AUSTIN CITY LUTHERANS
More, Better, Together since 2011!
Combatting & Preventing Homelessness – Spring 2022
GREETINGS IN CHRIST’S NAME FROM AUSTIN CITY LUTHERANS!
We are the congregations in and around the Texas capital city—and that includes you. Since its inception in 2011, ACL has sought ways to fellowship and minister in Austin following the simple moniker that we can do “more, better, together.”
NEW MINISTRY EMPHASIS TO COMBAT HOMELESSNESS
It’s official! With gratitude to God, ACL members and churches kicked off a new ministry initiative to combat homelessness. More than 100 supporters gathered in-person and via Zoom on Sunday, February 27 at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in downtown Austin.
ACL’s strategy to combat homelessness is focused on four mission points:
- Navigation – We’ll encourage and help unhoused neighbors sign up for “Coordinated Assessment,” the first step in transitioning from street to shelter.
- Support Teams – As we interact with unhoused neighbors, our “Necessities Support Team” will provide furniture, clothing, childcare (as available), and other necessities; our “Tech Support Team” will provide facility for SNAP, Social Security, and other registrations.
- Use of Church Property and Resources – In the spirit of Peace Lutheran, we’ll leverage unused resources to help unhoused neighbors in transition.
- Education, Awareness, Advocacy – We’ll continue to educate ourselves and work with partners, private and public, to be part of the growing effort in Austin to combat homelessness.
Thanks to those who signed up to serve on the Necessities and Tech Support Teams. Thanks to Holy Cross for donating space for ACL to store furniture, clothing, small appliances and other necessities to help unhoused neighbors transition to shelter and housing. Thanks to presenters Sarah Weier of Sunrise Navigation Center, Pastor Carolyn Albert Donovan of Peace, Steve Zwernemann of Faith, and Susan Jensen of St. Martin’s for information and inspiration!
Fifteen ELCA congregations were represented at the meeting, which was also attended by the Southwestern Texas Synod’s Director of Evangelical Mission, Pastor Chris Steubing. Palabra de Vida, a new ELCA mission initiative in SE Austin, was represented by Pastor Lea Walker-Clark and welcomed as ACL’s newest member!
HONESTY THE BEST POLICY – SARAH WEIER
At our meeting on February 27, Sunrise Assistant Director Sarah Weier told us that it’s best to be honest about the lack of shelter and housing available for low-income people in Austin. It is currently in extreme short supply.
Attaining the results we desire—that homelessness in our city be “rare, brief, and non-recurring”—is going to be a long-haul effort. This is precisely why ACL is getting involved by taking a “both/and” approach in support of individual and collective efforts by our congregations.
HANDBOOK FOR ACL CONGREGATIONS
Pastor Mamy Ranaivoson of Faith will work with Pastor Tim Anderson, ACL Director, to put together a resource handbook for ACL congregations to help guide their interactions with unhoused neighbors who inquire on our campuses for assistance. Additionally, a resource page will be created on ACL’s website with up-to-date information and other links for services.
FINANCIAL DONATIONS WELCOMED!
Partnerships with other ministries and service providers and formative relationships with persons experiencing homelessness are the two main keys as ACL moves forward into this new ministry emphasis. Your prayer and financial support are also crucial to this effort. Donate at www.breadforall-atx.org – thanks!!
BREAD FOR ALL & MARIPOSA FLC
WORKING TO COMBAT AND PREVENT HOMELESSNESS
ACL’s food pantry and early childhood education center continue their important primary work—nutrition and education. This work also combats and prevents homelessness for the low-income individuals and families we serve. Neighbors at BFA take home the equivalent of $50–$100 in groceries, freeing up their available income to cover housing costs and bills. Families at Mariposa receive tuition supports, freeing up their income in similar fashion.
Visit our websites: www.breadforall-atx.org & www.mariposalearningcenter.org for updates and more info.
SYNERGY! A WORD FROM ACL PRESIDENT, PR. BRAD HIGHUM
It is marvelous to see the synergy growing among the ministry expressions of ACL. We have neighbor families who have struggled to feed their families, meeting us through the work of Bread For All, and those who have found educational support for their children through Mariposa Family Learning Center. And we have MFLC families finding sustenance through Bread For All. And we have MFLC parents experiencing homelessness who are finding assistance through our efforts to come alongside through our nascent homelessness ministry. These different ministry initiatives are combining to provide service and support to our neighbors at multiple points of need. By supporting Austin City Lutherans, you are directly supporting all of these efforts with ACL donations distributed to each of these vital ministries. And it is your support and volunteer service that makes all of it happen. Thank you, on behalf of our board, our participating congregations, our wonderful volunteers and the neighbors we greet and accompany every day.