In this issue:

2009 Courage Award Recipient
2009 Black & White Ball - Presented by Accenture
The Big Give - Please vote for the Project by September 30th!



2009 Courage Award Recipient

Courage, it would seem, is nothing less than the power to overcome danger, misfortune, fear, injustice, while continuing to affirm inwardly that life with all its sorrows is good; that everything is meaningful even if in a sense beyond our understanding; and that there is always tomorrow.
Dorothy Thompson

The Courage Award, presented at the 2009 Black & White Ball, recognizes a domestic violence survivor who has demonstrated the courage to escape her abuser and create a healthy, productive and secure life. Carmen Garcia exemplifies the kind of inner strength we witness again and again here at Texas Advocacy Project. Ms. Garcia is a survivor of a 22 year abusive marriage, during which she was terrorized and demeaned, lived under the constant threat of verbal and physical abuse, and feared for the safety of her four children. The final straw came when Carmen witnessed her husband fly into an abusive rage in front of their children. As terrified and isolated as Carmen felt, she knew she had to find a way to stop the cycle of abuse from reaching the next generation. Carmen summoned the courage to seek help from Texas Advocacy Project and since her divorce was finalized in 2008, Carmen has been able to start her life anew. She is now a certified nurse and single mother, facing each day with hope, unhindered by fear.

2009 Black & White Ball - Presented by Accenture

There are 5 opportunities left to help our clients by becoming a sponsor today!

Texas Advocacy Project's largest annual fundraiser - the Black & White Ball - is coming up on October 23, 2009! Join Texas' top lawyer, Honorary Chair Attorney General Greg Abbott, and guest legendary lawmaker A.R. "Babe" Schwartz as the Project celebrates 27 years of service. bRILLIANT Magazine publisher and society powerhouse Lance Avery Morgan will be the evening's emcee. The evening will feature live music from Mady Kaye, elegant hors d'oeuvres created by Four Seasons Chef Elmar Prambs, and one of the city's most amazing auctions of the year. Live auction items include elegant trips to Destin FL and Keystone CO, jewelry from David Yurman, "Breakfast at Tiffany's", signed Tiger Woods memorabilia, UT sport packages and much more! Additionally Calloway Golf will be providing a putting green for the golfers in the crowd and we will be holding a "Bubbles and Bling" champagne toast with a chance to win a one carat diamond pendant valued at nearly $7,500 sponsored by Avery Fine Wines and Spirits!

Thank you to Kagan Creative for all the graphic design work for the 2009 Black & White Ball. A special thank you to High Beam Events and The Floral Studio who are generously setting the stage for a beautiful Ball. 

Black & White Ball
October 23, 2009
7:00 - 11:00pm
The Four Seasons Hotel
Downtown Austin

The Big Give - vote for The Project by September 30^th!

I Live Here, I Give Here is a non profit organization with a mission to boost local giving by educating fellow Austinites about the needs in Central Texas and the organizations working to meet those needs. Their goal is to raise awareness in the hopes you'll promise to raise your level of giving.

In celebration of their second birthday, I Live Here I Give Here has launched their latest campaign - The Big Give - asking donors to vote for their favorite non profit organization in Austin. Texas Advocacy Project has been chosen as one of the non profits eligible to receive community votes! A prize of $10,000 will be awarded to the nonprofit with the most public support of their donor cultivation and stewardship practices. Deadline for voting is September 30^th, 2009. We encourage all Texas Advocacy Project donors to please vote by visiting www.ilivehereigivehere.org.

Texas Advocacy Project is listed under the categories of "Legal Services" and "Victim Services".

family violence legal line

800-374-hope (Statewide)

512-476-5770 (In Austin)

family law hotline

800-777-fair (Statewide)

512-476-1866 (In Austin)

sexual assault legal hotline

888-296-safe (Statewide)

512-225-9290 (In Austin)

technical advocacy hotline

888-325-safe (Statewide)

512-476-5386 (In Austin)