How bad is the summer drought?

This passed Fourth of July, Central Texans had to come to the harsh reality that Fireworks were not going to a part of this year's festivities. As the summer progressed, IH 35 started being covered in signs reminding drivers and residents to conserve on water. Rumor has it, this harsh reality is no where near ending.

To put things a little more in perspective, Hill Country Conservatory (HCC), based in Austin, Texas sent out a few interesting statistics on just how bad the drought has gotten. In a very creative way, HCC linked the statistics to donation suggestions - I give them props for this. Here is what HCC says:

We are asking for donations based on some of the recent records we have been breaking - every little bit counts!

$11 - Total amount of rain (in inches) in Central Texas since October 2010 (20 inches below average)

$27 - Number of Consecutive Days above 100 in July and August 2011

$63 - Total Number of Days in 2011 with Temperatures in excess of 100 degrees

$79 - Predicted Low Temperature on Tuesday (8/16)

$105 - Predicted High Temperature for Tuesday (8/16)

If you are interested in donating, click here. 

Placement Spotlight: Catholic Charities of Central Texas

Using the foundations of Catholic Social Teaching - love, service, advocacy, integrity and stewardship, Catholic Charities of Central Texas (CCCTX) works to help individuals and families through out Central Texas.

Serving a total of 25 counties stretching through Central Texas, CCCTX has three offices - one administrative in Austin and two satellite offices in Bryan and Waco. CCCTX has a variety of different services including the Gabriel Project Life Center, Immigration Legal Services, Marywood Children & Family Services and Access for Central Texas.

Gabriel Project Life Center allows pregnant women and children up to age one to receive assistance by helping mothers through every step of their pregnancy and through the beginning phases of their child's life. The mothers are able to attend classes, receive baby products and gain a since of community full of support.

Immigration Legal Services opens it doors to clients the first three Tuesdays of each month for clients trying to gain legal residency in the United States. Immigration Legal Services only takes family related cases, U-visas or V-visas. U-visas are for victims of a violent crime and U-visas are for spouses or children of Legal Permanent Residents (LPR).

Marywood Children & Families helps anyone interested in adoption or any pregnant mother who is wanting to give up her child for adoption.

Access for Central Texas (ACT) helps Austinites apply for state benefits such a Temporary Assistance for Needy Family (TANF), Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Medicaid. This program frequently meets families at their need and outreach specialists travel to local schools, community centers and office. 

Joel & I at the beginning of our
JV year. 

While at CCCTX, this year's (2010 - 2011) Jesuit Volunteers (JVs) assisted in the coordination of the Angels of Hope Food Pantry. Designated for individuals and families from the 78702 and 78741 zip codes, this client-choice based food pantry served every Friday, excluding national or Catholic holidays. Several years ago, the pantry client attendance grew so much that CCCTX started offering Senior Days to clients on fixed income or above certain age. 

Additionally, the two JVs worked in the case management department. Towards August 2010, CCCTX offered clients the choice to go through their case management program. Both JVs had case management clients through this program, but the majority contact CCCTX because of extraordinary circumstances - such as disaster relief or an eviction notice.

Lauren and Robert, food

pantry volunteers. 

September 4 brought Tropical Storm Hermine, which brought flooding to Bell, Travis and Williamson counties. In response to the diaster, CCCTX worked with the Long Term Recovery Committee of the Williamson County VOAD to help families in need. Additionally, CCCTX set aside funding to assist individuals and families in Bell County. Many of the families effected by the storm, became case management clients through CCCTX and even more were able to benefit from the financial assistance that CCCTX was able to provide.

The third type of case management came through funding from the county. Best Single Source, an Austin collaboration of non-profits got together to aid individuals and families throughout Travis county, who through unplanned emergencies have found themselves short funds to pay bills; but with a little assistance and some case management could be back on their feet again.  A very similar program, which CCCTX was able to assist families and individuals through was Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing (HPRP). This program allowed CCCTX to help people with eviction notices or notification of discontinued utilities.