Christian Vaquero was once a troubled teen in prison. Now in this 20's, he runs his own construction business and owns his own home. He credits the nonprofit Jail to Jobs for giving him the training and support he needed to turn his life around. Christian and his mentor, Jail to Jobs Executive Director Eddie Franz, share their story with ATX Good News's Judy Maggio & Leslie Rhode.

A community-driven retreat and resource base for US military veterans and their families in the Texas HIll Country is opening this summer. Patriots' Hall of Dripping Springs will feature a large gathering hall for creative and therapeutic workshops, employment and educational seminars and spaces to simply connect with other veterans. The 10-acre development will also provide a wellness center, VA claims assistance, a fishing pond, fitness trails and equine therapy. Learn more about the story behind this vision and the mission ahead in this interview with the new Executive Director of Patriots' Hall, Lieutenant General (Retired) Scott McKean, and Founding Board Member, Kathryn Chandler.

A new children's book shines the light on the extraordinary African American men and women who played a vital role in shaping Austin. It's called "The City We Built" and creating it was a 3-year labor of love for native Austinite and community leader Terry Mitchell. She talks with Leslie and Judy about what inspired her to write this book.

ATX Good News Founders Leslie Rhode and Judy Maggio say thank you as they celebrate two years since they launched this positive storytelling platform. They look back at their favorite stories of 2023 and look ahead to expanding their coverage in 2024.

For more than a decade, E4-Youth has served thousands of local young people by engaging them in hands-on creative projects ensuring they are seen, heard and hired!
Meet E4 Youth Founder/Executive Director Carl Settles.

During Black History Month, ATX Good News is highlighting some of the impactful Black-led nonprofits in our community. Meet Ebonie Trice who founded Mission Accomplished 10 years ago to help people experiencing homelessness. The mission began as a way to offer laundry service to our unhoused neighbors and now provides a multitude of support services to them.

Austin’s own Kayleigh Williamson captured the hearts of people all over the world in November 2023 when she became one of the first women in history with Down Syndrome to finish the New York City Marathon. But running marathons is just one way Kayleigh and her devoted mother inspire others and give them hope.

You may know them as our beloved soccer team, but you may not realize they score countless goals when it comes to community service! AustinFC was recently recognized by the Austin Chamber of Commerce with the most generous large business award. Both the team and staff members go above and beyond in finding ways to give back to the community—from reaching out to young people to helping clean up parks. As part of our partnership with Austin Gives, we are shining the light on local businesses that stand out for their dedication to making a positive difference in Austin.

Judy and Leslie talk with Mobile Loaves and Fishes Founder Alan Graham, as the community honors the nonprofit for 25 years of compassionate service to our city's homeless neighbors. Alan's vision a quarter of a century ago led to Community First! Village, a 51-acre master-planned development that provides affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for men and women coming out of chronic homelessness.

It started as a few ideas sketched out on a paper napkin almost 20 years. Today, E3 Alliance has a proven track record of transforming education in Texas—from helping to make statewide, full-day pre-K a reality to closing the math gap between between white students and black students. As E-3 Alliance Founder and Executive Director Susan Dawson prepares to step down from her leadership role, she talks with Judy Maggio about her proudest accomplishments at the helm of this change-making nonprofit and her hopes for the future of education in Central Texas and beyond.

As part of our partnership with AustinGives, an Austin Chamber of Commerce community program that spotlights businesses donating their time and dollars to local nonprofits, we’re highlighting the program’s 2023 award winners. In this episode, we talk with University Federal Credit Union CEO Michael Crowl about his employees’ engagement in volunteering and donating to local nonprofit organizations.

Goodness Adefope, a student at Concordia University, shares his journey immigrating from Nigeria to Austin and graduating from college at the age of 18.