April 2012 marks the 42nd anniversary of Earth Month. What started as one-day, feel-good reminder to do something because it’s good for us, has become a complete month celebrating and promoting sustainable resource management.
This month we’re bringing you perspectives of how organizations are positioning sustainability as an investment in resource management that can be measured on an Excel spreadsheet.
Read on for Earth Month inspirations that are less Birkenstock, more bottom line.
When the flowers bloom and the days get longer, it’s hard to stay focused on an algebra lesson or spelling exercise. But just because students start itching to get out of the classroom doesn’t mean the learning stops. As three Forefront Austin partners discuss this month, activities outside of formal class often offer the longest-lasting tools for learning and growth. Each of our partners’ stories demonstrates how they are creating unique and powerful opportunities to extend classroom learning for students of every age. Read on to see how the power of mentoring, hands-on practical experiences and exposure to new horizons helps improve students and our community.
Austin’s reputation as a great place to live, work and play is a proven draw for businesses and workers. We cannot afford to take that reputation lightly. In this issue, five Forefront Austin partners discuss how they are supporting workers and building a workforce to sustain Austin’s economic engine. Read each partner’s unique perspective on translating a workforce sector to community economic growth, the power of networking to drive innovation, ways to support employees and improve Austin’s health, and the critical mandate we all have to educate and empower tomorrow’s workers.
Austin will soon be adding "Innovative Health Care Capital of the World" to its live music and cultural destination accolades. This month Forefront Austin highlights ways in which Central Texas leaders are ushering in changes to health care delivery, quality and results that will improve the health and wellness of the entire community.
Austin and creativity go together like hipsters in a honkey tonk, Willie and Darrell, and pianos on a running trail. Anywhere else they wouldn't make any sense. But here, those combinations create magic that just can't be copied and bottled.
The key to Austin’s creativity is the vibe is about much more than icons or great marketing slogans—it's the secret sauce that opens up worlds of opportunities for our community to grow, thrive and lead.
This month, Forefront Austin partners demonstrate how creatively they are fueling innovative solutions, new ideas and unique approaches to continually improve the city we call home. See creativity at play in all corners of Austin.
On Labor Day weekend 2011 wildfires engulfed thousands of acres in Central Texas, destroying nearly 1,600 homes and forcing the evacuation of communities across the region. The wildfires brought disaster response home to Central Texas as nonprofits, individuals, churches, and businesses united to help the communities affected by the fires.
Throughout the disaster response and recovery, innovative new media strategies proved to be powerful tools in mobilizing volunteers and resources. Forefront Austin’s perspectives this month show us how embracing new media tool and communications technology united Central Texans in serving our neighbors and will fuel the process of rebuilding neighborhoods and lives.
In 2011, universal public education in the United States celebrates its 93rd birthday. In those years, the education system and schools themselves have evolved continually to reflect social values, technology advances and economic demands. This month, Forefront Austin’s partners discuss how our expectations of and approaches to learning are evolving in the new century and offer a glimpse of what our education system might look like on its 100th birthday.
Community Perspectives
Supply and Demand: Educating Today for Economic Success Tomorrow
Enacting sustainable social change in Austin requires more than gifts and feel-good deeds from charities, individuals or events. Amidst unprecedented economic turmoil, with nearly half of Central Texas living in or near poverty, and about 87 percent of low-income Central Texas students identified as at-risk of dropping out of public school, it's apparent that no single group or sector can handle the weight of this burden alone.
Forefront Austin's perspectives this month show us the power of innovative partnerships among philanthropists, nonprofits, businesses, policy makers and community members to identify and apply unique solutions that will move the needle for the entire community.
Aaah... July. It's time to get outside, walk around Lady Bird Lake, take a picnic to Zilker Park or jump on a playground swing. Too hot for you? Sorry but this is not the time to let 25 days of record-setting heat dampen your drive to play. Buck up and hydrate—you can't afford not to play.
Forefront Austin's perspectives this month show us just how much we have to gain by playing-and warn us of the impact a "play deficit" has on our happiness and productivity. From the value of vacations, swinging a golf club or getting fresh air with a group of friends, our partners have tallied up the ROI of good old-fashioned fun for us.
So read on and then ask your mom if you can come out to the park. We'll have you home by dinner.