NACA GENERAL MEETING

Thursday April 21, 2011

Little Walnut Creek Library

 
Introductions:
 
Eleanor Langsdorf called the meeting to order at 7:02pm.
 
Announcements
 
The March meeting minutes were distributed and approved with several corrections.
 
NACA currently has over $1,500.00 in general operating funds.
 
Brian Almon discussed the questionnaire regarding the Neighborhood Plan Wish List.
In 2008 the City Council of Austin wanted us to look at the items in the plan the city could accomplish. Now the City Council wants us to rank the top ten items. A list of 16 action items was distributed.
 
Susie Milam mentioned that 105 students from Wooldridge and over 60 Science students from Lanier sent appreciation letters to NACA for helping them attend a field trip to Bob Bullock Museum.
 
Speaker: Peter Daniels, Executive Director, A New Entry
A New Entry is a non profit agency to help people coming out of prison or treatment that are homeless. He has been a Case Manager at Travis County State Jail. He wanted to help create a better place and environment for parolees to go once released.
 
They operate a 19 bed, two story duplex located in the 78702 zip code with up to 19 employees in that facility. Case management support is available for anyone who comes to this facility. People are screened for ability and motivation to work. They have a good relationship with the local neighborhood association.
 
A challenge has been sustaining this effort. They have developed an education program where a fee is charged for drug and DWI offenders who are required to take classes.
 
Speaker: Frank Fernandez, Executive Director, Green Doors
 
Their mission is to transform lives through three things; provide affordable safe and quality housing; connect people to services; provide advocacy for the homeless population. Green Doors has existed for over 20 years and works with the Veterans Administration. They assist homeless families and persons with physical or behavioral disabilities. Sex, drug and violent crime offenders  are screened out. They have over 20 properties; some apartments, some houses. Vouchers are available.
 
In Austin 2009, a shortage of 37,000 living units existed for those who earn less than 20K per year. Over 4,000 people are currently struggling with homelessness in Austin. Some are single mothers with children.
 
A recent project was completed in Northeast Austin on Sweeney Circle. They emphasize working with the local neighborhood association. They have presidents of neighborhood associations on their Board of Directors.
 
Speaker: David Pena, Executive Director, Texas Reach Out
 
Texas Reach Out is a local non profit who assists former inmates. Potential residents apply through submitting a written application and are screened for psychiatric and medical needs. Texas Reach Out is a Christ centered program. A mentor is provided for each resident. Two bible studies are done a week. All residents are drug screened monthly and at random. They have eight houses with six to seven units in each house. The mission is to assist the residents in rebuilding their self esteem and to help them find a job. There is a house leader at each location to help designate chores to each resident. They are supported my many churches in the community.
 
Ann stated that the Religious Coalition to Assist the Homeless is funded by the drainage fee paid to the City of Austin by churches. Grants are applied from non-profits to utilize these funds to help provide housing and services to the homeless.
 
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm..