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The mission of Community Yoga is to offer the practices of yoga, mindfulness and other evidenced-based wellness programming to underserved communities who may not otherwise have access. Our commitment is to facilitate personal empowerment and social change by unlocking the inherent value of our communities.
In order to accomplish our mission we approach our work through three programming areas that allow us to reach our community members along a continuum of care:
- Planting Seeds (Elementary School Program)
- Youth Alternatives (High School and After School Program)
- Prison Program
The Planting Seeds campaign will go to fully fund our elementary school program and allow us to further develop a robust and community-centered initiative to support our children in underserved communities by sharing the practice of yoga, meditation and mindfulness. Underserved communities under our school program are defined by elementary schools receiving Title 1 funds. Title 1 funding is how our federal government assists economically disadvantaged school systems that need additional support in order to meet academic needs and provide after school programming for all their students.
Currently, we only have had the funds to support one class a week at one elementary school in the central East Austin area. All other programming needs have been met by our outstanding teachers, volunteer community and board of directors. Your contribution will allow us to expand our reach by adding more classes, reaching more elementary schools and jumpstarting the development of a teacher training program to support our community members in sharing the practice in underserved communities. With your help, we can further our ability to plant the seeds of mindfulness and healing across our neighborhoods.
What We Need From You and What We Will Share With You
We are requesting $10,000 to support our Planting Seeds Elementary School Program. Your contribution will help us:
- Expand our classes and reach from just one class in one elementary school to classes in at least three more schools in underserved communities in the next school year.
- Buy mats and props for our classes.
- Pay our teachers $30 per class to honor their work and the value of their skills.
- Hire and pay a dignified hourly wage for a part-time Program Director for the Planting Seeds Elementary School Program.
- Build a specialized and localized teacher training program to support other yoga instructors, community members and participants in our programs in sharing their practice with underserved communities. This will enable Community Yoga to become financially self-sufficient.
If we do not reach our entire fundraising goal, all funds raised will still go to fully support the Planting Seeds Elementary School program.
By supporting Community Yoga Austin and our Planting Seeds Elementary School Program you will receive a unique gift to express our gratitude for your generous contribution to healing communities across the city of Austin, Texas.
Gifts include:
- Recognition on our website and Facebook page as a noted supporter
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A Community-Yoga Austin t-shirt, tote bag and custom tea blend
- Exclusive links to online yoga and meditation classes led by our talented program directors and staff
- A private yoga and meditation class for your and your friends led by our talented program staff (for local contributors only).
The Impact
The Planting Seeds Elementary School program uses the practice of yoga and meditation to teach students essential skills and values for a lifetime of health and wellness. Students learn to manage the stresses of everyday life, finding healthy ways to express their emotions and find mental clarity. Students develop a strong appreciation for community, and they are empowered to support their peers, their family, their school and their Austin community. Students gain confidence, enthusiasm and non-competitiveness which enables them to succeed physically, academically and creatively.
During 2012, Community Yoga provided more than 450 classes to members in our community.
Other Ways You Can Help
If our mission speaks to you and you want to help in other ways, join our effort by sharing our campaign with other members of your community, post it to your Facebook, and most importantly stay in touch with us!