We often tell people about the amazing sense of community that we feel in Austin. From our friends and family, church and school families, client and vendor families, our neighbors….even the people that serve us as our local small businesses, there is an undeniable and deep connection that we are blessed to have. Unfortunately, not all of our Austin neighbors have the same community support and love that our families are so fortunate to have.
Did you know that more than 2/3 of the Austin homeless population today is chronically homeless? This means they will have been homeless for over a year, or have had episodes of homelessness four times over the last three years. Most of the chronically homeless are physically or mentally disabled. While emergency shelters offer a respite, there are few long term options for the chronically homeless, until now.
Mobile Loaves and Fishes, has created the Community First! Village, a 27-acre master-planned community that will provide affordable, sustainable housing and a supportive community for the disabled, chronically homeless in Central Texas. For those of you not familiar with Mobile Loaves and Fishes, they are a community organized, non-profit that has been helping the homeless in Austin by providing food and clothing and promoting dignity to our homeless neighbors since 1998. In addition, over the last 9 years, MLF has provided permanent housing for nearly 100 chronically homeless Austinites, with an 87% success rate.
When we first heard about the community we knew we wanted to be a part of it. When we visited the site there was an overwhelming feeling of hope. Hope that the most downtrodden in our City can have the same sense of community and support that we are all so blessed to have.
We are grateful and honored to be a part of the Community First! Village. We will be building 2 micro homes for our neighbors in need. We can’t do it alone, we need your help. We must raise a minimum of $18,000 for the first home. The second home will be funded through the Build Your Neighbor a Home Campaign. Donations can be made online benefitting the build here: https://www.donate.mlf.org/bynah/, and selecting Soledad Builders as the builder. Any additional funds will help to fund the remaining homes.
Join us next Saturday, July 25 at 10am OR Tuesday, August 1st at 12pm for a tour of property. We will provide refreshments for both tours. If you would like a tour of the property, and you can’t make these dates, please contact Kelly Molak kelly@soledadbuilders.com or Donna Emery donna@mlf.org with Mobile Loaves and Fishes.
For more information Community First! Village.
We would like to give special thanks to Rock Candy Media for helping us with our graphic needs for the campaign.
