2010-07

The news hit like a tornado in April: FamilyConnections, arguably the best-known family assistance nonprofit in Austin, would shut its doors.

Effective immediately.

The reason? Suspected fraud.

A real tornado could not have been any more devastating.

Overnight, more than 30 employees lost their jobs and parents throughout Austin lost a resource that had provided them with education, assistance, and camaraderie for nearly two decades.

The financial meltdown that destroyed FamilyConnections is not uncommon in the nonprofit world.

A 2008 report by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners estimates that the nonprofit sector falls victim to $85 billion in estimated fraud each year.

“There has been a significant jump in the incidents of malfeasance,” says Gary Snyder, the author of Nonprofits On The Brink: How Nonprofits Have Lost Their Way And Some Essentials To Bring Them Back. Mr. Snyder collects data on billions of dollars of charitable and non-profit fraud at thousands of charities. His research shows that 2009 was a record-breaking year for fraud and that 2010 will exceed that. “Each year there has been an increase [in fraud], with 2009 ending with the largest [increase] of over $1.5 billion in fraud — a 50% rise over the previous year,” he says.

“Show respect for those who have served. Most important of all, show your gratitude by enjoying the freedoms and rights that so many have fought and died for. Don't let their deaths be in vain.

Three months after the Austin nonprofit FamilyConnections closed amid allegations of fraud by its executive director, a former employee is gearing up to re-open the organization’s library.

Melissa Fuentes, who worked as the library director for FamilyConnections, recently was hired by Child, Inc. to manage its library. In the process, Child, Inc. agreed to assume guardianship of the popular FamilyConnections book and toy lending library.

The Austin Independent School District and the Austin Parks and Recreation Department are offering free food at school campuses and parks this Summer.

The meals are part of the Summer Food Service Program, which offers free meals to children regardless of their families’ income.

Local Students Take Top Honors at National History Day

Knowledge of the past may end-up paving a bright future for two Austin boys.

Thirteen local kids got a pat on the back from Kohl’s Department Store in its national Kids Who Kare Scholarship Program.

Earlier this year, Kohl’s asked kids, parents and teachers to nominate kids who excel at volunteering. The organization then narrowed down the nominees to a group of top volunteers who in turn received a $50 Kohl’s gift card and a shot at a college scholarship.

Three Austin eighth graders have a jump start on their college funds, after winning the prestigious 2010 Seedling Foundation Rourke College Scholarship.

Shvanaka Ross, of Kealing Middle School, and Desmon Barrett and Monica Castillo, both of Martin Middle School, each received a $5,000 scholarship last month.

So. A triathlon. Otherwise known as “the day I almost went gently into the light while wearing a bike helmet and a discount sports bra.” It was no bueno, people. No bueno at all.

She was getting old. We knew it would happen sooner rather than later, but still we weren’t prepared for the end to come when it did.