MACares
Supporting students and their families across 13 schools in the McCallum vertical
What is MACares?
This McCallum High School PTSA program supports students and their families in the McCallum vertical team (8300 students; 25% economically disadvantaged). Schools include McCallum High School, Kealing and Lamar Middle Schools, and Blackshear, Brentwood, Campbell, Gullett, Highland Park, Lee, Maplewood, Oak Springs, Reilly, and Ridgetop Elementary Schools.
What support does MACares provide?
Emergency financial assistance for families who need support, as well as expenses like grocery gift cards, bus passes, and holiday gifts; AP exam fees for qualifying students; and dinners for students attending the Twilight credit recovery program.
How does a family apply for emergency financial assistance from MACares?
Through their school’s licensed mental health professional (LMHP). Before approaching MACares, LMHPs explore available community resources first and recommend MACares when appropriate.
How does MACares respond?
MACares volunteers (a group of McCallum parents) review the application and determine if funds should be disbursed. The PTSA Treasurer pays the bill directly (the family does not receive the funds directly).
What kinds of emergency financial assistance does MACares provide?
Rent, utilities, car repairs, and maybe a medical bill — if it’s in advance of needed treatment (MACares does not pay outstanding medical bills). MACares has also paid for things like security deposits so families can move into safer housing.
Are there limits to MACares funds?
Funds are generally limited to $1,500 per family. A family can only receive support from MACares one time.
How is MACares funded?
MACares receives donations from parents of students in schools that feed to McCallum, other community members, and area churches and businesses.
If You Need Help or Know Someone Who Needs Help
Contact your school’s Licensed Mental Health Professional at your home campus. They will guide you through the process of applying for assistance from MACares. Since each family may only be helped by MACares one time, the LMHPs will work with your family to connect you with other community resources, as well.
How to Help
There are many ways to support MACares and the students and families in need at McCallum. Contact the MACares coordinator at macares@mccallumptsa.org for more information about joining or supporting MACares.
- Donate non-perishable snacks directly to the school for students, attn: MACares
- Make a tax-deductible donation to the emergency financial assistance fund online, or via check made payable to McCallum High School PTSA (please include MACares in the memo line). Mailing address is:
McCallum High School PTSA
5600 Sunshine Dr.
Austin, TX 78756
- Donate gift cards for HEB, Target, and Walmart, which can be delivered directly to McCallum, attn: MACares
All donations are tax-deductible.
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