News and Events

Read Stacey Kennedy’s powerful poem from Free Minds Graduation
I Rebuke Thee   I often wonder if Fear will ever  get to be so  far away from me that I can live actually live to be the person that god created me to be.  Fear it’s been with me for years.  Fear I can hardly hold back my tears.  Fear it has been my […]

Spring alumni events
Here’s a sneak preview of what we’ve got going for alumni this semester. All events are free and, unless otherwise noted, will take place at the Community Engagement Center (1009 E. 11th St. #216). A more detailed calendar should be available soon. We look forward to seeing you there! TUES, JANUARY 31 American Indians and […]

A Night at the Museum
“Art offers us an opportunity to slow down and look at things a little differently,” Annette Carlozzi, deputy director at the Blanton Museum, told Free Minds students when they toured the museum on January 19. It was a busy night, with groups taking in the last days of the striking exhibit, El Anatsui: When I […]

Volunteers needed next week!
We need volunteers at two different recruitment events this month: Wednesday, January 25, 2-7pm, is the City of Austin and Travis County Community Job and Resource Expo, a one-stop shop for jobs, community services, volunteer opportunities, and networking opportunities (Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road). Saturday, January 28, 10am-3pm, is the 6th annual Feria […]

City of Austin Austin Job Fair
Belinda Guzman ’08, a Free Minds alum and City of Austin employee, sent us word about a job and resource expo taking place later this month: City of Austin and Travis County Community Job and Resource Expo A one stop shop for: Jobs Career Development Community Services Volunteer Opportunities Networking Opportunities Visit with more than […]

Minds on Fire
The Alcalde, the alumni magazine of The University of Texas, just published a beautiful article about Free Minds that we think captures the spirit and purpose of the program: “Minds on Fire: What happens when disadvantaged adults learn to read Shakespeare and debate philosophy? How the Free Minds Project is changing lives through the humanities.” […]

Featured Writer: Fern Viking
Fern Viking, a 2011 Free Minds graduate, joined our fall writing workshop to continue honing her creative writing skills and to meet other developing writers. “As with my Free Minds experience,” she says, “I have felt a sense of community with my classmates, a meeting of like-minded individuals who are very different from each other […]

Fall Writing Workshop Wraps Up
Our fall writing workshop at Foundation Communities’ Trails at Vintage Creek apartments wrapped up on December 6 with a reading of original works by the writers in the group. One woman shared an experience of racial self-awareness; another read a story about the time her pregnant mother had such a strong craving for turnips, she […]

Meet Free Minds student Jennifer Reyes
At 24, Jennifer Reyes is one of the youngest Free Minds students, but when she came to interview for a spot in the program in July, she said she had already waited too long to start college. “The way my caseworker explained this program to me, it helps you get started, so you’re ready when […]

Playing Shakespeare! A Saturday morning workshop for children ages 8-14
The University of Texas Shakespeare at Winedale program invites you to join us for a special “Playing Shakespeare” workshop for children on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to noon, on the UT campus. We will enjoy some “Winedale warmup” games, sing, and play Shakespeare! The session is free of charge, but it would help […]