The recent snow and freezing temperatures across Texas made life difficult for many people. Find help with the resources listed below for water outages and services, water distribution locations, energy and power issues, emergency repair services, transportation services; trash, composting, and recycling services; cold weather shelters, FEMA, HUD help, and help from local nonprofits.

• You cannot be evicted as an Austin and Travis County resident for nonpayment of rent through April 1, 2021.

• Click here for more information for the city of Austin and surrounding areas

• Energy and Power

• Map of current outages
• To report Electric Outages call 512-322-9100 or go to Austin Energy’s outage reporting site
• Click here to get outage alerts
• For additional updates on Austin Energy services, go to the Austin Energy website or follow us on Facebook or Twitter

If your area is serviced by a utility provider other than Austin Energy, please reach out to that utility.

Electric

• Bluebonnet Electric Co-op: 800.842.7708 or www.bluebonnetelectric.coop/
• Oncor Electric: 888.313.4747 or www.oncor.com/SitePages/Home.aspx
• Pedernales Electric Co-op: 888.554.4732 or www.pec.coop/

Natural Gas Providers

• ATMOS Energy: 888.286.6700 or http://atmosenergy.com/
• CenterPoint Energy: 800-752-8036 or www.centerpointenergy.com/
• SiEnergy Natural Gas Service: 888.468.7007 or www.sienergy.com/
• Texas Gas Service: 800.700.2443 or www.texasgasservice.com/

• Storm repair help from the City of Austin

The City of Austin has a website to support local residents and business owners whose properties were damaged in the recent winter storm. Visit austintexas.gov/atxrepairs to find information about plumbers, electricians, and other contractors; code compliance and service requests; the City’s emergency permitting process; homeowner’s funding assistance; and federal and local assistance programs.

• Emergency repairs on your home or business

For information on emergency repair for your home or business and permitting, please visit Austin’s Emergency Repairs site or call 512.974.1500. This dedicated hotline line will be open during business hours beginning Monday, February 22, 2021. Residents can begin work repairing homes as soon as they are able, and should contact the Development Services Department within one business day to acquire a permit if needed.

• Volunteer teams are helping people clean out their homes and remove debris.

Please contact:

• The “Crisis Clean Up” line will operate Mondays-Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m. Call (800) 329-8052 to request assistance.
• The Austin Disaster Relief Network
• Central Texas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters

• Water Outages and Services

The citywide boil water notice has been lifted for customers of Austin water.

If pipes at your home or business have burst, stop water waste by turning off your water at the property-owners cut-off valve. If you are unable to locate your property-owners cut-off valve or if it won’t work, then call Austin Water at 512-972-1000 for assistance with turning off your water. Austin Water remains available to take calls regarding customer service questions, but lines may be busy due to high demand. The online form is the easiest way to get us information.

• Water Distribution Locations

Visit Austin’s website for information on where to pick up water.

• All sites will provide free water on a first come, first served basis, while supplies last.
• We are asking that water allocations at these sites be reserved for those who have not been able to purchase or boil water.
• Please have your trunk open or your doors unlocked so volunteers can place water in your vehicle promptly.
• If you are on foot, we recommend that you bring a cart or carrier large enough to hold one case of water.

• Shuttles to Water Distribution Sites

CapMetro will provide shuttle service to the water distribution sites at the Onion Creek Soccer Complex, ACC Pinnacle, Roy G. Guerrero Park and Walnut Creek Park. Customers can access the shuttles at the bus stops nearest to each water distribution site:

• A temporary bus stop on William Cannon for access to the Onion Creek Soccer Complex (served by Route 333)
• Oak Hill Plaza for access to ACC Pinnacle (served by Routes 315 and 333)
• ACC Riverside Transit Center for access to Roy G. Guerrero Park (served by Routes 217, 271, 310, 311, 350)
• N Lamar/Walnut Creek bus stop for access to Walnut Creek Park (served by Route 1)

Shuttles will be onsite at each of these locations until water runs out.

• State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) Update

The State of Texas has a call center to assist those who have limited or no internet access, with completing the State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT). Texans can call 844-844-3089 between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM seven days a week to submit their disaster damage information.

• Transportation Services

All CapMetro routes will operate with their regular schedules on Monday, February 22.

Free fares will be extended through Sunday, February 28 in an effort to provide everyone access to the people, places and resources they need at this critical time.

• Trash, Composting, and Recycling Services

After suspending curbside pickup due to severe weather and unsafe road conditions, Austin Resource Recovery will resume service on Monday, February 22. For the latest updates on when services will resume, please visit the Austin Resource Recovery website or download the Recycle ATX app to receive notifications about your curbside collection schedule.

• Federal Emergency Management Aid (FEMA)

FEMA has announced that federal emergency aid is available to Texans impacted by the winter storm as of February 11, 2021. The deadline for anyone to apply for assistance for recovery from this disaster is April 20, 2021. To apply for both home and business disaster assistance, go to DisasterAssistance.gov or call FEMA at (800) 621-3362. On the front page of the FEMA website, click “Apply Online” to get started.

• HUD (housing assistance)

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on Monday announced it was providing federal disaster assistance to homeowners and homebuyers in areas affected by the severe winter storms. Texas counties under President Joe Biden’s major disaster declaration will be able to get foreclosure relief and other assistance from HUD:

Counseling agencies: HUD-approved housing counseling agencies have counselors available to help those impacted by the storms.

Foreclosure relief: HUD’s automatic 90-day moratorium on foreclosures of Federal Housing Administration-insured home mortgages began for the designated Texas counties on the date of the declaration. Borrowers who cannot make mortgage payments are urged to call their loan servicer.

Mortgage insurance: HUD is able to provide FHA insurance to disaster victims whose homes were destroyed or damaged to the point that reconstruction or replacement is necessary. For those facing rebuilding or buying another come, the program allows eligible borrowers to get 100% financing, including closing costs.

Insurance for both mortgages and home rehabilitation: One of HUD’s loan programs allows those who have lost their homes to finance the purchase or refinance of a house along with its repair through a single mortgage. Homeowners who have damaged homes will be able to finance the rehabilitation of their existing single-family home.

Making info on housing providers available: HUD will share details with FEMA and the state on housing providers that may have available units in impacted areas.

• Help from People’s Medical-Legal Program (MLP)

Patients at People’s may request legal assistance from the Medical-Legal Program. The MLP can help with:

• Eviction
• Utilities disconnection if provider is Oncor, American Electric Power (AEP), Centerpoint, or TNMP
• Denial of Unemployment benefits
• SNAP denial
• FEMA denial

• New Deadline for Tax Filings

Dr. Jeff Hutchinson, Center for Adolescent Health

This month we will focus on Black History Month.

Black History Month begins in 1915, half a century after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

February 2021 suggested media:

READ

Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow

This is a challenging read that highlights the disparity in the criminal justice system. It will make you angry and cause disbelief in where we are today.

After reading this book consider the following questions:

1. What are the reasons we have very different applications of the law?
2. What are the things that we can do as individuals to address this disparity?

Isabel Wilkerson has two incredible books: The Warmth of Other Suns and Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. The first describes the largest migration in the US when 6 million African Americans fled the south.The second compares the Caste system in India to the unofficial caste system in the US.

1. Why did you choose to read this book?
2. What are the lingering effects of the migration or the caste system?

Well-Read Black Girl, by Glory Edim

This collection of essays by Black women will provide a unique perspective

1. Which essay was the most meaningful to you?
2. How is the storytelling different from other storytelling?

LISTEN

The 1619 Podcast This 5 part series explores the legacy of slavery.

1. What fact surprised you the most
2. Why would people oppose teaching this information?

WATCH

Take a virtual tour of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in DC

https://nmaahc.si.edu/

1. Share with someone a part of history that you learned
2. What is different between a virtual visit and a visit in person?

Keep your eyes open for other ways to engage in Black History Month.

Dr. Jeff Hutchinson, Center for Adolescent Health

Welcome 2021! This month’s suggested reading list focuses on Service and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Our commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and advocacy continues.

January does not have a cultural recognition title but includes Poverty Awareness, Global Family Day, World Braille Day and International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Jan. 18, 2021, marks the 26th anniversary of the day of service that celebrates the Civil Rights leader’s life and legacy. The third Monday in January is “a day on, not a day off,” and the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.

Article

This article can be a blueprint to service: “7 Fast and Powerful Ways You Can Serve Others: Are you using your ability to change someone’s life?”

1. Share with someone a cause you feel passionate towards.
2. Pick one of the seven ways to serve and do it.
3. Ask someone close to you to also pick a cause to serve.

Books

“Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success” by Adam Grant. This book describes the three characteristics we all have: giver, taker and matcher. Adam Grant argues that being more of a giver builds relationships and success.

1. Describe the situations in your life where you are a giver, taker and matcher.
2. What are the barriers that keep us from being more generous?
3. Reach out to someone you consider a “giver” and thank them.

“Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End” by Atul Gawande. This book is a personal reflection on dealing with our mortality and the changes we’ve seen in how we treat the elderly. This book stresses how important it is to recognize the wishes of the people we seek to help.

1. After reading the book you should feel the need to talk to family members about their wishes. What makes that conversation difficult?
2. Describe a time you realized that your help was not helping.
3. Let your elders know how special they are.

Listen

Please listen to the entire “I have a dream” speech: https://youtu.be/1UV1fs8lAbg. Many of Dr. King’s points remain true today.

1. What does being judged by the content of your character mean?
2. What did you learn listening to the speech that you never knew before?
3. What is your dream for the future?

Service is a challenge when we are low on energy, resources and time. 2020 asked so much of each person that retreating from service feels like the only way to take care of ourselves. Service to others is actually one of the best things we can do to help give us hope and move us forward.

Stay well and know that every journey is better with a friend.

This summer People’s Community Clinic asked patients where they needed the most help. Ahead of the need for childcare, transportation, and emergency food, patients responded saying they needed access to high-speed internet. As with many other disparities, the effects of COVID-19 highlighted an already uneven playing field.

Access to broadband internet is essential for education, work, and connection with friends and family. “Lack of technology and internet hinders our patients’ ability to see their doctor, work, or even attend school,” says Cherelle Vanbrakle, Director of Health Promotion & Community Advocacy at People’s. Those going without it during the pandemic are at a severe disadvantage.

Seeing the negative impact on patients’ lives, People’s partnered with Austin Urban Technology Movement (AUTM) to help launch the Texas Technology for All campaign. The campaign’s goal is to ensure every household in Texas – especially in communities of color – has free broadband internet and the technology to use it. The nonprofit AUTM also wants to create more opportunities for struggling communities to access jobs in the tech industry.

Now as partners, People’s patients will be able to connect with the services offered at AUTM. This could go a long way in addressing their technological needs and even access to work.

“Partnering with AUTM provides our patients and community with a team dedicated to helping them find the technology and services needed,” said Vanbrakle. “They [AUTM] will also take the time to talk about career development opportunities. Technology needs and jobs are increasing rapidly, and partnering with an organization that can help our patients with this transition is imperative to continued engagement with work, school and healthcare.”

For those interested in signing the Texas Technology for All petition for Governor Abbott, please click here.

Dr. Jeff Hutchinson, Center for Adolescent Health

This holiday season may find all of us having difficult conversations. This monthly reading list is our effort to help in that discomfort. Use this list to engage with a desire to understand and be more inclusive as we celebrate our diversity.

Articles

This TED article and talk “3 Steps to Having Difficult But Necessary Conversations” is a great starting point to approach difficult conversations:

1. Don’t avoid the conflict
2. Approach the conversation to learn
3. Listen more than speak

This short article “How to Have Difficult Conversations” outlines a universal approach to difficult conversations with family and friends. After reading it have a conversation with someone and discuss the questions:

1. When is it difficult to be direct with your thoughts?
2. What phrase or behavior leads to you feeling disrespected?

Books

“So You Want to Talk About Race” by Ijeoma Oluo

1. This book is a well written foundation for anyone willing to do the difficult work of talking about race and being anti-racist.
2. Identify one point the author made that you agree with and one point you disagree.
3. How can hearing the perspective of someone different than you help future conversations?

“The Power of a Positive No: How to Say No and Still Get to Yes” by William Ury

1. I recommend this book for everyone who has trouble saying no. It helps develop the ability to decline a request and keep the relationship. Saying no is important in difficult conversations.
2. Discuss the last time you said yes when you wanted to say no.
3. Find someone you know who seems to say no easily and have a discussion about their skill.

“Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most” by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, Sheila Heen

1. There are dozens of books aimed at leaders, business owners and teachers on having difficult conversations. Some can be applied to family conversation but conversations we have with family are different because of the relationship.
2. How can you move from an emotional conversation to a productive one?
3. What do you do when you feel personally attacked?

Podcasts

Brené Brown is a leading voice on empathy and brave conversations. One of her many podcasts with comedian Judd Apatow also looks at humor:

1. Humor can be a key to difficult conversations.
2. Share how a difficult conversation improved when you were able to laugh.
3. What is the difference between “laughing with” and “laughing at”

You can do it!

It is never too late to learn and never too early to try.

Dr. Jeff Hutchinson, Center for Adolescent Health

We are fortunate to be able to learn from not only our own experiences but also from the experiences of others. Reading, sharing and discussing what we learn about other cultures helps build empathy and understanding. Members of People’s staff developed a reading and video list to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Please note that a culture cannot be reduced to a handful of topics but the suggestions are a starting point encouraging all of us to learn more. To learn more during Hispanic Heritage Month, consider the following:

October 2020 suggested media

A fantastic example of the complexity of Hispanic culture is Grisel Y. Acosta’s, Latina Outsiders: Remaking Latina Identity.

This TED talk: I’m Mexican. Does that change your assumptions about me? by Vanessa Vancour gives another perspective.

This Code Switch episode: The All-Women Mariachi Group That’s Lifting Our Spirits.