This is an exciting time in Austin and an important era 
for The Austin Project. With the passing of our co-founders it behooves all of us to work diligently to carry on the work of Elspeth and Walt Rostow. Elspeth and Walt Rostow, along with a diverse group of community members, founded The Austin Project in 1991 to catalyze individuals, organizations, and agencies to work collaboratively to better integrate services that support neighborhood revitalization, early literacy initiatives and education, and family support systems.
As Wayne Holtzman, Past Board President of TAP noted:
“The Rostows had faith in humanity’s desire to do what is right and good for society. They were distressed by the huge inequalities among neighborhoods in education, employment, health, income, and available resources for children. The Rostows challenge us to work together — first, to adopt a bold vision of human development, and second, to realize a community in which all children and families may achieve their fullest potential.”
The Austin Project responded for the past fifteen years to the Austin community and Austin ISD’s overwhelming need to address early childhood development resources and strategies to elevate early intervention and prevention activities and educational models that would maximize low-income children’s ability to be “ready to learn” once they enter elementary school. With sustaining community support for these early childhood initiatives, TAP now directs its attention to new pressing gaps that include middle school support initiatives. We will continue work in our core focus areas that include strengthening families, improving education, and promoting early literacy. I look forward to updating you on our progress.
It is an honor and privilege to be the executive director of TAP. I look forward to working with the Board to build on the spirit of the Rostows’ legacy to positively impact our community’s children and families for years to come.
– Donna Hagey, Spring 2008