At HC4A, we believe in serving where we live. This Amplify Austin Day, we invite you to join us in making a tangible difference in our community by investing in the future of local students.
In today’s job market, digital skills are no longer optional—they are essential. Over 80% of middle-skill jobs now require digital literacy, and the demand for IT, digital marketing, and project management skills is growing at an unprecedented rate.
Growth of Austin’s tech sector outpaces tech growth nationally, which was 14.7% over the last five years and 22.4% over the last decade. According to the Austin Chamber of Commerce, the Central Texas region continues to experience rapid job growth in tech-related fields, yet many young individuals—particularly from underrepresented and low-income communities—lack access to the training and networks needed to compete for these opportunities.
Your Values: Live Here, Give Here & Serve Where You Live
Amplify Austin Day embodies the spirit of community giving with its motto: I Live Here, I Give Here. At HC4A, we take this a step further with our commitment to Serve Where You Live. By investing in the career futures of local students, you are not just giving a donation—you are building the workforce of tomorrow. You are ensuring that bright, hardworking students in our own backyard have the skills, confidence, and connections they need to succeed.
Your Recipients: Early College High School (ECHS) Students in Central Texas
Early College High Schools (ECHS) are designed to provide students—many of whom are first-generation college attendees—with a direct pathway to higher education and career readiness. These students often face significant socio-economic barriers, yet they demonstrate remarkable resilience and ambition. By the time they graduate, many earn an associate degree alongside their high school diploma, giving them a head start in their careers.
Your Trust: Why HC4A?
Manor Early College High School is a shining example of ECHS success, where HC4A’s Grow with Google program is making a real impact. Nearly 50 students initially engaged with the program, and over 25 have already begun their certification journey. These students represent the future of Austin’s workforce—driven, ambitious, and eager to contribute to the city’s growing tech sector. While Google’s free certification courseware equips them with access to information, the critical bridge to pre-skilling and employment—mentorship, career coaching, and employer connections—remains underfunded.
For over 14 years, HC4A has been at the forefront of empowering underserved students, particularly those from low-income and disadvantaged backgrounds. As a longstanding Guidestar Platinum recipient, HC4A has built a trusted reputation for delivering impactful programs. The organization not only provides resources for students but also ensures that mentors benefit from structured support through partnerships with local schools and nonprofits. By investing in HC4A, you’re supporting a proven, community-driven effort to create real pathways to success.
Your Contribution: How Your Donation Helps
With your support this Amplify Austin Day, we can sustain and expand this vital program. Your donation will directly fund:
- Career Coaching & Mock Interviews: Helping students refine their resumes, sharpen their interview skills, and gain confidence in their job applications.
- Networking & Industry Panels: Giving students access to speaker sessions, mentorship cohorts, and industry panels with Austin’s leading tech professionals.
- Employer Engagement & Career Fairs: Creating direct pathways to jobs through hiring events and employer networking opportunities.
- Program Coordination & Mentor Support: Ensuring seamless execution of mentorship and networking programs, as well as recognizing mentor contributions through logistical support.
Your Impact: Beyond Certification to Career Success
While access to certification is a game-changer, it is not enough. Employers consistently report that new graduates lack soft skills, industry connections, and real-world experience in job applications and interviews. This is where HC4A’s program goes beyond just education—its mentors provide support not just to complete the coursework with authentic understanding but also engage with the students to build essential soft skills for career readiness that turns training into employment.
HC4A’s mentors are career professionals in the very fields that the students are seeking certification in. More than just ensuring completion of certifications (which can be a challenge for many low-income high schoolers in itself); they ensure students are prepared for the workforce through career coaching, mentorship, and direct employer engagement. This initiative is crucial in addressing the workforce gap in Austin, where the tech industry is growing but talent pipelines from underserved communities remain limited.
Your Gain: A Stronger Community Benefits Us All
The challenges and opportunities facing Gen Z students—particularly those from underserved backgrounds—demand collective action. By investing in mentorship, career coaching, and employer connections, we are not just supporting individual students; we are strengthening the very foundation of our local workforce.
A thriving, well-prepared workforce benefits everyone. Employers gain access to skilled, confident candidates. Our community grows stronger with increased economic mobility and reduced disparities. And as professionals, we all benefit from engaging with the next generation—whether by sharing our expertise, staying connected to emerging industry trends, or simply knowing we played a role in shaping a better future.
HC4A’s efforts to bridge the gap between education and employment offer a direct and meaningful way to contribute. Whether you donate, mentor, or simply spread the word, you’re not just giving back—you’re investing in a future that benefits us all.
Join us in building a stronger, more inclusive Austin.
