CARITAS OF AUSTIN FACT SHEET FOR 2007

Mission Caritas of Austin assists with basic needs in times of crisis. Vision Caritas of Austin envisions a community of hope, respect and self-reliance.

History Caritas was founded in 1964 by Monsignor Richard McCabe as a safety net for the community’s working poor.Caritas is an integral part of our community’s social services network and Travis County’s largest source of non-governmental assistance.

Client Population This year, 20,000 Travis County adults and children will benefit from Caritas services. —Caritas serves the working poor, the unemployed, the homeless, the near-homeless and documented refugees.

Annual Budget According to Caritas’ last audit, 89% of the budget directly impacted clients in the fight against poverty, hunger and homelessness. Caritas receives support from individuals, businesses, foundations, organizations, government and the faith community.

Caritas provides assistance in these ways:

Basic Needs Services:

Basic Needs Services help people experiencing a financial crisis meet their basic human needs such as food, shelter and clothing. Caritas provides emergency rent and utility assistance for those faced with losing their housing; hot meals to those who are hungry; take-home groceries for those struggling to feed their families; and food, shelter, clothing and support for newly arrived documented refugees.

Self-Sufficiency Services:

Self-Sufficiency Services build the skills needed to move toward self-reliance. Caritas offers significant financial support in the context of case management and education classes. Clients learn more effective budgeting, money management and energy conservation and are provided English as a Second Language and job readiness and placement.

Best Single Source Project:

Caritas serves as the fiscal and administrative agent for the Best Single Source Project, an innovative collaborative model developed by the Basic Needs Coalition of Central Texas. Best Single Source Project centralizes intake, links agencies electronically and simplifies families’ access to services among the area’s leading nonprofit service providers.

HOURS AND CONTACT INFORMATION
Caritas of Austin
P.O. Box 1947
Austin, TX 78767-1947
Email info[at]caritasofaustin.org
Administration 512-479-4610
Fax 512-472-4164
Client Services 512-472-4135
Fax 512-479-4627

Front Desk & Community Access Hours
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 8 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Community Kitchen Hours
Monday through Friday: 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Pantry Hours v Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

DONATIONS

Financial Donations Donate online – Click on the DonateNow button to make your online donation to Caritas on our website www.caritasofaustin.org. Donate by phone – Call Caritas at 512-646-1265 to make a donation by phone. A staff member will assist you with the process and answer any questions you may have about Caritas. Donate by mail – Send your donation by mail to:
Caritas of Austin
Attn: Development Department
P.O. Box 1947
Austin, TX 78767-1947

In-Kind Donations – Caritas welcomes in-kind donations of products and services and these contributions directly benefit clients, allowing Caritas to apply its financial resources to existing programs.

The following types of donations are needed: Food & Hygiene Items – The Caritas Community Kitchen needs large quantities of fresh meat, vegetables, fruit and milk. Our Food Pantry needs non-perishable foods such as canned meats, beans, soups, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, and canned fruits and vegetables. Infant supplies such as baby food, formula and diapers, and personal hygiene items such as soap and toothpaste are also in great demand.

To arrange a donation of any of these items, call 512-479-4610 Ext. 130.

Household Items – Gently-used furniture and household items are needed by documented refugees settling into our community. To arrange a donation for the Refugee Services Resettlement Program, call 512-646-1260.

Clothing – Caritas asks that you take clothing items to the St. Vincent de Paul Store, 1327 S. Congress Avenue, 512-442-5652. St. Vincent de Paul generously donates clothing vouchers for Caritas clients. For more information about giving opportunities, call 512-646-1265.

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE PROGRAM INFORMATION

A community advocate with Caritas of Austin assists an individual client or client family as he/she moves toward a stable self-sufficient life. Partnering with a professional social worker, these are just a few ways in which you might help:

Mentor a single mother as she seeks adequate housing. Coach and encourage a homeless person re-entering the work force. Assist a refugee family in learning the many new ways of the United States. Encourage effective money management skills with a person working to move out of poverty. Be a supportive resource during a difficult time for the client. Make a positive difference in one person’s life.

Caritas of Austin’s Community Advocate Program recruits trains and supports volunteers as they provide a significant presence in a person’s life during their transition from a crisis-driven life to a stable self-sufficient life. If you are interested in becoming a Community Advocate for a person or family experiencing poverty, contact Nancy Ellis at 479-4610×165.

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

Volunteers are vital to the life of Caritas of Austin. As the number of clients that Caritas serves continues to grow, volunteers and their gift of time and talents become more and more important. Caritas’ Volunteer Services Statement of Purpose:

To provide ongoing, dependable and professional volunteer services which, either directly or indirectly, positively impact or enhance Caritas of Austin staff’s ability to give the best service possible to its programs and services.

Caritas strives to use volunteers’ talents and abilities in such areas as food services, client support services, fundraising operations, and event management and administration. For more volunteer information contact Molly Sipe at 512-646-1251 or msipe@caritasofaustin.org. To get more information regarding our organization or services please visit our website at www.caritasofaustin.org.

— Hawk Mendenhall