At the county, mentoring and advocacy service comes back to life

After a rocky start, two local nonprofits reunited this year to create a program that supports Black and Latina girls.

Nonprofit groups Measure and Hearts2Heal first met with the Travis County Commissioners Court in July 2021. They proposed using American Rescue Plan Act funding for a “proactive, evidence-based service on behalf of black girls in Travis County.” Commissioners took no action at the time.

By April 2023, commissioners eventually authorized $693,003 in federal funds for the project, but Measure and Hearts2Heal had dissolved their partnership in late 2022. After discussions with Travis County Health and Human Services (HHS), they agreed in August to reunite as subcontractors and add the Austin Area Urban League (AAUL) as the lead agency. 

The proposed program, Growing Independent and Resilient Lives (G.I.R.L), will provide health, advocacy and mentorship for Black and Latina girls impacted by “lack of access, generational trauma, and systemic oppression.” 

The organizations presented the slightly revised program to commissioners again Nov. 7 and met with unanimous support. 

“I’m so grateful for these federal dollars because I think being able to connect you guys to $696,000 is just tremendous,” Precinct 3 Commissioner Ann Howard said. “The need that you’re meeting is so important to young lives and to our future.”

The program still faces hurdles. Due to the revisions, it must be rechecked to be sure it’s still eligible for federal funding, said Pilar Sanchez, county executive for Health and Human Services.

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