The Educator

Are there enough specialized education

programs for immigrants? Read more about it on

page 12.

There are too many opinions to count regarding Standardized testing.

Read about some of them. Page 6

Everyone wants to help the homeless, but what

do they really need? Read about the top 7

items to donate to your local homeless shelter on

page 30.

Letter from the editor

Thefirstdayofclassthatwegotourgroupassignments,mypartnersandIsatdownandpromptlybegantopanic.Whatcouldwepossiblymakeamagazineabout?Itfeltlikeallofoursuggestionswerecompletelydisconnected:wehadnotheme,noplan,andnoideas.Butastimewenton,werealizedthatthisreallyshouldn’tbesodifficult.Allweneededtodowasmakeamagazinethatwewouldwanttoread.Sothat’swhatwedid. Ourmagazinehascontinuedtochangeandevolvethroughoutthisprocess,butourthoughtprocesshasstayedthesame.Thismagazineisforstudentslikeus:Austinteenagerswhoareinquisitiveandexcitedandwhomostofallwanttolearn.Withstoriesaboutstandardizedtestingtoinfographicsonwhatyoushoulddonatetoyourlocalfoodbank,TheEducatorismadetoprovideinformationaboutcurrentsocialissuestoanystudentwhoiscurious. Therehavebeenmanyroadblocksinourwayasweworkedtocompletethismagazine,butbeingapartofsuchawonderfulteamhasmadeallthestrugglescompletelyworthit.MyteammatesandIareincrediblyproudoftheworkwehavedoneonthismagazine,andwehopeyouwillenjoyreadingitjustasmuchasweenjoyedmakingitforyou.

-PerryEstes,EditorinChief

Contributors

AproudAustinite,EvaStrelitz-Blockhasalwaysbeeninterestedinpolitics,communityissuesandsocialscience.Shelovestolearnaboutpeople’sdifferingperspectivesoncurrenteventsandtheworld.Oneday,shehopestotraveloverseastocontinuetobroadenherhorizons.Inherfreetimeshecanbefoundreading,watchingNetflix,playingwithhercats,orrowingonTownLake.

MikeyOrtawenttoKealingMiddleSchoolfromtheagesof11to14.

HehasbeenaBiblequizzerforsevenyearsandcontinues

tobeactiveinthisactivity.Helooksforwardtothisyearandhopeshecanbesuccessfulatnationals.HehasalwaysbeeninterestedintheeducationsystemandhisinterestwastakentoanotherlevelwhenhismotherbegantoworkasaSecretaryandBookkeeperathisoldelementaryschool.

AshleyKimwasbornandraisedinSouthKoreaandmovedtoAustinattheageofeight.Having

experiencedtheadventureofmovingtoaforeigncountry,she

hasalwaysbeeninterestedinchildren’seducation,specificallyimmigranteducation.Shealsoenjoyslisteningtoandplayingmusic,takingpictures,readingtheBible,andgoingonroadtripswithherfamily.Sheloveslearningmoreaboutsyntheticbiologyandlatin.

PerryEsteshaslivedinAustinherwholelifeandisexcitedtobeastudentattheLiberalArtsandScienceAcademy.HerinterestineducationhasbeendevelopingsinceshewasayoungchildwhenhermotherfoundedherownschooltopromotealternativeeducationoptionsinCentralTexas.Inherfreetime,PerryenjoyssingingintheLyndonB.JohnsonEarlyCollegeHighSchoolchoirandbeingamemberoftheAlleyCatPlayers,LBJ’stheatretroupe.

Letter from the EditorThe Editor in Chief describes the struggles and obstacles the team faced, and how the team worked together to make The Educator.

2

About the AuthorsA brief biography of the authors of The Educator.

3

Table of Contents

Are Standardized Tests Helpful?Different perspectives on standardized testing: opinions from Pearson, teachers, principals, and students.

6

Standardized Tests: Good or Bad?Facts and data regarding standardized tests and why individuals have developed the opinions they currently hold.

10

The Social CapitalHow a non-profit academy is affecting the lives of immigrant students in Austin, TX.

12

4

Immigration: By the NumbersA graphic of the facts and data of immigrant population in Texas and the number of ESL programs that are available for them. A short list of famous immigrants in the American history.

16

Guns on Campus: The Problem or the Solution?The impact gun control laws have on education settings and learning in Texas. Open Carry in the University of Texas and varying opinions about it.

18

Gun Politics: Just the FactsDifferent politicians express different opinions on gun control. 22

Homelessness in AustinInequality in central Texas is affecting lives. What are the causes of homelessness? What can the government do to help?

24

Top 7 items needed by food banksMany people want to donate to food banks and give to the homeless...top 7 items you can donate to food banks.

30

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Are Standardized TestsHelpful? Article Written by : Mikey Orta

6

Photo courtesy of Flicker.com

MateenKontoravdis,a9thgrader,typicalstudentinTexassitsinaroom,takingoneofmultiplestandardized

tests.Theroomisquiet,theairiscold,andasexpectedeveryoneistryingtheirhardestonthetest.Kontoravdisisjustoneofthemanystudentsthatwilltakethestandardizedtest.Thesetestscomeinmultipleforms,toexamplesbeingtheEOC(EndOfCourseexam),andthebasicstandardizedtestprovidedbytheTexasEducationAgency(TEA).ChildreninTexasfrom3rdgradeto12thgradetakethesestandardizedtests,butwhetherthesetestsareneededistherealissue.Notonlydosomeindividualsthinkitisaninaccuratetestbutsomeindividualsthinkitisentirelytoostressful.Infactsomewouldsaythatstandardizedtestingisoneofthemoststressfulthingsthatstudentsandadministratorshavetodealwith.Whileatthesametimepeopledescribethetestsasahelpfultooltoshowthegrowthofknowledgeinacertainarea.Doweneedthetests? InTexasalone,hundredsofstudentstaketheStateofTexasAssessmentsofAcademicReadiness(STAAR).Duringoneofthesetests,individualsget5hourstotakethetestandanswerallthequestions,withnobreaks.Thesetestsoftentimeshavequestionsthatdonotimpactthegradeofthestudentbutinsteadshowwhetherornotthequestionsarewrittenwellandinaunderstandablemannerinhopeofmakingnextyear’stestbetter.Thestudentsthattakethesetestsareinallgradesstartingfromthirdgradeandtheneveryyearafter.TheSTAARisusedtoteststudentsonsubjectsthattheyhavelearnedduringtheschoolyearandtoensuregrowthofknowledgeonthetopic.Thesetestsarealsoadministeredtoensurethatthestudentshaveanunderstandingofthesubject. Whilemostindividualsagreethatitisimportanttoseehowwellastudentperformsorhowwellateacherteaches,thereisstilldisagreementonhowtoachievethesegoals.Someadministratorsandteachersfullysupportstandardizedtestingwhilesomeadministratorsthinkthatthetestsareinaccurateandunreliable.Teachersandadministratorsthatdisagreewiththetestshavemanydifferentideasofwhatitshouldbe.Whilesometeachersandadministratorsmightnotagreewithwhatshouldreplacestandardizedteststheycanstillagreethatintheiropinionthereshouldbenostandardizedtests.

“Standardizedtestresultshelpusalldeterminewhatstudentsarelearningandwheretheyhaven’tquitegraspedaconcept,”saysDebbieRatcliffe,theDirectorofMediaRelationsforthePearsonOrganization. Ratcliffesaysthistofurthermakeherpointthatstandardizedtestingisinfacthelpfulandhelpsadministratorslearnabouttheirstudents.Ratcliffealsosaysthatthetestsarethere

tocreateauniformandunbiasedresultthatshowshowwellastudentunderstandsaconcept.Ratcliffesaysthatitreallydoeshelptohaveastandardizedtestthatcanaccuratelyshowunderstanding,becauseitallowsteacherstoaltertheirteachingandlessonsforthebetterofthestudents.Shealsosaysthatthesetestsallowteacherstounderstandwhatsomeoftheincomingstudentswillbelikeinthesenseofthe

informationthattheyknow.Insomecases,Ratcliffesays,thatmajorcoursecurriculumshavebeenalteredthankstothestandardizedtestsresults. Onthecontrary,however,manyadministratorssaythatthetestsareinaccurate.ThemajorityoftheindividualsagainsttheStandardizedtestsmentionthatthereisnowaytofullyunderstandhowmuchastudentknowsaboutasubject,basedononetestthatistakenononeday.Thereisanotherargumentmade,thatsaysthatitisunlikelyfortestproducerstocreateshortbutaccurateteststhatfullyandaccuratelyshowastudent’sgrowth.ManyadministratorssuchasJenniferPace,thePrincipal

“Uniform and

unbiased result”

7

Ms. Jennifer Pace, the Principal at joslin ElementaryPhoto taken by Mikey Orta

Photo courtesy of Flicker.com

ofJoslinelementary,suggestthatthereshouldbebenchmarksorteststhatarespreadoutovertheyearthatwouldaccuratelyshowmentalgrowth.Shealsosaysthatshethinksthatunderstandingofstudentknowledgeisimportanttoknow. “Youknow,IthinkthataccountabilityisimportantbutagainIthinkstandardizedtestingshouldbeonelittlepieceofabiggerpuzzle,”saysPace. Inthissocialissueitisimportanttoremembertheopinionoftheindividualsactuallytakingthetests--thestudents.OneinterviewconductedwaswithMateenKontoravdis,afreshmenattheLiberalArtsandScienceAcademy,locallyknownasLASA.Hediscussedhisacademiccareerandthestandardizedtestshehastakenovertheyears.Kontoravdisdescribestheenvironmentoftheroomsinwhichthetestingoccurs.Hesaysthatitisalwayscoldandextremelyquiet.Hesaysthatitisgoodthatitisquietbuthesaysthatitisuncomfortablyquiet.Hementionsthatwhenhewasinelementaryschoolhefeltthatthetestwasjusttheretoshowhowgoodtheteachersareatteaching. “No,Idon’tthinkthatjustonetestcangiveyouanaccuraterepresentationofanentireyear’sworthofknowledge,”saysKontoravdis. LisaHernandez,aformer3rdgradeteacher,andcurrentinternofgovernmentalrelationsandpolicy

oversightin

theAustinIndependentSchool

district(AISD),believesthatstandardizedtestsarenotuseful,

andthatthetestsdon’tgetreturnedinagoodmanneroftime.

“Idonotfeelthattheyareanaccuratemeasurementofstudentachievement,bythetimewe

receivethescores,orsometimeswedidn’treceivethescoreslikethefirstyearofSTAAR.Ifeelthatitdoesn’treallygivestudentsthechancetoreview,andgobacktowhattheymissed,sotherereallyisnopurposebehindit,”saysHernandez. Hernandezalsogoesontotalkabouttheactualprocessofadministeringthetests.Shesaidthatshealwaysfeltbadifnothorribleforadministeringthesetests.Shetalkedabouthowregulateditwasandhowshehadtoreadlineforline,wordforword,fromthebookletthatshereceived.Shetalkedabouttheeffectithadonherteaching.Sheexplainsthatherclassescouldneverdoanyfunprojectstowardstheendoftheschoolyearbecauseofallthestudyingtheyhadtodo.Shesaysthatsheherselfhadtotaketeststhatweresimilar,andhow“braindead”shefeltafterwards. SymanthiaHarrishasbeenalmosteverywherewhenitcomestoschools.Shehasbeenakindergartenteacher,assistantprincipalatanelementary,aprincipalatacharterschool,anassistantprincipalatthehighschoollevel,andcurrentlyisaPre-Kindergarten

Photo supplied by Wikimedia CommonsStudents taking a test

“I think

that standardized testing should be one little piece of a

bigger puzzle”

atJoslinElementary.Afterallofherpositionsintheschool,Harrisbelievesthatthetestsaretoostressful.Shedescribedthetesttobe“pencilandpaperthings”andforthemostpartthingsthatyouwon’thavetodealwithasanadult. ShealongwithPace,Kontoravdis,andHernandezbelievesthatthetestsarenotabletoaccuratelyshowstudentgrowth.Shealsosaysthatthetestsarestressfulforteachersandadministrators. “StressontheteachernumberoneisthatyouoftenworryhaveItaughtthemeverythingtheyneedtoknow,andabiggerstressontestdaysisthatyouknowyou’vegiventhemallthethingstheyneed,you’vegiventhemthestrategies,you’vegiventhemtheinformation,butabigstressiswilltheyactuallyuseit,whenit’stime.

Photo courtesy of Flicker.comAnswer sheet of a Student taking a test

SymanthiasaysthatevenherPre-kindergartenersareaffectedbythetests.Shesaysthatoneofherresponsibilitiesistolaydownthebasicnecessities,sothatinKindergartentheyhavesomethingtoworkwith.Thisistrueinallgradesbutitisimportantasshesaystogetthemreadysoonerthanlater. Whetherornotthetestishelpfulisstillaquestionthatisyettoberesolved.Whilestudentscoulddowithoutittheystilltoanextentgetthereasonofthetests. Theadministratorsandteachersalikethinkthatitishelpfultoknowhowmuchastudentunderstandsasubject.Howevertheydonotbelievethatstandardizedtestsarenotthewaytoreceivethis

information.Thelastmajorsidetothestoryistheproducersofthetestwhobelievethatthetestsaccuratelyrepresentstudentunderstanding.Therealquestionstillstandsandhopefullywillsoonbesolved:Doweneedthetests?

“The real question still

stands...Do we need the tests?”

Standardized Tests:

The topic and idea of standardized tests is mostly based off of pure opinion and personal experience. It is very easy to forget the facts and to form a biased opinion. There have been many ongoing conversations about standardized testing and it is still one of the main topics for current politicians. Even though 15 years have passed since the passing of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, there is still a heated debate about the tests and their effect on the schools and students of America.

A Public Agenda survey of 1,342

students in grades 6-12 found that

71% of students think the number of tests they have

to take is “about right”

Annual state spending on standardized tests

rose from $423 million to almost

$1.1 billion in 2008 (a 160%

increase compared to a 19.22% increase in inflation over the

same period)

A national study

conducted in 2007 by the Center on Education

Policy reported that since

2001, 44% of school

districts had reduced the

time spent on science, social

studies and the arts by an average of 145 minutes per

week in order to focus on reading and

math.

10

Created by Mikey Orta

Good or Bad?

The topic and idea of standardized tests is mostly based off of pure opinion and personal experience. It is very easy to forget the facts and to form a biased opinion. There have been many ongoing conversations about standardized testing and it is still one of the main topics for current politicians. Even though 15 years have passed since the passing of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, there is still a heated debate about the tests and their effect on the schools and students of America.

52% of surveyed

teachers reported

having spent too much time on

standardized testing.

42% of surveyed teachers said that

the emphasis on improving Standardized tests scores had a Negative impact on their

classroom.

Only 15% of teachers reported a positive

impact.

After NCLB the US slipped from

18th in the world

in math on the PISA to

31st place in 2009

The Sacramento Bee reported

that “test-related jitters,

among young

students,

are so common

that the Stanford-9

exam comes with

instructions on what to do with a

test booklet in case a student

vomits on it.”

All facts provided were provided by the following:

Procon.orgTxblc.org

Neatoday.org

11

The Social CapitalHow an academy is affecting the lives of immigrant students in Austin, TX.By Ashley Kim

It’s your first semester of college for the first time in America. As you walk into the library with a heavy jacket to protect you from the harsh wind, a librarian asks, “Is it cold outside?”

To you, this simple phrase sounds like gibberish. You ask her five more times, but you just can’t understand what the message is. Finally, the staff gets tired of asking and says nevermind. Embracing your embarrassment, you turn back. “Would you please say it slowly?” you ask. “Is-it-cold-outside?” asks the libarian. You know all the words when they are written, but it’s difficult to understand when all the words are put together in a quickly spoken sentence. This is the situation many students from foreign countries find themselves in. The Bridge International Christian Academy (BICA) recognizes the struggles of being from a foreign country and helps these students adjust to living in America. Created in 2011, BICA is an academy that helps immigrant students find their identity as a foreigner and get used to living in America. Currently taking place at a church facility where students can come every Saturday, BICA provides a friendly environment, time to bond with other immigrant students through learning and playing, and provides education with academic subjects.

Yeonjai Rah, the founder and director of Bridge International Christian Academy in Central Texas, says her goal is to maintain a cooperative center for Christian, multicultural, and multilingual education. This academy was established to provide an environment for the promotion of Christian values and world view, as well as parents’ involvements in their children’s education, as well as maintaining the connection between the native culture the students are from, and the English skills they are learning. BICA provides academic education, such as English, Korean, as well as non-academic subjects such as craft, music, art, and many others. Depending on which country the student is from, there can be different difficulties the student has to face says Butler. “Language is one thing. The other thing, I would say, [are] some other cultural issues, for example, how to behave in a classroom,” says Rah, the founder and director of BICA in Austin, TX. Students from non-western culture can find it very different in the way people interact, and non-verbal communication can be very challenging, says Megan Butler, a wellness counselor at Liberal Arts and Science Academy. Butler says she has worked at an international school before, and has been able to know a lot of students who were in the situation of being from a foreign

12

(from left to right) Yejoo, Mrs. Ha, Rachel posing while dressing up.Photo courtesy of Yeonjai Rah

country. She says that there is a cultural shock at first, so the students really need a “safe place to ask questions, to learn things, and be supported, because it can be really scary to learn that all by yourself,” says Butler. “It was really hard to get along with people at first because obviously, you couldn’t speak the language,” says Alice Lee, a student at Vista Ridge High School and a graduate of BICA. Lee was one of the first students to be enrolled in BICA. Now fluent in English, she says she has made many friendships through BICA, and was able to find methods of studying that best fit her. During recess in Elementary school, other [students] would play these games, that I had no idea about, Lee says. With challenges of learning new things in the American society, she says BICA has been overall a great memory to her and helped her to become more comfortable with being part of the American society. Through BICA, students who have not been introduced to American lifestyle can slowly be exposed to it and learn with other students on the way. Rah says the first thing BICA can do is give the students a comfort zone, and

give their parents a way to discuss their children’s education and pray together. According to Butler, when you are in a new place, you are in total learning mode, and you are really absorbing the new experiences and taking a lot of risks. “You need an ally in the new place, and still a source of support from wherever you are coming from,” Butler says. Acknowledging the struggle with language, Rah puts emphasis on not just English, but bilingual education. “Because if they lose the confidence of their ethnicity or nationality, it’s not easy for them to love this new society,” says Rah. Not only does Rah and the staff promote learning English, but also strives for integration of both the student’s native cultural and the new culture they are exposed to. BICA also goes beyond conversation skills in English, helping students to dig into the literature, such as the Chronicles of Narnia, so that they can have good analysis skill, and have a deeper

“Because if they lose the confidence of their ethnicity of nationality, it’s not easy for them to

love this new society” ][

Students (from left to right) Zabbie, Rachel, and Nari making Turkish Delights from Narnia during craft time.Photo Courtesy of Yeonjai Rah

13

Logo of BICA Photo Courtesy of Yeonjai Rah

comprehension in English, she says. Students from foreign countries living in America can often be confused of their true identity, whether they belong to the culture they come from, or they belong to the culture they live in now. This struggle of finding their true identity can often lead to a sense of not fitting in, which makes it more difficult for the students to fully live their life in America. BICA focuses on Christian education, believing that students can overcome the struggle of their identity if they have strong identity in God, Rah says. “I liked how it was a Christian camp, [and] there are a lot of Koreans, so I felt at home I guess and could interact with people,” Lee says. Apart from the language and identity struggle, Rah says she thinks the family relationship is very important for the children’s school life. Apart from the language and identity struggle, Rah says she thinks the family relationship is very important for the children’s school life.

She says because many Korean mothers think that they are not good at English, it’s hard for them to be involved in learning or school life, and most of them think the only way they can help the child’s education is send them to academies and afternoon programs and support them with money, but not be directly involved in the learning. “I try to educate mothers, here in the United States, [so they] can proactively be involved in children’s public school life,” says Rah. She says every week, at BICA, she and other moms can monitor together their children’s learning process. She also says she tries to invite fathers to share the experience and have some play time, because she thinks it’s an important process for parents to learn how to play with their kids. Rah says because it was very hard for her to adjust in the United States, she really wanted newcomers from of course, her own country, and other countries,[to] have a good relationship. It’s not just an academy, just to learn knowledge, but it’s more about relations so these Christian friendships can be really strong resources even when they

grow up, Rah says. [These relationships] are great encouragement even when they become grown ups, they can connect, it’s really a social capital, Rah says. “I hope our

organization can be a stepping stone for their lives if they continue to live in the United States,” she says.

“I hope our organization can be a stepping stone

for their lives if they continue to live in the

United States,”[ ]

Fathers playing the game “catch-the-tail” with students.Photo courtesy of Yeonjai Rah

Students’ artwork during craft time.Photo courtesy of Yeonjai Rah

Students singing at the 2014 winter Choir concert.Photo courtesy of bicarr.org

Students posing for a picture at the Spring 2014 Spring concert.Photo courtesy of Yeonjai Rah.

IMMIGRATION:

people are foreign born in Texas (2014)

more than

LEP pupils in grades PK-12 were served using ESL programs.

The number of immigrants is constantly rising in America. How-

ever, the number of available ESL/ELL programs are falling

behind, leaving an unproportionate balance. Here are facts and

(35.6%) of the population in Texas have one or more foreign born parents

(2014)

pulitzer.org

visaease.com

forbes.com

16

By Ashley Kim

about.com

murthy.com

migrationpolicy.org

esldirectory.com

idra.org

livescience.com

Credits

statistics of immigrants compared

to ESL programs in specifically

the state of Texas.

By the Numbers

children in low income families with only native parents

Texas was the

state with the largest number of immigrants in the United States.

About

registered ESL in-school programs in Texas

Notable Faces

Albert Einstein Physicist / Mathematician

Born in Ulm, Württemberg, Germany in 1879

Arnold SchwarzeneggerBody Builder, Actor, Politician

Born in Thal, Austria in 1947

Below are some immigrants who moved to the United

States and became a well known part of the U.S. History.

David HoMedical and Scientific Research

Born in Taichung, Taiwan in 1952

Joesph PulitzerJournalist & Publisher

Born in Mako, Hungary in 1847

Patrick EwingAthelete

Born inKingston, Jamaica in 1975

17

all photos from google

GUNS By Eva Strelitz-Block

The problem or the solution?

ImagineyouareacollegestudentattheUniversityofTexasatAustinwhowantstowadeintoaninterestingandcontroversialdiscussiononasubjectaboutwhichpeoplegenerallydisagree.Youareabouttospeakupwhenaglintoflightcatchesyoureye.Youlookoveryourshoulderandseeashiny,blackgunholsteredtothemetalbeltofafellowstudent’srippedjeans.Yourheartstartstopound.Youarenotsosureanymoreifyoushouldshareyouropiniontotheentireclass;yourealizethatyourthoughtsarestillfairlyclumsilyformatted,andthereforevulnerabletomisinterpretation.Whatifthestudentwiththegundisagreeswithyou?Whatifyourperspectiveangersthestudent?Youdecideagainstcontributingtotheconversation.ThisscenariomightverylikelybethecaseforhundredsofstudentsontheUniversityofTexascampusbeginningthe2016-2017schoolyear. SenateBill11,whichrequiresthestate’spublicuniversities,includingtheUniversityofTexasatAustin,toallowhandgunsindorms,classroomsandcampusbuildings,wassignedbyGovernorAbbottthissummerfollowinga98-to-47voteandwillgointoeffectonAugust1,2016.Thelegislation,commonlyreferredtoas“campus-carry,”requirespublicuniversitiestopermittheopencarryoffirearmsoncampus.Schoolscandesignatesomeareasoftheircampusgun-free,buttheyareexplicitlyprohibitedfrompreventingstudents

frombringinggunsintoclassrooms.Privateuniversitiescaneitheroptinoroutofhavingopen-carryoncampus.ManyprivateuniversitiessuchasRiceUniversityinHouston,Texashavealreadyoptedout.AtUT,students,facultyandparents,haveverystrongopinionsaboutthelegislation. “Thestudentsarenervousaboutit,”Dr.ShannonCavanagh,professorofsociologyatUTsays.“Theyreallyare.” Manystudentsandfacultydonotliketheideaoflookingupfromtheirbooks,laptops,ornotestoseeastudentwithanopenlyholsteredgunsittingnearby.Theywantcollegecampusestobesafehavensforlearning,wherestudentscancomfortablyseekoutnewexperiencesandexploretheiridentity.Gunsoncampusdonotfeelconsistentwiththeirculturalaspirationsfortheiruniversityclimate,Cavanaghsays.Infact,over1,000facultymembershaveparticipatedinralliesforagun-freecampusinwhichteachersandstudentsactivelyprotestcampus-carry.JustrecentlyDr.FritzSteiner,UT’slongtimeDeanoftheSchoolofArchitectureannouncedthatheisleavingAustinandreturningtohisalmamater,TheUniversityofPennsylvania,asDeanofSchoolofDesigninlargepartbecauseofhisconcernwithcampuscarry.AsheexplainedinarecentinterviewwiththeTexasTribune,hedoesnotwanttofeelresponsibleforalawhedoesnotbelievein.

18

on Campus:

GUNS “Thereisnoproblemthatisbeingsolvedbyhavinggunsoncampus,butitdoeshavethepotentialtocreatemoreproblemsbyhavinglotsofyoungpeoplearoundguns,”Cavanaghsays,underscoringmanyfaculty’sperspective. Thesefacultymembersbelievethatthepresenceofweaponsinclassroomswillthreatentheopenandnourishingatmosphereofthelearningenvironment.Cavanaghthinksitcouldevenaffectthenatureofthetopicssheexploresin-depthinherclasses.Cavanaghteachessociologyclassesthatcovermanycontentioussubjectsandshesayssheisworriedthatopencarrywillimpacthercomfortlevelinchallengingherstudentstoopenlydebatedifficultissues. “HowmuchamIgoingtotiptoearound,youknow,howamIgoingtopush?”Cavanaghsays.“Myjobistopushstudentstohavesortofuncomfortableconversationsand[campus-carry]canchangethat,”Cavanaghsays. Someparents,too,arenervousabouthavinggunsoncampus.Mostplaceapremiumontheirchildren’ssafety,andincreasingthenumberandvisibilityofgunsoncampusappearstojeopardizethesafetyofstudents.

“Educationshouldbeafreespacetothinkandlearnandnotgrapple

withguns”

UT at Austin campus where campus-carry is going into effect on August 1, 2016. Photo courtesy of flickr.com

“Itmakesmehorrifiedtothinkaboutmychildrenlearninginaplacewherethereisathreatofviolence,”ClaytonMaxwell,freelanceartsandculturejournalistinAustin,Texas,says.“Nomatterwhatyourargumentis,gunsareviolenttoolsandeducationshouldbeafreespacetothinkandlearnandnotgrapplewithguns.” Therearealternativeperspectivesonthelegislation,andtheyaremorenuancedthanthepublicdiscoursesuggests.Typicalpro-gunideasare

embeddedinthisperspective.Theseincludethenotionthatprotectinggunfreedomsisacrucial2ndAmendmentconstitutionalright.Here,gunrightsareseenascriticaltoprotectinglaw-abidingcitizens’rightstoenjoyfirearms

forhuntingandsportwithouttheintrusionofthegovernment.Additionally,manypeopleperceivegunsascrucialtoself-defenseandself-reliance,andtheyviewtheirabilitytousegunsinserviceofself-defenseasaconstitutionallyprotectedright.Finally,protectingtherightsofpeopletoconceal-carryisviewedbysomeasanissueoflibertyandprivacy;policieslimitingconcealcarryareseenasgovernmentover-reach. However,evenardentgunsupportersidentifyconcernswithcampuscarry.Manypro-gunadvocates

areall-forconcealedcarrybutdonotnecessarilyperceiveopen-carryaseitheressentialtoexercisingtherighttokeepandbeararms,ornecessarilyhelpful. “Iseeveryfewcircumstanceswhereopencarryisnecessary,prudentordoesnotprovokeunwantedattentionandmindset,”BobbyHempfling,salesmanageratMartinInstrumentinAustin,Texas,says. RonnyRisinger,ahighschoolSocialStudiesteacherattheLiberalArtsandScienceAcademy(LASA)inAustin,Texas,whohimselfhasalicensetocarryconcealedfirearms,notesthathewouldnotopen-carrygiventhediscomfortwithopen-carrythatmostpeoplehold. “Ifeelthat[open-carry]isjustnotnecessary,”Risingersays.“Thatbeingsaid,Ibelieveinliberty,sothatchoicetoopen-carryisuptothelicenseholder.” Civilliberties,Risingerobserves,isanimportantframeworkforthinkingaboutcampus-carry.Thereareseveralwaysforpro-gunandanti-gunadvocatestolookatthisissue.Animportantlensinthisconversationisthenotionofconstitutionalrights.AccordingtoRisinger,itisimportantthatallconstitutionallibertiesarerespectedandembraced. Pro-gunadvocatesarenotopposedtotheideaofcommonsensegunregulation. “Itendtoseeitasacommonsenseregulationrestrictingbutnoteliminatingthosesamerights,”Hempflingsays.“Somethingsimilartotherightoffreespeech,butnottherighttoyell‘fire.’” Moreover,somepeoplefeelthattheopen-carryandcampus-carrycontroversyisoverblown.AccordingtobothHempflingandRisinger,becausethemajorityofstudentsoncampusareunder21yearsold,theminimumageforstudentstohavealicensetocarry,peopleshouldbemindfulofthefactthattherewillnotbethatmanystudentsofagetocarrygunsoncampus.

Pro-gunadvocateshavetheirownconcernsabouthowthecampuscarrycontroversyisimpactingtheclimateoffreespeechoncampus.Risingerthinksthatthecampus-carrycontroversyexposestheleftistbiaspresentonuniversitycampuses,whileHempflingsaysheworriesthatthecampus-carryis“politicalposturingbysomefar-right,2ndamendmentproponents.” Universitycampusesarenottheonlycommunitiesthathaveconcernsaboutopen-carry;religiousinstitutionsarealsoworriedaboutthepotentialimpactofopen-carryontheircommunities.Generally,religiousinstitutionsarephilosophicallyopposedtoviolence,saysBeeMoorhead,ExecutiveDirectorofTexasImpact,astatewide,grassrootsinterfaithreligiousorganizationfocusingonsocialjusticeissues.TexasImpactmembersincludeindividuals,congregations,andgoverningbodiesoftheChristian,JewishandMuslimfaiths.TexasImpact

lobbiesthestatearoundpolicyissuesthatconcernthebroadreligiouscommunitysuchasexpandingMedicaidtohelplow-incomefamilies,caringforrefugeesinourcommunitiesandaddressingclimatechange. TexasImpactisalsolobbyingtheTexaslegislaturetoaddresstheeffectofHouseBill910onhousesofworship.Manyfaith-basedinstitutionsspecificallyprohibitthepresenceofweapons.AccordingtoMoorhead,Texas’opencarrylawwillmakeitharderforreligiousinstitutionstomeettheirresponsibilitiestotheirdenomination. “Ithinkitwasn’tverygoodcooperationwiththeStateforittopassthelegislationthewaythatitdid,”Moorheadsays. AccordingtoHouseBill910,theonlywayforreligiouscommunitiestostrictlyenforcetheprohibitionofgunsinsidereligiousbuildingistopostoptoutsignsonalldoorsleadingintothebuilding.Thesignsthatprohibitconcealed-carryareTexas30.06postersandthesignsthatprohibitopen-carryandconcealed-carryareTexas30.07posters.“Fortheconvenienceofpeoplewhowanttocarryweapons,housesofworshipnowhavetopaytobeabletocomplywiththeirown[internal]policiesthattheyarenotsupposedtohaveweapons,”Moorheadsays.“Sotheyarecomplaining.” Intheiradvocacyandlobbyingefforts,TexasImpacttookaninsiderstanceonopencarry.AccordingtoMoorhead,TexasImpactmemberswentstraighttotheTexaslegislatureandsharedthereligiouscommunities’complaints.Whenthelegislaturedecidednottochangethebillasinitiallyauthored,evenafterlisteningtoTexasImpact’simprovementsuggestions,TexasImpactdecidedtohelpthereligiouscommunities

The Texas state capitol where Senate Bill 11 was passed following

a 98-to-47 vote on May 31, 2015. photo courtesy of flickr.com

complywiththelawbyprovidingreligiousinstitutionswithsignsallowingthemtooptoutofopencarryandhelpingthoseinstitutionspostthesigns.Futurelobbyingeffortswillbedetermineduponanalysisoftheimpactofthelegislationfollowingitsfullimplementation. “Theonlywaytoreallyseeifthelawworks,orifithasunintendedconsequences,iseverybodyhastoimplementit,right?”Moorheadsays.“[Implementation]isreallyimportanttofiguringoutwhatworksornot.” Thereseemtobetwomainfundamentaldividesattheheartofthecampus-carry/open-carrycontroversy.Thefirstiswhetherornotpeopleseegunsasinstrumentsthatmakethemfeelmoreorlesssafe.Ontheonehand,manypeoplethinkthatthepresenceofunconcealedweaponsnormalizesgunsandthethreatofviolenceinsociety,whilestilldecreasingthelevelofsafety. “ByhavinggunswearecreatinganexpectationthatthereisalevelofviolenceinthecommunityandifIwereyouI’dsay‘Idon’twantthatlevelofviolence,Ijustdon’twantit,’”Moorheadsays. Ontheotherhand,othersbelievethattheaccessiblepresenceoffirearmsincreasesthelevelofsafety,asitisimperativethatpeoplehavethereadyabilitytodefendthemselvesagainstothers’violence.Infact,accordingtoPewResearch,thetopreasonthatpeopleowngunsandkeepthemintheirhomesissotheywillbeabletoprotectthemselves. “Byusingtheirguntodefendtheclassroomagainstakiller,thelicenseholderwillrestoresecuritytothelearningenvironment,andsavelives,”Risingersays. Inaddition,Risingersayshebelievesthattoomanypeoplehavebecomedependentonotherstotakecareofthem,andintheendpeopleneedtobeabletodefend

themselves. “Theonlypersonthatmightbeabletodefendyouisyou,”hesays. Thesecondfundamentaldivideinthedebatecoalescesaroundtheroleofgovernmentinsociety.Here,onefactionarguesthatthegovernmentmustnotonlyprioritizepublicsafetybygivingindividualstheabilitytodefendthemselves,butitshouldfocusonsafeguardingcitizens’constitutionalliberties,includingtherighttobeararms. “Ithinkthattoleranceofallconstitutionallibertiesshouldbesomethingthatweseektoembrace,whetherweagreewiththeunderlyingrightornot,”Risingersays. Incontrast,otherpeoplewhoopposecampus-carry/open-carrytendtoseethepresenceofgunsashavinganegativeeffectontheirsenseoffreedomandsafetyinpublicspaces. “Itreallyissortofachippingawayofcitizenshipofwhatwedo,”Cavanaghsays.“Thereisatimeandaplaceforguns,Iguess,butbymakingopen-carrylegal

ingrocerystoresandcoffeeshopsandcollegecampuses,itchangesthat.” Everyone’sperspectiveonthisdebateispersonalanddependslargelyontheirpersonalexperiences,education,upbringingandpoliticalleanings.However,theguncontrolandpro-gunconstituenciesdon’talwayslineupasthepublicexpects:it’scomplicated.Thereareeducatedadvocatesonbothsides.Therearerepublicansanddemocratsonbothsides.Still,thereseemstobeonecommondenominatorbetweenfirearmsadvocatesandanti-gunprotestors.Theyarebothinformedbytheirperspectiveonsafety,acommitmenttotheirparticularvisionofhealthycommunities,andtheirownvisionoftheroleofgovernment.

In Texas, people have to be 21 years old to obtain a license to carry. photo courtesy of wikipedia.com

Downtown Austin, Texas. photo courtesy of wikipedia

Gun Politics: Inelectionyear2016,gunpoliticsaretakingcenterstage.Thepresidentialfrontrunnershaveallindicatedthattheirviewsongunpolicyandgunculturearecentralcomponentsoftheircampaignplatforms.Manyvotershavemadeitapparentthattheirvoteswillmostdefinitelybeinfluencedbypoliticians’viewsonguncontrolandgunlaws.Itisimportantthatvotersandfuturevotersareeducatedaboutgunpoliticsinordertomakethemostinformedvote.

RepublicanDemocrat REPUBLICAN

Democrat

Hillary Clinton

• Clintonisabigadvocateofbothguncontrolandrestrictions

• Ifshebecomespresident,shewillworktostrengthenbackgroundchecksandcloseloopholesinthesystem.

• Shewillensurethatthesafetyofcommunitiesalloverthecountrywillbeprioritizedoverthegunindustry’swants.

• Shewillkeepgunsoutofthehandsofconvictedcriminals.

Ted Cruz

• Cruzisamajorproponentoftherighttobeararms.

• HehasalwaystalkedabouthowthesecondamendmentrighttobeararmsisessentialandnecessarytoAmericancitizensandisanimportantaspectofbeingabletoprotectone’sfamily.

• Infact,hewasawardedtheNRACarter-NightFreedomfundin2010.

Bernie Sanders

• BernieSandersdoesnottakeanincrediblystrongstanceonguncontrolcomparedtootherDemocrats(likeHillaryClinton).

• Hethinksthatguncontrol,andlaws,shouldfallunderstatelaws,notfederallaws.

• Hehasstatedthathethinksthatitisimportanttopromotegunrightsforpeoplewhowanttoownguns,buthesaysthatitisimportanttoensurethesafetyofallcitizens.

22

Donald Trump

• Trumpisamajorsupporteroftherighttobeararmsandtokeepgunsinthehousehold.

• Hebelievesthateveryoneshouldhavetherighttobeabletoprotectthemselvesandtheirfamiliesusingguns.

• Ifhebecomespresidenthewillmakebackgroundchecksmoreextensivewhilestillgivingeverypersontherighttobeararms.

Just the Facts

United States:

3.5 deathsbyguns per100,000people

Canada:

.38 deathsbygunsper100,000people

United Kingdom:

.06 deathsbyguns per100,000people

Norway:

1.0 deathsbygunsper100,000people

Israel:

.10 deathsbyguns per100,000people

Credit:cfr.org,hillaryclinton.com,donaldjtrump.com,feelthebern.org,tedcruz.org

23

Globallyandnationallythereappearstobeamajorcorrelationbetweentherestrictivenessofgunlawsandthedegreeofgunviolenceincountriesandstates.Itseemstobeincountriesandstateswithmorerestrictivegunlawsthereislessgunviolenceandviceversa. byEvaStrelitz-Block

TheclothesclosetfortheCentralMissionprogramatCentralPresbyterianChurch.PhotobyPerryEstes.

How Inequality in Central Texas is Affecting Lives

thepeopleofAustinwhoarehomelessandlivingdowntown.Theprogramprovidesfood,clothesandshoes,toiletries,buspassesandhelptoacquireIDsforthepeoplewhocomeineachweek.Butthefoundersofthemissiondidn’tjustwanttoprovidematerialneeds,theywantedtoworkalongsidethemenandwomenwhocameintoestablishrelationships.

“Wewantedittobemorethanjustaservice,wewantedittobecommunitybuilding,”KimRogers,associatepastoratCPCandfounderoftheCentralMissionprogram,says.“That’swhatmakesusdifferentasachurch.”

TheCentralMissionwasfoundedbyRogersandBrandonLairson,anemployeeatCPCAustin,inresponsetotheinfluxofhomelesspeoplewhocameintothechurcheachweektogetwaterortousethebathroom.BecauseCPCislocatedindowntownAustin,therearesignificantlymorepeoplewhoare

Asmallroompackedtotheceilingwithusedclothes,anoldkitchenoverlywarmwiththeheatofstovesandbusyvolunteersandacartstackeddangerouslyhighwithtoiletriespushedbackandfortharoundaroughcircleoftables.Thisdoesn’tsoundlikeaplacetogolookingforsalvation,butthatisexactlywhatbringsmorethanseventyfivepeoplehereeveryThursdaymorning.

TheCentralMissionoutreachprogramatCentralPresbyterianChurch(CPC)AustinhassetouttohelphomelessandlowincomeindividualsinAustinbyinvitingpeopleintotheirbuildingeveryThursdaymorningforahotbreakfast,newclothesandachancetobuildcommunity.

AccordingtotheCityofAustinhousingdepartment,therearemorethan2,300peopleinAustinwhogowithoutsheltereverynight.Foundedoverthreeyearsago,theCentralMissionwasdesignedtomeettheneedsof

We wanted it to be community building

Homelessness in Austin:

by Perry Estes

25

How Inequality in Central Texas is Affecting Lives

Everybody who’s homeless has a different story

whohavehighincomeshavebegunrunningupthepriceofhousingeveninareasthathavetraditionallybeenmoreaffordableforthosewithlowerincomes. “InAustin,weallowthehavestotakeoverthehave-nots,andthecostoflivinghasgoneupsohighthatit’snotaffordableforpeoplewhoarelowincome,”Rogerssays.

AccordingtoAriPettigrew,communityrelationsmanagerfortheFoundation fortheHomeless,thelackofastrong

manufacturingbaseofjobsinAustinworsenstheissueoftherisingcostoflivingbecausetheabsenceofsuchjobsforcesthepopulationtoneedacollegedegreetogetajobthatpaysabovetheminimumwage. “Themiddleclassisceasing

toexistinAustin,”Pettigrewsays. Thisfactorincreasesthechanceofsomeonebecominghomelessintheeventofsomeunexpectedeventlikethedeathofafamilymember,amedicalemergencyoranaturaldisaster,suchasaflashflood.AccordingtotheU.S.CensusBureau,asof2014,justunder20%ofTexansarelivingwithouthealthinsurance.ButaccordingtotheNewYorkTimes,pricesformedicalproceduresandserviceshavebeensteadilyincreasingacrosstheUnitedStatesoverthepastfiveyears.ThisleavesthehugenumberofuninsuredTexansinadangerousposition,asanyunanticipatedmedicalcostscouldverywellbreakthebank.

homelesslivingaroundthechurchthantherewouldbeforatypicalneighborhoodchurchsettingandsoRogersandLairsonsaytheywantedtohelpprovidefortheneedsofthechurch’sneighbors.TheCentralMissionprogramhasevolvedovertheyearssinceithasbeeninoperation,anditnowincludesaprogramtohelpthosewhocomeintogetstateIDsorbirthcertificatesiftheynolongerhaveany.ThishasbecomeanimportantpartofwhattheCentralMissionprovides,aslackofidentificationisamajorroadblockforpeoplewhoarehomelesstryingtogetfulltimejobsorpermanenthousing. “Ifyoudon’thaveanID,youcan’tgetajob,ifyoudon’thaveabirthcertificate,youcan’tgetanID,”Rogerssays.“Soweweretryingtoprovidethesebasicresourcesthatpeopleneed.” Infacttherearemanyobstaclestoacquiringhousingforthosewhoarehomelessthatonemightnotexpect.AccordingtoPettigrew,themainprobleminAustinisthathousingpriceshavebeguntoincreaseexponentiallyasmoreandmorepeoplemoveintoCentralTexasfromothercities.PettigrewsaysexpensivenewhousinghasbeguntakingoverAustin,includingneighborhoodsinthecitythathavetraditionallybeenhometothemajorityofAustin’slowincomepopulation.RogerssaysthegentrificationoftheEastSideinAustinisanexampleofhowtheincreasingnumberofpeoplemovingtothecityhasimpactedthosewhoalreadylivehere.RogerscitesthisissueasamajorcauseforwhythereisstillalargepopulationofAustiniteswhoarehomeless.RogerssaysthatthoseinAustin

“Onehospitalstayandthefamilyisoutoftheirhomebecausethey’rejustlivingpaychecktopaycheck,”Pettigrewsays. Thereisacomplexseriesofculturalfactorsthatleadpeopletobecomehomeless,andespeciallyhereinAustintheexactreasonsomeonelosestheirhomeisoftenhardtopinpoint.Lairson,whonowworksasthegroundskeeperatCPC,washomelesshimselfinthepast.HereflectsontheissueofhomelessnessinCentralTexasbynotingthattherearemanyreasonspeoplelosetheirhomes. “Everybodywho’shomelesshasadifferentstory,”Lairsonsays.“Itcanhappentoanyone.” Butwhileit’struethathomelessnesscanaffectanyone,somepopulationsaresignificantlymorelikelytobeimpactedthanothers.AccordingtotheInstituteforChildren,PovertyandHomelessness,therearealmosttwiceasmanyAfricanAmericanindividualsinhomelesssheltersintheAustinareaastherearewhiteindividuals.Andaccordingtothesamereport,acrosstheUnitedStatesAfricanAmericanfamiliesaremorethanthreetimes

aslikelytoliveinpovertythanwhitefamilies.Rogerssaysthatinstitutionalizedracismisamajorunderlyingreasonforpeopletolosetheirhomes,asitcreatesasysteminwhichcertainpopulationsaresignificantlydisadvantagedwhenitcomestofactorsthatareimportantinbeingabletoholdpermanenthousing,likeaccesstoaffordableeducationandhealthcare. “Wehavetorememberthatwearenotallbornwithequalopportunities,”Rogerssays.“Clearlythereareerrorsinoursystemthat

Shelvesoft-shirtstobedistributedtothoseinneedwhovisitCPC.PhotobyPerryEstes.

LaisonposesnexttotheHomelessJesusstatueoutsideCPC.PhotocourtesyofKimberlyRogers.

chronichomelessness. AccordingtotheUtahDivisionofHousingandCommunityDevelopment,Utahhasreducedchronichomelessnessintheirstateby91%overthepastdecadesimplybyimplementingthe“housingfirst”model.Utahwasthefirststatetofullyimplementthisprogram,butitssuccesstherebodeswellforitsuseinotherstatesinthefuture. “Weneedtoswitchourthinkingandourmentalitytoa‘housingfirst’model,”Rogerssays.

However,thestateofTexashasnotyetexpressedintenttoimplementa“housingfirst”modelinanattempttoendhomelessness.SoCentralPresbyterianChurchhasdecidedtocontinueworkingto

combathomelessnessbyopenlyspeakingoutandeducatingpeopleabouthowissueslikesystemicracismandeconomicinequalityaffectAustinites.Leadersofthechurchhavebeenfeaturedinvariouslocalnewsstoriesspeakingaboutthesecontroversialtopics,andtheyhavehostedmultipleprogramsintheinterestofeducatingtheircongregationaswellasthepubliconwhatonecanpersonallydotocombattheseinjustices.Thesemethodsofoutreach,aswellasthecontinuedgrowthoftheCentralMissionprogramtoprovideimmediatesolutionstocurrentneeds,arewhatRogerssaysthechurchwouldliketo

focusoninthenearfuture. Theissueofhomelessnessisanongoingandheavilydebatedtopic.Becausethisissuehasbecomesocontroversial,itisdifficulttomakeprogressinaddressingtheproblemsfacedbyindividualswhoarehomeless

inAustin.However,the“housingfirst”modelthathasbeenproventobeeffectiveinreducinghomelessnessmightbeabletochangethis.Awaytosolvehomelessnesswhilestillsavingthegovernmentmoneycouldjustsatisfyeveryone’sgoals,butfornow,programsliketheCentralMissionarestillneededtosupportpeopleinworkingtowardsstability.

keeppeopleoppressedandcreategreaterobstaclestofindinghousing.” AccordingtoRogers,understandingprivilegeisanimportantstepinbeingabletoreducehomelessnessinAustin.Rogerssaysthatbecausemanyofthefactorsthatcausepeopletolosetheirhomesareinfluencedbyracialbias,workingtosolvetherootoftheproblembycombatingsystemicracismmightbethebestwaytoreducehomelessnessintheCentralTexasarea.Rogerssaysshebelievesunderstandingthereasonspeoplebecomehomelessmakesiteasiertoworktosupportallpeopleingainingaccesstobasicneedslikehousing.Whethersomeonehasbecomehomelessduetosocietalfactorsthatdenythemaccesstohealthcareoreducationorifsomeonelosttheirhomeduetosubstanceabuse,Rogerssaysthatitshouldn’tmatter.Shesaysshebelievesallpeopledeservehousingregardlessoftheircurrentsituation. “Inacountrythathassomuch,wherethereareindividualsthatpossessomuchofthewealth,whydoweallowpeopletogowithoutahome?”Rogerssays. Andit’strue,the“housingfirst”modelsomecitieshaveadoptedtoaddresstheissueofhomelessnessisworking.AccordingtotheUnitedStatesInteragencyCouncilonHomelessness,thosewhoarechronicallyhomeless(individualswhohaveeitherbeenhomelessformorethanayearorhavehadmorethanfourepisodesofhomelessnessinthepastthreeyears,)cancosttaxpayersasmuchas30,000to50,000dollarsperyearperhomelessindividualfromthingslikeemergencyroomvisitsandtimespentinprisons.Thesimplefactofthematteristhathousingtheseindividualscoststhegovernmentsignificantlylessmoneythannothousingthemdoes.Theattempttosolvethisproblembyprovidingpeoplewithhomesregardlessoftheirmentalhealthorchemicaldependencyallowsthemtobeginaddressingsuchissuesinasafeandconsistentwaythatwillensurelongtermrecoveryfrom

Clearly there are errors in our system that keep people oppressed

We need to switch our thinking and our mentality to a ‘housing first’ model

28

TheHomelessJesusstatueoutsideofCentralPresbyterian,whichdepictsamanwhoappearstobehomelesswithcharacteristicnailmarksvisibleonhisfeet.

PhotocourtesyofFlickr.

TOP 7 :

TAMPONS

TUNA

BEANS

Peanut Butter

#2: Nut Butters

#1: Dried Beans

#3: Canned Meat or Fish

#4: Feminine Products

Reasonably sized bags of dried beans are a good choice to donate because they take up less space than pre-cooked beans do and they can be stored indefinitely. They are also a great source of protien and an incredibly versitile ingredient.

Nut Butters, like peanut or almond butter, are also a great choice because they are high in protein, as well as being non-perishable and easy to prepare.

Canned chicken and fish are very valuable for the same reason as beans - they are high in much needed protein, and they can be added to a variety of dishes to improve nutrient content.

Feminine products are one of the most important things to donate because they are always in high demand and often aren’t covered by food stamps.

30

ITEMS NEEDED BY FOOD BANKS.

TASTY

#5: Baby Products

#6: Soup Packets

#7: Socks and Underwear

Baby products, like diapers, wipes and formula, are all helpful choices as well because they can be very expensive to purchase, but are absolute necessities for those with young children.

Soup packets are good to donate because they allow a simple way for people to cook a full, flavorful meal out of other simple ingredients, like beans and rice.

Socks and underwear are always in high demand at food banks who provide non-food items, so they are a great choice to donate.

31

Sources: Austinfoodbank.org, Kord.com, Arkansasfoodbank.org

Food banks are incredibly important resources to supply much needed items to people and families in need. Because many food banks are under funded, they rely heavily on donations for their programs to run smoothly; but often these organizations will only reviece donations of the same couple foods over and over, like dried pasta or rice. So what are actually the best things to donate? Here’s our list of the top seven things you should donate to your local food bank.

by Perry Estes

“Education is the most powerful weapon which

you can use to change the world.”

-Nelson Mandela