The Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) Partnership supports public housing residents in their journey to economic self-sufficiency through school-based and property-based educational, enrichment, and case management services.
VOLUNTEER WITH SMARTKIDS:
Volunteers are needed during after school hours, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS:
- Able to commit 1.5-3 hours a week for a full academic school semester
- Able to volunteer between 3:00 p.m. and 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday
VOLUNTEER CONTACT:
volunteer@ciscentraltexas.org
IMPACT:
The HACA Partnership provides a continuity of programming, from school to community, and depth of service that allows students to work toward goals that are key to promoting school success and ultimately, self-sufficiency.
STRATEGIES:
- Supportive Guidance
- After-school programming
- Home visits
- Enrichment Activities
- Educational Enhancement
- Family Engagement
SERVICES:
SmartKids Coordinators provide case management and student support services to students at Becker, Dawson, Oak Springs, and Zavala Elementary Schools, Lively, Martin, and Kealing Middle Schools, and Eastside Memorial and Travis High School. In addition to school-based services, SmartKids Coordinators provide after-school programming at four public housing properties: Bouldin Oaks, Meadowbrook, Santa Rita, and Booker T. Washington.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS:
“My sister went to CIS and told me how much fun she had playing games and going to groups. One day she made me go too and I haven’t been the same since… I still struggled but CIS was there every step of the way, especially from middle school to high school. In the end, they even cheered for me as I walked across the stage at graduation. Now in college, I still see many CIS faces in my neighborhood. I live in public housing and some of my favorite moments happen when I open my door and see them talking with other students like me… I look on from a distance letting someone else have a turn and quietly plan for my family’s future.” – Jennifer, former SmartKids participant
LOCATIONS:
- Bouldin Oaks
- Meadowbrook
- Booker T. Washington
- Santa Rita Courts