Do you remember how you felt right after the inauguration?

Elon Musk and his DOGE gang were destroying government programs, and no one was stopping him. Elite institutions from Columbia to CBS were caving to Trump’s pressure. And we were all wondering if anyone, anywhere, was going to put up any resistance.

A lot has changed since then. The Trump regime no longer feels invincible, or even capable. They’re not winning the argument — about immigration, the economy, or the White House ballroom. And they certainly haven’t been winning elections.

While we’re at it, let’s take one step further out, and recognize that the entire nation has been subject to a generations-long message campaign aimed at promoting “business-friendly” policies and “morality.”

Maybe we should be celebrating the resilience of the American people, in the face of this long-term propaganda. We keep showing up for our neighbors, even as they claim, from powerful places, that hatred and division are the true American way.

Things are going so badly for them that we’re starting to think that a true course correction is possible. Could this moment spark an entirely new political coalition?

Time will tell. But we’re willing to work like hell to make it happen.

In the past 11 months, we’ve found lots of ways to show up together. We’ve danced and lit luminarias. We’ve bought groceries and hosted bake sales. We’ve supported our neighbors who are in crisis, and we’ve stood up to politicians who aren’t standing up for us.

We’ve learned that it FEELS GOOD to show up, and that we’re surrounded by big-hearted people who are ready to jump in and help. We’ve also learned that it’s better to live through these days together than to doomscroll alone.

So in 2026, we’re ready for more! More projects, more goals, more learning, more connections. Our goal is to host an in-person meeting every quarter — we’re aiming for the first one to be either Wednesday the 21st or Thursday the 22nd of January. Our venue is still up in the air (do you have any ideas for an inexpensive spot that can hold 100+ people?? 🙏🏾), but we’re solidifying a program that will give us lots of time to brainstorm and connect with each other.

We hope you’ll stick with us — and invite your friends along!

The Peace Path in Little Stacy Park, the inaugural project of the FORWRD-04 South Austin neighborhood group, attracted a lively gathering of friends and neighbors from Travis Heights and beyond.

We got a little nervous when the fire department showed up to safety-check all 300 luminarias! But they gave us the all clear and the event proceeded as planned.

Our friends at the Off Hand Brass Band made it a party, like they always do. And thanks to the AWESOME bakers at Bake Back Better —with technical assistance from FORWRD-Hyde Park — we raised $1,245 for the Central Texas Food Bank! By our count, that brings the FORWRD-ATX total to nearly $4,000, between Hyde Park and Travis Heights. WAY TO GO, NEIGHBORS ⭐️

Look at these awesome volunteers! They are some of the MANY OF YOU who helped buy and wrap gifts for 51 kids from 14 families who are affected by ICE activity in Austin.

Huge thanks to Laura C. and Jamie G. for spearheading this project! Thanks to your generosity, these families will each receive more than $100 and multiple wrapped gifts for the kids. In total, $1,450 was raised, and “at least” 150 wrapped gifts will be delivered next week.

“People went a bit nuts,” reported Laura. “In a very good way.” 🎁

No calendar highlights this week … let’s enjoy this opportunity to slow down and connect with our family and friends. Happy holidays, everyone 🥂