We had the privilege and opportunity for our entire office to volunteer at Community First! Village. A staple of Mobile Loaves and Fishes, this planned community on 51 acres provides affordable and permanent housing for the disabled, chronically homeless in Central Texas. Chronic homelessness is considered anyone who has been without a home and on the streets for over a year and since 2015, Community First! Village has helped over 250 homeless men and women and moved them into a supportive community and home. For almost 15 years now this transformative program has become the largest community-based model in the country.
During our time there it was very evident that community plays a huge part in the success of their residents which in turn helps build the community. As we talked with Charlie, our project manager, he shared that all of the residents feel a huge sense of ownership of the community, and take pride in maintaining it and working hard to continue the success and growth of it.
For many of the residents, homelessness occurred after a significant and unforeseen life event occurred but fortunately, this community helps them get back on their feet in a dignified way by providing them with all the resources and skills they need. “Housing will never solve homelessness, but the community will.” -Amber Fogarty, President & Chief Goodness Officer of Mobile Loaves & Fishes
“We love this city and the community in it so of course, we want nothing more than to give back to it! We love what Community First! and Mobile Loaves & Fishes stand for and all that they are doing to help people. We look forward to volunteering again very soon.” -Todd Sorrel (Co-Founder of ePayPolicy)
For more information on how you can volunteer or how you can give, visit mlf.org/ways-to-give/.
