mills' choreography - sometimes lush, sometimes tender, always explosive. Check out the website https://www.tickets.balletaustin.org/public/show_events_list.asp for additional details and ticket purchasing information. More Information: http://www.balletaustin.org/ Get directions Guided Hikes: 9:00 am @ Bright Leaf Natural Area Meet at the parking lot off 2222 and Creek Mountain Road. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes & bring your own water. All hikes at Bright Leaf are guided hikes. The Friends of Bright Leaf volunteers are happy to provide guided hikes to the public. Guided hikes are open to the public and are on the second Saturday and second Sunday of each month. Monthly hikes start at 9:00am. Monthly hikes are usually 4 miles long and last about 2 hours. Please arrive on time since there is only one hike per day. We are happy to arrange other hikes for any type or size of group. Call 459-7269. NOTE: In January, April, and July 2012 the 2nd Sunday comes the weekend before the 2nd Saturday. See Calendar page for dates and more information. More Information: http://www.brightleaf.org/ Get directions more	The Ultimat Evening: 7:00 pm @ The home of Eddie Safady (807 Congress Avenue) Buffet dinner for 25 guests Casual open collar attire No, it’s not a typo. Ultimat Vodka is a blend of three distinct Polish vodkas produced from potatoes for richness and body, wheat for subtle smoothness, and rye for flavor and complexity, resulting in crisp, smooth, elegance: The Ultimat Taste Experience. The Ultimat maker himself, John Paul DeJoria, co-founder of Patron Spirits, and maker of Pyrat Rum and Patron Tequila, teams up with the King of Texas Swing, Ray Benson, for a casual evening of Ultimat spirits, sustenance by 34th Street Catering of Austin, and song. More Information: http://www.stdavidsfoundation.org/ Get directions Art on the Green: 9:00 am @ AMOA-Arthouse at Laguna Gloria Art on the Green encourages visitors to explore the unique setting of Laguna Gloria with its 12 acres of grounds on Lake Austin, and outdoor sculptures which are part of AMOA-Arthouse’s permanent collection. For the exhibition, nine Texas artists and designers will create minature golf holes that respond to the site and encourage a diverse audience to go outside and play. A bonus tenth hole will be located on the rooftop of the Jones Center, linking this exhibition to both museum locations. The interactive golf holes of Art on the Green invite players to reconsider the sculptural medium and the possibilities for a sculpture trail. The project shows visitors ways in which the context affects their experiences of encountering visual art and heightens the amount of three-dimensional work populating the museum grounds. More Information: http://www.amoa.org Get directions more	Cocktails on the Colorado Awards Gala and Auction: 6:30 pm @ Wilkerson Center for Colorado River Education at Redbud (3601 Lake Austin Blvd.) Meet us on the banks of the Colorado River for dinner, live music, an exciting live auction and "Cocktails on the Colorado". The mission of the Colorado River Foundation is to protect and preserve the Texas Colorado River by promoting conservation and awareness through community involvement. Proceeds benefit the educational and conservation programs of the Colorado River Foundation, and afford underserved children the opportunity to participate in the Redbud Educational Programs. Please join us to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of everyone, and have a great time. We hope to see you there. Visit our website for additional details. More Information: http://www.coloradoriver.org Get directions Austin Soundwaves End of the Year Concert: 6:30 pm @ The University of Texas Bates Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Drive, Austin, Texas 78712 Join us for the end of the year performance by Austin Soundwaves Youth Orchestra. This event is free and open to the public. Hispanic Alliance for The Performing Arts (HAPA) was created in 2011 to expand access to and support for the performing arts in Austin’s growing Hispanic community. Austin Soundwaves is HAPA’s first endeavor to support Austin’s underserved students and their families by involving them directly in musical arts. More Information: http://conta.cc/BatesHall Get directions Brightest Party Ever: 6:00 pm @ Long Center for the Performing Arts Save the Date! On May 15, 2012 the Long Center for the Performing Arts City Terrace will be transformed as the setting for the Brightest Party Ever. We will celebrate in “Pop Art” fashion, with the glowing Austin skyline as the perfect backdrop for this one-of-a-kind party featuring bright colors, cool funky lighting, and live art. In addition, we will be recognizing three inspiring local leaders for their ongoing commitment and dedication to Central Texas. This year's honorees are Charles Barnett (Exceptional Award for an Honorary Alumnus), Sam Planta (Polly Scallorn Community Trustee), and Courtney Clark (Ascendant Award). Stay tuned to these pages and the Leadership Austin mailing list in the coming weeks for more event information and ticket sales. We hope to see you there! More Information: http://www.leadershipaustin.org/ Get directions "Somebody" Spring Luncheon with UT Coach Manny Diaz: 11:30 am @ TBA Join us for the largest corporate luncheon in Austin! This inspiring event will feature keynote speeches by our 2011 Youth of the Year and UT Defensive Coordinator, Manny Diaz. Enjoy performances by Club members and a delicious lunch with the most important guest of all - our great kids! Past speakers include: Mack Brown, Major Applewhite, Augie Garrido, Rick Barnes, Dan Rather, Bev Kearney, and Eddie Reese. All proceeds benefit the $1,600 kids per day served by our 17 Clubs. Sponsorship Opportunities: ($5,000 and up will receive an nvitation to the VIP reception preceeding lunch.) More Information: http://bgcaustin.org/event-list Get directions Pattern Nation: Waves: 9:30 am @ The Long Center for the Performing Arts Based on the very popular series of plays produced by the Pollyanna written by Emily Cicchini, this new play is based on the popular concepts and characters that were first seen on Pollyanna’s stage five years ago. Designed to support important pre-literacy skills needed for learning success among pre-school children, PATTERN NATION: WAVES will explore the colorful world of waves. Great for elementary school children of all ages, PATTERN NATION: WAVES will be most enjoyed by students in pre-K, Kinder, and grades 1 & 2. There will also be another performance at 11:30a.m. on this day. More Information: http://www.pollytheatre.org/pattern-nation-waves-by-andrew-perry/1285/ Get directions more	Ask the Educator! Trust the Process: Making Sense of Change in our Lives with Diabetes!: 6:30 pm @ Seton Diabetes Education Center "Change is the only constant."...Diabetes is a BIG change in our lives and we might resist this change on all levels. Our resistance may be a barrier to living a healthy productive life with diabetes. Join Joe Barry, an educator at Seton Cove and Seton Diabetes Education Center to larn more about dealing with diabetes-related changes in our lives. Free diabetes support educational programs designed to provide topics of interest to persons with diabetes and pre-diabetes. The program is formatted to allow informal support during a diabetes-friendly meal before the presentation. Again this is free, but advanced registration is required. Enroll online at www.goodhealth.com/diabetes or call 324-1891. Come on out and find support or learn how to best support someone else! More Information: http://www.goodhealth.com/classes_and_events/category/diabetes_and_diabetes_prevention Get directions Bobby Bookout : 6:30 pm @ Threadgill's South Local Musician and supporter of The Care Communities Bobby Bookout will perform live at Threadgill's (in the Courtyard) for the benefit of TCC. Wednesday, May 16, 2012 / Threadgill's - West Riverside Dr. / 7:00 to 9:00 PM (Doors opens at 6 PM) / $15 per person Come hungry and enjoy great food and drinks in the outdoor courtyard as we come together for part three of a series of “for-benefit” collaborations The Care Communities will be hosting throughout the summer. Threadgill's will have full menu and bar service available for purchase. More Information: http://tcc-icare.ticketbud.com/bobbybookout Get directions VIEWPOINTS: 6:00 pm @ The Jones Center AMOA-Arthouse’s curatorial department leads free and insightful 20-minute talks about exhibitions currently on view. The talk for May will be delivered by Erin Gentry, Manager of Education Programs, on Texas Prize 2012. More Information: http://www.arthousetexas.org/article/arthouse-talks/ Get directions ACL Live presents: The Wine Down: 5:00 pm @ ACL Live Front Porch Each Wednesday, ACL presents The Wine Down, a free music and food event on the ACL Live Front Porch. Each week will host a new musician and caterer as well as giveaways for merchandise from businesses around the 2nd Street neighborhood. 5/16: Soldier Thread *This event is free to the general public! We hope to see you there. More Information: http://acl-live.com/calendar/2012/3/the-wine-down-1-2012 Get directions Seedling's Promise- Mentor Appreciation Event: 11:30 am @ Delco Center Save the date and please join us as we recognize some great americans. For over 10 years the Seedling Foundation has made its mission to respond to the needs of public schools in Texas by providing resources, assistance and programming. The organization focuses on Mentoring Children of Incarcerated Parents and Campus Beautification. As mentoring is such a key piece of the organization, it is important and necessary that we acknowledge and highlight the mentors and their achievements. Miss America 2012, Laura Kaeppeler, will be our special guest and keynote speaker. We hope to see you there. More Information: http://www.seedlingfoundation.net/ Get directions more	Cinema41 : 7:00 pm @ Salvage Vanguard Theater Cinema41 is a nonprofit film series, based out of Austin, TX, dedicated to screening independent films that have had a measurable impact on the film community as a whole. Each month we choose a theme and screen two correlating films. In addition, we try to augment each screening with a special guest (filmmakers, scholars, etc…) to help contextualize the films. Tickets are $3 and you can visit the website for additional event information! More Information: http://www.salvagevanguard.org/ Get directions Artist Reception and Program Documenting Dignity : 7:00 pm @ JCC Community Hall Stage Side Featuring photographer Daniel Read. This event is free and open to the community. More Information: http://shalomaustin.org Get directions Conspirare, Big Sing 3: 6:00 pm @ St. Martin's Lutheran Church It’s the third Big Sing this season! Conspirare’s popular, FREE community outreach event "where the audience is the choir" continues with another edition of this increasingly beloved event. Craig Hella Johnson leads each gathering in song, and members of the Conspirare Symphonic Choir are the singing hosts. The May 17 event is the last Big Sing of the 11-12 season. Conspirare Symphonic Choir members sit among the audience to sing along and provide musical support and encouragement during the hour-long event. Song sheets are provided. Through a fun, no-pressure group singing program, audience members learn basic vocal technique and sing as one with hundreds of others. NO RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. More Information: http://www.conspirare.org Get directions more	Metz Movies Under the Stars: 7:30 pm @ Metz Recreation Center Every Friday night bring your lawn chairs or blankets and find a place in the park to sit and enjoy a FREE family friendly movie. Free popcorn and drinks will be given out to everyone when the movie begins. Movies start around 7:30PM For More Information call Metz @ 512-478-8716 More Information: Get directions Art on the Green: 9:00 am @ AMOA-Arthouse at Laguna Gloria Art on the Green encourages visitors to explore the unique setting of Laguna Gloria with its 12 acres of grounds on Lake Austin, and outdoor sculptures which are part of AMOA-Arthouse’s permanent collection. For the exhibition, nine Texas artists and designers will create minature golf holes that respond to the site and encourage a diverse audience to go outside and play. A bonus tenth hole will be located on the rooftop of the Jones Center, linking this exhibition to both museum locations. The interactive golf holes of Art on the Green invite players to reconsider the sculptural medium and the possibilities for a sculpture trail. The project shows visitors ways in which the context affects their experiences of encountering visual art and heightens the amount of three-dimensional work populating the museum grounds. More Information: http://www.amoa.org/ Get directions more	Studio 54klift: 8:00 pm @ East Side Stages; 3000 East Cesar Chavez (on-site parking at venue) This fun and glamourous evening will lend essential support to the ongoing artistic and outreach endeavors of Forklift Danceworks. The most fun you'll have at a fundraiser all year! $50 General Admission Tickets $300-$1000 Host and Sponsorship Levels Visit our website to learn more, become a host or sponsor and purchase tickets. You won't want to miss this! More Information: http://www.forkliftdanceworks.org/ Get directions House Party: 6:00 pm @ Lytle Pressley Contemporary Gallery Dress to impress and join us on May 19 at the Lytle Pressley Contemporary gallery for House Party 2012, a fun and fabulous cocktail party benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin and Central Texas. El john Selector will be spinning the latest sounds to set the mood, and guests will enjoy complimentary cocktails and hors d'oeuvres while perusing an array of unique silent auction items. LIGHTfaktor and Lytle Pressley Contemporary will also have exhibits on display for private viewing at this exclusive event. Continue to visit the website for additional details, ticket purchasing information or to become a sponsor! We hope to see you there. More Information: http://www.rmhc-austin.org Get directions Texas Natural & Western Swing Festival: 10:00 am @ San Marcos Plaza Park Day-Courthouse Square - Music with Arts & Craft vendors & Food booths (arts & crafts are exclusively Texas Made) Night Time Show-San Marcos Plaza Park by the river - music & limited food vendors. Stay tuned to the website for additional details, ticket information and official start time. More Information: http://festivalnet.com/fairs_and_festivals/index.php?db=featuredopen&uid=default&Sidelined=no&Deleted=no&sb=Show_dates&S_date_mo=&zip;=&S_date_yr=&action=view_records&back;_link=/indexes.html&State_local=tx Get directions Old Gruene Market Days: 10:00 am @ Historic Gruene Texas Nearly 100 vendors offer uniquely crafted items, collectibles and packaged Texas foods. Market hours are 10:00am-5:00pm. Free admission. More Information: http://www.gruenemarketdays.com/ Get directions Fight For Air Climb: 9:00 am @ Frost Bank Tower On May 19th, the American Lung Association of Austin will hold its annual event: the Fight for Air Climb. Unique to the Frost Bank Tower, climbers fundraise to help the American Lung Association’s mission of saving lives by improving lung health, fighting for smoke-free kids and clean air. Individuals and teams of friends, families and coworkers compete together to climb 660 stairs. After the Climb, keep it weird with live bands, food trucks, and a health fair featuring ALA wellness partners. Visit the website to find out about free street events, registration and other additional details. We hope to see you there. More Information: http://www.lung.org/pledge-events/tx/austin-climb-fy12/ Get directions more

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This Month The Spotlight Is On School Preparedness: Helping All Children Succeed

Young children learn through play, social interaction and exposure to new words and ideas. More and more neuroscience studies reveal that 90 percent of our brains develop by age 5. Yet many young children in our community are not receiving the cognitive stimulation they need to prepare for success in school.

Featuring:
Austin Habitat for Humanity
ACE: A Community for Education
Mainspring Schools
Trinity Child Development Center