Client spotlight: Diana

1. What’s the weirdest place you’ve ever slept? An alley.
2. Favorite sandwich? A BLT.
3. Best meal while on the street? Pluckers.
4. Dogs or cats? Cats.
5. Go-to karaoke song? Grease by Frankie Valli.
6. Favorite color? Turquoise.
7. Beach or mountains? The beach.
8. What would your super hero power be? My super power would be to make more money.
9. What’s your dream job? My dream job is to be a chef.
10. What’s your favorite quality about yourself? My favorite quality about myself is that I am honest.

Dreaming Out Loud
  SYMin clients share goals for their futures,
 the importance of education

   As we enter August, students of all ages and all walks of life are headed back to school. SYMin clients are not the exception. Many of our clients are working on finishing their GEDs, completing credits at Austin Community College or other institutions and gaining skills and certifications through training programs of all kinds.
   Our clients value education. As one client succinctly put it: “People go to college to meet people; they go to libraries to learn.” Formal education is valuable and can help individuals “get ahead” in professional contexts, they said. “Educating yourself on your own time is also very important.”
   Our clients grow, learn and set goals in the school of life as well as in formal educational settings. Many of our clients are also dreamers with big goals for their futures. This is incredibly exciting — envisioning new and brighter realities is the first step in our clients’ journeys out of homelessness and poverty and into stability.
   In this month’s edition of Word on the Street, we are celebrating these dreams and goals. Read on to hear about some of our clients' unique visions for their lives and why they value education.

Maddie dreams of many things. Her passions range from acting, singing and filmmaking to fashion, gardening and health. “I really love learning. Education is important to me because it essentially means freedom. It’s really empowering to learn new things.”

Crista dreams of studying child development. “Education is important to me because of my kids’ futures.”

Bri has a goal of finishing her GED so she can be the most successful mom she can be to her child.

Diana dreams of being a chef one day. “I really like to cook. Education is important to me because knowledge is power.”

Cory dreams of studying psychology, history or astronomy. “Education means a possibility of increasing your future.”

Early development
strategies for children

SYM clients invest in job and career
 readiness with the SYMinU skills program

   Every Monday and Wednesday, join us in the computer lab at SYM to participate in the SYMinU Skills Learning Program. The quizzes in this program are designed to increase and improve soft skills, emotional and mental awareness as well as job and career readiness.
   The learning program courses are simple and accessible. Often you will watch a short video or read a small amount and then answer questions to a short quiz.

There are a variety of course topics to choose from. See more at go.symin.org/help/learn. Completing quizzes earns you

points you can use to redeem useful and fun merch in our SYMinU Store. See more at go.symin.org/help/merch.

Extreme Heat!
 Pay attention, stay hydrated, keep cool

   This summer has been intensely hot outside. Please make sure you are finding shelter or shade, drinking plenty of water, wearing sunscreen and reducing alcohol intake (as it dehydrates the body).
   As a reminder, all libraries and recreational centers are open during normal business hours for all to come inside and cool off in the A/C.
   CapMetro is offering free rides to cooling centers through Sept. 30. All you need to do is get on board a bus and let the driver know you are headed to the nearest cooling center.
   You can also find water and a shaded mister tent at Republic Square daily from 12-6pm. Unfortunately there are no overnight or extended hours for cooling centers at this time.
   No dogs are allowed in the centers either. Be smart. Use resources as possible. Be safe out there.

Word on the Street
   Published by and for clients
 of Street Youth Ministry of Austin,
 a nonprofit public charity,
 with guidance of SYMin
 leadership and staff.

   Mailing Address:
408 W. 23rd St. Basement,
 Austin TX 78705.

   Phone/text: 512 553-3796
 Email: info@SYMin.org
   Website: www.SYMin.org
 
Publisher: Terry Cole
   Editor: Lindsey Conway
       Client writers, poets, artists: Diana