Dear Friends,

The BCC team took a much-deserved break for the holidays and came back to strategic planning as we prepared for 2024. As you'll see in this newsletter, amazing things are happening every day in our community and we have many great events planned for the year.

We hope to see you at our upcoming events, but please also share the information within your networks so we can continue to serve Bastrop County residents with our many initiatives and collaboratives.

Collaboratively yours,

Norma Mercado

Executive Director

Bastrop County Cares

Bastrop County Cares is a county-wide partnership working to develop comprehensive community initiatives by identifying community priorities, collecting and analyzing data, and bringing together collaborative partnerships that will result in community solutions. 

These initiatives span a range of large community issues that one organization cannot tackle on its own and build public will, advance policy, and mobilize and leverage funding.

We would love for you to join a coalition that supports a focus area that is important to you.

Join a Coalition Now

Change Agents ‘Sit A Spell’ To Impact Bastrop County

Before the holiday, the Change Agents and Parent Ambassadors of Bastrop County Cares gathered for a transformative experience at the “Sit A Spell” Community Asset Building and Training. Facilitated by Ronnie & Ty McDonald of The Raunch Group, this event marked a pivotal moment for these community leaders dedicated to making a positive impact in their neighborhoods.

Keep reading...

Seniors Receive Winter Essentials in Elgin

In a heartwarming gesture of community support, seniors in Elgin were pleasantly surprised with care packages filled with essential winter items just in time for the onset of chilly weather. As temperatures dropped, Strait Gate Fellowship Baptist Church (SGFBC) partnered with Bastrop County Cares (BCC).Keep reading...

In the landscape of philanthropy, the urgency to concentrate on fundamental disparities is undeniable. Rural BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People Of Color) communities continue to face persistent challenges magnified by additional historical inequities.

Fayette Community Foundation and St. David's Foundation are partnering to advance health equity through investment and action. The establishment of the Rural Community Health Fund will focus on addressing these issues by cultivating a diverse range of voices, experiences, and perspectives at the heart of a grant-making process.

Register now: https://bit.ly/3Hw3dCx

Prosper Tax Help

Prosper Tax Help is a free service available to individuals who make less than $60,000/year and households of 2-4 that make less than $85,000/year. Income limit increases by $5,000 for each additional family member. Their IRS-certified tax preparers provide free tax filing to thousands of community members each year. Schedule an appointment.

Know Your Rights with HUD Housing

Information from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development about Criminal Charges and HUD Public Housing.

Learn more.

Upcoming Events

Gumbo Cook-Off 🥘

LAST CALL!

The last day to register a team to participate is Thursday, January 25 at 9 a.m!

Register your team.

Join us on February 3 for a day of culinary fun as talented chefs compete to craft the most delectable gumbo dishes in partnership with Bastrop's 2024 Mardi Gras celebration! Purchase a wristband for $10 and try all the tasty gumbo! Proceeds from the Gumbo Cook-Off support the Nourish Coalition.

Mental Health Series Kickoff: Open Minds, Open Hearts 🧠❤️

Save the date! February 15 marks the second workshop in our 5-month virtual mental health series, "Open Minds, Open Hearts." Join us from 11:30 a.m to 1 p.m. for an enlightening, educational experience.

February's workshop focuses on Self Care and Resiliency Strategies:

• Deepen Undersstanding of Stress Responses in Self
• Define Compassion Fatigue/Burn Out
• Revisit Polyvagal Theory
• Introduce Somatic/Body Based Strategies for Restoration and Balance

Participation is virtual and FREE. Plus, CEUs are available for professionals. Click here to register and secure your spot and join us in building a stronger, more supportive community!

Fatherhood Summit ⛰️

Join us on March 8 for a day dedicated to the power of fatherhood! The Fatherhood Summit is a gathering designed for dads to unite. This event is a space to break barriers, embrace change, and explore the transformative journey of meaningful parenting.

Learn more and register as a participant or a vendor at bastropcares.org/fatherhood

Harmony Fest 🧘

Imagine a day free from stress. Mark your calendar for March 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. as Harmony Fest invites you to a day of community, relaxation, and well-being for Bastrop County.

Add the event to your calendar!

This event is sponsored by Bastrop County Cares in collaboration with The Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, YWCA Austin, and Bluebonnet Counseling Association.

Experience the Heartbeat of Hispanic Heritage

Get ready for Festival De La Cultura Bastrop County - a vibrant celebration of Hispanic heritage! Join us for an authentic, family-friendly fiesta featuring a kaleidoscope of artists, a feast of culinary wonders, and a colorful tapestry of traditions from every corner of the Hispanic world.

April 27-28, 2024 at Mayfest Park, Bastrop

Learn more

Job Openings

BCACH Director (Bastrop County Accountable Communities for Health)

Breast Health Initiative Ambassador/CHW

Texas A&M University School of Nursing CHW