Capital IDEA lifts working families out of poverty by sponsoring educational services that lead to life-long financial independence. Capital IDEA serves the community by acting as a bridge, connecting committed, yet underemployed people to employers in need of highly skilled workers. Created through the efforts of Austin Interfaith and the Central Texas business community, Capital IDEA funds qualified participants’ tuition, books and childcare and works with them to find employment with good salaries, benefits and opportunity for career growth. Capital IDEA works with workforce partners to identify new career-driven curriculum needed to properly educate the next generation of workers.

Putting two needs together
Academic Capital IDEA originated in conversations in the churches and schools of Austin Interfaith in the late 1990s, as the rising cost of living put increasing pressure on ordinary families. Breadwinners found themselves taking on extra jobs, and still not earning enough to make ends meet. They certainly had neither the time nor money to afford the tuition, childcare, and other expenses needed to train for good careers.

 

At the same time, employers found themselves short of workers in many skilled occupations, such as nurses, electronic technicians, computer support specialists, and X-ray technicians. In years past, employers had worked with Austin Interfaith to provide summer work experience for hundreds of young people. "Do you have any adults?" they asked. CapitalIDEA was created so we could answer with a resounding, “Yes!”

 

Creating skilled workers
Our first class of community college graduates received their diplomas in August 2000. Those seven Licensed Vocational Nurses were the first names on our growing list of hundreds that have worked hard to realize their dreams. To better themselves. And to bring a brighter future to their families.

Mark Melliar-Smith, Chair; Molecular Imprints, CEO

The Rev. Joe Tomei, CSC, Vice-chair; St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church, Pastor; Austin Interfaith
Jesus Garza, Secretary; Seton Family of Hospitals, Executive VP and COO
Fannie Akingbala, Treasurer, Travis County Adult Probation Dept.,Sr. Probation Officer;Austin Interfaith
Charles Avery, Avery Ranch Partnership, Partner

Maria Emerson, St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church; Austin Interfaith

W. Eric Hehman, Austin Asset Management, CEO

Fr. John Korcsmar, CSC, Dolores Catholic Church, Pastor; Austin Interfaith
MariBen Ramsey, Vice President & Legal Counsel, Austin Community Foundation
Regina Rogoff, People's Community Clinic, Executive Director; Austin Interfaith

Paul Skeith, Richards, Rodriguez & Skeith, LLP, Managing Partner; Austin Interfaith

Martha Smiley, Winstead Sechrest & Minick, Attorney
Ofelia Zapata, San Jose Catholic Church; Austin Interfaith

T.A. Vasquez, Austin Independent School District, Parent Support Coordinator; Austin Interfaith

Johan Borge (Ex-Officio), Capital IDEA Alumni Association