The Border Organization Expands Into Elementary Schools
Along the Southern border of Texas, one leader's confrontation helped triple The Border Organization's reach into local elementary schools. When a principal failed to split up a kindergarten class that had 32 children, against district policy, her inaction was challenged by a mother after school.
Read moreAustin Interfaith Fights for Higher Wages in City Subsidy Deal
Veteran Columnist Says: Don’t Let Politics Diminish Capital IDEA
"When University of Texas researchers studied the long-term benefits of an intensive Austin job training program called Capital IDEA, they found that graduates enjoyed a steady trajectory in earnings and within six years earned salaries that were $12,000 a year higher than participants in ordinary job-placement programs.
Read moreCapital IDEA Boosts Outcomes for Graduates AND Their Children

Capital IDEA was founded in 1998 by Austin Interfaith, in partnership with Central Texas business leaders, to lift "families out of poverty through workforce training, especially in high-demand occupations such as health care, information technology, utilities and skilled trades." Capital IDEA graduate Eloina Serna poses with son in photo above.
Read moreWTOS Leaders Celebrate Power Behind Victories

Glenda Harbert: Coalition Makes All Our Lives Better, San Angelo Standard Times
Read moreBuilding on Win, TMO Fights Wage Theft as Immigration Strategy
Building on an Austin victory criminalizing wage theft statewide, TMO institutions take the fight against wage theft to the pews.
"For The Metropolitan Organization, the wage theft law is not just about employees' rights; it is a way to carry out immigration reform in the current political climate. The Rev. Kevin Collins (photo right), the organization's co-chairman, says that... they will still benefit from the reform.
[Photo Credit: Wenjing Zhang, New York Times]
Read moreWTOS Helps Launch Innovative Software Training Project for Low-Income Youth
TMO & Bishops Advance Immigration Efforts
"The prayer service, sponsored by The Metropolitan Organization ...is part of the Houston Area Interfaith Campaign for Humane Immigration Reform, which has reach thousands of Houstonians with its trainings in over the past two years....The service was followed by a series of workshops on human trafficking, work and wages, and pending federal legislation and policy."
[Photo Credit: Johnny Hanson/ Houston Chronicle]
Houston Clergy, Politicians Gather for Immigration Prayer Service, Houston Chronicle
Read moreNorthern Tarrant County Institutions Commit to Building Better Community
A gathering of more than 300 people - from many faiths - marked the Sept. 11 anniversary with memories, discussion and a commitment to build better community. Says Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker of Congregation Beth Israel, "People came up to me to share how...they had never met anybody 'like that' before and yet they found that sense of commonality...of decency...of support."
Read moreWTOS Credited With Turning West Texas Neighborhood Around
"The local arm of West Texas Organizing Strategy, an interdenominational coalition of churches, has been the single biggest community organizing force behind the revitalization efforts."
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