The Texas Greek Festival is organized by the Austin Chapter of AHEPA - the American Hellenic Education Progressive Association. Our goal is to promote Hellenism, education, philanthropy, civic responsibility and family and individual excellence. We proudly support local and national charities including

• Austin Children's Shelter
• Cooley's Anemia Foundation
• Cystic Fybrosis Foundation
• SafePlace
• Transfiguration Greek Language School

Austin Children's Shelter

The Austin Children's Shelter provides emergency shelter, high quality care and hope for the future to the abandoned, abused and neglected children of our community.

When children are removed from their homes due to life-threatening abuse or neglect, a temporary home must be found for them until more permanent plans are made. The Austin Children's Shelter is a safe haven for children in crisis, and is the only shelter in Travis County for children ages birth to 17 years of age. It is the goal of the Shelter to reduce the emotional trauma suffered by child victims of abuse, violence and neglect, in a safe and loving place. Each year ACS provides care to approximately 300 children. Learn more

Cooley's Anemia Foundation

Cooley's Anemia, also known as Thalassemia, is a fatal genetic blood disorder which affects mainly people with Mediterranean or African racial background. Today, in order to survive, children must receive blood transfusions every two weeks and receive painful drug injections via an infusion pump every night of their lives.

For the past twenty years the AHEPA Cooley's Anemia Foundation has been working on a three-pronged attack to fight this fatal disorder. Monies have been raised to conduct screenings, to print and distribute educational materials and to support the research of leading hematologists and geneticists in our country. Learn more

Cystic Fybrosis Foundation

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease affecting approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United States. A defective gene causes the body to produce an abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections.

The mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is to assure the development of the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis and to improve the quality of life for those with the disease. Learn more

SafePlace

SafePlace works to end domestic and sexual violence through crisis intervention, prevention, education, long-term support and advocacy.

SafePlace began in January 1998 when the Center for Battered Women (CBW) and the Austin Rape Crisis Center (ARCC) joined to become a unified source of hope for the Austin/Travis County community. Learn more

Transfiguration Greek Language School

The Transfiguration Greek Language School provides a safe and stimulating environment for children ages 5 and older to learn the Greek language, culture and traditions. In addition to traditional classroom work, teaching methods include singing, dancing, and national holiday celebrations. Classes run from September - April, meeting weekly. Learn more

AHEPA is the largest Greek-American organization, with over 130,000 national members. Its scope is international - with chapters in the United States, Canada, Australia and Greece. AHEPA was founded July 26, 1922, in Atlanta, Georgia, by visionary Americans of Greek descent to protect Hellenes from the evils of bigotry and to help assimilate them into American society in the early 20th century. Although a majority of the membership is composed of Americans of Hellenic descent, application for membership is open to everyone who believes in the mission of the organization.

The Austin AHEPA Chapter has itself a long history, going back as early as the 1930's. Today, the chapter is enjoying one of its most active periods, thanks in no small part to the successful fusion of the experience of our AHEPA veterans and the enthusiasm and energy of Austin's newest Greek and Greek-American citizens. Join us