Past Success Stories

"CASA of Travis County is so grateful for the shoes that have been received for hundreds of abused and neglected children since the inception of Shoes for Austin. I have been the volunteer with four children who have received these shoes, and watched as their self esteem soared, knowing they had earned shoes that were as nice as their peers. One senior, who had been in a Crips Gang in middle school, actually was inspired to try out for his high school team. Though, he didn't make the cut, he had the courage to try. That young man just finished his first year of college, and his younger brother, who also acquired tennis shoes, was on the track team in high school. He is starting college next week. Every child, even one who will never run on the shoes she received, because she sits in a wheel chair, had a wide grin and a renewed confidence when they received their shoes. I strongly encourage this program to increase and spread to more children.
Thanks for hearing me out."

Sincerely,
Karen Cox
Executive Director of CASA of Travis County


"Christina is a 14 year old participating in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Her case manager said her grades were good but there were a lot of problems at home with an older sister. Christina’s mom and Big Sister were concerned that the problems at home were beginning to affect her school work. Big sister helped set a goal of a better attitude and improved grades. Setting this goal allowed clients mother to be more active with teachers without Christina getting upset. During the months Christina worked toward her goal she with very cooperative with her mother, improved her attitude and improved her grades to an A average. Christina called her case manager for the first time when she received her report card. She was trilled to receive her new shoes!"

Jennifer Hughes
Case Manager, Big Brothers Big Sisters

"Minerva is a 43 year old woman who is participating in Sustainable Food Center’s Happy Kitchen program. Minerva enrolled in The Happy Kitchen cooking classes with a goal to learn how her husband could improve his health (Minerva and her husband are diabetic). She was given more incentive when she learned she would receive a free pair of shoes and socks for the completion of the course. Minerva took part in a nine week program for women age 40 and older focusing on self-care management to increase physical activity, combined with hands-on cooking and food education series about healthy, affordable and delicious methods of preparing food. The food education classes are intended to improve the daily diets through positive changes in food selection, preparation, budgeting and sanitation.

Before Minerva took the class, she felt she did not know how to cook a lot of healthy foods. Now she is enjoying a greater variety of foods such as tofu. Minerva has shared these ideas with her family. She has used her new shoes to start a walking program and is now the group leader for The Walk Across Texas Program."

Trina Ozer
Sustainable Food Center


"Felipe Sanchez is 25 years old and a participant of Austin Academy. Felipe completed Austin Academy’s Workplace Competency Program and GED requirements in one month. He scored 250 points on the GED in only needed 225. Felipe entered the program homeless. He has received assistance from ARC and was able to move into his own apartment. He began working October 12th as an evaluator and will be earning $12.46 an hour. Felipe says, "I’m not finished yet!" He received a Pell Grant to attend Austin Community College. He plans to purchase a car and save money to buy a house. The shoes served as a great incentive in helping him achieve his goals."

Denise Little
Austin Academy