Para Las Familias Neighborhood Initiative seeks to optimize the educational achievement and overall development of every child through an ongoing collaboration among parents, teachers, principals, and human service professionals. Focusing on inner-city neighborhoods in the Andrews, Ortega, Jordan, Oak Springs and Houston Elementary school attendance zones, the neighborhood initiative's guiding principle is that the overall Austin community must assume the full responsibility for children and families. Through partnerships with churches, community organizations, and private sector entities, a community-based network of children's services and family supports are being created and nurtured. More than 1,800 University of Texas students have volunteered as tutors and mentors. The participants earn savings accounts established in their names for consistent academic performance, perfect attendance, and participating in a reading program.
Students receive assistance to prepare for successful college matriculation.
More than 83 percent of University Outreach graduates are currently enrolled in colleges and universities. The Texas Blazers group works with at-risk teenagers in the Johnston High School Mentorship Program. Male UT student volunteers provide tutoring, mentoring, and outdoor activities. The Blazers feel it is a friendship that extends beyond the classroom while supplying the kids with a positive male role model. UIL was created in 1912 as a part of the University of Texas at Austin to encourage students to finish school and aspire to college or a career.