AUSTIN, Texas — "Amplify Austin" — the 24-hour, community-wide day of giving — started Thursday evening at 6 p.m. and will continue through most of Friday.
Amplify Austin wants to raise $11 million for more than 700 nonprofits in seven Central Texas counties.
"There were people that wanted to learn English, but for a lot of those adults — mostly women, mostly mothers — the obstacle was, 'Where can I go learn English, but also have my children with me?'" Todos Juntos Executive Director Christina Collazo said.
Todos Juntos is a two-generation learning center, and one of the organizations where you can send your money through Amplify Austin.
They help teach parents skills like English and how to use technology while the kids work on some early childhood skills.
"The end goal for all of them is to have parents that are more confident, who are empowered, who can advocate for their children and families who know how to navigate the community that they live in and thrive in our community," Collazo said.
Collazo said for families, the services are free.
For the nonprofit, it's about $400 per family each year.
In Amplify Austin's 24 hours, they hope to raise about $20,000 to provide services for 10 kids for one year.
"It gives us a platform to be visible to our community and for a small organization like ourselves," Collazo said. "There are so many organizations that depend on this day."
Jamie Bahr with another nonprofit, Girls Rock Austin, said they hope to raise about $3,000 to expand their new after-school program.
"The goal is empowerment, it's really about finding your voice," Bahr said. "We believe that financial, physical and social barriers should never prevent anyone from gaining the empowerment and efficacy and agency that comes with creative expression."
It's when nonprofits like this come together that they can amplify their fundraising.
"All of this money collected today goes to make Austin the greatest place to live," Courtney Manuel said.
Manuel is the Executive director at "I LIVE HERE I GIVE HERE," which puts on Amplify Austin.
According to her, on average, each person who visits the site donates to two charities.
"We really want to encourage everyone to not just give to the communities that they know, but to also broaden their interests and to also give to a new charity this year," Manuel said.
"Todos Juntos means 'everyone together,' and Amplify Austin, really, it's an opportunity to see that in action. It's a chance for the community, for everyone in the community to come together, to support great organizations in Austin who are working each day to make Austin a better place for everyone," Collazo said.
Your donation can be amplified. For example, the St. David's Foundation has pledged more than $1 million to match donations. And Titos will donate another $5 on top of your donation if you use their hashtag.
You can search for organizations and donate here.
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