Travis County #StrongerTogether is a community crowdfunding effort started by Texas State Representative Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin) in early February 2017.

 

Governor Greg Abbott cut $1.5 million in Criminal Justice Division state grant funds to Travis County on February 3, 2017 over a political disagreement with the Travis County Sheriff's Office on local policing procedures and enforcement of federal immigration laws.

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The governor's cuts threatened several specialty court, victim services, and juvenile justice programs that were not involved in the dispute, including the:

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• Travis County Veterans Court;

• Family Drug Treatment Court/Parenting in Recovery; and,

• Phoenix Court, a prostitution diversion program.

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In the wake of the cuts, the people of Travis County reached out to their local elected officials and asked for a way to help save the threatened programs.

 

"When the Governor created a problem, the people of Travis County came up with a solution."

-Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt

 

We've since raised over $150,000, allowing us to donate $133,000 to Travis County on June 29, 2017. This sizeable donation nearly emptied the Travis County #StrongerTogether fund.

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In response, we will be fundraising throughout the summer so that we are prepared when the programs' short-term funding runs out in a few months.

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You can contribute to our efforts by donating directly to the fund here. All proceeds will be used to help keep these programs in operation as Travis County explores long-term revenue sources.

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You can also help us by supporting and participating in our fundraising efforts. We were proud to have been chosen as a beneficiary of ArtFest, a charity gala on Wednesday, July 19 presented by the 2017 Austin Bar/AYLA Leadership Academy.

 

ArtFest raised thousands of dollars in support of our mission - thank you, Austin!

 

There will be an official check presentation held on Tuesday, September 19 with the 2017 Austin Bar/AYLA Leadership Academy and State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez. You can find more information here.

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If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at TravisCountyStrongerTogether@gmail.com.