YMCA and St. Edward’s University apply for $20 million climate resilience grant

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Greater Austin YMCA and St. Edward’s University announced a partnership agreement to apply for a $20 million Community Change Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, according to a news release from the YMCA.

If permitted, the funding will be allocated for the development of a multifunctional facility intended to serve as a climate resilience center at the East Communities YMCA, in addition to supporting outreach and educational initiatives for the community, the release said.

The grant promotes collaboration among nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and local government entities to tackle the negative effects of climate change within local communities, the release said. St. Edward’s University will serve as the primary partner for the YMCA, assisting in the creation of programs for community engagement and research.

The East Communities YMCA is located at 5315 Ed Bluestein Blvd., positioned in the center of the “Eastern Crescent” of Travis County, which is a historically underserved region with a substantial low-income population.

“Sustainability is a core strategic pillar for both the YMCA and St. Edward’s, so this is an ideal opportunity to collaborate and make a positive difference for a part of the community that has often been overlooked,” Kathy Kuras, Greater Austin YMCA President & CEO, said in the release.

“Education is about the future,” St. Edward’s University President Montserrat Fuentes said in the release. “Our students are fully committed that we take action on sustainability so that we can ensure a future built on a foundation of safety, security, and equity.”

In the first three months, the YMCA and St. Edward’s will conduct feasibility studies, energy audits, and community engagement to develop a Community Resiliency Action Plan, the release said. They will implement sustainability education and social resiliency programs focused on energy efficiency, waste reduction, water conservation, sustainable agriculture, and biodiversity, along with disaster preparedness, health, education, and social equity initiatives.

According to the YMCA, the grant also funds a 30,000-square-foot expansion of the facility, creating an energy-efficient hub for up to 200 community members during emergencies. This expansion will feature classrooms, incident command spaces, gender-neutral restrooms, locker and shower facilities and a warming kitchen for meal distribution. An energy management system (EMS) will oversee all electricity, including solar generation, grid power, and backup generators, the release said.

“This proposed project will provide immediate and easy access for residents of disadvantaged communities during climate-related emergencies such as floods, fires, extreme heat, or power outages,” Kuras said in the release.