OneStar Foundation 2023 Texas Nonprofit Summit Recap
One of my favorite parts of being the First Lady of Texas is seeing Texanthropy in action. Service and volunteerism are my priorities and my passions, and it brings me such joy to see my fellow Texans share in this passion. That's why I was so excited to visit with folks at the OneStar Foundation's 2023 Texas Nonprofit Summit in Austin. The Texas Nonprofit Summit offers valuable opportunities for those involved in the nonprofit sector to connect, network, and collaborate with partners from across Texas, with the goal of offering insight and inspiration to those in the nonprofit sphere. After some time apart due to the pandemic, those attending the Summit were excited to be together in person again.
I had the opportunity to meet and visit with several groups and organizations during the Summit. As usual, I came away inspired and encouraged by the amazing work that is happening across Texas. I'd like to highlight just a handful of those I had a chance to speak with, including a glimpse into their work and endeavors.
- Texas Search and Rescue (TEXSAR): A previous Governor's Volunteer Award recipient, and one of the largest volunteer search-and-rescue organizations in Texas, TEXSAR provides specialized search and rescue and disaster relief and response services in all 254 counties.
- WorkFaith: WorkFaith provides faith-based training and coaching for those seeking long-term employment. Their next event will take place at Star of Hope Chapel in Houston on March 16, where they will celebrate clients as they share their stories of transformation and connect with the local community.
- Vacanva: Vacanva coordinates custom family portrait sessions (including on your family vacation) to take the stress out of family photos. In 2023, they are on a mission to help raise $100,000 for Texas nonprofits through custom fundraising programs for nonprofit organizations.
- The Phased IN Project: Kile Bateman, Senior Pastor of Evangel Church in Wichita Falls, is also the founder of The Phased IN Project, a transitional living program for youth who have aged out of the foster care system. Phased IN assists these young adults in learning life skills that will prepare them for adulthood and provides resources and family connections.
- ilooklikeLOVE: Phillipa Williams launched ilooklikeLOVE in 2015 to help develop leadership skills in women and engage with the community through motherhood. Today, ilooklikeLOVE operates a mobile diaper pantry and provides resources to new mothers and young families.
- Taste Project: Taste Project seeks to make sure no one goes hungry. Their nonprofit restaurant, Taste Community Restaurant, in Fort Worth is a give-and-take, pay-what-you-can concept and a community space where all are welcome.
If you're feeling inspired to get involved in your local community, I encourage you to visit the VolunteerTX portal, where you can search for volunteer opportunities by your interests or location. I believe each of us is called to service in one way or another, and there's an opportunity for everyone to get involved!
Many thanks to the OneStar Foundation for their continued partnership with my office, and to all the nonprofit organizations across Texas who are making a difference in their communities. When Texans help Texans, anything is possible!
