Wet Salon stylists donate their time and talent for American YouthWorks

AUSTIN, TX – April 19, 2010 – THIS SUNDAY, April 25th from 9:00pm until 5:00pm hair stylists at Wet Salon on South Congress will donate their hair-cut proceeds to American YouthWorks, a local non-profit dedicated to transforming the lives of at-risk youth.

Wet Salon will offer hair-cuts exclusively, including shampoo and blow-dry, for a $50 flat rate. Anyone wishing to participate in the fundraiser will receive a raffle ticket for every $10 spent (those purchasing one hair-cut will receive five tickets). The raffle will include items donated from Y&I Clothing Boutique, Aquage, Wella, Sebastian, Nioxin, and more. Walk-ins and appointments are welcome. To schedule an appointment, call 444-7375. Participants in the fundraiser may also enjoy free coffee in the morning, donated by Jo’s Coffee.

Wet Salon is located at 1109 South Congress Avenue (in between E. Riverside and Academy Dr.) Austin, TX 78704 and can be reached by calling (512) 444-7375.

About Wet Salon
Beautiful, creative hair is the focus at Wet Salon and Studio. Multiple stylists, including two certified master colorist, create a relaxed, fun atmosphere where the only limit is your imagination. With its hip, but uncomplicated surroundings, Wet Salon attracts an eclectic clientele ranging from punk rockers wanting blue spikes to professionals seeking subtle highlights. While you wait to be shampooed in one of Wet’s silver, space-rocket chairs, enjoy displayed works of up-and-coming local artists.

About American Youth Works
American YouthWorks is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Austin, Texas that is dedicated to empowering youth through education and green jobs training. AYW operates a public charter high school, a GED program, Casa Verde Builders, Environmental Corps and Computer Corps. American YouthWorks also offers onsite social services, including a parent/child development center and counseling. For more than thirty years, American YouthWorks has assisted thousands of local youth in transforming their lives through community service, education and a commitment to preserving the natural environment.

Board names Dick Pierce as Interim CEO and initiates search for new permanent CEO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUSTIN, TX – March 26, 2010 – The American YouthWorks Board of Directors announced on March 22 that Dick Pierce will assume the duties of Interim CEO, while a formal search is conducted for a permanent CEO for AYW. The later process is open now and is expected to take less than 90 days to complete.

Dick Pierce has been a resident of Austin for 12 years and is well-known for his involvement in sustainability, environmental programs, landscape design and food production/gardening. He worked with AYW from 1998 – 2007 as the Special Programs Officer responsible for Casa Verde Builders, Environmental Corps, and Computer Corps – programs where young people learn job, work, and life skills at the same time they build recreation trails and restore habitat, build quality, Green, energy efficient homes for lower income families, and refurbish donated computers for use by families and community centers. He retired from AYW in early 2007, and recently returned to AYW as a management consultant. He will assist Chester Steinhauser, COO, and Jenny Emmons, School Superintendent with the day-to-day operations and spend time on the longer-range directions and strategic plans for AYW.

Dick replaces Melinda Wheatley, AYW’s former Acting CEO who has resigned from that position.

Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter to Margarine G. Beaman at oleo50@hotmail.com or 1901 E. Ben White Blvd. Austin, TX 78741.

AUSTIN, TX – November 4, 2009 – Grammy-nominated Latin rockers Grupo Fantasma will highlight this year’s “Help Clifford Help Kids” gala on Thursday, November 12th at the Austin Music Hall. The show benefits American YouthWorks, a nonprofit organization working to empower at-risk youth through education, jobs training, and service to the community.

The event was founded by, and is held in honor of, the late Clifford Antone. Blues legend and founder of the world-famous Antone’s nightclub in Austin, TX, Clifford combined his love for music with a passion for enriching the lives of at-risk youth and devoted the last years of his life to benefiting American YouthWorks. To that end, “Help Clifford Help Kids” has, over the course of its eight year history, raised over $1,000,000 for the organization.

On November 12th, this unique event will be emceed by Jody Denberg and Andy Langer of 107.1 KGSR along with Dave Adelson of E! News. Once again, an exciting live auction will provide fabulous opportunities for the night’s guests, including getaway packages to Paris and the Napa Valley wine country and exciting Austin music and live entertainment packages.

The evening’s musical headliner is Grammy nominated Grupo Fantasma, an 11 piece Latin funk orchestra from Austin, Texas. Formed in 2000 from the merger of two Austin acts, The Blue Noise Band and The Blimp, the band emerged with a sold out show at the former Empanada Parlour in Austin. The band is best known for their exuberant live shows and their recent association with Prince and his 3121 Club in Las Vegas. The ensemble has sold more than 20,000 albums independently.

Doors open at 8:30pm for the 9:00pm show by Grupo Fantasma, for which $15 tickets can be purchased in advance at www.gettix.net.

To attend the earlier evening program which begins at 6:00pm and includes dinner and the live auction, $250 seat tickets and table sponsorships starting at $2,500 can be purchased by contacting Jenny Burch at 705-7240 or at jburch@americanyouthworks.org.

About American YouthWorks
American YouthWorks is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Austin, Texas that is dedicated to empowering youth through education and green jobs training. AYW operates a public charter high school, a GED program, Casa Verde Builders, Environmental Corps and Computer Corps. American YouthWorks also offers onsite social services, including a health care clinic, parent/child development center and counseling. For more than thirty years, American YouthWorks has assisted thousands of local youth in transforming their lives through community service, education and a commitment to preserving the natural environment.
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AUSTIN, TX – September 21 – On Monday, September 28, 2009 American YouthWorks will publicly unveil its Green Jobs Training Center, located at 1901 E. Ben White Boulevard, with a ribbon cutting ceremony and a tour of the upgraded facility. The event will kick-off at 10:00 A.M.

Rep. Lloyd Doggett, along with a number of Central Texas dignitaries, will join American YouthWorks for the ceremony. Following the ceremony, visitors will tour the facility to view the building retrofits first hand.  Finally, Green Bank, in keeping with its vision to strengthen the Central Texas community and promote sustainability, is sponsoring a reception that will conclude the festivities.

”After working hard for more than a decade in support of this important local initiative, I am very proud to see the vision for this facility become a reality,” said Congressman Lloyd Doggett. “American YouthWorks is moving in the right direction, not only by creating a well educated ‘green collar’ workforce, but also by generating that workforce from the communities disadvantaged and high-potential youth.  This organization has set a fine example I can only hope others across our great country will follow.”

The new facility, which houses American YouthWork’s award-winning Austin charter school for at-risk youth, underwent its first phase energy efficiency retrofit enabled by a $1.2 million grant from the Economic Development Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce.  This complete building remodel is slated to enable the American YouthWorks campus to receive the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold rated building.

“This energy saving retrofit will not only dramatically reduce the energy usage of the campus, but it will also serve as a living classroom for teaching students the skills they will need to pursue green jobs,” said Melinda Wheatley, Acting CEO.“In order to give students of this redesigned facility the best “real world” training available, American YouthWorks teamed up with the Building Owners and Managers Association, Austin affiliate, (BOMA Austin) and the Austin Association of Facility and Maintenance Engineers (AAFAME) to train at-risk youths for green building management and engineering careers.”

The BOMA Austin and AAFAME partnership will provide AYW participants with leading-edge coursework designed to introduce and develop skills in building management and building engineering.

About American Youth Works

American YouthWorks is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Austin, Texas that is dedicated to empowering youth through education and green jobs training.  AYW operates a public charter high school, a GED program, Casa Verde Builders, Environmental Corps and Computer Corps.  American YouthWorks also offers onsite social services, including a health care clinic, parent/child development center and counseling.  For more than thirty years, American YouthWorks has assisted thousands of local youth in transforming their lives through community service, education and a commitment to preserving the natural environment.

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CONTACT: Melissa Miller, Communications Director
Phone: (512) 744-1904
mmiller@americanyouthworks.org
www.americanyouthworks.org

Rep. Doggett: “American YouthWorks has enjoyed a very green summer.”

WASHINGTON—U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) joined American YouthWorks in celebrating its receipt of $1.45 million in federal funds this summer.  $750,000 from the Economic Development Administration will aid in the construction of the Green Collar Workforce Training Center.  This amount is in addition to nearly $700,000 received earlier in the summer through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which the Congressman helped pass, for American YouthWorks’ Casa Verde Builders YouthBuild initiative. Casa Verde Builders, in partnership with the City of Austin, teaches at-risk youth how to build energy efficient homes from foundation to finish while simultaneously pursuing their education.

Rep. Lloyd Doggett said, “American YouthWorks has enjoyed a very green summer.  Getting the green to invest in green collar jobs will help transform lives as we transition to a low-carbon, energy independent future.  This helps Austin continue its green energy leadership.  Central Texans understand that we can run the new clean energy economy or get run over by it. Having worked personally in support of this important local initiative for more than a decade, I have seen YouthWorks work–moving to the forefront nationwide of creating green jobs and new opportunities for disadvantaged youth.”

According to some estimates, clean energy jobs amount to 750,000 out of 150 million in the U.S., and there is the potential for 4.2 million new green jobs to be added by 2038.

The Green Collar Workforce Training Center will offer specialized training to meet the increasing demand for high-skill workers in the green building and energy service businesses. Graduates will fill higher-wage, environmentally-friendly jobs.

Melinda Wheatley, American YouthWorks Acting CEO said: “American YouthWorks is thrilled to receive more federal dollars for our green charter high school and jobs training programs.  The funding will support our ongoing green facility construction and lower our energy costs considerably.  Most important, this provides our students with demonstrable, hand-on training in energy technology.  The cutting-edge, energy-saving components become vital educational tools for young people to learn solar panel installation, the importance of harvesting rainwater, the measurement of energy usage to support green facilities management, and a variety of other exciting skills.”

“As always, we are humbled and appreciative of the tireless support of Congressman Lloyd Doggett for our mission to transform the lives of all young people, regardless of race, income, or socio-economic background.  His belief in the transformative power of community, environment, and education has translated into tangible outcomes for East and Southside Austin teens,” added Melinda Wheatley.

American YouthWorks is a comprehensive human investment organization that helps young people transform their lives and become self-sufficient adults through education, job training, community service, and a strong support network. American YouthWorks in Austin serves a diverse population of more than 500 youth, ages 16 to 26 who are disproportionately poor, with 88 percent coming from low-income households.

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Sarah Dohl
Communications Director\Press Secretary
Office of Rep. Lloyd Doggett
202-225-4865

For Immediate Release

Contact: Sarah Dohl – (202) 225-4865

Funds Will Aid in Helping Young People Become Self-Sufficient Adults through Education, Job Training, and Community Service

WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) announced that the Department of Labor awarded more than $600,000 in competitive grants to Austin YouthWorks (AYW), a comprehensive human investment organization that helps young people transform their lives and become self-sufficient adults through education, job training, community service, and a strong support network.  Each day, AYW services a diverse population of more than 500 youth, ages 16 to 26 who are disproportionately poor with 88 percent coming from low-income households.

“Austin YouthWorks represents the best Austin has to offer,” said Congressman Doggett.  “And, I am thrilled the Department of Labor has chosen to reward its good works, while at the same time, equipping the program to do even more good in the future. This program helps Austin youth who need community support to grow and learn, while at the same time helping some of our most vulnerable neighbors.  This is the kind of work that should be recognized, rewarded, and imitated across the country.”

These funds will be used for a program called YouthBuild, which provides job training and educational opportunities for at-risk youth ages 16 to  26 while constructing or rehabilitating affordable housing for low-income or homeless families in their own neighborhoods.  Youth split their time between the construction site and the classroom, where they can earn their GED or high school diploma, learn to be community leaders, and prepare for college and other postsecondary training opportunities. YouthBuild includes significant support through mentoring, follow-up education, employment, personal counseling, and participation in community service and civic engagement.

“American YouthWorks is honored to receive additional stimulus funds for its Casa Verde Builders Youth Build program.  Casa Verde Builders, in partnership with the City of Austin, teaches at-risk youth how to build energy efficient houses from foundation to finish while simultaneously pursuing their education.  The green energy-rated homes are built in the heart of East Austin and are sold to first-time home buyers. Because of the heroic efforts of people like Congressman Doggett, our “hidden youth” in Austin will receive cutting-edge green jobs training skills that will broaden their opportunities for peaceful and successful lives.  We cannot overstate our pleasure in President Obama’s commitment to national service, conservation, and the transformation of the urban youth culture.  To realize our potential and create additional slots for these young people immediately is a profound victory.  Many thanks come from our hearts to yours,” said Melinda Wheatley, Acting CEO, American YouthWorks

$600,000 grant is the most recent of many that have been provided to Austin through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which Congressman Doggett supported and helped pass. Earlier this year, Congressman Doggett secured more than $7 million in funding for the local Austin Housing Authority to make improvements to affordable housing units in the area and complete other improvement projects in the community.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Melissa Miller, Media Coordinator
Phone: (512) 236-6155
mmiller@americanyouthworks.org

AUSTIN, TX – June 3, 2009 – The American YouthWorks Board of Directors announced June 3 that its Founder, Richard Halpin, will step into a new role as the organization’s Chief Visionary Officer. His new focus will include developing partnerships and funding for the organization’s Green Jobs Training Center (GJTC).    Halpin is the 2008-2009 Ernst and Young and Silverton Foundation social entrepreneur of the year. American YouthWorks has won many awards for championing at promise youth under his leadership. Thousands of marginalized young adults have earned a second and even third chance to be contributing productive citizens because of American Youthworks positive work in Austin, Texas.

The Board concurrently named Jenny Emmons as Acting Superintendent of its charter public high school, and Melinda Wheatley as Acting CEO.

“On behalf of the entire Board, staff and students of American YouthWorks, we want to thank Richard Halpin for his dedication to the youth of Central Texas. Without Richard’s passion and unwavering dedication to his ‘at-promise youth’, many of these young people may have ended up on our streets, in our prisons or in the morgue. Instead they are proud citizens, responsible parents and productive workers. Our entire community owes this man a huge debt of gratitude for his tireless advocacy on behalf of the disenfranchised; for investing in those abandoned by society and the education system. We are fortunate to have Richard’s talents and energy focused on our Green Jobs Training Center – this is our vision for the future and Richard is the man to lead us,” said Margarine Beaman, Board Chairwoman.

American YouthWorks (AYW ) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering at-risk youth through education and green jobs training.    Founded in 1976 by Richard Halpin with a handful of passionate staff members, American YouthWorks has served more than ten thousand local youth and their families through its award-winning programs.
AYW operates a charter high school, a green homebuilding initiative (Casa Verde Builders), a conservation and trails building program (Environmental Corps), a computer recycling program
(Computer-Corps) and Escalera, a National Council for La Raza and PepsiCo partnership to increase college participation for minority youth. AYW programs have received national awards and recognition for their success in transforming the lives of young people.

Jenny Emmons has worked in alternative education for the last fourteen years as a social worker and educator at American YouthWorks.    Ms. Emmons has a Bachelor‘s degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin. She has been instrumental in developing and implementing all educational program aspects of American YouthWorks’ Charter School; one of the first generations of Charter Schools in the State of Texas.

Melinda Wheatley joined American YouthWorks in May 2008 as its Chief Operating Officer. She has served in executive roles for more than twenty-five charter schools and several nonprofit organizations during her career, and was the founder of four urban charter schools for whom she served as Board President. A passionate advocate for at-risk youth, she is a frequent policy advisor and public speaker on education, employment and poverty issues.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Professional artists and American YouthWorks students to showcase art together in one-day art show

AUSTIN, TX – May 22 – TODAY, American YouthWorks Charter High School will showcase art by both students and local professionals in their annual spring art show on Friday, May 22. Proceeds raised from the sale of artwork will go directly to the school art program to purchase art supplies. The show is one night only from 4-8 pm at American YouthWorks downtown campus in the warehouse at 216 E. 4th Street 78701, on the corner of Brazos and 4^th Streets.

Amanda Winkles, AYW Art and Photography teacher, plays a vital role in helping these youth whose lives were once plagued with desperation, drugs, and violence to engage in a positive outlet that gives them inspiration to rebuild their lives.

“Art is a way for students to communicate observations in a tangible form. Instead of acting out of frustration, young people can mold and control the descriptions that express their situations, their lives, even their own bodies. Art validates concerns and emotions that may not otherwise get the attention that they deserve. Students discover inner talent, connect with their own creativity and usually find themselves and their world more worthwhile,” said Amanda Winkles, Art Teacher.

There is no cost for admission, but donations will be gladly accepted at the door. Visitors can also donate by purchasing a ticket in a raffle drawing, which will be ongoing throughout the event and will feature gift cards from local companies, such as Uchi, Yoga Yoga, Whole Earth Provision Co., and more. All donations are tax-deductible and help AYW continue to provide young people with the materials they need to be successful.

Local professional artist Michael Anthony Garcia is set to perform at 7pm.  His silent performance centers on creating peace and utilizes the artist’s body, a video camera, a projector, and the audience. Other professional artists will join the Charter School youth in displaying their art including Amanda Jones, Amanda Winkles, April Garcia, Carmen Rodriguez, Chris Holloway, Cody Scrogum, Deena Odelle Hyatt, D.J. Durham, Heather Butler, Jaime Salvador Castillo, James Beard, Kerin Arn, Leslie Pierce, Mary Mikel Stump, Michael Ableman, Paul Moncus, Sean Ripple, Sean Gaulager, Topher Sipes, and Zach McDonald.

The Art Program at American YouthWorks began before the school’s conception thirty-four years ago, as a prison art program, and later was included in the Charter School’s curriculum as a positive way for students to tell their personal stories through a positive medium.

American YouthWorks is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit Green Jobs Training and Education Center located in Austin, Texas, committed to offering high school dropouts and undereducated youth and adults alternatives to welfare and crime.   AYW operates a comprehensive program providing education, jobs training, and social services to transform the lives of youth and adults.  AYW creates a holistic opportunity for individuals to acquire the life skills needed to succeed in the new, green economy.

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Contact:

Melissa Miller, Media Coordinator
American YouthWorks
512-236-6155
mmiller@americanyouthworks.org