The Westwood Community Assistance Fund serves all of the Westwood Learning Community in Austin, Texas. The idea to create this fund stemmed from the increased need within the community for assistance to individual families and students. Both the schools and the PTAs were once able to provide financial assistance to individual students and families but the district and National and Texas PTA have placed restrictions that now limit their abilities to provide such help. Funds go directly to students and family needs in the Westwood Learning Community and how funds are distributed is determined by the school counselors and administration.

Contributions to the Assistance Fund go toward such expenses as:

· Emergency funds for utilities and rent

· Graphing calculators for math homework

· Backpacks

· English books

· Work uniforms for students who work to support their families,

· Medications

· Gas so that students can get to school and/or work

· Bus tickets to and from work

· Haircuts

· Bikes

· Emergency car repairs

· Umbrellas and ponchos for students who walk to school

· Laundry detergent for those students who have to wash their clothes at school

· HEB and Wal-Mart gift cards for groceries

· Childcare