Get Involved with Trinity Center

October 31, 2008 1:15 pm by: Hawk Mendenhall

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Mission of Trinity Center

Trinity Center’s mission is to serve the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of people experiencing homelessness and poverty in Austin, Texas. Trinity Center’s programs are based on a neighbor-to-neighbor approach that fosters trust and community between those who have housing and a steady income and those who do not. We offer support, assistance, food, and a place of worship and spiritual renewal for those who have lost the comforts of home and the feelings of care and concern from others. As one of our neighbors stated in an August 2006 survey, “It’s a home when you have no home.”

VisionOur vision is this: Trinity Center is the downtown leader among faith-based organizations serving our neighbors experiencing homelessness and poverty. We act as a safety net for the city’s homeless and poor residents, who often lack any other consistent support system.

ServicesTrinity Center serves as a drop-in center for Austin’s diverse homeless population by offering a vast array of services, including:

• Sunday afternoon worship service and meal for 80 neighbors
• Monday morning fellowship and shopping at our clothing and toiletries closet for 40 female neighbors
• Saturday morning recreational time and lunch for volunteer and neighbor families
• a devotion and nutritious breakfast every Wednesday through Friday for 60 neighbors daily
• basic necessities such as restrooms, a safe place to spend part of the day, a temperature-controlled environment, beverages, clothing and toiletries/hygiene products
• a computer lab with free Internet access and printing
• free phone-calling service (local and long distance) to maintain contact with family members and friends
• financial assistance to pay for Texas photo identification cards and other documents required to obtain a photo ID, as well as information and guidance to help navigate that complex process
• financial assistance for prescription medications and transportation
• books and reading glasses

and

• case management services where neighbors set goals related to housing, education, employment, health care, mental health care, etc., then work with a case manager to achieve those goals

We believe that only by addressing issues of spirit, mind, and body can we make a difference in our neighbors’ lives. As a faith-based organization, Trinity Center comes from a Christian perspective that follows an inclusive, open-minded, hospitality-oriented spirituality that is positive, life affirming, and respectful of the multitude of beliefs that our neighbors hold.

Volunteer Needs:

WEEKDAYS:

• Woman to Woman (Mondays 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.): Provide a devotion time, breakfast, fellowship, emotional support and clothing closet shopping to women
• Breakfast (Wednesday – Friday 9:15 a.m.-11:30 a.m.): Prepare and serve breakfast (no cooking), make coffee, clean the kitchen.
• Neighbor to Neighbor (Wednesday – Friday 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.): Greet neighbors and assist them with obtaining identification cards, birth certificates, information and referrals for social services, phone calls, and reading glasses; visit with neighbors, make coffee, and provide emotional support
• Spiritual Activities: Lead spiritual activities such as Bible study, devotions, prayer, writing, reading, music or art
• Fundraising: Help staff and board with events, grant applications and other efforts to secure financial support for Trinity Center programs
• Public Relations/Communications: Assist with creating communications and educational materials such as brochures and newsletters; educate community groups about Trinity Center; maintain Trinity Center website

SATURDAYS:

• Trinity Center Bridge (2 Saturdays per month 9:00 a.m. – noon): Share recreational time, arts and crafts activities and lunch with families in homeless situations

SUNDAYS:
• Trinity Streets (2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.): Prepare and serve the meal, set up and clean up the space for worship and dining, provide music for the service

For more information:
Visit www.trinitycenteraustin.org
Please direct inquiries to: Melanie Behrends, Program Director
E-mail: melanie@trinitycenteraustin.org
Phone: (512) 610-3553