Our Mission

During the first decade, when LaunchPad (LP) operated exclusively within Dobie Middle School in Northeast Austin, our in-school programs and community outreach made a profound impact on over 5,000 families. Our community engagement extended to organizing an annual "Parent University Class," designed not only to familiarize parents with teachers, counselors, and administration but also to feature local professionals who emphasized the crucial role of school attendance and education. LP's outreach efforts further encompassed the annual support of special holidays, providing Thanksgiving meals and Christmas gifts and food supplies. The annual "Hombre a Hombre" (Man to Man) Festival - a one-day community celebration highlighting the influence of mentorship among young men - attracted fathers, male caretakers, and entire families. These large-scale festivals featured car shows, a variety of food options, games, and family activities, serving as opportunities to inspire, challenge, and support the community, education, and families as a whole.

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For six of those ten  years LP provided all after school or after-hours programming on campus. We served 130 students each week to all 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, so in any given school year calendar we would serve and impact the majority of the school student population. We also provided a summer program and community service program for students, serving approximately 600 to 700 students per school year.

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Our community stakeholders and partnerships have been both strategic and highly valued. These entities include The University of Texas- Project M.A.L.E.S, University of Texas School of Sociology, Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GAHCC), Austin Police Department (APD), Glimmer of Hope Foundation, McDonald’s (Ustariz Owner-Operator), Walmart, 21st Century Grants, Mr. Appliance, MDE Latino.

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In 2022-2023 LP shifted into a mentoring and foundation capacity at the high school level. LP partnered with Phoenix Arising Young Men’s Group exclusively serving at Success High School in Round Rock, TX. Each Tuesday we hold large male-only group discussions regarding challenges, issues, focus and the importance of graduation.  Each Thursday we hold a one-on-one weekly mentoring session with students from the Tuesday group.

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The LP scholarship program is in its infancy stages, with much growth planned. We currently sponsor two post education scholarships, one for community college the second for vocational electrical certification.