Austin nonprofit ​Interfaith Action of Central Texas (iACT) announces their fundraiser and celebration of community, titled ​“Courage to Hope,” taking place virtually via ​Zoom on ​Tuesday, May 12, 2020, ​starting at ​6:30 p.m. The event is currently open for sponsors and supporters – see below. iACT encourages the local community to come together for this life-changing Zoom event, which will feature uplifting conversations, music by legendary country musician ​Jimmie Dale Gilmore ​and more. “Courage to Hope” also serves as a major way to donate directly to iACT to help them continue their critical services for the local community such as Hands on Housing, which repairs the homes of low-income seniors and people with disabilities, the iACT for Refugees program, which provides Basic English instruction and other supportive services to refugees from around the world, as well as many other programs. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, iACT has been working to keep some of the most vulnerable and most impacted people in central Texas afloat, providing basic human needs and connections and continuing to promote diversity, inclusion and kindness. Funds raised during “Courage to Hope” support iACT directly and allows the nonprofit to continue to sustain and meet the needs of the people they serve during this pandemic of disruption and loss.

“Courage to Hope” will honor those who make Austin a welcoming haven – honorees include ​Cookie Ruiz (Executive Director of Ballet Austin), ​The City of Austin and ​St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. ​The event will feature an intimate conversation on “The Courage of Love and Support of Others” between Cookie Ruiz and ​Nora Linares Moeller​, Executive Director of Housing Works, as well as words from ​Executive Director Simone Talma Flowers. The online event will conclude with a performance by ​Jimmie Dale Gilmore​. Event sponsors and supporters not only gain access to “Courage to Hope,” but will also be recognized and thanked during the event and in iACT’s promotional materials. To sponsor this event and to donate to iACT, see ​here​: https://app.hellofund.com/view/oAwjJaw5