Kensington in the "Kommunity"
Learn more about Kensington Electronics and their commitment to contributing to the local Austin community that supports them.
Kensington Electronics News
Handbags for Hope
Collecting new and like-new handbags, gender-neutral totes, and diaper bags for survivors across Texas. This campaign helps to lead those experiencing power-based abuse to safety and free legal and social services.
Kensington collected and dropped off a lovely collection of new and gently used handbags to the Texas Advocacy's 16th Annual Handbags for Hope campaign that ran from March 21 to April 21.
A handbag or tote represents something deeply private to its owner - a kind of survival kit for life in a modern world. For those experiencing power-based abuse, it may also serve as a life-saving utility. Nearly 46,000 bags have been distributed to survivors across Texas since the campaign launched 16 years ago.
For the first time in 2019, TAP began distributing bags to hospitals, making them available to survivors of rape. After a survivor goes through a rape exam they often have to leave behind clothing and belongings, an extremely dehumanizing experience. Leaving the hospital with your belongings in a new bag versus a plastic bag, not only gives some dignity back, but also hope and trust in the agency's free services.
In 2021, in addition to the hospital and sexual assault service expansions, TAP began serving new parents and caregivers by collecting and processing brand new diaper bags. These diaper bags contain the same legal toolkits and are distributed to healthcare partners for their patients. This expansion hopes to reach at-risk moms-to-be as pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to domestic abuse.
While the event is over, Texas Advocacy Project gratefully welcomes monetary donations to help pay for shipping costs of sending Handbags for Hope to shelters, hospitals, clinics, and more! .
Kensington Electronics News
Central Texas Food Bank Volunteer Day
Giving back to our community is a very important value here at Kensington. Today was Central Texas Food Bank.
KEI set up a volunteer day for the Company today, paid anyone who wanted to volunteer, and bought them lunch. Casey Donovan, CFO, was proud to work alongside these employees who chose to volunteer that morning at Central Texas Food Bank. It was hard work but lots of fun and our hearts are full. 4500 meals during our shift!!!
Thank you to Sandy, Courtney, Ana, Tanya, Blanca, Maru, Gabi, Brandon, John, Carla, and Erin!
Please consider supporting by volunteering your time or making a donation to Central Texas Food Bank!!
Kensington Electronics News
Amplify Austin Day 2023
March 1-2 was Amplify Austin day in Texas. What is Amplify Austin?
I Live Here I Give Here™ is on a mission to make Central Texas the most generous community in the nation. We believe that we can build a more united, more equitable, and more prosperous community for all when we give together.
I Live Here I Give Here helps you embrace generosity to make your mark, your way, on our community. Austin has been named one of the most economically segregated cities in the country while also being named one of America's strongest economies. Austin is currently ranked the 33rd most generous city in the US, compared to our neighbors Dallas at number 4, Houston at number 5, and San Antonio at number 25. We know we can do better, especially in a community where we value our culture of kindness!
Programs like Amplify Austin Day, See Us Give (formerly See Jane Give and Give Back Jack), Giving Tuesday, and the Board Training Program are designed to help you identify the causes you are passionate about, discover local nonprofits advancing those causes, and get involved through volunteerism, advocacy, fundraising, board service, and financial support. By inspiring new and young, givers, volunteers, and activists to make an impact on the community where they live, I Live Here I Give Here™ is ensuring that Austin thrives for decades to come. I Live Here I Give Here is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that was established in 2007.
How did Kensington participate?
Kensington Electronics, Inc., is not a mega corporation but a privately held, family organization so being part of our community and making sure the next generation is equipped to be integral parts of our future is very important to us. This year during Amplify Austin 2023, Kensington supported 4 worthy organizations:
- Breakthrough Central Texas
- College Forward
- Ladders for Leaders
- Central Texas Food Bank
Breakthrough Central Texas
Mission: Breakthrough Central Texas creates a path to and through college for students who will become the first in their families to earn a college degree.
Breakthrough Central Texas creates a path to post-secondary success for students who aspire to become the first in their families to earn a college degree. Established in 2002 with 41 students in its inaugural cohort, Breakthrough now serves 1,700 students across Central Texas. The organization makes a commitment - to provide the right support at the right time - to help students overcome the systemic barriers and find college success. There are many indications that the approach is working. Independent studies have confirmed that Breakthrough students are significantly more likely to graduate high school on time, twice as likely to enroll in college, and seven times more likely to graduate from college than their peers.
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College Forward
Mission: College Forward believes that everyone who wants to earn a post-secondary degree can earn a degree.
College Forward, now a part of College Possible, coaches underserved students to achieve the benefits of higher education and a postsecondary degree. Since 2003, our near-peer coaching model has served over 15,700 students and propelled 1,600 (and counting) through their higher education goals. What started as a small college access service at Hays High School has grown into one of the nation's leading postsecondary access and success programs in the nation. Our dedicated service has cultivated many strategic partnerships with national and local organizations, and we leverage these to enact our primary directive. That is, to put students first.
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Ladders for Leaders
Mission: Bridge the gap between high school students and career exploration through internships and occupational experience. We aim to ensure diverse students acquire workplace readiness skills and experience, thus becoming more competitive as they apply to colleges, scholarships, trade schools, or enter the workforce.
VISION: A community of empowered students who are equipped to make successful decisions after high school.
DONATE
Central Texas Food Bank
Mission: A leader in the fight against hunger for nearly 40 years, their mission is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in the fight against hunger.
When the Central Texas Food Bank was established in 1982, it was with a goal in mind to help the hungry in the community. Over the years, the weak economy has increased challenges for clients who have turned to food pantries for food assistance. The Central Texas Food Bank has been at the front line of hunger relief with the help of Partner Agencies in 21 counties across Central Texas. Last year we provided more than nearly 54 million meals on the tables of our neighbors facing hunger - up from 42.5 million meals the previous year.
DONATE
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Kensington Electronics News
LEEF Roaring 20s Gala
Kensington Electronics was happy to support LEEF this past weekend by sponsoring a table at the annual Gala. The Leander Educational Excellence Foundation (LEEF) was founded in 2007 by a group of volunteers who understood that state funding was not enough to meet the needs of the Leander Independent School District (LISD) students and staff. Additional resources were critical to support innovation, enrichment and equity in pursuit of academic excellence within LISD. LEEF supported its mission through three main program initiatives: Foundations for Learning focusing on early literacy, Enriching Great Teaching through innovative teaching grants and professional development, and College & Career Readiness to build a college and career-ready culture among all students.
At Kensington, supporting the next generation is very important in creating our future leaders. Attending the gala were Sean Donovan, Vice President, and Casey Cavender, CFO.
The Leander Educational Excellence Foundation (LEEF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to enriching the educational experience by providing opportunities, cultivating success, and building community within the Leander Independent School District. Leander ISD currently serves more than 40,000 students and is expected to grow significantly in the next 10 years. With state funding for public education continuing to shrink, LEEF's role in providing additional resources for teachers and students in our district is increasingly important.
Please consider supporting this critical mission by joining their Classroom Impact Team.
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Kensington Electronics News
Giving Tuesday 2022
On this #GivingTuesday, Kensington is happy to give back to our community by supporting our local "Coats for Kids" drive. This morning, Casey Cavender, CFO, and Sean Donovan, Vice President, stopped by the local Jack Brown Cleaners and dropped off arm loads and a box of new coats. Every year, Jack Brown Cleaners, KVUE, and the Junior League of Austin join together to collect, clean and donate coats to underprivileged children. Over the past 35 years, Jack Browns has cleaned and distributed 975,000 warm coats.
We are lucky to live and work in Austin, Texas but even here, in the beautiful capitol of Texas, 12.5% of the people live in poverty. At this time of year, when the temperatures start dropping, it is up to all of us to ensure children have warm coats to wear. We're happy to partner up and be part of this wonderful cause.
The Junior League of Austin (JLA) will hold the 36th annual Coats for Kids Distribution Dec. 1 to 10, 2022. The Junior League of Austin aims to provide 30,000 warm winter coats to Central Texas children in need. The Junior League of Austin, its partners, and the community at large have an impressive and beautiful history of bringing warmth to the children and families in our community.
For information about donating money or coats to Coats for Kids, go to Coats for Kids.
Kensington Electronics News
Glenn Grizzlies Youth Football
Kensington is supporting youth sports in the local community. Glenn Grizzlies Youth Football was fundraising for equipment by selling raffle tickets to parents, friends, and local businesses. Kensington was happy to support this organization in their effort. By fundraising, the league is able to reduce costs of equipment and entry fees to allow for children of all economic backgrounds to participate.
Youth sports teaches teamwork, good sportsmanship, and hard work which all translate into real world important attributes.
Kensington Electronics News
Mason Mustangs Adventure Run
Kensington gives back to local elementary school. By sponsoring the Mason Mustangs Adventure Run, CC Mason Elementary School was able to raise enough money to complete their outdoor learning space.
Why is this so important to our next generation?
Studies show that our elementary aged children are spending 30 minutes or less outdoors each day. The measurable psychological and educational impact of time spent outside includes reducing stress, improving moods, boosting concentration, and increasing a child's engagement at school. Additionally, Mason is a title 1 school which means they have a high number of children who are disadvantaged. According to the nature gap published in July of 2020, "People of color, families with children, and low-income communities are most likely to be deprived of the benefits that nature provides." Green spaces and outdoor learning promote prosocial behavior and increase perceptions of safety. Public schools are sadly underfunded in providing this essential need to the students in the community.
