My time at Foundation Communities has been life changing for me, at the very least. I was an accounting intern and learned all sorts of information that will help me in my career. I was in charge of the general ledgers of several of the FC properties, and I took on a project with the replacement reserves accounts. I learned the most from this as it was the first time I had dealt with a project of that magnitude. It also made me feel very good knowing I was helping the organization get some funds back from their purchases.

Looking back at my internship, I learned how to operate Excel better, as well as NetSuite, which are valuable skills in the accounting field. I also got a glimpse of how an organization runs and all the little pieces it has to make sure are running smoothly. For my next step, I plan to accept a tax internship from RSM in Houston and finally starting my career as a tax professional. This opportunity would have not been possible if I hadn’t had this internship. This internship allowed me to put my foot through the door, and have a feel for what it’s like to be in the accounting profession.

I recommend this internship to my fellow accounting students because this opportunity will give you the skills you need if you wish to pursue a career in accounting. You will also meet some great people and learn from their many years of experience. – Marc Esquivel

I was introduced to Foundation Communities through the SERVE Austin program at St. Edward’s University at the beginning of last year. I served as a volunteer for the afterschool program at Sierra Vista. I’ve always loved working with kids, but Foundation Communities just did things differently. Their programming touched on all aspects of the children’s wellbeing. They were allowed time for physical activity, received plenty of academic support, and were simply given a safe space to share anything their hearts desired. Every child was genuinely cared for and was clearly happy to be there.

Unfortunately, my time as a volunteer was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The good news is, my time with Foundation Communities wasn’t done yet. One of my former professors, Beth Eakman, connected me with Julie Candoli, Director of Institutional Giving at FC, and Anne Chamberlain, their Senior Grant Writer. After a few media hurdles, I applied and received the position as the Grant Writing Intern.

During my year with FC, I learned about various programs across the organization and wrote several one-pagers for the grants team to refer back to when composing their proposals. I also got the opportunity to work on three separate grant proposals for FC’s education programming. I enjoyed working on every assignment I was given and was able to not only learn more about Foundation Communities, but also about how nonprofits work.

My favorite thing about working with FC this past year was learning about ethical storytelling. As a student journalist, I had baseline knowledge about ethical reporting and knowing how to serve your specific audience, but my supervisor, Anne Chamberlain, showed me that there was much more to it. Ethical storytelling is about listening to the voice of the people the organization is serving and inviting collaboration. It’s also about understanding the importance of transparency, and of sharing diverse perspectives. Ethical storytelling is an invaluable skill that I will carry with me in all of my future endeavors, whether it be writing a play or reporting on local news.

Before my internship at FC, I never fully considered grant writing as a career choice. After this past year, I don’t think I want to stray too far from the grant writing world after falling in love with it.

I plan to continue working with nonprofits and now have the skills necessary to help amazing organizations continue their important work.- Sammy Jo Cienfuegos

Foundation Communities has enjoyed the opportunity to work with interns from St. Edward’s University for many years. In the 2020-2021 academic year, we were excited to pilot a partnership in which we hosted a cohort of paid interns across several departments, including Accounting, Communications, Institutional Giving, and Corporate & Volunteer Engagement. As a result of the ongoing pandemic, interns worked with us remotely, using tools like Microsoft Teams and Zoom to connect with their colleagues and each other. Each month, interns took part in a professional development activity as a cohort, so they could learn about the nonprofit sector beyond their role and network with professionals outside their department.

We’re very proud of all the students who served with us this year. Please scroll down to read their reflections on their internships and what goals lie ahead for them.

Shilda Fresch Calvin

Foundation Communities would like to highlight Shilda Fresch Calvin because of her incredible community service during Winter Storm Uri. Shilda is an alumna of Free Minds, Class of 2018. She is currently a student at Austin Community College majoring in Education and participating in the College Hub’s Succeed program. At a time when Central Texas was struggling immensely with the power outages and lack of access to water, Shilda and her husband immediately went out and braved the brutal conditions to purchase bottled water, food and other necessities.  They drove door-to-door taking these resources to our neighbors in need.

“We put out a post online and folks put in their requests. (We) went around to individuals, folks who were impacted by the storm, and delivered them water and food and even baby meals — even things like Pampers and milk,” Shilda said.

Additionally, during the storm, Shilda put out a list of daily resources for the Central Texas community on social media. She took information shared through her program at Dress for Success and made it public on a shareable doc to forward the resources widely throughout the community to those impacted.

The news of her community service spread all the way to Chicago, Illinois, the home of the faith-based community Everlasting Love Ministries, prompting them to donate funds directly to Shilda. With this additional support, she was able to make 100 care packages, distributing them to unhoused individuals recovering from the storm over the course of the following weeks.

Thank you, Shilda Fresch Calvin for your incredible service to our Central Texas community!

JUST WHAT IS FC CREATES?

FC Creates is an initiative at Foundation Communities to coordinate the use of arts and cultural strategies to support the larger goals of the organization and support, clients, residents, and staff.

Beginning in 2018, a small team has worked to develop the initiative. The team engaged with residents, clients, staff, and community organizations, researched national best practices, and implemented pilot projects.

FC Creates uses creative community development (CCD) practices. Creative community development – or as it’s sometimes known, creative placemaking – is the practice of using arts and cultural strategies and activities in community development work. These practices could look like physical artworks, such as a mural. Or they could look like processes, activities, and programming, such as a crafting workshop or cooking class.

FC Creates harnesses the power of arts and culture to support FC residents, clients, and staff. The program is flexible and nimble, and support the larger organization in a variety of areas, including programs, development, and organizational growth, to achieve many goals, such as growing resident self-efficacy, equitable organizational storytelling, public health communications, and many, many more.

ART IS THE TOOL, NOT THE GOAL

The purpose of creative community development at Foundation Communities is to build community for residents, clients, and staff. Art and culture are just the way to build to the larger goals of supporting community through building relationships and networks; supporting organizational growth; contributing to physical and mental health; supporting pride and ownership of place; encouraging strong communications; supporting economic opportunity; and cultivating joy.

FC Creates is not “art for art’s sake.” It is using culture and art as tools to support the larger goals of community building throughout the entire Foundation Communities organization.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED WITH FC CREATES

FC Creates is a small, scrappy initiative. That means that we need your help to leverage arts and cultural practices to support Foundation Communities!

Do you have an idea for a great project?

Are you a resident or staff member who is a secret or not-so-secret artist yourself?

Are you a community artist who wants to share your talents and contribute to your community?

Are you passionate about the arts and how they can support Foundation Communities?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Together, we can bring this work to life within the organization to build community, and help everyone at Foundation Communities thrive.

Download the Full Report

By Dinorah Lopez, Financial Wellness Program Coordinator

W-2’s, 1099’s, 1095’s arriving to your mail/email? It’s time for tax season! Be sure to check out the Prosper Center Tax Help (ProsperTaxHelp.org) on how they can assist you in transmitting your tax return.

There are many components to tax time but this is the perfect time to start saving! If you are planning on receiving a refund here are some options for you:

• Pay down your debt. This could be the perfect opportunity to pay down your credit card or a loan that you have. Starting small could help reduce the debt you have and overall pay it all off!
• Work on financial goals. You can continue to work on existing goals you have for yourself or something you developed for your money resolution for 2021 (check out January’s blog post, if you haven’t done so!). Our Financial Coaches are here to discuss your goals and be your accountability partner.
• Save your refund. With your goals, you can save your refund for a rainy day or start a savings account for a specific goal you have. For example, saving for your child’s education or for a large purchase.

Quick tip! For tax time, if you save $50 into a qualified savings method you can enter a chance to win a prize with SaveYourRefund.org. By splitting your refund with a checking and savings bank account or purchasing a savings bond you can be entered into a weekly drawing.

Our Financial Coaches are extremely knowledgeable and can start having these savings conversations with you. Any individual with an annual income of $50,000 or less or a family of 2-4 with an annual income of $75,000 or less is eligible for Financial Coaching.

Schedule your phone or Zoom appointment with a Financial Coach by calling 737-717-4000 or by visiting our web site at www.foundcom.org/financial-wellness.

If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that we need to be prepared for anything. Is one of your New Year’s resolutions is to be more in control of your money? If so, you are in the right place! With any resolution, you can use a few strategies to keep it, such as:

• Spend time planning. You spend time planning an event, a trip or even making dinner. It takes time to make sure you have everything you need and you can do it in the time you have. A New Year’s resolution is no different. Get your favorite planner out and get your plan down in writing.
• Break it down into manageable steps. A resolution can quickly feel overwhelming when you get started. But if you break it down to small steps, you’ll see that you can manage it over time.
• Learn from the pros. Read a book or follow a podcast on personal finance. Or, get a supporter and accountability partner by signing up to meet with a Financial Coach (see details below).
• Remember that keeping a resolution is a process, sometimes a long one. Don’t get discouraged if you have a setback or don’t make progress as quickly as you’d like. Just re-assess, make adjustments to your plan, and start back up.

Ready to get started? If your New Year’s resolution includes things like making a budget, getting out of debt, putting money in savings, or improving your credit, Financial Coaches are here for you.

Financial Coaching is a free service provided by trained volunteers, who love crunching numbers and helping people. Any individual with an annual income of $50,000 or less or a family of 2-4 with an annual income of $75,000 or less is eligible for Financial Coaching.

Schedule your phone or Zoom appointment with a Financial Coach by calling 737-717-4000 or by visiting our web site at www.foundcom.org/financial-wellness.

Artist: Lee Brown

Pronouns: he/him/his

Art Submission(s): Song, “Kissing an Angel with her Eyes Closed”

* * *
Lee Brown has been writing nearly all of his life, starting at a very young age, and has been part of the writing crew for shows like Veronica Mars and Glee, and continues to write screenplays and music today.

We are excited to be spotlighting Lee’s creations in this year’s showcase through digital presentation, and an interview about his journey of creativity, experiences, and thoughts.

We’ll start with describing your creative work/practice: What tools do you use? Do you have a routine?

Lee has been in the ACC RTF program and recently got back into UT after a nine-year break. Currently, Lee writes screenplays and music.

What does your work aim to say? Why do you create?

Lee loves films and music, and has written over 200+ screenplays and songs. In total, has perhaps written over 5000 songs and music. He was writing songs when he was little and later got into poetry.

Who/What are your biggest influences? Who/what inspires you?

Aside from loving comedies and inspired films, Lee says he doesn’t have much influence he pulls from directly.

How have you developed your practice? What challenges and opportunities have you come across? How has your practice changed over time?

Lee has faced challenges in developing his practice. After an incident in 2018, he faced the inability to write or put words together and needed to teach himself how to write again. Currently, he’s been writing high energy comedies.

A longtime writer, Lee has been a writer for projects such as Veronica Mars and Glee, and has worked with actors such as Seth Rogan.

What are you most proud of? Why?

Lee is most proud of his work on the site of Moonlight Pictures, produced by his idol. Seth Rogan was a lead in the movie, while Lee himself stars in it as an actor.

What is your dream project?

Project ATF. It’s about both sides of a talent show. The talent and behind the scenes. He was working on the producer on it.

How do you share your creative practice and with whom?

Lee mostly shares his work with his agent, who then sends scripts to producers and other connections.

Has living at Foundation Communities impacted your practice? If so, how?

Foundation Communities has given Lee a chance to focus on his art and life; he’s really thankful for not having to worry as much about rent or the stress of finding a job quickly. In his five years with Foundation Communities, he loves the staff and hasn’t had any problems with residents.

What art/culture trend do you love right now? What trend do you wish you could forget?

Lee loves TV shows, like Empire and Star, Grey’s Anatomy, or How to Get Away With Murder. There aren’t any trends in particular he thinks should be done away with.

What delights you? What brings you joy?

Spending time with friends, or going to dinner and the movies.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Don’t give up.

What is the worst piece of advice you’ve been given?

“Would you like fries with that?”

What piece of advice would you like to give?

Find your voice, and don’t ever give up on yourself.

What’s your favorite way to celebrate?

Treating himself with a bottle of liquor.

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up? What’s the last thing you do before going to bed?

The first thing: make the bed. The last thing: brush his teeth

“Find your voice, and don’t ever give up on yourself.”

What role do artists and culture-bearers have in society? What role could/should they have?

They create the culture. Music, movies, TV. They should be looked at as mentors and inspire people to be better.

What do creatives need in order to thrive? What do you need in order to be creative?

Influences; someone to inspire them.

What are you really into right now?

Twitter. Being able to keep in touch with people, and seeing thoughts of others; sharing your own.

One thing/person/idea/group/event/place/etc. everyone should know about:

Good writings in general.

Who is an artist? What does it mean to be creative?

Art is anything; it is what you make it. Trash can be art.

What question didn’t we ask that you wish we had? What question do you have for other artists, creatives, and culture-bearers?

“What question do you have for other artists, creatives, and culture-bearers?”

Artist: Mike Huckaby

Pronouns: he/him/his

Art Submission(s): Photography, “Snoopy Sunset”, “Mustang Island Sunrise”, “Morning Storm”

* * *
“I had an unusual yet remarkable childhood,” Mike explains as he describes a bit about his background. “In my adult years I held a variety of positions from factory work to a Vice President with a financial institution. I have seen so many aspects of life and I want to draw attention to the beauty around us.”

We are pleased to be spotlighting that beauty which Mark captures in his photographs, as well as share his insights, in this year’s FC Creates showcase!

Snoopy Sunset, Mustang Island Sunrise, Morning Storm

We’ll start with describing your creative work/practice: What tools do you use? Do you have a routine?

With my photography I tend to wait and let it happen. I frame the shot in my mind and then in the lens. Pretty simple really. With my writing I take a few hours in the morning but carry a pocket sized notebook with me to jot down ideas.

What does your work aim to say? Why do you create?

It varies depending on my mood and events. I try to stay positive and hope that I cane bring a calm inspiration to folks. I enjoy the process.

Who/What are your biggest influences? Who/what inspires you?

The power of nature inspires me.

How have you developed your practice? What challenges and opportunities have you come across? How has your practice changed over time?

I’m more relaxed now. I take my time and don’t feel pressured to hurry. I allow myself to make mistakes.

What are you most proud of? Why?

My family. They are Awesome!

What is your dream project?

To photograph something never before seen.

“I’m more relaxed now. I take my time and don’t feel pressured to hurry. I allow myself to make mistakes.”

How do you share your creative practice and with whom?

I share with friends and family.

Has living at Foundation Communities impacted your practice? If so, how?

FC has helped me rekindle my passion to write. I took the Free Minds writing seminar a few years back, and it set off a spark. Living here has given me peace of security, and allowed me to develop time to work on projects.

What art/culture trend do you love right now? What trend do you wish you could forget?

I like the Saatchi Art trend…for now.

What delights you? What brings you joy?

Sometimes people, sometimes peace and quiet. Always my family.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Only worry about the fleas in your own circus, you can’t worry about someone else’s fleas. (Don’t meddle in others affairs)

What is the worst piece of advice you’ve been given?

Go with the flow! If you just go with the flow you are aimless, adrift and at the mercy of other people’s will.

What piece of advice would you like to give?

Trust yourself, if you’re right, you’re right, and if not you learned something.

What’s your favorite way to celebrate?

A few close friends, great food and music!

“Trust yourself, if you’re right, you’re right, and if not you learned something.”

What’s your favorite book/piece of writing, song/album, movie/TV show, play/live performance, piece of art, food/drink, place, or animal?

My favorite book in “The Good Earth” by Pearl S. Buck. I have read it countless times and owned several copies. It’s a great lessen in money wont make you happy.

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up? What’s the last thing you do before going to bed?

I pray, then read a chapter of the Bible while I brew coffee. Then I write. At night I spend an hour in quiet reflection of the day and then I pray.

Something that’s really important to you that has nothing to do with your work:

Peoples safety at the moment.

What role do artists and culture-bearers have in society? What role could/should they have?

They both influence and take a snapshot of society and that’s proper.

What do creatives need in order to thrive? What do you need in order to be creative?

Security; both monetary and personal. And freedom. A safe place to create.

“[Artists] both influence and take a snapshot of society…”

What was the last thing that made you: Laugh? Cry? Blush?

A meme I saw on facebook.

What are you really into right now?

Art Deco! I love it!

One thing/person/idea/group/event/place/etc. everyone should know about:

https://foundcom.org/housing/future-communities/

Who is an artist? What does it mean to be creative?

Its a form of expression and everyone can find an outlet for expression.

What is culture? What does it mean to be a culture-bearer

Culture is the refection of who we are and our connection to our past. It’s important to keep that connection.

The long-awaited day is here– Our 2020 #FCCreates Showcase is “live” online!

While we still have hopes that one day soon we’ll be able to gather in-person to celebrate the artists and creative souls who call FC home, for now, we’ll make due with a virtual celebration.

How to have your own mini-showcase at home:

1. Set the mood: Make a snack (Food IS art & culture. Plus, who doesn’t love snacks?). Put on some music. Get dressed up if you want to! Alternatively, put on your most comfortable clothes so that nothing is distracting you from taking in the arts and culture.
2. Go on a virtual “stroll” through the gallery (below) and check out work from some of our residents and staff. Maybe call a friend and “stroll” together– talk about your favorite pieces and catch up on life, just like you would in person!
3. Share work of your own! If you’re on Instagram, tag us @fccreates and/or #FCCreatesShowcase. If you’re an FC Resident, Client, or Staff member, you can also submit your work for our next round of features.

VIRTUAL GALLERY

Click on a nametag to learn more about a featured artist and explore their work!

GRATITUDE

This project truly took a village. We would like to thank all of the Foundation Communities’ residents & staff who shared their talent, the live showcase planning team (Anna Olivarez, Stephanie Bernal, Tonia Doering, Michael Huckaby, Lori Burnett, Crystal Chidsey, Chris Larson, Juan Gonzalez, Kristen Graben), FC’s Suppotive Services and SRO Property Management teams, Kristine Loubris, and the FC Creates team (Julie Candoli, Paula Suchland, Olivia Jimenez).

This project was supported in part by funding from Enterprise Community Partners, Still Water Foundation, and the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.