Connecting People

Dear Friends,

What an incredible summer it has been serving Bastrop County! Our community has been bustling with fantastic BCC events in every precinct. We are truly fortunate to live in such a caring and compassionate area, where there is a deep commitment to ending hunger and raising awareness about the resources available right here in our community.

It's essential to recognize the importance of supporting each other and the powerful impact of our collaborations with community partners. These events, each catering to different demographics, have enriched our community and exemplified our dedication to diversity and inclusion. We have several collaboration opportunities available this month, and we warmly invite you to volunteer.

If you haven't yet joined a coalition, our team is ready to help you connect with an initiative that resonates with you. This newsletter provides insights into the highlights of the past month and offers a preview of what's ahead. We encourage you to share information about the upcoming events within your networks!

Thank you for your ongoing support!

Best regard,

Norma Mercado

Executive Director

Bastrop County Cares

Featured Stories

A 24/7 Dad Testimony!

The fathers graduated on July 2, 2024, with a certificate of completion, marking the first class of its kind in Bastrop County history. Facilitator where Martin Gonzales, our Fatherhood Outreach Program Coordinator, has created an atmosphere to take fatherhood to a whole new level!

Learn more about the 24/7 dad program here!

Rural Mental Health Symposium a Success!

Our Rural Mental Health Symposium was a fantastic success, and we're incredibly grateful for everyone who made it possible. A huge thank you to our partners at Heal Alliance, our insightful speakers, engaging panelists, and the amazing panelist moderator/MC. Special thanks to Patrick for wrapping up the event with a powerful dance and motivational message, and to the Bastrop Convention Center staff for their excellent setup. Your support and enthusiasm, along with our dedicated volunteers, turned this event into a meaningful and impactful experience.

Thank you to our sponsors!

St. David's Foundation,Hogg Foundation for Mental Health and Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

We couldn’t have done it without you!

Bastrop County Hispanic Business Network Meet & Greet!

Don't miss the opportunity to connect with local businesses and hear from our special guest speaker, City Manager Sylvia Carrillo!

For more details, contact (512) 308-2532.

BCC plans HUGE community baby showers all over the Bastrop County!

Bastrop County Cares is thrilled to invite all new and expecting parents to our series of Community Baby Showers happening across the county! These free events are packed with fun, games, prizes, food, and essential pregnancy resources. These showers are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate and support the growing families in our community. Don’t miss out on the chance to connect, have fun, and gather valuable resources!

We can't wait to see you there!

Contact Valerie Navejas at Valerie@bastropcountycares.org for more information!.

Meet everyones favorite BCC FRC Coordinator!

Andy Esquivel is the Family Resource Coordinator at Bastrop County Cares. Throughout his career, he has worn many hats. Right out of high school, Andy joined the Army as a legal clerk. He then attended college and worked as a copy editor for the university paper. After graduating, he spent about 15 years as a public school teacher. Now, Andy finds himself immersed in the non-profit world, which he finds truly fascinating.

Why do you love the work you do?

"I've always liked helping people. As an English teacher, my work was focused on helping students become better writers and readers. Now, my work is to create projects that can help more of the community. I like taking pictures at the events we attend. I like capturing moments that showcase what we do."

Empowering Our Team: Our Spanish Classes

We’re excited to share that our Spanish language classes are going wonderfully! Since July, we’ve been meeting twice a week for 12 weeks at our BCC main office. Partnering with Community Action, these classes are specifically designed for our employees to better support Spanish-speaking individuals in their mental health and well-being by equipping us with essential language skills. Our team is engaging in interactive sessions that not only boost our language proficiency but also enable us to better serve our community, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone.

Together we can!

Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry has proudly served Bastrop County for over 37 years and they are in dire need of our help! The Bastrop County Cares Faith Collaborative answered the call and our amazing Change Agent Lulu Reese made the delivery! There's still so much to be done!

Find out how you can help HERE!

Bastrop County Care-A-Van sets off to create an unforgettable August for the Bastrop County Community!

Our team is bringing joy, fun, and valuable resources to your neighborhood with an exciting lineup of events throughout Bastrop County! Join us for an evening of recreational activities, community engagement, and endless fun!

Mark your calendars, Join the fun, meet new friends, and enjoy the vibrant community spirit! For more information, reach out to us at fernando@bastropcountycares.org. See you there! 🌈🚐✨

Learn more about the Bastrop County Care-A-Van...

BCACH goes above and beyond to find ways to help out the community!

Mental Health Matters!

Veterans Bowling Night & Peer Group Opportunities!

Every last Wednesday of the month from 6-8pm, our Veterans Bowling events have been a fantastic success! With free pizza, drinks, and plenty of games, these evenings are all about fun and relationship-building. It’s a great way for our veterans to connect, relax, and enjoy some friendly competition. We’re loving the positive vibes and strong community spirit these events bring!

Also, Every Monday evening at 6 PM for our Veteran Peer Group in Bastrop, TX!

Come connect with fellow veterans, share experiences, and find support in a welcoming environment. Refreshments provided.

Build resiliency together! 🥳🍕🍻

Welcome to BCC Bryleigh!

We are thrilled to welcome Bryleigh MacGregor as the new BCACH Project Coordinator for Bastrop County Cares! Born and raised in West Texas, Bryleigh brings a wealth of experience in alcohol and drug prevention non-profit work, where she excelled as a public relations coordinator for two years.

Bryleigh is a proud graduate of Texas Tech University, holding a B.A. in Communication Studies and a minor in Public Relations. She recently moved to Bastrop and is eager to contribute to our community's growth and well-being.

Join us in welcoming Bryleigh to the team! We are excited for the positive impact she will make in Bastrop County!

Join Our Team!

Bastrop County Cares is excited to announce that we are looking for passionate, bilingual individuals to become our new Parent Ambassadors. This is your chance to make a real difference in our community. Don’t wait – apply today and help us empower our residents!

Learn more and apply: https://www.bastropcares.org/careers/

It's time to get back to school!

The BCC team attended the BISD Back to School Bash with the theme "BISD Under the Sea" at Cedar Creek High School on July 31, 2024, from 6-8 PM. All families in attendance received school supplies and backpacks from BISD. BCC handed out 400 SWAG bags containing valuable resource information from BCC and community partners.

Additionally, seven new moms signed up for a referral to Family Connects and received a gift card and Mommy Starter Packs. Twenty-six moms signed up for a referral to the Parents as Teachers program and also received a gift card for signing up. Over 140 families scanned the QR code to receive more information about the services available to them at BCC.

Learn more about our Grass Roots Efforts here...

Camp Gladiator: Energizing Our BCC Team!

The Camp Gladiator classes held at Bastrop County Cares have been a huge hit! These classes focus not only on physical fitness but also on nurturing mental and emotional health, fostering resilience and positivity in the work place. Join us to experience how investing in personal health contributes to a healthier, happier community overall.

It has been an absolute blast!

Well-Being in Morris County!

Hogg Foundation for Mental Health hosted its annual Well-Being in Rural Communities (WRC) Grant Partner meeting in Morris County, Texas, with the Morris County Collaborative, and we sent a group of representatives to the event. This convention provided valuable insights and networking opportunities, also contributed to our ongoing efforts to enhance well-being in rural communities. We learned from experts in the field, exchanged ideas with peers, and gained inspiration for our future projects.

News and Updates

2023 Annual Report

BCC has grown tremendously in the past year, nearly doubling both our full-time and contracted partners. Each of the coalitions had incredible connecting events and serve our county well.

Check out the full Annual Report

Upcoming Events

Digital Literacy Classes

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Awards $150,000 Grant to Bastrop County Cares to Close Digital Equity Gaps in Rural Micro-Communities

We are thrilled to announce that Methodist Healthcare Ministries (MHM) has awarded Bastrop County Cares (BCC) a grant of $150,000 to address digital equity gaps in our rural micro-communities. This vital funding will support initiatives aimed at increasing access to personal devices, internet connectivity, and public benefits for residents of Bastrop County.

The project, commencing on June 1, 2024, and concluding on December 31, 2024, will focus on several key areas to enhance digital inclusion and support our community: Providing Personal Devices and Connectivity, Training Digital Connectors, Expanding Mobile Internet Access, Public Benefit Enrollment and Support, Enhancing Workforce Training Opportunities, Supporting Senior Community Members.

This project is a significant step towards bridging the digital divide in Bastrop County. By providing essential resources and support, we aim to empower our community members, ensuring they have the tools and knowledge to thrive in today's digital world.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Methodist Healthcare Ministries for their generous support and commitment to improving digital equity in our region. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting project and how you can get involved.

For more information or to volunteer, please contact us at Austin Moline, Digital Connector Lead at Austin@bastropcares.org

Together, we are making a difference in Bastrop County!

When Generations Collide!

We invite you to join us for the "Bridges of Generations" event on !

This special evening is all about fostering intergenerational connections by bringing together people from different age groups in a welcoming and engaging environment. Let's build bridges and create lasting bonds at Bastrop Public Library.

Get ready for Bastrop Baila & Beats! 🕺💃

Join us on August 17th at the Ely Performance Art Center for an epic dance battle! Compete in 1 vs 1 Breakin' and 1 vs 1 All Styles for a chance to win $500 and $250!

This free event is brought to you by Cultural Arts Commission and Bastrop County Cares. Don’t miss out on the action!

Click HERE for more information...

Join Us for the Community Resource and Job Fair!

Are you looking for new career opportunities? Come to our Community Resource and Job Fair on August 27th, 2024, at the Elgin Public Library! This is a fantastic chance to network, discover resource opportunities, and meet top employers in the area. Don’t miss out!

Make the most of this opportunity to advance your career and connect with the community. We look forward to seeing you there!

Save the date!!

On November 10, 2024 the Nourish Coalition in partnership with Texas Center for Local Food will be hosting the first-ever in Texas, Local Food Fair! We are actively recruiting local farmers, ranchers and agricultural adjacent agencies to participate in this event. Please contact Krissy Voutas at Krissy@bastropcares.org.