For 25 years, you have worked alongside us to bring immediate relief to our neighbors experiencing homelessness on the streets of Austin through our truck ministry. You have stood steadfast in support while proclaiming, “Yes, in my backyard!” when we began lifting our neighbors up and bringing them home to Community First! Village. You’ve given your best first to those who suffered a profound loss of family by helping to provide a permanent home, while also surrounding them with a caring and compassionate community.
You created a community where everyone belongs.
For nearly two years, no one at Community First! Village knew or saw much of our friend and neighbor, Blair, due to a health condition that left him believing he needed to stay in his home to remain healthy. Ironically, the first time Blair came out of his house with any regularity was during the pandemic. During this time, we provided community meals to help keep our Village neighbors safe. To receive these meals, neighbors came to Unity Hall each day to pick up the freshly cooked meal that they could then enjoy at home or in the company of friends at our outdoor picnic tables. This basic daily need required that Blair leave his home to feed his body—but more importantly, this engagement with his community also fed his soul. After much prayer and in consultation with his doctor, Blair was confident that connecting with his neighbors on a daily basis was what he was called to do.
“I love people and I believe God led me here for a purpose — to help people. If I stayed in my home all day, how was I going to help anybody?”
– Blair
Since that time, it is rare that we go a day without seeing Blair out and about in the Village connecting with his neighbors. Nicknamed the “mayor” of Community First! Village by his friends, Blair has found purpose encouraging his neighbors to restore, renew and rebuild their lives.
Housing alone will never solve homelessness, but community will.
Blair believes that meeting people where they are and accepting them for who they are—with no judgement—is the key to making connections, building enduring relationships and creating a community that cares for every one of its members. Whether he is greeting friends on Sunday evenings at worship, playing games in the Living Room or singing at Open Mic Night, Blair is making sure his neighbors feel safe, accepted and most importantly, know that they belong here.
“Belonging is all about respect, love, and relationships. It’s about this community that has become my family.”
– Blair
You belong here.
You are the community in Community First! Village, and we are so grateful for you! Your gifts enable Mobile Loaves & Fishes to provide ongoing support for our neighbors like Blair who are living in the Village, and also for our friends still experiencing homelessness on the streets of Austin.
Will you continue to be this community of belonging, compassion and hope as we continue our work together to mitigate homelessness in our city? Your donation will continue to provide opportunity, dignity, community and home to our neighbors who need it most.
