July 2018 by Austin Woman Magazine

AUSTIN WOMAN MAGAZINE | JULY 2018

“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.” —Maya Angelou

First we saved his life. Then we helped save his lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dream.

Stephen Moore dreamed of competing in the Strongman competition. Then a drunk driver almost killed him. Watch his story at stdavids.com.

Emergency Care

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designer Matthew Weatherly of BDI, USA. Natural oak or chocolate walnut with black micro-etched glass top. $2299 3 Metal sculpture by

designer Andrea Lucatello of Italy, Built-in light adds dramatic indirect illumination. $1191

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At Texas Children’s, we’ve made our mark by pioneering new treatments and constantly breaking new ground in our quest to cure complex conditions and devastating diseases. Now, our drive to create a community of healthy children is taking us even further – all the way to your front door. With new locations and services opening throughout the Austin area this year, we’re looking forward to partnering with local families and physicians to give kids the right care at the right time in the right place.

Authentically Texas. Dedicated to Children. texaschildrensaustin.org

Second to none in Texas, U.S. News & World Report has recognized Texas Children’s Hospital as one of the top children’s hospitals in the country. Here are our specialties that made the top five in the nation: 1st Cardiology & Heart Surgery, 1st Pulmonology, 3rd Nephrology, 3rd Neurology & Neurosurgery, 4th Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, 4th Urology. ©2018 Texas Children’s Hospital. All rights reserved. Heyne Ranch. AUS_022452_18

Round Rock Express Makes Impact On and Off the Field The Round Rock Express Today, when fans purchase a hot dog at a Round Rock Express are known for playing great game, the entire thing is compostable from the food and tray b a s e b a l l . A n y o n e w h o’ s it’s served in to the utensils. TDS processes the stadium food ever been to Dell Diamond waste into compost and returns full circle when it’s used in the will tell you the facilities are Dell Diamond garden. “TDS provides the compost we use for first-class and the gameday our herb and vegetable garden and in turn, our RS3 chefs use experience is unforgettable. what we grow in various food and beverage items,” said Fragoso. But there’s so much more to “Through this practice we are able to tell the 360-degree story of the organization. In fact, the the life cycle of your food.” founders of the Express In its sixth year of partnership have grounded their with TDS, the organization business in core values has diverted nearly a million that include passionately pounds of material from participating in the the landfill. c o m m u n i t y a n d e m b ra cing and encouraging Education continues to be improvements and change. a focus for the Round Rock Express, as the organizaFor example, in 2017, the tion hosts an Education Day Round Rock Express created a space for fans to breastfeed or each year featuring pregame pump during baseball games at Dell Diamond after noticing presentations for more an increase in private accommodations at other public facilithan 5,000 local school children of all ages. This year, TDS ties. It was an idea initially proposed to management by Laura presented lessons from their Eco Academy curriculum to Fragoso, senior vice president of marketing for the Express educate students about trash, recycling and composting. The and a mother herself, who takes a day included presentations from other local organizations that leadership role in identifying and focus on wildlife, weather, anti-bullying and more. executing ways to improve the fan experience. “The organization The Express truly makes a difference in the lives of welcomes mothers to nurse in fans, employees and players alike through community any public location, but hundreds initiatives. The organization also supports projects that give per year were asking for a private a portion of ticket sales to charities, fundraising events that space,” said Fragoso. “It was an are hosted at Dell Diamond to raise money, players visiteasy decision to expand our lactaing sick kids or honoring military veterans, baseball jersey tion support program and create a auctions, fire engine pulls, sock drives, disaster relief – more designated space for fans.” than half a million dollars were raised and donated in 2017 alone. Fragoso’s innovative leadership and her ability to create “If there is an opportunity to make a difference in the purposeful partnerships enhances operations and raises community, the Round Rock Express takes it,” said Fragoso. the bar on cultivating community. In 2012, the Round Rock Express made a commitment to becoming the greenest team in Minor League Baseball. Fragoso works closely with Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) to improve diversion at Dell Diamond through increased education efforts by creating custom signage for the stadium’s Eco Stations, making it easier than ever for fans to determine which items go in the correct container. She also works with TDS to train stadium staff so they can continue the diversion process behind the scenes. “We have found that great partnerships are key to effective programs,” said Fragoso. “With our goal to be eco-friendly, TDS provided us with the resources to be successful. From educating our staff to helping RS3 procure compostable items, it is a true collaboration where each partner wants the best outcome for the greater good.”

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ON THE COVER

FOSTERING GRACE BY RACHEL RASCOE

FEATURE

OUTREACH OF HOPE Photo by Rudy Arocha.

BY SHELLEY SEALE

CONTENTS

Photo by Courtney Runn.

JULY

42 SAVVY WOMEN 20 COUNT US IN Women in Numbers 22 B OTTOM LINE Austin City Councilwoman Delia Garza

24 G IVE BACK Care2Rock CEO Karyn Scott 26 F ROM THE DESK OF Author and Philanthropist Joy Selak

28 P ROFILE 30 P ROFILE

HAAM’s Reenie Collins Austin Diaper Bank’s Holly McDaniel

ATX WOMEN TO WATCH 32 DR. VALERIE CHAVEZ 33 L AURA LEMOND 34 MICHELLE TAYLOR 35 D ANIELLE VERNON, P.T. 36 LAINE TVRDIK 37 SARAH TONEY 38 AMBER CALLAHAN

MUST LIST 40 D ISCOVER

Horseshoe Bay Resort

10 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2018

STYLE + HOME 42 THE LOOK A Suit for Every Body 44 ENTERTAINING PJs and Pancakes

GOURMET 58 R ECIPE REVEAL Roasted-beet Hummus 60 F OOD NEWS Uncle Ray’s Peanut Brittle

WELLNESS 62 W AITING ROOM Aromatherapy 64 E AT THIS, NOT THAT Ghee 66 H ER ROUTINE Bianca Turati

POINT OF VIEW 68 I AM AUSTIN WOMAN

Amber Fogarty

ON THE COVER Photos by Rudy Arocha, rudyarochaphotography.com Styled by Ashley Hargrove, dtkaustinstyling.com Makeup by Gertie Wilson, elevecosmetics.com Shot on location at Lone Star Court, 10901 Domain Drive, 512.814.2625, lonestarcourt.com

Hacinthia silk dress, $498, available at Joie, 11700 Domain Blvd., 512.982.3261, joie.com; Puma suede hyperembellished sneakers, $80, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com.

STEPHEN GARTEN CEO & Founder, Charity Charge ♥s Yoga at CorePower. Cover bands on 6th Street. Swimming at Barton Springs Photo taken at Thinkery — One of over 1 million+ nonprofits Charity Charge cardholders can select to fund with their cash back. *ZOOM TEETH WHITENING BY AUSTIN DENTAL SPA

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I AM A TEXAS MBA “I pursued my Texas MBA six years after I founded Amy’s Ice Creams. The intelligence and high level of achievement by my classmates and keen perspective of my professors unlocked potential in me I’d never known. I stepped my game up in all areas of my life and found a new level of confidence. The camaraderie and support of lifelong friendships made between classmates and professors has proven to be priceless.”

AMY SIMMONS Founder, Amy’s Ice Creams, Baked By Amy’s Co-founder, Phil’s Ice House, Austinville Entrepreneurial consultant, Amy’s EDU First professional boxer in the State of Texas Mother of three Marathon runner Former Mayor Pro Tem of West Lake Hills, Texas Texas MBA 1994

TexasMBA.info

EXPAND YOUR NETWORK

Photo by Korey Howell.

Evening & Executive Programs

VOLUME 16, ISSUE 11 CO-FOUNDER Melinda Maine Garvey CEO Christopher Garvey PUBLISHER Cynthia Guajardo Shafer

EDITORIAL MANAGING EDITOR Chantal Rice SENIOR EDITOR Lauren Jones ASSISTANT EDITOR Courtney Runn CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Nicholas Barancyk, Rhoda Brimberry, Sommer Brugal, Anna Crelia, Amber Fogarty, Susan Johnston Taylor, Lauren Jones, Mary Murphy, Kaiti Neuman, Chelsea Pribble, Rachel Rascoe, Courtney Runn, Gretchen M. Sanders, Shelley Seale, Deborah Stachelski, Elizabeth Ucles

ART CREATIVE DIRECTOR Niki Jones CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS

Thomas Aitchison, Rudy Arocha, David Carrales, Malayna Ellis, Annika Franco, Melissa Glynn, Mateo Gutierrez, Ashley Hargrove, Daniel Nguyen, Hannah Phillips, Ben Porter, Courtney Runn, Troy Stecker, Jessica Wetterer, Gertie Wilson

OPERATIONS AND MARKETING CFO

Ashley Goolsby MARKETING AND EVENTS MANAGER

Madilyn Biscoe

SALES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Lindsey Granberry, Monika Kelley, Christine Moore

INTERNS

Mary Murphy, Kaiti Neuman, Chelsea Pribble

EMERITAE CO-FOUNDER Samantha Stevens EDITORS

April Cumming, Emily C. Laskowski, Deborah Hamilton-Lynne, Mary Anne Connolly, Elizabeth Eckstein Austin Woman is a free monthly publication of AW Media Inc., and is available at more than 1,250 locations throughout Austin and in Lakeway, Cedar Park, Round Rock and Pflugerville. All rights reserved. For submission requirements, visit atxwoman.com/contribute. No part of the magazine may be reprinted or duplicated without permission. Visit us online at atxwoman.com. Email us at info@awmediainc.com. 512.328.2421 | 3921 Steck Ave., Suite A111, Austin, TX 78759

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ON THE DOT

FROM THE PUBLISHER COMMUNITY

PARTNERS

Publication of Austin Woman would not be possible without the support of our monthly advertisers and sponsors, who believe in the impact we are making in the Austin community. The following businesses have stepped up their support of our efforts beyond traditional advertising and we are proud to recognize them as our partners. The team at Austin Woman is grateful for these businesses that have shown their commitment to the advancement of women in Austin and hopes you, as readers, recognize their efforts and support these businesses and all our regular advertisers. CYNTHIA GUAJARDO SHAFER

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y happy place is on the court. I was late to discover tennis, but once I learned the game, I couldn’t stop playing. While I no longer play five days a week, I still get as many matches in as I can. You can’t beat the camaraderie that unfolds as tennis balls fly back and forth under the blazing Texas sun. Starting July 2, I’ll be cheering on my favorites, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams, at Wimbledon. I’ll also be keeping my eye out for one of the many inspiring women in this month’s issue of Austin Woman, Bianca Turati. The Italian tennis player joined the University of Texas team alongside her twin sister, Anna Turati, and has quickly risen to the top. As she says, “I love the game because you can always turn a match around.” This optimistic spirit rings true for many of the women featured in these pages. This month’s theme is social good, and thus, we’ve selected women who have dedicated their lives to giving back to our community, those who will leave a lasting legacy in Austin. From our determined cover woman, who sought redemption from her past by opening a home for foster children, to four woman-backed nonprofits, we wanted to showcase the everyday heroines of Austin. These women prove anyone can turn her life around and keep playing. I started volunteering when I was 15 years old and have never stopped. While I hope my support of local charities makes a difference, I’m the one who’s truly been changed. Giving never returns void. I hope you’ll be just as inspired and empowered as I have been by the stories in this issue. Whether you change the life of one person or a whole city, serving and loving others will never be in vain. Keep your eye on the ball and keep your eye on these women because they’re world changers!

LAW OFFICE OF JANET MCCULLAR

Sincerely,

Join the conversation @AustinWoman #TheSocialGoodIssue

14 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2018

Photo by Courtney Runn.

CYNTHIA GUAJARDO SHAFER Publisher

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CONTRIBUTORS

This month, we asked our contributors: Austin is known for being a city dedicated to philanthropy. How do you give back?

RUDY AROCHA

COVER PHOTOGRAPHER, “FOSTERING GRACE,” PAGE 46

Photographer Rudy Arocha is a native Texan who moved to Austin to pursue his education in fine arts as a sculptor. He later rediscovered his passion for photography when his grandfather gave him a camera as a gift. Rudy graduated from the Art Institute of Austin and specializes in portrait photography. When not photographing, Rudy enjoys music, the outdoors and spending time with his wife, Maggie. “I actually just helped artist Matt Szynal install a public-art piece dedicated to black history at 12th and Chicon streets sponsored by Capital Metro.”

RACHEL RASCOE

COVER STORY WRITER, “FOSTERING GRACE,” PAGE 46 Rachel Rascoe is a freelance writer based in Austin. Rachel specializes in music, arts and culture reporting, and has contributed to The Austin Chronicle, Austin Woman and Texas Standard. She recently wrapped up her degrees in journalism and biology at the University of Texas. “I support local arts and music projects by attending their events, buying merch and writing about them. I also support public radio and The Austin Chronicle.”

GERTIE WILSON

COVER MAKEUP ARTIST, “FOSTERING GRACE,” PAGE 46 Gertie Wilson was a professional makeup artist for years before developing Elevé Cosmetics, a clean, all-natural, luxury line of makeup and skin-care products. Elevé Cosmetics products are available online or at the new South Austin flagship store, which Gertie co-owns and runs with her sister, Ginger Averitt.

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“Elevé Cosmetics sponsors Austin’s annual Kentucky Derby event, Down & Derby, which benefits The Shade Project. It’s a nonprofit that we are especially passionate about because of their dedication to the prevention of skin cancer through sun-safety education, skin-cancer screenings and creating shade in public spaces, especially playgrounds.”

SHELLEY SEALE

WRITER, “OUTREACH OF HOPE,” PAGE 52

Shelley Seale is a freelance journalist and author in Austin who has written for National Geographic, USA Today, The Guardian, The Week and Texas Monthly, among other publications. She loves dogs, yoga, indie movies, wine and books, though not necessarily in that order. Shelley has performed a catch on the flying trapeze, boarded down a live volcano and was once robbed by a monkey in India. But she doesn’t know how to whistle.

“I believe that action is the only catalyst for change, and I get involved in social causes that I care about. I volunteer/foster with Austin Dog Rescue and Bastrop Animal Rescue, donate to numerous nonprofits, including Well Aware and Truth Be Told, and I do pro bono and reduced-rate work for nonprofits, including The Nobelity Project and Miracle Foundation. Follow your passions when giving back!”

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CONNECT WITH US! CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF THIS ISSUE? ➥ More ways to stay cool. Relive your childhood by heading to Schlitterbahn Waterpark for a day full of family-friendly fun. But before you hit the road, read a firsthand account from our assistant editor about how to have the most enjoyable experience at the park.

➥ More summer entertaining tips. Take your summer get-together to the next level with entertaining advice from Whim Hospitality Co-founder and CEO Kim Hanks. Say goodbye to boring and hello to an Instagramworthy event display.

➥ More road-trip destinations. Pack a duffel bag and head to Alpine, Texas, for a relaxing weekend under the stars. From the Viva Big Bend Music Festival to Fourth of July festivities, you won’t want to miss out.

➥ More summer fashion staples. Austin and 100-degree days go together like peanut butter and jelly, but that doesn’t mean your fashion sense should suffer during the blistering summer months. Meet Suavs Shoes Founder Monxi Garza, who designs moisture-wicking, sustainably made shoes for people on the go.

WIN THIS!

PACKED PARTY CONFETTI BUCKET BAG AND YOU PAMPERED THING, YOU PACKAGE Everything’s bigger in Texas, and the same can be said for Packed Party’s celebrationready vinyl confetti bag. Reinforced with gold hardware, this glitzy bag (valued at $38) is sure to make a statement at the beach, at the office or while you’re frolicking throughout town. Our stylish June cover woman, Packed Party Founder Jordan Jones, is also giving away an indulgent You Pampered Thing, You package (valued at $62) to one lucky Austin Woman reader. Treat yourself to some selfcare with the ultrahydrating honey face mask, Moon Melt Lotion Bar and Island Pineapple Candies. You deserve it! To enter, follow us on Instagram @austinwoman and stay on the lookout for the giveaway announcement in mid-July. A winner will be chosen and notified by the end of the month.

@austinwoman

18 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2018

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Work: A Pop-up Conference for Creatives and Entrepreneurs July 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Rowling Hall, 300 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. bossbabes.org/events Trailer Food Tuesday July 17, 5 to 9 p.m. The Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Drive trailerfoodtuesdays.com Summer Classic Film Series July 1 through 31, times vary Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave. austintheatre.org

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Schlitterbahn Waterpark photo by Courtney Runn. Alpine mural photo by Hannah Phillips. Monxi Garza photo courtesy of Suavs Shoes. Win This photo courtesy of Packed Party.

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WOMEN IN NUMBERS

Facts and figures on females from throughout the world. BY MARY MURPHY, ILLUSTRATIONS BY JESSICA WETTERER

533 Grants

73 Percent

15 Years

70 Partners

The United Nations Foundation’s Women, Girls & Population program and the UN work hand in hand to promote gender equality and advance the rights and needs of women and girls throughout the world. Priorities of the program include investing in adolescent girls, working to advance reproductive health and rights, and eliminating genderbased violence. The program has been recognized globally and remains successful with the help of grants. To date, the program has been awarded 533 grants totaling more than $170 million in support of empowering girls and women on a global scale.

A big misconception in the nonprofit sector is that these organizations are run mostly or completely by volunteers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nonprofits employed 11.4 million people in 2012, accounting for 10.3 percent of all private-sector employment in the United States. Some 73 percent of nonprofit-sector employees are women, and while women are considered the majority in the nonprofit workforce, they still earn less in wages than their male counterparts.

Girls for Gender Equity is an intergenerational nonprofit based in Brooklyn, N.Y., that is dedicated to ending widespread violence against women and girls of color, and promotes the physical, social, psychological and economic well-being of girls, women and communities. GGE strives to demolish barriers of segregation and discrimination on the basis of gender, race and class, and provides programs to instill strength, skills and self-sufficiency in girls and women. GGE recently held its 15th anniversary gala celebrating “15 fierce years of serving thousands of young people.”

Distributing Dignity, a New Jersey-based nonprofit, was created to provide new bras, pads and tampons to women in need. Founded in 2012, the organization currently has 70 partners in 52 cities that help women who are in and aging out of foster care, seeking refuge from domestic violence or abuse, are homeless, struggling with lifealtering illness or have been displaced by disaster.

69 Women The United Nations Foundation’s Council of Women World Leaders is the only organization in the world solely dedicated to women heads of state and government. The council was established in 1996 by Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, the president of Iceland from 1980 to 1996 and the first woman in the world to be democratically elected to the post of president; Mary Robinson, president of Ireland from 1990 to 1997; and Laura Liswood, secretary general of the council and a former senior advisor for Goldman Sachs. The 69 current and former female presidents and prime ministers who make up the council today promote good governance and gender equality through the council’s networks, partnerships and programs.

20 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2018

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COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY

Austin City Councilwoman Delia Garza provides insight into the issues affecting our city. BY SOMMER BRUGAL

AFFORDABLE HOUSING —OR LACK THEREOF

According to Garza, housing affordability is the principal issue facing Austin today. It’s a crisis that affects the entire city, but for Garza, its consequences weigh heavier in certain areas than others. She cites her district to support her claim, as residents in District 2 have a lower median income, compared with others in the city. Income inequality, Garza says, plays a large part in the overall issue. “As a city, we claim to be progressive politically, but we aren’t progressive [with] land planning,” Garza says. “We’ve held on to the homes with a white picket fence.” She notes while that image has become synonymous with the American Dream, it doesn’t necessarily enable a city to grow. With the city expected to double in population within the next 15 to 20 years, she says the city—and its residents—can’t continue preserving and protecting single-family lots. 22 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2018

Though Garza doesn’t rid Austin from its responsibility or the role it should play in addressing such an issue, she does speak to the nation’s affordability crisis at large. While the cost of living has gone up in cities like Austin, the amount of money people earn at their jobs hasn’t risen to match that growth. Wages, she says, have remained stagnant. MOBILITY CHALLENGES

As affordable homes become less available in what’s considered to be Central Austin, the lack of mobility becomes that much more noticeable in a growing city. Mobility is another issue challenging Austin residents, especially those being pushed out. Most families still have two cars. Those that can’t afford to own multiple vehicles, though, are left to depend on public transportation, which Garza says doesn’t receive ample funding to successfully support the city’s needs. When asked what led to Austin’s mobility pitfalls and its housing crisis, she notes the city’s lack of progressive thinking for land-use opportunities and a lack of planning for growth. MOVING FORWARD

A number of initiatives are working to address both the housing crisis and mobility concerns the city is facing, the most notable being CodeNext, a major overhaul of the city’s current land-development code. Though Garza encourages residents to be involved, to understand the changes and recommendations being made, she recognizes much of the discussion surrounding the topic can be complex in nature and often arduous to follow. She believes, however, that while some have worked to keep Austin a tiny college town, there are many voices working for a more streamlined land code and advocating for more sustainable growth for the city. “There just needs to be a change of mindset,” Garza says. “We should be happy people want to live in Austin, but we need to make the decision to grow properly.” Speaking in favor of anything prohibiting inclusive growth, she says, is simply not progressive—or welcoming.

Photo courtesy of Delia Garza.

Before becoming Austin’s District 2 elected representative, Delia Garza was one of the first Mexican-American female firefighters in the Austin Fire Department, tending mainly to South Austin communities, and served as an assistant attorney general in the child-support division. Despite the seemingly obvious differences in the roles, Garza’s commitment to community service and advocacy was always apparent. Today, she continues advocating for her community, working tirelessly to make Austin a welcoming city for everyone. And as a member of the Austin City Council, she’s at the forefront for many of those conversations. Given Garza’s work within Austin’s various communities and sectors, Austin Woman sat down with the councilwoman to learn about the pressing issues affecting our community today, and what city representatives are doing to address them.

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A HOPEFUL TUNE

Care2Rock CEO Karyn Scott speaks about the power of music.

Imagine learning to play a musical instrument from a professional without having to leave the comforts of your home. Care2Rock, a newly launched mobile platform led by CEO Karyn Scott, founder of the music-and-mentorship nonprofit Kids in a New Groove, offers just that. While Scott doesn’t hail from a musical background, it was her years working for the Travis County District Attorney’s office that placed her on her current path. As a prosecutor, Scott saw the difficulties foster children face on a daily basis. So, Scott put her passion and belief in the healing power of music to work by starting Kids in a New Groove, providing free, private music lessons for Central Texas foster children. With more than 400,000 children in the fostercare system nationwide, she felt called to help those in need. “It was wonderful seeing the changes...[and] how far kids could come,” Scott recalls. “They were getting adopted and graduating high school.” While the program has continued to flourish nine years in, Scott is excited for her latest venture, Care2Rock. “It can be difficult to scale a nonprofit and reach new kids,” Scott says of her years with Kids in a New Groove. Thus, she kept asking herself, “How do I impact even more kids across the country? How do we connect more people?” With Care2Rock, Scott has been able to connect disenfranchised youth throughout the country with triple-vetted music teachers. “Care2Rock recruits teachers across the country to come teach on our site. … [When they] sign up, they volunteer to work with a foster child as well,” she says. “It’s great for paying customers to learn music, but also for foster children to take lessons for free. And if they move homes, they can stay with their teacher.” Care2Rock asks its teachers to volunteer as music mentors for children in foster care every week for a minimum of a year.

If a match can’t be made right away, Care2Rock instead makes a donation to its nonprofits partners, including Texas Court Appointed Special Advocates, One Simple Wish and Foster Angels of Central Texas. “We offer a lot of flexibility for teachers,” Scott says. “For hardworking musicians who need to fill a couple of hours on their schedules, this is a great way to do so. We have teachers from Cuba, Nashville, Argentina, etc.” To date, the organization has more than 120 teachers listed on its website, teachers who are just as passionate about the mission as Scott. “The type of teachers we draw are the ones that are very excited about giving back and the unique opportunity we offer,” she says. Care2Rock recently partnered with Texas CASA to provide foster children with laptops in light of the passage of the Computers for CASA bill, which will provide access to the state’s surplus computers. Scott believes the passage of this bill will be lifechanging, as foster children will now be able to easily take lessons online. While the business is still in its formative years, exciting times lay ahead. Care2Rock was recently granted seed funding through venture-capital firm Pipeline Angels, which has invested more than $4 million in women-led for-profit social businesses. Word-of-mouth has also led to early success. “People come from all over,” Scott says. Currently, Care2Rock is running a limited program called Sounds of Summer, through which those who sign up for lessons can get a free guitar. Scott is learning guitar herself through the website and is happy to experience the fruits of her labor firsthand. Scott is also looking forward to getting professional musicians involved with Care2Rock, hosting events and continuing to spread the word about how people can help children in foster care.

“How do I impact even more kids across the country? How do we connect more people?”

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To learn more or book a lesson, visit care2rock.com.

Photo by Annika Franco.

BY LAUREN JONES

Sponsored Content

HOW TO CHOOSE A DIVORCE OR CUSTODY LAWYER Divorce attorney Janet McCullar answers your questions. BY JANET MCCULLAR

When should I hire a divorce or custody lawyer?

If you are separating from the other parent of your child, you should consult with a divorce or custody lawyer like myself. Sometimes these lawyers are generically called family-law attorneys. If you have received papers indicating a lawsuit has been filed, do not delay! Contact a lawyer immediately because certain deadlines are triggered by the filing of a lawsuit.

How much is my case going to cost?

This is a very difficult question to answer because when you hire me, my team provides you with a service at an hourly rate. It’s hard to say how many hours it will take for your case because there are a lot of factors that can affect the cost of the case. I tell potential clients that it’s a costly process and discuss ways we can minimize expense. It’s important to me that my clients are good stewards of their money. I want them to review their bills and understand what I’m doing on their behalf and to ask questions when they don’t understand. There is no charge for asking those sorts of questions.

What happens during a consultation?

A consultation is a time to meet with me to discuss your specific situation, and to receive guidance or strategy. It’s not uncommon for people to meet with me to discuss the problems they are having and to gather information about the process of a divorce or a custody case. Sometimes a consultation is all you need. During the consultation, I listen to you describe your situation and provide strategies or a process to avoid a lawsuit. I’m also listening to see if I am interested in working with you, and you should be doing the same with me. It’s important to find a lawyer who is a good fit for you, so don’t hesitate to meet with more than one.

Aren’t most consultations free?

No. Divorce and custody lawyers charge a fee for this important first meeting. During the initial consultation, I provide you with valuable information about how cases work and what I think should be done. Plus, I offer some initial strategies. Most lawyers charge the equivalent of one hour of their time, so that cost can vary, depending upon the lawyer’s experience. If you want to consult with me, I charge $550 per hour. I have associate attorneys that charge less per hour, but many people want to meet with me first, even though they may end up working with my associates.

What should I bring to the consultation?

You don’t have to bring anything. However, you may want to bring any legal papers that you have received or a copy of your last order. Sometimes people want to bring other documents for me to look at, and I’m happy to review whatever anyone brings with them to the consultation.

Photo by Caitlin Candelari.

What should I ask during the consultation?

I love when someone comes to a consultation with a list of questions to ask me, but it is OK if you don’t have any but just want to hear what the process of divorce might look like or whether you should change lawyers or file a custody suit. There is often a big disconnect between what lawyers tell you on their websites and what you might want to know. For example, most lawyers will tell you where they went to law school, every paper they have ever written and what other lawyers think about them. Most clients want to know whether the lawyer will return calls, has experience doing exactly what they need and what other clients think of the lawyer. Janet McCullar is a nationally respected trial attorney known for her skill and success in the courtroom. She has represented clients in hundreds of complex divorce and custody cases. Although she represents clients during trying times, her cases are routinely resolved amicably to save the client the time, cost and pain involved in litigation. McCullar is board-certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She was also selected as a fellow in the prestigious American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, an organization that consists of the nation’s top divorce attorneys.

The Law Office of Janet McCullar, P.C. | 3200 Steck Ave., Suite 300, Austin, TX 78757 | 512.342.9933 | jmccullarlaw.com

UST LIST

DISCOVER

THE HILL COUNTRY’S HIDDEN GEM

Spend a weekend of luxury and pampering with girlfriends at Hill Country oasis Horseshoe Bay Resort. BY DEBORAH STACHELSKI

Located in the picturesque Texas Hill Country’s wine-and-lake region, an hour’s drive from Austin, the 7,000-acre resort sits along the shores of Lake LBJ. Horseshoe Bay Resort is currently undergoing a $60 million renovation that will include refurbishing all the resort’s guest rooms and common areas, and a shake-up of its culinary offerings and amenities. The second phase of the renovation is expected to be complete in 2019, and will include new amenities like a swim-up bar at the Yacht Club pool. Two days spent here is all you need for those muscles in your shoulders to loosen up. The perfect spot for a weekend getaway, Horseshoe Bay Resort is close to Austin but offers a wild enough change of scenery to make you forget the last time you sat in traffic on I-35, especially once the first round of mimosas arrives with breakfast.

Be sure to set aside a morning for appointments at Bayside Spa. The newly renovated oasis offers soothing massages, invigorating body scrubs, facials and luxury manicures. A guest favorite is the Blueberry Bliss body treatment, which includes a full-body organic-fruit sugar scrub and warm wrap followed by a facial cleanse and body massage. If you are really going for luxury, pair it with the Blueberry Bliss mani-pedi. After the three-and-a-half-hour treatment, retreat to the relaxation room while cozied up in a plush robe and embrace the fact you have absolutely nowhere to be. Lunch at Horseshoe Bay Resort’s Lantana Restaurant is a laid-back affair in a Southern Italian style and includes classics like chicken piccata, roasted branzino and house-made pizzas. Grab drinks and head out to the patio to take in the pool views and refreshing Hill Country breeze. Save time in the afternoon to stroll the beautifully manicured gardens and get to know the resident wildlife. Horseshoe Bay Resort has a rescueand-rehabilitation program for birds and reptiles, and is currently expanding to accept more. The loud group includes a few cheeky macaws roaming free, 40-year-old giant tortoises, a bright-pink flamingo and several smaller birds. With the help of a handler, you can interact with the animals at the resort’s Birds of the Bay show and get to know how they ended up at the resort, what they eat and how friendly—or grumpy—they can be.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT HORSESHOE BAY RESORT • It’s situated on 7,000 acres of Hill Country landscape. • The resort offers four pools plus the largest hot tub in Texas. • It features five restaurants and several grab-and-go options. • The full-service marina offers watercraft rentals. •T he resort features three golf courses designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. • Condé Nast Traveler named it a top resort in Texas.

40 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2018

Photo courtesy of Stecker. C2 Photography. Photos by Troy

Picture yourself tossing a weekender bag in the back of your car, picking up your best girlfriends and driving out of the city on a crisp summer morning. Your windows are down and the rolling green of the Hill Country still clings to the last of the spring wildflowers. The drive is so calming that you barely realize you have arrived at a paradise hidden behind hundreds of palm trees. Welcome to Horseshoe Bay Resort.

If your group likes to golf, spend a morning on one of Horseshoe Bay Resort’s several courses. Revered as a bucket-list golf destination, the resort draws avid players from throughout the world with its own airport and three award-winning golf courses, each designed by master golf-course architect Robert Trent Jones Sr. The oversized pool is one of the main attractions at Horseshoe Bay Resort, as guests leisurely lounge while sipping frosty cocktails from Café Del Sol Poolside Bar, soaking in the Texas sunshine until dinnertime. After a short drive, you can find yourself meandering through the vineyards of several nearby wineries. Sample some of the best Texas wines from Spicewood Vineyards, gaze at the rolling landscape of William Chris Vineyards and stroll through 400 acres encompassing the Hill Country’s Fall Creek Vineyards. For a perfect girls’ afternoon, arrange a private tour with the resort or ask the concierge to assist your group with transportation and an

itinerary for a winery visit. Surrounding the resort is Lake LBJ, which remains at a near-constant level, allowing for plenty of lake fun. Swimming, boating, kayaking and fishing tours are available just a few steps outside your guest room, and the resort has everything you need to spend a day out on the water. For a scenic end to a relaxing day, take in the colorful Texas sunset while setting sail on a one-hour Sunset Cruise around the sparkling waters of Lake LBJ. Get dressed up for dinner at the Yacht Club, the resort’s flagship restaurant. The upscale dining room serves a menu of fresh seafood and steak, and has an impressive wine list. Order dessert on the patio and salute as the end of a perfect summer getaway unfolds along the horizon.

EAT AND DRINK

NEARBY ADVENTURES

• Summer Time Watermelon Salad at the Yacht Club Pool Bar

• Enchanted Rock State Park

• Prickly pear sangria at Café Del Sol

• LBJ National Historic Park

• C hicken-fried lobster at the Yacht Club

• Pedernales Falls State Park

• Hamilton Pool Preserve

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TYLE

THE LOOK

A SUIT FOR EVERY BODY

Our staff picks their favorite swimsuit styles from local shop Everything But Water. PHOTOS BY COURTNEY RUNN

t t

CHANTAL

ALEX

Austin Woman managing editor

MADILYN

La Blanca Tuvalu Tapa classic bra top, $73; La Blanca Tuvalu Tapa flirty skirted hipster bottom, $75

Austin Woman marketing and events manager

“I love this swimsuit because the skirt provides just enough coverage where I want it most while also feeling light and sassy. The bikini top accentuates all the right assets and allows me to get a full-body sunny glow. Also, this print, which reminds me of a vivid swimming-pool tile mosaic, definitely embodies summer and poolside lounging!”

L*Space Ridin’ High classic bra top, $88; high-waist bottom, $99 “This swimsuit made me feel like a babe. I like how the bottoms fit my waist and booty (They’re real cheeky, y’all.) and I chose black because all black every day!"

Sunglasses available at Everything But Water locations and at everythingbutwater.com.

42 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2018

On The Dot digital marketing strategist Becca by Rebecca Virtue in Mojito, $124 “I chose this suit because I was originally drawn to the color. I think it works really well with my olive/brown complexion. One-piece suits are in fashion right now, which is great since they are much more practical for actual swimming. This piece does a great job of being both practical and sexy, with the plunging neckline, the crossing detail and side cutouts. I can’t wait to wear it to the next poolside party!”

Jets Australia by Jessika Allen one-piece plunge halter, $205 “I love how many cute onepiece options Everything But Water offers. I like swimsuits that provide more coverage and this suit is a great choice, with a comfortable fit and the perfect pop of pink to channel my inner Elle Woods.”

NIKI

Austin Woman assistant editor

Austin Woman creative director Maaji Charmed Island Lagoon reversible Sierra Nevada classic bra top, $72; Maaji Charmed Island Lagoon Exotic Beauty cover shorts, $68 “The off-the-shoulder ruffles are a unique detail I love, and the boy shorts make it possible to play in some waves without a wardrobe malfunction.”

LAUREN

COURTNEY

Austin Woman senior editor Vix Swimwear Bluebell one-piece plunge, $198 “I don’t usually wear one-piece suits but was immediately drawn to this one because of the bright colors. It fit perfectly and was super comfortable too.”

EVERYTHING BUT WATER LOCATIONS Arboretum: 10000 Research Blvd., 512.346.2682 Domain Northside: 3211 Palm Way, 512.833.9410 Hill Country Galleria: 12700 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave, Texas, 512.263.2537 everythingbutwater.com

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OME

ENTERTAINING

PJS AND PANCAKES

Throw a back-to-school breakfast with ease. WRITTEN AND STYLED BY RHODA BRIMBERRY AND ANNA CRELIA, FOUNDERS OF LOOT RENTALS PHOTOS BY COURTNEY RUNN

Every year, our family gathers together with our neighbors and friends for a big back-to-school pajama pancake breakfast. The intention is to get kids back on their school schedule and to share the joys of starting a new year. It’s super easy to throw down blankets, set up a table and step out in your PJs. No big prep is necessary to have a great party, and the kids love it. It’s so fun for us to see neighbors stroll down the street in the early morning with coffee mugs in hand, ready to dig into a big hearty breakfast with those near and dear.

MENU Simplified: Make it easy, as you’ll be up early to start the party by 7 a.m. Use your favorite just-add-water pancake mix and precooked bacon. Self-serve juices and milk will do the trick with ease. Adding in some fun garnishes for the pancake station like strawberries, whipped cream, syrup, chocolate chips and blueberries allows guests to choose how to dress their cakes to their liking. Next level: One of our guests’ favorite options is our doughnut pops. Doughnut pops are simple to make and are a great way to get your kids involved in the party prep. But make sure you are there to supervise so they don’t end up eating all the treats before the party begins. We enjoy walking around the lawn and serving these on a remnant of pegboard from the local homeimprovement store. In fact, check to see if the store has returned pieces from other customers because the cost will either be discounted or free. The store will also cut the piece down to your desired size.

44 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2018

The back-to-school pajama pancake breakfast is a tradition that we’ve kept up throughout the years and will continue for years to come. It is a great way to reconnect with old friends and make the kids feel special as they embark on a new school year.

DECORATIONS Simplified: This is a picnic, so not many decorations are necessary. If you don’t have enough picnic blankets available, it’s completely appropriate to ask guests to bring their own blankets when you send out the invitation. For the food table, just a few stacked books and some fresh apples make for the perfect way to set the back-to-school theme. Next level: Your adult guests will appreciate tables and chairs if they are available, or some low tables with cushions. Loot Rentals has all that is needed to create the perfect back-to-school pancake breakfast, including matching blankets and vintage cafeteria trays. If you want to take the stage to the next level, Loot Rentals also has cushions, biergarten tables and benches. A rented teepee is a fun addition for a kid-centered setup. We also threw in some vases with greenery from around the yard to liven up the tablescape. Asking your children to forage and fill the vases is another great way to get them involved.

SIGNAGE Simplified: A welcome sign and menus add warm touches to your affair. Use a chalkboard to enhance the theme. Next level: We used Loot’s professor chalkboard, as it has a dual purpose as a backdrop and menu signage. We also created a wordsearch puzzle as a clever way to display the menu while including an interactive element for the kids to enjoy. There are many sites online that will create word-search puzzles if you provide the words. Just type “create word search” into your search engine to check out the free website options. Once the puzzle is created, print it out and recreate it on the chalkboard. Kids and parents alike will have a great time finding the words.

GET THE LOOK: ITEMS FROM LOOT RENTALS

DOUGHNUT POPS Ingredients Store-bought mini doughnuts or doughnut holes

Professor chalkboard

Kantha blankets

Gage table

Moroccan cushions

Pegboard

Biergarten tables

Leather poufs

Directions

Teepee

Vintage globes

Pierce the doughnuts or doughnut holes with the cake-pop sticks, display them and enjoy.

Ludlow tables

Cake-pop sticks

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Fostering Grace

46 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2018

Former foster child Stacy Johnson draws on her own turbulent past to heal others at her Round Rock, Texas, shelter, Central Texas Table of Grace. BY RACHEL RASCOE | PHOTOS BY RUDY AROCHA STYLED BY ASHLEY HARGROVE | MAKEUP BY GERTIE WILSON SHOT ON LOCATION AT LONE STAR COURT

ATXWOMAN.COM |â&#x20AC;&#x201A; 47

LONE STAR COURT Kick your boots off and stay a while. If you’re nostalgic for the bygone days when travel was a true adventure, set your sights on Lone Star Court. Like the motor courts of yesteryear, this local boutique hotel features an aesthetic epitomizing Austin and the Texas Hill Country. Located in The Domain near Rock Rose, Lone Star Court is a true piece of Americana, with attractive room décor and relaxing outdoor courtyards. Come on over and kick off your boots at Lone Star Court. 10901 Domain Drive, 512.814.2625 lonestarcourt.com

48 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2018

ATXWOMAN.COM | 48

At 14, after being shuffled between foster homes and family members, Stacy Johnson sought stability. “After my ninth placement, I asked my social worker, ‘Can I go to a group home?’ ” Johnson recalls, “because I thought, ‘I’m just sick of moving around. I can take care of myself better.’ ” Her social worker warned Johnson of strict rules and limitations, but the self-driven teenager persisted. “I was like, ‘But if I do my chores and I follow the rules, I could stay there, right? That’s where I want to go.’ ” It was there, in a group home in California, that Johnson first developed the dream of one day opening up a shelter of her own. A therapist in the home helped her achieve emancipation by age 16, an outcome that completely reframed the teen’s outlook. “I wanted to be there for kids in the same way my therapist was for me,” Johnson says. “He was in my life for less than six months, but it changed the trajectory of my entire life. I thought, ‘What if I could do that for a lot of kids?’ ” Today, Johnson serves as the CEO of Central Texas Table of Grace, an emergency children’s shelter in Round Rock, Texas. In her leading role, the former foster kid and nonprofit founder builds on her past to provide a loving home for those in need. “I can relate to what they’re going through,” Johnson says. “There’s that element of trust that I get automatically. When they can begin to trust, they can begin to heal.”

Her Start

Johnson entered the foster-care system at just 2 years old. Her grandparents, unable to care for her themselves, were concerned the toddler was being neglected because of her mother’s alcoholism. After that, Johnson ended up in an abusive foster home until age 11. When she found out her mother had been trying to contact her, she requested to be moved to Chico, Calif., so the two could visit. There, Johnson developed a relationship with her mom for the first time. “She was my best friend,” Johnson remembers. “She was living in the park, and I would ride the city bus to hang out with her. We would go in the grocery store with her food stamps and get spinach dip, bread and éclairs.” By the time she was 14, Johnson had been passed between nine foster homes, including unsuccessful arrangements with various family members. Throughout her tumultuous early years, Johnson credits her success in school to her voracious love of reading. “The one thing I did consistently throughout my whole life is read books,” she says. “That’s what allowed me to get through a lot of what I was dealing with. If I read a book, I could be there instead of here. It was like magic.”

Her Realization

After moving to a group home in Paradise, Calif., at the age of 15, Johnson set her sights on achieving legal emancipation. The self-starting teen wanted out of the system, and she turned to her group-home therapist, Russ Hansen, for help. Hansen ended up being an influential force in Johnson’s development. He helped her get a job at a nursing home and allowed her to work full time while finishing her high-school coursework.

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Drawing on her love of reading, Hansen gave Johnson the book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens. She says the book completely flipped her mindset. “It was like he gave me the secret formula to life,” Johnson remembers. “It was this incredible lesson in taking responsibility for your own actions and feelings. It was about just being able to put the work in.” At 16, Johnson went before a judge and asked to be emancipated. “It was another defining moment in my life,” Johnson insists. “The judge said, ‘All I ever see in this courtroom is heartache, pain and suffering, but you’re a success story. You’re going to make it. I’ll be happy to grant emancipation.’ ”

Her Stepping Stones

Living on her own, Johnson devised a plan to fill in the gaps of her disrupted childhood. Inspired by those seven habits, she devoured self-help and self-improvement books. “I’ve probably read, like, every self-help book,” Johnson admits. “I love it because it’s showing me that I have control. I can make my mind work for me.” She remembers struggling to cook for herself and clean her apartment, having never learned how to successfully complete such chores in her childhood homes. She ate fast food for every meal until seeing an infomercial for P90X, a series of workout videos with accompanying meal plans. The recipes taught her the basics of cooking, and she later hired a life coach to assist in her self-designed path to a successful adulthood. Johnson now attempts to teach these essential life skills to the kids at her emergency shelter. Upon arrival at Central Texas Table of Grace, every child receives a welcome basket, which includes The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, as well as toiletries, a flashlight, an MP3 player and, for girls, a makeup bag.

Her Dream

After working as an account manager at Kinko’s, Johnson began an almost decade-long career as a financial advisor in Oregon. At 29, she sold everything and moved to Austin with her newborn daughter. While working long hours at a car dealership, Johnson found herself revisiting her childhood ambition of opening a shelter for foster children. After settling into her new life in Austin, Johnson met Bill Krassner through match.com. On their third date, she told him about her experience in foster care and her dream of starting a shelter. The two have now been together for almost five years. “We were in the middle of dinner, and he was like, ‘If that’s your dream, I think you should just do it,’ ” Johnson recalls. “I just laughed at him like, ‘I’m a single mom. I can’t just quit my job and start a nonprofit, but thanks.’ At the end of the date, he walks me to my car and goes, ‘Look, I really can’t stop thinking about this.’ ” Later that night, Krassner emailed Johnson an e-book with a step-by-step plan for how to open a shelter. Johnson read the whole book overnight. “I was on step five by 10 a.m.,” Johnson says. “I knew this was what I was supposed to do. When I started doing those steps, it didn’t feel like work. It felt exciting, and I felt passionate about it.”

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To begin her journey of building a home for foster children, Johnson needed a job with more flexible hours. She connected with Lisa Copeland, a local powerhouse figure in sales, marketing and fundraising. At the time, Copeland was a managing partner at the local Nyle Maxwell Fiat dealership. Won over by Johnson’s story and infectious earnestness, Copeland gave her a job with specially reduced hours at Fiat. Johnson also credits Copeland as an integral source of support and guidance in the formation of Central Texas Table of Grace. “She was larger than life,” Johnson says. “She had plenty on her plate, but this woman stopped her life multiple times to do things for me. She always built me up. I looked up to her, and I believed everything she told me to do.”

Her Climb

“That was confirmed literally two weeks after I opened, when I got my first sibling group of three,” Johnson recalls. The siblings lived at Central Texas Table of Grace for two months while a family member got approved as a licensed foster parent. “They were only together because they were with me. They got to stay together in the most traumatic experience of their entire life, and I think that made a huge difference on the effect the trauma had on them.” Johnson is also passionate about helping teenagers, who can have an especially difficult time getting placed into foster homes. Johnson’s bright, clean shelter houses as many as 13 children at a time. Outside of school, the kids enjoy frequent trips to Austin’s Park n’ Pizza, outdoor activities like hiking and swimming, as well as an annual outing to Six Flags Fiesta Texas. After trying it one year, Johnson says she will always get the kids Flash Passes that allow them to skip the lengthy queues for rides. “When I watched them walk to the front of the line with their heads held high, you could tell that they felt so special,” Johnson says. “I remember thinking, ‘This is probably the first time they’ve ever felt like they were first in line for anything.’ ”

To get the ball rolling, Johnson applied for nonprofit designation and began crowdfunding through social media. “From being in sales, I literally thought I was going to go from business to business, tell them what I was doing and they were just going to write me checks,” Johnson recalls, “It took me a long time to With her frequent public-speaking gigs and laughing. “That’s not how it works.” learn that vulnerability fosters fundraising efforts, Johnson knows her Copeland advised Johnson to strength is in her story. She candidly shares get a building for the shelter space connection. If you can be open about the times she almost gave up along the so she would have something to with someone, they’ll open to you. way to opening the shelter. show people during her fundraising If you’re not closed off, other “It took me a long time to learn that efforts. The stars began to align for people won’t be closed off.” vulnerability fosters connection,” Johnson Johnson when she found the perfect says. “If you can be open with someone, space, a commercial building in they’ll open to you. If you’re not closed off, Round Rock with the welcoming other people won’t be closed off.” appearance of a house. Johnson often tears up when speaking about her love and concerns In a meeting with the building’s landlord, Randell Casey, for the children at Central Texas Table of Grace. She encourages Johnson remembers bemusedly telling him her concerns. them to use their own stories to build connections with others, and “The first thing is there’s no showers for the kids,” she had said. to be open about their status as foster children. “The other thing is, well, I don’t have any money.” “If you can begin to not be ashamed of your story, you can use that Casey, the CEO of local security service CyberDefenses Inc., to your advantage,” she says. “The more that you tell your story and offered her a special deferred-rent plan. Doors continued to open people tell you their story back, it’s a connection and it’s healing.” for Johnson when John King Construction covered the cost of In recalling her journey, Johnson sees Central Texas Table of Grace’s the building’s renovation, and Austin’s Couch Potatoes donated path to opening as a series of miracles rooted in her Christian faith. Last furniture for the facility. year, the shelter’s reception of a True Inspiration Award from the ChickIn a final, nerve-racking effort, Johnson needed to raise $75,000 fil-A Foundation fit right into Johnson’s miraculous narrative. to cover three months of operational costs, required by the state At the award ceremony, the company surprised Johnson by for approval of the shelter’s opening. Johnson received just enough bringing Hansen, her former group-home therapist, onstage. The funds in donations from friends and strangers to move forward. two hadn’t seen each other since Johnson was a teen in foster care. “I’ve always had a pretty good outlook on life, despite my “My entire life has come full circle,” Johnson says of the childhood,” Johnson says, her eyes watery with tears. “I knew experience. “If this one man never entered my life, it would be very there were good people out there. I just hadn’t met any of them. I different, and not in a good way.” had never had such overwhelming love and support. It’s literally healed my heart of every abuse that I’ve ever suffered.”

Her Story

Her Home

Central Texas Table of Grace has now been open for three years. The emergency shelter is intended to provide a transitional home for displaced kids ages 6 through 17 for as long as 90 days. Because of a shortage of crucial housing for foster children in Texas, Johnson says the kids often stay much longer. “I have not met a single one that I don’t just love with all my heart,” Johnson gushes. “They all have value. They didn’t ask for any of this to happen to them, and any damage that is caused by what has happened to them is truly not their fault. We’ve just got to help fix it.” When opening Central Texas Table of Grace, it was especially important for Johnson to accept both boys and girls so brothers and sisters could stay together. 50 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2018

Her Daily Inspiration

As the CEO of Central Texas Table of Grace, Johnson shares her nonprofit’s message with multiple groups every week, as well as on grant applications to fund the shelter’s efforts. Johnson balances her administrative duties with her goal of obtaining a college degree. She’s currently finishing up a degree online in public administration. “I can’t tell my kids how important education is and then tell them that I never went to college a day in my life,” Johnson says. “I want to show them that the choice is yours.” In the mix of paperwork, homework and hiring employees, Johnson found herself so bogged down in tasks outside the shelter that she hadn’t visited Central Texas Table of Grace in weeks. She quickly identified the problem and put herself on the schedule to work every Friday night.

“It reminds me every week that this is why I’m doing it,” she says. “Those kids matter so much. They are our future. There’s a lot of foster kids out there. We’ve got to raise them up.” Johnson hopes to one day open a supervised living facility to continue supporting individuals who have aged out of the foster system, many of whom Johnson says unfortunately experience “failure to launch.” Supported by Central Texas Table of Grace’s online crowdfunding community, Johnson recently helped fulfill a large Amazon wish list of baby supplies for one of the shelter’s former residents. Johnson keeps in contact with many of the more than 200 kids who have lived at Central Texas Table of Grace. In remembering her

own childhood feelings of abandonment when former foster moms wouldn’t stay in touch, she struggles a lot with the impossibility of keeping up with every single child. Overall, she wants to think big to make sure every foster child feels individually supported. “A lot of my foster moms have now told me, ‘I knew you were going somewhere,’ ” Johnson says. “I’ve discovered all of these things that I never knew were being thought about me. I need to make sure that these kids know what I think about them, which is that they’re all so special and they all have something to make it. If I do anything to change their lives in a positive way, then I’ve done what I needed to do.”

STACY JOHNSON’S FIVE FAVORITE RESOURCEFUL READS 1. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey “This is the book that was given to me by Russ Hansen, my group-home therapist. It absolutely changed my life. I recommend this book to anyone with a teenager. Read it with them!”

2. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill “This book was written in 1937, but it is incredible how relevant his teachings are to this day. It really drives home the fact that our thoughts control our actions. Garbage in, garbage out.”

3. The Art of Thinking by Bob Proctor and Sandra Gallagher “I am very fascinated with how the human brain works. Simply controlling your mindset is a skill you can fine-tune to bring amazing results to your life.”

4. Relentless by Tim S. Grover “Talk about a motivator. This book was amazing, a reminder that we can always be better. I was on fire after reading this recently. When I was done with it, I started it over!”

5. Crushing Mediocrity by René Banglesdorf and Lisa Copeland “I am lucky enough to know Lisa and René personally. I learned all of these principles firsthand from Lisa herself, but I can always go back to the book for a quick shot in the arm.”

ATXWOMAN.COM | 51

Hope

O UTR E ACH Four woman-backed nonprofits are lending a helping hand to those most in need in the Austin community.

BY SHELLEY SEALE

Melissa first saw adult life on the outside of prison walls in June 2015. She was behind bars for 15 years, having been convicted as a teenager and sent to prison by the time she was 21. She basically grew up imprisoned. When she was released into society, she had never used a cellphone, had a driver’s license or rented an apartment. Despite the odds, Melissa created a happy new life for herself. With patience and maturity, she built healthy relationships with her two teenage children, who had been infants when she went to prison, and is now thriving in a managerial job in the hospitality field, overseeing a small staff and a departmental budget. Melissa largely credits her success to a program she participated in while incarcerated. Truth Be Told, a local nonprofit service organization, provides the transformational programs that encourage community

building, communication skills, creativity and self-care for women behind and beyond prison walls. “Truth Be Told is a no-nonsense, open, loving, forgiving place to breathe again, and I honor the program and I owe my life to the volunteers,” Melissa says. “Through all of my searching and longing, through my walk with God, through my education and my family and friends, this class, by far, touched me and opened my soul and allowed me to heal myself, to be my own friend, to love myself, to be free of the pain and burdens that had held me down for so long. The resentment and the betrayals, I finally could let them go. I still, to this day, use this experience as a joy and a lifesaver.” Truth Be Told is one of several woman-backed organizations carrying out truly life-transforming work through one unifying mission: to lend a helping hand to an overlooked portion of the population.

Melissa was a class member of Truth Be Told’s program called Talk to Me, a 16-week series that focuses on helping female inmates get in touch with their feelings and own their stories, and encourages sharing those stories with others through expressive writing, expressive movement and public speaking. These classes, like the others offered by Truth Be Told, are meant to build a safe and healing community. Executive Director Katie Ford says Melissa effectively utilized the self-care, communication and community-building skills she learned through Truth Be Told to create a flourishing life after prison. “I’ve witnessed over and over again the transformation that takes place when a woman discovers her personal worth,” Ford says. “When a woman understands her worth, her whole world changes—because she has changed.” Ford, who comes from a journalism background, says she wasn’t traditionally groomed to be the executive director of a nonprofit. However, she realizes “her gifts as a storyteller and a communicator” are exactly what she needed to inspire people to become change-makers for justice-involved women. Ford initially became involved in the organization when she agreed to be a “respectful witness” at a Truth Be Told program graduation inside Lockhart Correctional Facility. “It was life-changing in that it opened my eyes to a population I’d never considered before,” she recalls, noting she was moved to become a volunteer facilitator for the Talk to Me course. “It only took a semester of listening to the women’s stories to hear the common narrative thread of abuse, addiction and incarceration. Once I was awake to this reality, I couldn’t go back to sleep, so to speak. I knew that empowering women to change this imprisoning narrative would be my life’s work.” For the incarcerated women served by Truth Be Told programs, a key aspect comes in breaking these cycles of abuse and addressing the unique risk factors that lead women into the criminal-justice system, namely elevated rates of interpersonal 52 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2018

violence, controlled-substance abuse and histories of childhood sexual and physical abuse. Studies show about 75 percent of incarcerated women were abused as children. But after listening to the stories of incarcerated women for almost nine years, Ford estimates that figure is closer to 95 percent. “Truth Be Told addresses a documented service gap in the correctional system for gender-responsive programs, or programs designed by women for women,” Ford says. “The correctional system was designed mostly with men in mind. We incarcerate about 2.3 million people in the United States, and women only make up about 220,000 of that population. However, women are getting incarcerated at nearly twice the rate of men. The number of women under custody has skyrocketed 834 percent since 1978.” Empowering these women on a path to healing their trauma has a ripple effect for the next generation because seven of 10 women served by Truth Be Told are mothers. And when a child has an incarcerated parent, the likelihood of that child being incarcerated in his or her lifetime escalates to 70 percent, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. “Trauma not transformed is trauma transferred,” Ford says. “When you empower a woman, you empower a community.” She saw this come full circle when she accompanied Melissa back into Lockhart Correctional to speak to Talk to Me graduates as a free woman. “It was amazing to experience this moment with Melissa, she and I entering and leaving the prison together as free citizens, volunteering our time to uplift the women inside,” Ford says. “Who better to speak on the need for gender-responsive programs and policies in women’s facilities than the women who have been impacted by the system? It was so powerful for our graduates to see one of their own in a leadership role and achieving a milestone in her life. We want them to realize that their stories—their voices—continue to matter out here in the free world.

* The names of the women helped by the nonprofits featured in this story have been shortened or changed to protect their identity.

Photo courtesy of Truth Be Told.

TRUTH BE TOLD

“”

TRAUMA NOT TRANSFORMED IS TRAUMA TRANSFERRED. WHEN YOU EMPOWER A WOMAN, YOU EMPOWER A COMMUNITY. —KATIE FORD

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FREEHAND ARTS PROJECT This is another nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing the creative arts to people incarcerated in Texas jails and prisons. Freehand Arts Project seeks out and trains highly qualified teaching artists to hold weekly or biweekly creative-writing and visual-arts classes inside correctional facilities, where students are encouraged to express themselves by creating stories, poems and visual art among a safe community. Kelsey Shipman founded Freehand Arts Project in 2014 after she spent time volunteering at the Travis County Correctional Complex teaching poetry. A poet since childhood, Shipman was inspired by some of her favorite writers who had worked inside jails, and longed to share the power of the written word with people incarcerated locally. “Though I was working alone, there was so much interest from inmates that I decided to reach out to some friends to see if they wanted to teach with me,” Shipman recalls. “After a few years, interest snowballed and the organization grew. I realized that it was important to serve as a supportive bridge between the jail and our volunteers in order for our programming to be successful.” Unlike Truth Be Told, Freehand Arts Project serves both men and women, but does put an emphasis on reaching out to female inmates with consistent art programming since it’s a population Shipman says is largely underserved.

“When women go to jail, children and families still in the outside world suffer tremendously,” she says. “Our program strives to address the deep wounds found in the incarceration system by providing a safe avenue for self-reflection, the opportunity to develop emotional awareness and a supportive community. Our classes give women an experience of control and introspection through art, allowing them to engage in the world more confidently and authentically.” Shipman and her fellow volunteers work to give women the confidence to realize their stories are worth telling. They teach these women they’ve got something worthwhile to give, and help them develop a sense of worth within themselves. Vivian is one of Shipman’s most memorable students, focused and cheery and serious about making the most of her time in jail. Vivian attended her first poetry class on a whim and ended up staying for six months. “She became very engaged in class,” Shipman says, “asking for additional readings, always sharing her work and encouraging other inmates to attend. We developed a strong bond that continues to this day, and I am happy to say that she really is a success story. Our classes not only gave her time outside of the cramped jail dormitories, but gave her an avenue of selfexpression that she’d been craving. She’s been out of jail for a long time now and has a successful career in the medical industry.”

—KELSEY SHIPMAN

54 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2018

Photo courtesy of Freehand Arts Project.

“”

OUR PROGRAM STRIVES TO ADDRESS THE DEEP WOUNDS FOUND IN THE INCARCERATION SYSTEM BY PROVIDING A SAFE AVENUE FOR SELF-REFLECTION, THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP EMOTIONAL AWARENESS AND A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY. OUR CLASSES GIVE WOMEN AN EXPERIENCE OF CONTROL AND INTROSPECTION THROUGH ART, ALLOWING THEM TO ENGAGE IN THE WORLD MORE CONFIDENTLY AND AUTHENTICALLY.

AUSTIN ANGELS LOVE BOX Carol was a loving and devoted foster mother to five children who were distant relatives, two of whom she had never met until they were placed in her care. She raised them on her own since they were toddlers and came to the decision to adopt them. In spite of her commitment, she quickly ran into obstacles. Because the children were in Carol’s care as a kinship placement, she did not receive the same financial support an unrelated foster parent would. And the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services would not allow the adoption to take place because of the living conditions of Carol’s home. As a single mom, she had just enough money to break even every month, and if anything was left over, it went to the kids. Her home desperately needed some repairs or the children would most likely be removed and enter the foster-care system once again. In stepped Austin Angels, a nonprofit that supports children in foster care and their caretakers through intentional giving, mentorship and relationship building. Its Love Box program matches foster families like Carol’s with volunteers who provide much-needed financial and emotional support. Five months after Carol was matched with a Love Box group, $26,000 was raised in support of her family, allowing for the purchase of a new manufactured home in the children’s school district. It was a gift that enabled Carol to adopt the kids so they could become a forever family. “My Love Box group is like family. It feels as if they are fostering me,” Carol says. “They are an answered prayer. I prayed for a miracle, for an angel, and he sent me my angels, my Austin Angels.” Susan Ramirez, CEO and founder of Austin Angels, says the gift allowed Carol to focus on what she does best: being a loving mother. It also meant she didn’t have to worry about her children being pulled from her because of the conditions of her home. “There is a beautiful margin of people who are called to adopt, and a beautiful margin of people who are called to foster, but then there is this huge portion of people who see this big need but don’t know how they can be a part of the solution,” Ramirez says.

“So, we created a nonprofit that gives people the ability to walk alongside children in the foster-care system and truly change how they experience care. Every single day, we are actively fighting for the children in our community, as well as the 400,000-plus children nationally who are in the foster-care system.” While not everyone is called to foster or adopt, Ramirez believes everyone can still make a vital difference in the lives of children in the system. “Being a foster parent is such a hard job,” she says. “We have created a space where volunteers can come alongside these families, support them, lift them up and ultimately, make a difference in the lives of the sweet babies they care for.” More than 40 percent of the foster families Austin Angels serves are headed by single mothers like Carol, and an even higher percentage of the group’s volunteers are women. “It is a well-known fact that women are more philanthropic. They give more money and spend more time on charitable causes than men do,” Ramirez says. Her organization’s two main goals are to strengthen families and help the children it serves develop a sense of identity. After having been separated from their families—sources of comfort and familiarity, regardless of whether they are actually safe— and moved from home to home, children usually aren’t able to form a clear identity and often feel as if they don’t really matter to anyone. “These goals go hand in hand,” Ramirez says. “We believe that every child deserves to grow up to be great, and are passionate about giving our children the tools to do so. We strengthen the family by building community and by providing support so families know they’re not in the journey alone.” This creates opportunities for these children to know their greatness. “We are creating opportunities to erase the identities they’ve been labeled with,” she says, “and giving them the chance to be known instead as beloved, special, unique and worthy.”

Photo courtesy of Austin Angels.

“”

MY LOVE BOX GROUP IS LIKE FAMILY. IT FEELS AS IF THEY ARE FOSTERING ME. THEY ARE AN ANSWERED PRAYER. I PRAYED FOR A MIRACLE, FOR AN ANGEL, AND HE SENT ME MY ANGELS, MY AUSTIN ANGELS. —CAROL

ATXWOMAN.COM | 55

IMAGINE ART For Debbie Kizer, founder and executive director of Imagine paintings, drawings, digital art, ceramics and fused glass. Daily life Art, the organization’s offerings developed out of her personal at the studio is “controlled chaos,” with people coming in and out, experiences. Newly in recovery for drug addiction, Kizer was making art, gardening, eating meals together and showing off their diagnosed with a mental illness in 1996. She had previously dabbled talents on the gallery walls. in the arts and went back to the arts to help on her journey to heal. “Over 21 years, the Imagine Art community has grown to “Imagine Art’s formation came as a result of my exploring my be a strong and diverse group of artists, both with and without own needs, desires, dreams and wishes,” Kizer says. “The nonprofit disabilities,” Kizer says. “And together, they are making a became a saving grace for me personally. It became my own significant impact in and beyond the arts.” community of authentic family. I consider myself to be a first fruit The organization has grown organically, evolving to provide of the organization.” services that meet needs as they arise. For example, hunger was an Previously, Kizer worked in the disability community, serving as issue among those it serves, so Imagine Art began providing free a consultant in the areas of developmental disability, employment hot lunches for as many as 30 artists each day. Members’ needs for and systems change. This background, along with her personal transportation, residential support and specialized services such as experience and passion for art, intersected in the creation of counseling and nursing led to contracts with Medicaid, Medicare, Imagine Art as a faith-based community for artists with and and Health and Human Services, which offer long-term care. without disabilities. The organization offers an inclusive space “The provision of long-term care has been an unexpected where all artists thrive. service of the organization, and I am finding it to be vital to While Imagine both the community and Art’s programs are to the maturity of the open to anyone, the nonprofit,” Kizer says. “We group’s mission—and are employing transformed BRIDGING THE ARTS, MINISTRY, LONG-TERM Kizer’s openhearted artists with and without CARE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN SUCH A enthusiasm for artists disabilities to be caregivers with disabilities—puts for long-term care services. WAY THAT IS INNOVATIVE AND PROGRESSIVE, a focus on providing Our services are progressive INCLUSIVE AND CREATIVE IS A VITAL ASPECT TO and innovative because they additional support services to ensure those driven by people who THE WORK THAT IMAGINE ART IS UNDERTAKING. are particular artists are have been transformed by the —DEBBIE KIZER successful. Artists with work of Imagine Art.” disabilities have access Affordable housing is the to the organization’s studio and professional art supplies free of next pressing need, and Imagine Art is now positioning itself for charge, and also receive support from an artistic director and the development of a 5-acre live-and-make campus in East Austin. volunteer mentors. Non-disabled artists keep the space balanced “Bridging the arts, ministry, long-term care and affordable and inclusive. They are given the opportunity and community housing in such a way that is innovative and progressive, inclusive resources to grow and transform as well, and can rent studio space, and creative is a vital aspect to the work that Imagine Art is volunteer or become residents by bartering in exchange for free undertaking,” Kizer says. “The organization is pioneering and studio space. cutting a path to demonstrate change that will impact long-term The Imagine Art studio is an open-model space. Here, artists care systems, art-space development, economic development for work without walls. Throughout the gallery, displayed are hard-to-employ people and affordable housing.”

“”

Ceramist Traci Ward joined Imagine Art as a non-disabled artist in 2016 to volunteer in the ceramics studio. Her natural skills in marketing and public relations led her to develop workshops for the organization, and she is currently working to launch a ceramics series using Imagine Art’s studio space as a launch pad. Ward’s line of artistic pottery and statement jewelry can be found at the Blanton Museum of Art and in many stores throughout Austin, as well as at her Little Clay Studio. “Imagine Art embodies the spirit of creativity and community in its daily functions,” Ward says. “As a volunteer, you naturally help when a need aligns with your skill. As an artist, your craft grows within the freedom to explore the spacious studio, and as a member, you’re embraced as a part of the Imagine Art family. Imagine Art is an Austin gem for local artists and art enthusiasts.”

56 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2018

Photo by David Carrales.

WORKING WITH IMAGINE ART

AUSTIN WOMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S 2018 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

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OURMET

RECIPE REVEAL

TURN THE BEET AROUND

Add some zest to your summer crudités with Irene’s beet hummus. BY LAUREN JONES Irene’s Executive Chef Andrew Curren shares this tasty and healthy recipe for one of the restaurant’s summertime staples.

ROASTED BEETS Ingredients 1 pound beets, chopped 1/2 cup sherry vinegar Zest of 2 lemons 1 bunch thyme 1 bunch rosemary 1/2 cup olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Directions 1. Clean the beets by removing the stems and leaves. Wash them thoroughly. 2. C oat the chopped beets in sherry vinegar, lemon zest, thyme, rosemary, olive oil, and salt and pepper. 3. A rrange the beets on a sheet pan covered with aluminum foil. 4. Roast the beets in a 375-degree oven until they’re tender.

HUMMUS Ingredients 8 cups cooked chickpeas 2 cups tahini 8 cloves garlic 4 tablespoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon ground cumin, toasted

ROASTED-BEET HUMMUS

2 cups olive oil

Ingredients 2 cups hummus

Salt and pepper to taste

2 cups roasted beets

Directions 1. Mix everything except the olive oil in a food processor. 2. S lowly add in the olive oil until the right consistency is met. (You may need to add water.) 3. Taste to check the seasoning.

58 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2018

1 tablespoon Good Flow Honey 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon salt Directions Combine all ingredients in a food processor and mix until blended. Serve with crudités and enjoy!

Photo courtesy of Resplendent Hospitality.

3 tablespoons chili flake

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Help us raise 1 million meals for families in need. Together, we can end summer hunger.

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centraltexasfoodbank.org formerly Capital Area Food Bank

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

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2 or More 750ml Bottles of

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Be cool. Deliver a hot meal and a warm smile this summer. Email volunteer@mealsonwheelscentraltexas.org or call us at 737-218-4260 to get involved.

TwinLiquors.com *Spanish Wine Sale runs 7/9/2018 - 7/28/2018. Discount off regular priced 750ml bottles of wine from Spain. Excludes Twin Deals, Bargain Barrels, EDLP, Ends in "2" pricing and sale items. Some exclusions apply. Please drink responsibly.

OURMET

FOOD NEWS

THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON CRUNCHING

Courtney Ray Goodson aims to bring people together with her family’s tried-and-true recipe for peanut brittle. BY KAITI NEUMAN The first thing most people do when they have a bite of something delicious is turn to a friend and say, “You’ve got to try this!” Courtney Ray Goodson, founder of Uncle Ray’s Peanut Brittle, is well aware of this and firmly believes in the power of spreading love and togetherness through food. She hopes to encourage these same feelings in others through her great-uncle’s peanut-brittle recipe, which she believes was created as a way to spread happiness and liven up any conversation or gathering. “He is Mr. Peanut Brittle himself,” Goodson says of her great-uncle. Goodson launched Uncle Ray’s Peanut Brittle in November 2017. After a successful first holiday season, she decided it was time for the next step. Armed with hope, a vision and some seriously tasty brittle, Goodson approached various stores, knowing few, if any, would be interested in a product from such a tiny and new company. But then she caught the attention of Central Market, which featured her products in May for its Go Local event. She hopes to eventually expand by landing her product in as many stores as possible, but right now, Goodson is focusing on bringing her many flavor ideas to life. (Spice lovers be on the lookout!) As far as product appearances go, Goodson sought to combine the old with the new. The brittle itself looks and tastes as though it could be fresh from your

Courtney Ray Goodson and Uncle Ray

Photos by Melissa Glynn.

Bacon pecan brittle

grandmother’s baking tray, except for maybe the bacon pecan brittle, which packs so much flavor that Goodson says it’s “the gift that keeps on giving.” Her brittle’s brown-paper packaging is simple and classic, with the slightest suggestions of modernity, giving the treat inside even more of the homey, old-fashioned feel that Austinites love. With a crunch that can be heard easily across a quiet room—something Goodson worked hard to achieve—this is a snack meant for laughter and lively conversation. Goodson has not been alone on her journey of creation, receiving support from friends and family in pursuing this dream, especially from her mom, her mentor and Uncle Ray himself. She attributes much of her success throughout what she says sounds like “the most overwhelming I’mprobably-going-to-fail endeavor in the world” to the people she loves believing in her. Goodson aims to pass on that support through the company’s Crunch for a Cause campaign, the goal of which is to raise awareness and funds every year for a different philanthropic cause. This year’s cause is cancer research and was developed in memory of Clayton Prawl, a longtime fan of Uncle Ray’s Peanut Brittle. “The spirit of the brand, to me, is very hardworking, gumption and connection,” Goodson says. “And I feel like he was a person who had all of those things.” After so much success in only a few months, Uncle Ray’s Peanut Brittle is just getting started. “It’s kind of been a whirlwind, but it’s been moving,” Goodson says proudly. “Now I’ve got to keep it moving.”

60 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2018