I Still Believe in Love A man came by the church the other day in a very emotional state. He asked, “What is the point of even trying anymore?” The man had been working with several mentally ill people who had been set adrift by recent cuts to the social […]
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iACT for Refugees: iLearn Summer Program 2026
This summer, iACT proudly hosted its annual iLearn Program from June 22 through July 30, 2026, at its offices at First Austin. The program provided a welcoming, supportive space where refugee youth ages 6-18 strengthened academic skills, built confidence, and formed meaningful connections. Daily activities supported English language development, reading […]
Read MoreHands on Housing: Mrs. Joan Hall
Pictured here in front of her beautiful plants, Mrs. Joan Hall recently worked with Hands on Housing to ensure her home was safe and comfortable. Mrs. Hall was diagnosed with a chronic illness after years of working as a teacher. She retired from teaching and now makes lovely mosaic art […]
Read MoreHands on Housing: Mrs. Leonetta Anderson
Mrs. Leonetta Anderson lives in her lovely East Austin home with her two children Perry and Kamilah. Mrs. Leonetta was an active duty member of the United States Air Force for many years and now cares for her family. She called Hands on Housing to make sure that her electrical […]
Read MoreDoing Good Together: Prashant Sheth
Growing up between India and the United States, my parents taught me to value moral and heart-centered living over material and financial achievement. Our family, our community and our faith traditions all reinforced a simple idea: what you accumulate is never the full measure of your life. What matters is […]
Read MoreiACT for Refugees: Health & Wellness Resource Fair
Our incredible Health & Wellness Team—AJ Tareen, Azita Jawady, Heather Nicoll, and Anell Mejia—organized an equally incredible Community Wellness Resource Fair attended by 14 organizations and 125 clients. Community members came together to connect with resources and receive help with school supplies and hygiene kits. A big thank you to […]
Read MoreVolunteer Spotlight: Rosey Castillo
How long have you been in Austin? I’ve been in Austin for over 35 years since I moved here to attend UT-Austin. How long have you volunteered with iACT? This is my first summer volunteering with iACT. What made you want to volunteer with iACT? iACT’s mission and values resonated […]
Read MoreDoing Good Together: Sara Hickman
Building Community Conversations in a Volatile Time Four years ago, my husband and I moved to Smithville, Texas, nestled off Highway 71 between Bastrop and LaGrange. With extensive tree canopies, vintage shops, historic homes and a close community of artists, the minute we landed here, we became part of an active, caring community. […]
Read MoreDoing Good Together: Rabbi Marie Betcher
What’s Love Got To Do With It Most — if not all — of us in this room have lost someone we loved so dearly. The ache remains as fresh as the day they left us. A little bit of us died with them. We feel that vacuum, that emptiness, […]
Read MoreVolunteer Spotlight: Maria Jose Loaiza Zapata
How long have you been in Austin? 2 years How long have you volunteered with iACT? A week What made you want to volunteer with iACT? I’m a Psychology student, and I wanted to explore whether I want to work with kids. So it feels like it would be perfect to see if I […]
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