This Thanksgiving, many clients will arrive hungry and depleted as food sources shrink and camps are cleared across the city. We are preparing warm meals, food bags, hygiene items, and comfort kits to ensure every young adult has access to nourishment and a safe place to rest. Christmas will bring its own heavy needs, and we are gathering essential winter clothing, hygiene kits, job-readiness items, and small “just for joy” gifts—often the only presents our clients will receive all year. These simple acts of kindness help restore dignity and warmth during a season that can otherwise feel isolating.

Employment remains a major focus as jobs are one of the strongest pathways out of homelessness. Our team is working closely with clients to build soft skills, prepare résumés, practice interviews, and secure the basic clothing and transportation support needed to get and keep a job. With many young adults facing instability, the opportunity to work offers both hope and momentum for long-term change.

At the same time, outreach volunteers are needed more than ever. With increasing camp clearings, reduced food access, and rising violence around unsheltered communities, more youth are turning to us for help. Volunteers play a vital role in assembling outreach bags, sorting clothing, supporting on-site services, and joining structured outreach efforts. Many new clients only meet us because a volunteer helped bring resources directly to them.

The rising numbers we are seeing reflect larger shifts across Austin and beyond: fewer affordable housing options, fewer food resources, more displacement, and greater instability for young adults. Each time safety nets tighten, more youth fall through the cracks—and they arrive at our doorstep in urgent need of support, stability, and connection. Despite these challenges, our small team continues showing up every day, offering practical help and compassionate care while serving more clients than ever before.