You opened your heart and welcomed the men and women experiencing homelessness in Austin home to Community First! Village. You gave them a permanent place to live—not a temporary place to pass through. You surrounded them with people who will stand with them as they settle in and cultivate a new life while learning how to care for themselves and their neighbors. You’ve done this for more than 340 of our formerly homeless neighbors who now call Community First! Village home.
You did this for my friend, Ellis.
“When I got the keys to my house nearly eight years ago, it was like getting keys to a whole new life.”
– Ellis, Community First! Village, home since 2015
“When I got the keys to my house nearly eight years ago, it was like getting keys to a whole new life.”
– Ellis, Community First! Village, home since 2015
I first met Ellis more than eight years ago. He had just walked for two hours from where he was camped in north Austin to where our MLF food truck was serving downtown. At that time, he was alone and literally starving—not only for food, but also for community and opportunity. We talked and prayed and of course our volunteers fed him! He was quiet and shy, but we began to build a relationship that day, and in 2015, Ellis moved into his forever home in Community First! Village.
Through your compassionate support, Ellis has flourished since he moved home—much like the plants in Genesis Gardens where he works onsite at the Village. He began working in the gardens even before living in the Village and has grown that part-time contract position into a full-time staff role with Mobile Loaves & Fishes. Today, Ellis leads teams of neighbors and volunteers who work together in the garden. He directs the harvesting, washing and packaging of the fruit, vegetables and eggs that are shared with neighbors weekly in the Farmer’s Market. He also prepares varieties of salsa, hummus and pesto with ingredients sourced from the garden for his neighbors to enjoy.
“Ellis is a light to all who come to the Village. He represents better than anyone I know the contrast between what appears to be hopeless and what is completely hopeful.”
– Alan
“On the streets, I didn’t have anyone to support me. I was all alone. Since I came to live at the Village, I have friends. I have a family.” – Ellis
“On the streets, I didn’t have anyone to support me. I was all alone. Since I came to live at the Village, I have friends. I have a family.” – Ellis
“I’m not alone anymore!” is what Ellis told me when I recently asked him how his life has changed since moving to Community First! Village. Because of compassionate and generous people like you, Ellis has put down roots, settled here and built a life for himself that includes a safe home, purposeful work and friends that he now knows as family. He belongs to this community.
You are the community that supports Community First! Village, and we are so grateful for you! Your gifts enable Mobile Loaves & Fishes to provide ongoing support for neighbors living in the Village and for our friends still experiencing homelessness on the streets of Austin.
“Being on the street wasn’t a healthy way to live. I remember what it felt like to be hungry. I enjoy growing and cooking food that feeds my neighbors.” – Ellis
As a Special Thank You
Ellis is sharing his pesto recipe! I enjoy it on pasta, veggies, grilled chicken or simply by the spoonful!
