Partnership will create educational programming on sustainability, resilience
(AUSTIN – October 22, 2024) The Greater Austin YMCA and St. Edward’s University have announced a partnership agreement on an application for a $20 million Community Change Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. If awarded, the grant will fund construction of a multipurpose facility to serve as a climate resilience hub at the East Communities YMCA as well as community outreach and education programs.
The grant calls for collaborations between nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions and local governments to address adverse climate-related impacts in local communities. St. Edward’s will serve as the YMCA’s lead partner in the agreement and support its grant application by providing expertise to develop community engagement programming and research.
The East Communities Y is located at 5315 Ed Bluestein Blvd. in the heart of the “Eastern Crescent” of Travis County, a historically underserved part of the community with a significant population of low-income residents.
“Sustainability is a core strategic pillar for both the YMCA and St. Edward’s, so this is an ideal opportunity to collaborate and make a positive difference for a part of the community that has often been overlooked,” said Kathy Kuras, Greater Austin YMCA President & CEO.
“Education is about the future,” said St. Edward’s University President Montserrat Fuentes, “and our students are fully committed that we take action on sustainability so that we can ensure a future built on a foundation of safety, security, and equity.”
The application has wide community backing, including support from Rep. Greg Casar (TX-35), Travis County, Austin City Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison, County Constable Tonya Nixon, Pecan Street and The First Tee-Greater Austin.
A Partnership for Action
During the first three months of the award period, the Y and St. Edward’s will undertake feasibility studies, energy audits and community engagement to create a Community Resiliency Action Plan. The partnership will include rollout of sustainability education and social resiliency programs that focus on creating a sustainable and equitable future by addressing energy efficiency, waste reduction, water conservation, sustainable agriculture, and biodiversity conservation. This will be complemented by social programs aimed at disaster and emergency preparedness, health and well-being, education, and social equity.
In addition to the community programs, the grant would support a 30,000-square-foot expansion of the existing Y facility. The proposed addition will be an energy-efficient, microgrid-enabled resilience hub that can be used to house up to 200 members of the community during emergencies, plus classroom/incident command spaces, gender-neutral restrooms, locker, and shower facilities, and a warming kitchen for distribution of meals during community events and emergencies. A facility-wide energy management system (EMS) will manage facility electricity, including on-site solar generation, grid-sourced power, and backup generator power.
Historically, YMCAs have served as resilience hubs during times of need. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Y parking lots became food distribution centers, and in 2021 and 2023, Y facilities were opened to allow people to shelter, warm themselves, and shower during winter storms, which resulted in widespread loss of power in the community. This grant will enable the Y to continue and expand these emergency response initiatives more impactfully with better facilities and resources.
“With its location along Highway 183 near Martin Luther King Boulevard, this proposed project will provide immediate and easy access for residents of disadvantaged communities in the event of climate-related emergencies, such as flood, fire, extreme heat or power outages,” Kuras said.
The project follows a 2021 resolution passed by the Austin City Council directing the City Manager to work with community partners to create a network of climate resilience hubs. Currently, the City of Austin is working with partners to pilot six resilience hubs in Austin’s Eastern Crescent at the following facilities: North Austin YMCA, Turner Roberts Recreation Center, Virginia Brown Recreation Center, Montopolis Recreation Center, Dove Springs Recreation Center, and Gus Garcia Recreation Center. By 2025, the team hopes to grow the network to 30 Hubs.
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About the Greater Austin YMCA
The Greater Austin YMCA is a dynamic, equitable force in the community that helps people of all backgrounds improve their total wellbeing and quality of life. Anchored in three Central Texas counties, the Y serves more than 100,000 people annually through eight centers. We also provide afterschool education and care at more than 60 licensed campuses in four school districts and operate 6 early learning centers. Unlike any other organization in the region, the Austin Y has the unique ability to welcome, educate and elevate all, and is committed to creating innovative programs, places…and people. More information is available at www.austinymca.org.
About St. Edward’s University
St. Edward’s University is a private university in the Catholic, Holy Cross tradition with approximately 3,000 students. Located in Austin, Texas, it is one of the top universities in the state and offers more than 50 undergraduate, seven master’s degree programs and a doctorate program. St. Edward’s delivers a premier, highly personalized education that provides students distinctive academics and extensive internships, research and service learning opportunities on a vibrant and inclusive hilltop campus in a world-class city. St. Edward’s has been recognized for 22 consecutive years as one of “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report. In the 2025 Best Colleges rankings, St. Edward’s ranked #5 in the Best Regional Universities in the West.
Contact:
Sean Doles, Greater Austin YMCA, sean.doles@austinymca.org, (512) 923-5015
Gwen Schuler, St. Edward’s University, gschuler@stedwards.edu, (512) 351-8887
