Central Texas Table of Grace continually provides updates on the progress of our mission to serve foster children and young adults aging out of foster care. We love when our community follows us on social media to stay up-to-date on what’s new, as well as provide support to the kiddos, employees and volunteers. Click below to go to one of our many social media channels. Thank you!
We have been telling you the story of Kristy Ruiz this week. The kid who wanted to be a writer grew up to spend her career caring for people, including high-risk youth aging out of foster care.
When we asked her what she would change about how the world sees foster care, she did not soften it. She said this: "Foster youth do not get a free ride. They are alone with no one to support their growth or decision-making. They need mentorship more than money."
It is a notable thing for a board member of a nonprofit to say money matters less than mentorship. But Kristy has been in this work for two decades. She knows what these young people actually need.
Tomorrow, she has one last thing to say. To foster youth directly.
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Meet Kristy Ruiz.
She was the kid who wanted to be a writer. Today, she is a senior healthcare consultant with over 20 years of clinical and leadership experience, focused on emergency and trauma services. She is married to a paramedic. She is the mom of two teenagers, a daughter and a son.
And here is what most people do not know. Early in her career, Kristy worked with high-risk youth aging out of foster care as a camp nurse with Texas Network of Youth Services. The exact population CTTG serves. She has been in this work since before CTTG existed.
She joined CTTG first through our Advisory Council, then stepped up to the Governance Board, and today serves as Board Secretary.
When we asked her why she serves, she said this: "These kids have my heart. All they need is a chance."
Tell us in the comments: who has the kind of heart for foster youth that Kristy has? Tag them.
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Yesterday, we showed you a little girl. Today, we are telling you what she wanted to be.
She wanted to be a writer.
Years later, when we asked her to describe herself in three words, she said: outgoing, loyal, competitive. Three words about how she shows up for the people she loves.
She did not become a writer in the formal sense. She became something else. Someone who reads about foster care, who tells stories about kids she has cared for, who serves the children whose stories the world keeps trying to tell wrong.
Tomorrow, we will tell you who she became.
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All month, we have been introducing you to the Hearts Behind the Mission.
We close with Kristy. This little girl. Red hair. White coat. A smile that says she had plans.
Tomorrow, we will tell you what she wanted to be. And how that childhood dream still shows up in the work she does today.
Stay with us this week. We are closing strong.
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We are excited to celebrate our Founder and CEO, Stacy Johnson, on being named the recipient of the 2026 Woman’s Way Social Impact Award by Austin Woman Magazine!
This recognition reflects Stacy’s lifelong dedication to supporting foster children and youth, and the continued mission of Central Texas Table of Grace to provide housing, stability, mentorship, and hope to vulnerable youth across Texas.
Please join us in congratulating Stacy on this well-deserved honor!
#CTTG #WomansWayAwards #SocialImpact #FosterYouth #AustinWomanMagazine
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Congratulations!!
Congratulations!
Congrats Stacy! You deserve it ❤️
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Yesterday, we introduced you to Jennifer Sowinski. The kid who wanted to be an attorney grew up to spend her career fighting for people who needed someone in their corner.
Today, she is sending a letter directly to foster youth.
She chose three words. Hold onto these three. Another board member will close out our May series with three of her own at the end of the month. Two voices. Two messages. Same brevity.
If you have a Dear Foster Youth message of your own, leave it in the comments. We have been reading each one all month.
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Today, we honor those who gave their lives in service, and the families who carry that loss.
With deep gratitude for all who have served.
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Today is Memorial Day. We honor those who gave their lives in service to this country, and we hold space for the families who carry that loss.
Service takes many forms. Today, we want to introduce you to Jennifer Sowinski, who has spent her career serving people who need it most.
Jennifer was the kid who wanted to be an attorney. Today, she is Clinical Operations Manager at Downtown Austin Community Court, where she manages 24 Licensed Master Clinical Counselors serving people experiencing homelessness. She has tripled her team. She launched a new housing program. She has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2003. She trains the next generation of clinical social workers.
She joined CTTG first through our Advisory Council, then stepped up to the Governance Board. She brings clinical expertise and a systems-level perspective to our work.
When we asked her why she serves at CTTG, she said this: "CTTG is changing the system and improving outcomes through creative solutions and ideas."
Tomorrow, she has a message directly for foster youth.
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Foster Care Awareness Month is winding down. We have one more week.
Meet another Heart Behind the Mission.
She wanted to be an attorney. She wanted to argue for the people who could not argue for themselves. To stand in front of a judge and say, here is what is true, and here is what justice would look like.
She did not become an attorney. She found another way to fight for them.
Tomorrow, we will tell you who she became.
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