ATX-SWA: Impact 10/20/2025

Children’s Emergency Relief International celebrated the grand opening of its new global headquarters in Austin and the launch of GenATX with Mayor Kirk Watson and Austin officials Oct. 15.

The local impact: Watson announced a new program called GenATX, which aims to make Austin “the best place in America to be a kid.” GenATX, in collaboration with United Way for Greater Austin, will use funding to improve coordination across public systems, elevate youth leadership and design a comprehensive child-centered well-being framework.

The initiative is centered around three pillars:

• Healthy kids
• Safe kids
• Happy and successful kids

• FirstDay Foundation
• H-E-B
• Wells Fargo Foundation
• Texas Mutual

Salam’s Grill, a Palestinian-owned Middle Eastern food truck, has joined the food and beverage scene along the St. Elmo corridor located outside Vacancy Brewing in South Austin.

A closer look: The concept emerged from the North Austin Peace Bakery & Deli family, with son of founders Nuha and Jihad Hammad, Amr Hammad, leading the new venture.

“Our family has been sharing Middle Eastern food with Austin for years, and now we’re excited to continue that tradition in South Austin. The St. Elmo area is full of great energy right now, and we’re thrilled to be a part of it,” Amr Hammad said in a statement.

The menu features shawarma wraps made from the family recipe with a fresh twist, alongside creamy hummus and coriander fries inspired by a Peace Bakery crowd favorite.

• 415 E. St. Elmo Road, Bldg. 1-D2, Austin

As water restrictions and shortages become more common in Texas communities, state lawmakers are asking voters to approve $20 billion to fund new water supply projects and improve existing systems over the next 20 years.

The overview: If voters approve State Proposition 4, which is on the November ballot, the state will create a dedicated funding stream to help local utilities access more water and upgrade their infrastructure. Without the new funding, Texas’ water crisis could deepen, experts say.

“We’ve got 1,500+ people moving to Texas every day, and not one of them is bringing a single drop of water with them,” Dean Sharp, who leads the management division of the Texas American Water Works Association, said Oct. 16.

Key takeaway: Despite the $1 billion annual price tag, Proposition 4 would not create any new state taxes or increase costs for Texans, lawmakers and experts said. Beginning in 2027, the money would come from existing sales tax revenue and be deposited in the Texas Water Fund, a state account that voters approved in 2023.

Early voting in the Nov. 4 election begins Oct. 20 and runs through Oct. 31. During early voting, registered voters can cast ballots at any polling place within their county of residence, according to the secretary of state’s office.

What to bring: Voters must bring one of seven forms of identification to the polls:

• A Texas driver license (issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety)
• A Texas personal ID card (issued by the DPS)
• A Texas handgun license (issued by the DPS)
• A Texas election ID certificate (issued by the DPS)
• A U.S. military ID card with the voter’s photograph
• A U.S. citizenship certificate with the voter’s photograph
• A U.S. passport

As Community Impact enters its third decade, it’s returning to its roots of growth and deeper reader connections. The “Patron” program, which began in 2020 by reader demand, is relaunching as the InCIder this month.

“This relaunch represents our renewed commitment to readers who support our local news,” CEO John Garrett said. “Beyond funding great journalism, we also want to reward our InCIders and build deeper connections with them, creating a true sense of community around the work we do.”

The InCIder program currently gives donors access to a special Saturday email edition across each metro: Austin, Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio.

Memberships are currently $10 per month or $110 annually. A membership will include the previously mentioned perks, as well as:

• Quarterly discounts at local businesses 
• Invites to in-person events
• Optional naming and “thank you” in our newspaper
• Community Impact swag
• InCIder anniversary gift

Check out the top trending Community Impact stories in the Austin metro from
Oct. 13-17.

1. Williamson County Fair and Rodeo coming to Taylor in October

2. Trader Joe’s expected to begin construction in Cedar Park this January

3. Pflugerville home sales decline, prices drop in Hutto

4. Austin ISD offers naming rights at district facilities to generate additional revenue

5. 'Shovel-ready:' Austin ISD nears groundbreaking on affordable apartment community

6. Home sale prices continue to decline in September for Cedar Park and Far Northwest Austin