| In This Issue | |
Welcome to 2010
Southwest Key Helping Haiti
Spreading Holiday Cheer
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and His Legacy
East Austin College Prep Academy Update
Holiday Posada
Kids Helping Kids
Southwest Key Program Staff Awards
Southwest Key is Hiring | | SWKey In the News | | (Austin Business Journal, 01.22.10) (01.28.10) (KOOP Radio, 01.20.10) (Austin Chronicle, 01.29.10) | | Upcoming Events | @ Southwest Key6002 Jain Lane, Austinwww.swkey.org/events Event Info at     512.462.2181 Feb 10Watch Hispanic Today on Channel 16 at 7pm. Special guest is our CEO Dr. Juan Sánchez | | Connect With SWKey | | | | Get Involved | |
Southwest Key is seeking:
Event Volunteers
School Volunteers
Comm. Outreach Volunteers
Fundraising Volunteers
...to support our East Austin College Prep Academy and
other programs happening
in East Austin.
| | Contact Us | Southwest Key National Headquarters
6002 Jain Lane
Austin, Texas 78721
512/462-2181
info@swkey.org
| | | Welcome to 2010
Welcome to 2010 and thank you for joining us for what we hope will be another incredible year. The work and stories below inspire us and we hope they encourage you to get involved and support Southwest Key Programs.
Sincerely,
The Southwest Key Familia |
Southwest Key Helping Haiti
Following the devastating earthquake, Southwest Key Programs (SWK) was asked by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to help in a special project involving Haitian children already in the process of being adopted by American families. SWK staff will be working from sites in Florida interviewing prospective adoptive families and expediting paperwork so these Haitian children can be united with their new families.
 It is anticipated that SWK will have ten staff members assigned to this project at all times over the next thirty days. SWK received an overwhelming response from staff from our programs across the country who volunteered to relocate to Florida. Alexia Rodriguez, Chief Programs Officer said “SWK is honored to have been asked by the ORR to help in this important project. We are doing all we can to help these children unite with their new families as quickly as possible to provide some respite from this awful tragedy. SWK will provide these services for as long as they are needed.” Check our blog for updates from our team on the ground as we get them. (Photo Courtesy:UN Photo/Marco Dormino)
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| Spreading Holiday Cheer
 One of the great things about Southwest Key is our commitment to the communities we are based in, and also to our clients. We never give up on providing a stable and positive environment to turn young lives around.
Some of the students from our La Esperanza Home for Boys sang Christmas carols for foster children and parents at the Heavenly Splendor Church in Pharr, Texas and also at the San Juan Nursing Home in San Juan, Texas. For more information and pictures click here (Please note, as minors, faces have been blurred to protect their identity.)
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| Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and His Legacy
Students from one of our alternative education programs recently participated in an innovative way to honor Dr. King’s work and legacy.
 Southwest Key’s Travis County Day Enrichment Program partnered with ServeaDream and The Kitchen Space to host a pie-baking field trip. The trip allowed students to learn more about the food they eat, its history and future culinary careers, while making pies they could take home to share with their families on the MLK Holiday.
The Kitchen Space generously donated its demonstration kitchen and Southwest Key provided all the materials. The students then participated in a baking class in which they were guided through making an apple pie. Pies were eaten and enjoyed and our students had a productive experience to reflect upon. Read More.... |
East Austin College Prep Academy Update
Holiday Party
Many thanks to generous donations from staff at AMD, the U.T. Academic Counseling Association, 3M and Southwest Key’s corporate office, as every student was able to receive a gift and holiday ham to share with their family. Click here for more information and a short video.
Students Save 22 Acres of Amazon Rainforest
 By selling environmental themed t-shirts, students at our East Austin College Prep Academy (EACPA) raised funds that will protect plants and animals in the Amazon rainforest. The students elected to take on this project after learning how the rainforest plays an essential role in our weather, the prevention of global warming, and how it provides a bounty of food and medicines.
EACPA students and staff were able to save 22 acres of the Amazon Rainforest through their efforts. As a result of this accomplishment, EACPA is now a nationally recognized member of the organization’s 20 Acre Club. Now Open - Student Recruitment for 2010-2011
Student recruitment for our East Austin College Prep Academy 2010-2011 school year began January 5, 2010. Applications for incoming 6th and 7th grade students are due April 1, 2010 and are available in English or Spanish from the school office at 6002 Jain Lane, Austin or can be downloaded at www.swkey.org. East Austin College Prep Academy is free and open to any incoming East Austin 6th grader residing in the geographic area east of Interstate 35, south of U.S. Highway 290, west of U.S. Highway 183 and north of State Highway 71. If all available slots are not filled by students living in this primary service area, then any student living in the geographic area served by Austin ISD and Del Valle ISD can apply. |
| Holiday Posada
 More than 200 kids and families braved a cold winter evening to attend our annual Posada and holiday celebration. Festivities included Mariachi, Theater and Ballet Folklorico performances by the students of Southwest Key’s Latino Arts Preservation Program. Apparently there was a surprise visit by some little diablo's too…..
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Kids Helping Kids  Students at our East Austin College Prep Academy wanted to help the people of Haiti so they quickly started a fundraising drive selling pickles and snack bars to raise money for the victims of the earthquake. By the end of February they hope to raise $500. The students are also conducting research to select a children’s organization to be the beneficiary of the campaign, in keeping with their theme: “East Austin College Prep Academy Children Helping Haitian Children.” If you would like to contribute to this effort, please stop by the school to donate or give through our website and select “Haiti” in the designation box. Thank you ! |
Southwest Key Program Staff Awards
 During the Annual Southwest Key Staff Awards Banquet we honored a number of individuals for their outstanding performance and service in 2009. We are only as strong as our employees, and their commitment to excellence every day means a brighter future for all the kids and families we serve. Attendees were entertained by Ballet Folklorico performed by members of the Southwest Key Programs Latino Arts Preservation Group. For the full list of winners and honoree s, click here. View the event photo gallery here. |
| This is just a sample of recent openings. For a full list of all open job positions click here or use our searchable jobs database to find opportunities that suit your specific career interests. |
Thank you for reading this issue of Southwest Key’s E-Newsletter. You will hear from us again in March as we share our news and successes of 2010.
Sincerely,
The Southwest Key Familia |
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Teaching Assistant
