Dylan Roddy dylan.roddy@elgincourier.com 07/22/2026 11:00 PM UnlockEd institute sees waitlist spike A new summer program for students with dyslexia and other learning gaps is preparing to expand after wrapping up its inaugural four-week session with strong demand for next year. Chosen Women Empower launched the UnlockEd Summer Institute last month, serving 10 students with individualized academic instruction, including STEM activities, sports development and leadership programming. With no...

Chosen Women Empower rebrand services with support from St. David’s Foundation A Bastrop County nonprofit has expanded its maternal health program to offer free pregnancy and postpartum support to Black mothers Backed by a rural health grant from the St. David’s Foundation, Chosen Women Empower recently launched Chosen Beginnings, replacing its earlier Empowered Beginnings program, which focused solely on doula services. The expanded program adds health monitoring devices that transmit data...

The funding, announced April 13 in conjunction with Black Maternal Health Week, is aimed at addressing barriers to care for areas designated health deserts. Local recipients said access to care remains limited for many pregnant women in Bastrop County, where patients are often left without timely or consistent options.