Capital IDEA secures largest increase ever in public funding


Leaders secured $2 million from the City of Austin and Travis County for the new year, an increase of $300,000 from last year!  In addition to meeting with City Council members and County Commissioners during the budget review periods, over 60 leaders and Capital IDEA participants attended the public budget hearing at City Hall.  This increase in funding means Capital IDEA will be able to enroll sixty more students in its program than last year, and provide people the education, training, and support they need in order to secure good, living-wage jobs with benefits.  

This past June, 400 people attended orientations at Austin Interfaith institutions regarding Capital IDEA, and new orientations are scheduled for February at Mt. Olive, San Jose, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Dolores catholic churches.

Capital  IDEA receives 2 Awards 
 

Austin Interfaith has always known that Capital IDEA is a stellar job training program, and two awards this year help demonstrate that fact.  Executive Director Steven Jacobs won the Ernst & Young Social Entrepreneur of the year, and Capital IDEA received an award from the Austin Chamber of Commerce. 

Capital IDEA receives Federal Funding

Austin Interfaith leaders met with Rep. Lloyd Doggett in the summer to discuss the need for a deeper commitment from the federal government to long-term job training for families in Austin. Thanks to the work of Austin Interfaith leaders and Rep. Doggett, the new Federal budget signed 12/27/2007  includes a $238,000 appropriation for Capital IDEA!