Celebrating Nonprofit Excellence in Austin

[vc_row full_width="false" img_animate="false" animation_dir="horizontal" animation_speed="35000" background_repeat="no-repeat" background_position="left top" background_attachment="scroll" padding_top="60" padding_bottom="20" parallax="false" video="false"][vc_column animate="false" effect="fade" margin_b="true" text_align="left" pl="0" pr="0" pt="0" pb="0" width="1/1"][vc_column_text pl="0" pr="0" pt="0" pb="0"]Nonprofits tackle our city’s most ingrained social issues including hunger, abuse, homelessness, unemployment, lack of medical care and more. These issues are wide, deep, entrenched, multi-faceted and just plain BIG.There are literally thousands of nonprofits in the Austin-area who are working tirelessly to address some of the toughest problems facing our city. They are committed to their mission and to bettering our community, and they motivate us to believe that the impossible is actually possible, that solutions do exist, that complex issues can be solved. Each year, we take a step back and look at “nonprofit excellence” by honoring the Nonprofit Excellence Awards. We aim to recognize organizations that are leading social change, and have made significant progress toward resolving a critical community issue.This week at Party for Good we announced the 2015 Nonprofit Excellence Award winners.

Congratulations to the Winners!

Karen LaShelle, Creative Action | Nonprofit Executive of the YearStarting as a volunteer in 2003, Karen has positioned Creative Action as a leader in the arts education space, supporting the academic, social, and emotional development of young people. Through interactive classroom performances, after school arts residencies, and other community-based programs, the organization inspires youth to become creative artists, critical thinkers, and confident leaders who are equipped to take on the world. Karen is a passionate leader who inspires her team, local philanthropists and community volunteers to think creatively. Her entrepreneurial spirit has truly shown through the recent opening of The Center for Creative Action, a multi-function facility in East Austin that is home to classrooms, an outdoor theater space, daily programs for youth & elderly, and much more.Children in Nature Collaborative of Austin | Excellence in CollaborationCiNCA is a program hosted by Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center that brings together nonprofits, educators, parents, health professionals and local businesses. These entities work toward the common goal of reconnecting children to nature. A shining example of CiNCA’s collaborative work is the soon-to-be-launched Roadrunner Outdoor Adventure Bus. This fully-sized, re-purposed school bus will be used exclusively by schools and organizations for nature-related field trips, eliminating a common roadblock – transportation costs – and allowing more under-served children to experience the outdoors. By bringing together ideas and resources from nonprofits, businesses, government, and parents, CiNCA members are able to equip teachers with these types of effective, essential resources to make the natural world part of every student’s lifestyle.Foundation Communities | Excellence in ImpactFoundation Communities is creating affordable, beautiful homes for thousands of families, veterans, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. For many residents this housing is permanent, while for others it serves as an affordable place to live while working toward long-term goals. Their proven model empowers residents and neighbors to become successful in all aspects of life by offering free on-site support services in the areas of education, financial stability, and health. This includes free after-school programs and tutoring for children; tax preparation and financial coaching; fitness classes; integrated mental health and primary care; and community gardening. Foundation Communities was founded in 1990, and currently owns and operates 18 communities.Sustainable Food Center | Excellence in Innovation Sustainable Food Center envisions a food secure community where all children and adults have a strong connection to their food. From growing fresh produce, to learning how to prepare it, to selling it at farmers’ markets, SFC is involved in every step of our local food system. SFC creates opportunities for individuals to make healthy food choices, including The Happy Kitchen program which offers cooking and nutrition education classes to people from all walks of life, and is taught by fellow community members (rather than SFC staff). Their 6-week community cooking class series is offered free to participants in communities facing health disparities, and promotes self-sufficiency that leads to lasting dietary changes.We want to not only congratulate this year’s winners and finalists, but also thank them for their service to the community and for encouraging us to believe that anything is possible![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]