Drop-Out Prevention
Helping children stay in school and involving them in positive programs
is one way the Housing Authority of the City of Austin makes a difference
in the lives of public housing youth. HACA works with Communities
in Schools, Boys and Girls Club, the YWCA, Children's Sports Foundation
and other organizations in Austin to ensure that children are engaging
in activities that will help them become self-sufficient adults.
Through its programs, HACA serves hundreds of children. Opportunities
abound for children to become involved in healthy after-school activities.
Kids can become involved in tutoring, after-school mentoring and
incentive programs as well as sports teams, field trips, summer camps
and life skills classes. Additionally, HACA's Youth Services group
coordinates with local providers of quality after-school nonscholastic
programs to ensure that public housing youth are engaged in meaningful
activities outside of school hours.
Different programs are offered at each housing site and are open
to school-aged children. If a program isn't offered where a child
lives, he or she can attend a program that is convenient for them
at the nearest development. With 19 sites around the city, there
are always programs close by. Free transportation is also available
to help kids attend programs at different sites.
One of HACA's most successful programs is the A/B Honor Roll/Perfect
Attendance Incentive Program. HACA youth who bring their report cards
to their Family Self-Sufficiency specialist and have As and Bs on
their report cards and/or who have perfect attendance are eligible
to receive an incentive gift or attend a fun-filled trip to an exciting
location.
HACA staff is excited to continue offering great programs to help
kids complete their education and become successful adults.
