2022 Annual Report

2022 ANNUAL REPORT

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A Note from Our Leadership

Dear Friends,

As we enter our 40th year of service, we can’t help but reflect on Austin Street’s extraordinary journey from 1983 until now. From our founding as an overnight men’s shelter with no more than 50 beds on Austin Street in downtown Dallas, to our facility at 2929 Hickory Street just south of I-30, we have grown to now offer services for women as well as a variety of special programs to remove barriers to permanent housing and address the root causes of homelessness. Now in our brand-new home, the Austin Street Center for Community Engagement, we look forward to expanding our services even more.

Through all these changes, what has remained consistent is the support of our generous community. Forty years of serving the most vulnerable homeless would not have been possible without friends like you. We are eternally grateful for your continued partnership as we provide a pathway out of homelessness and transform the lives of the men and women that we serve.

2022 was anything but a return to normal. Despite the challenges we faced, we saw the realization of a years-long vision as we opened the Austin Street Center for Community Engagement. At more than double the size of our previous shelter, this new facility enables us to broaden our reach to impact more lives. In 2022 we served 2,053 individuals and helped 419 find permanent housing. We also deepened and expanded our relationships with our community partners.

As 2022 came to a close, we faced an extended inclement weather forecast for the Christmas holiday. The Dallas City Council appointed Austin Street Center as the inclement weather shelter coordinator for Dallas, with plans to use our recently vacated facility at 2929 Hickory Street as the city’s primary inclement weather shelter. From December 22-27, our team, along with our partners, sheltered an additional 510 individuals, providing each with 24-hour shelter, nutritious meals, showers and access to health care and other services.

We recognize the community’s support as an investment in Austin Street, where the dividends will be paid in souls touched and lives transformed. For the next 40 years and beyond, we will remain committed to serving our most vulnerable neighbors. We invite you to join and support us on this journey. Now more than ever, we need you to help them home.

Sincerely,

Daniel Roby Chief Executive Officer Nancy K. Best Chairman of the Board

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Our Services

Basic Needs

Benefits Navigation

Education & Employment Services

Housing-Focused

Case Management

Homeless Diversion Services

Medical health & Respite Care

Mental Health Care

Spiritual Support

Substance Abuse Recovery

Transportation Assistance

Client Story Eric

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Eric was a successful entrepreneur with a thriving personal chef business. As the pandemic persisted, his business tanked. Unable to find a job, he was forced to live off his savings, until it was gone.

In late 2020 tragedy struck as his wife and special-needs adult daughter passed away one month apart. Prior to this, Eric and his family had been living with his mother-in-law. After a few months, she asked him to move out.

Due to neuropathy in his legs that traveled to his chest, Eric was bedridden when he came to Austin Street Center in December of 2021. “Remaining positive was the key. I utilized the tools that had been given to me to rebuild my life,” he said. Eric’s recovery began quickly after his arrival as his health improved from needing a wheelchair to being able to use a walker. “I knew I had to take care of my health needs before I’d be able to work again,” he said. While at Austin Street, Eric continued to receive medical care through Austin Street’s partnership with Parkland Hospital. He also took advantage of our benefits navigation services to ensure that he received the support he needed to transition back to independent living. With assistance from Austin Street’s case managers, Eric was selected for the Rapid Re-housing Program and moved into his own apartment in August 2022.

Financials Revenue

SPECIAL EVENTS

GOVERNMENT GRANTS

INDIVIDUALS

FOUNDATIONS SERVICE

ORGANIZATIONS CORPORATIONS

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PROGRAMS

Financials Expenses

FUNDRAISING

ADMINISTRATION

XELA

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SERVED 2,053 JOB PLACEMENTS 378 HOUSED 419 CASE MANAGEMENT SESSIONS 12,898 Our Impact 8

December 2022 Inclement Weather

Austin Street’s existing shelter at 2929 Hickory Street became vacant after the move to our new home at 1717 Jeffries Street in June. Negotiations quickly began with the City of Dallas for its use as an emergency inclement weather shelter to be used only when the City of Dallas activates its inclement weather policy (when overnight temperatures dip below 32 degrees, or 36 degrees with precipitation). On December 14th, the Dallas City Council appointed Austin Street Center as the inclement weather shelter coordinator for Dallas.

From December 22-27, the Austin Street team conducted intake at the Inclement Weather Shelter, and OurCalling’s team was contracted by Austin Street to run the day-to-day operations of the temporary shelter. Austin Street staff also coordinated a county-wide transportation network which operated daily from 4-10pm, shuttling people to Austin Street. Individuals in need were also able to dial 3-1-1 to schedule a pickup.

Our team sheltered 510 individuals, who would otherwise have been left to fend for themselves on the street in the frigid, life-threatening cold. Across our campus, we served nearly 900 individuals, providing each with 24-hour respite from the inclement weather, nutritious meals, showers and access to health care and other services.

Austin Street Center for Community Engagement

The Austin Street Center for Community Engagement opened on June 21, 2022. This new, 60,000-square-foot, 24/7, client-focused homeless shelter and day service center is an incredible milestone in Austin Street’s history.

This new facility more than doubles the size of our previous shelter, and offers separate, vast accommodations for men and women, classrooms, a dining and engagement space, a larger computer lab, and dedicated rooms for clients to receive medical services.

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COMPUTER LAB COMMERCIAL KITCHEN

ENGAGEMENT CENTER

MEAL SERVICE AREA CLIENT INTAKE LOBBY 11

Program Spotlight Sisterhood Program

Xela Aroma Internship

Xela Aroma, a woman-owned retailer, was founded by the late Maryann Mihalopoulos on the promise to empower women in business. As a generous gift in support of Austin Street Center, Xela Aroma became the agency’s first social enterprise, serving a dual purpose of generating philanthropic and earned revenue, while serving as a hands-on work development training ground helping clients resolve their homelessness with critical life skills. Xela’s products are hand-poured by the women of Austin Street’s Sisterhood Program.

Xela Aroma is partnered with the Sisterhood Program to offer a comprehensive internship program that develops and prepares program participants for the working world. In alignment with Austin Street’s overarching guiding principles, the internship is centered on the core values of kindness, trustworthiness, empowerment, and determination, further developing the interns’ proficiency in customer service, inventory control, marketing, and cost/pricing strategies, along with soft skills related to the interview process, resume building, career search, and dressing for success. The Sisterhood Program’s Case Managers work hands-on with our clients, who become interns with Xela Aroma to round out the ecosystem of support, including financial education, workforce development, along with life skills and social skills training. As interns, clients work their way through all areas of Xela Aroma, learning critical life and social skills, which in turn supports independence as productive and contributing members of society. Because of this wraparound support, coupled with offerings provided by the Sisterhood Program, interns build strong foundations that lead to financial stability and subsequently will resolve their homelessness.

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Client Story Jackie

Jackie’s life spiraled out of control after the tragic accidental drowning of her child. She struggled with addiction for years in an effort to cope with the trauma. She had been to several rehab and recovery facilities but said “those things never worked for me until I found the Sisterhood.” Jackie came to the Sisterhood Program at Austin Street Center in the summer of 2022. She was eager to take advantage of the Xela Internship Program. “I loved learning everything about working with the candles. It made me feel productive to do something that really mattered. I felt like I was in my element,” said Jackie.

During her time at Austin Street, Jackie underwent counseling and learned financial management as well as life and social skills. “I learned selfsufficiency and to take responsibility for my own actions. Coming to Austin Street and the Sisterhood was the best thing that happened to me. My case manager went above and beyond for me. I really felt like she was my guardian angel throughout my whole journey.” After four short months, she was able to successfully resolve her homelessness, moving into her own apartment in October 2022.

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Special Events

22nd Annual

Humble Beginnings

10/14/22

The 22nd Annual Humble Beginnings Luncheon featured a delightful conversation with former first lady Laura Bush and her daughter Barbara Bush.

$884,818 raised

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16th Annual

Night with Norm

12/1/22

This year’s event included a special “Roast & Toast” of radio legend Norm Hitzges of Sportsradio 1310 The Ticket, honoring his legacy of service and long-standing work with Austin Street Center and the wider community.

$90,400 raised

NTX Giving Day

9/22/22

North Texas Giving Day is an 18-hour online giving event hosted by Communities Foundation of Texas designed to garner support for North Texas area local nonprofits. North Texas Giving Day is the largest community-wide giving event in the nation.

$180,725 raised

7th Annual

No Place Like Home

Austin Street Center’s Seventh Annual No Place Like Home included a casual cocktail party with delicious food and drinks. The event’s main attraction was Jordan Kahn Orchestra, along with a silent auction featuring incredible vacation homes, staycations, home goods and services, along with unique travel experiences.

$147,207 raised

11/28/22-12/27/22

The 22nd Annual NORMATHON included three events spearheaded by Texas Radio Hall of Fame member and long-time Austin Street advocate, Norm Hitzges, with all proceeds benefitting Austin Street Center. The Annual Car Raffle featured three new vehicles from the Crest Auto Group. During the 12 Days of Christmas, one auction item was highlighted daily on the Norm and Donovan Show weekdays from December 10-27. NORMATHON concluded with a full day of broadcasting live on December 27.

$619,456 raised

22nd Annual

4/28/22

NORMATHON

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Get Involved

Austin Street Center is dedicated to engaging our community as we care for our most vulnerable citizens.

We welcome individuals and groups from churches, schools, businesses, and other civic organizations to help provide support for our homeless neighbors. A variety of volunteer opportunities are availablethroughout the year.

Prospective volunteers must attend an Austin Street Center Orientation Tour. For more information and to begin the registration process, visit austinstreet.org/volunteer.

ASC ANGELS

Austin Street Angels is a special group of oncall supporters who are committed to helping Austin Street with our most pressing needs each month. To join or learn more, contact Candace.Emery@austinstreet.org.

WELCOME CENTER ASSISTANT

This fast paced and high energy opportunity is perfect for anyone great at multitasking. The tasks performed include but are not limited to answering the phone, greeting potential clients and visitors, handing out hygiene kits, sorting mail, and checking clients in upon entrance.

INTAKE ASSISTANT

Intake time is fast paced and requires high energy and social skills to interact with new clients. Tasks performed include but are not limited to greeting clients as they enter; managing client movement; providing a general tour of the facility to our new clients; and assisting at the Welcome Center Desk.

DONATION SORTING ASSISTANT

This non-client facing opportunity is a great location for groups and families! The tasks performed include, but are not limited to, sorting through donations, preparing clothing to be stored in our Clothing Room, creating hygiene kits, and assisting with facility laundry.

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GUEST SERVICES ASSISTANT

The Guest Services Desk is the hub of operations for the shelter. Volunteers here will assist clients with daily needs and tasks, including answering the phone; handing out hygiene items and over-the-counter medication; answering client questions regarding resources; and checking out of items, such as towels, detergent, and board games.

CLOTHING ROOM ASSISTANT

This partially client-facing opportunity is perfect for anyone great at multitasking. The tasks performed include, but are not limited to, filling clothing orders, handing out filled clothing orders and client mail, and assisting with client and facility laundry.

MEAL SERVICE

This opportunity is great for direct interaction with clients. The tasks performed include prepping the food and setup on the serving line, handing meals directly to clients with mobility-challenges, and serving others through the meal line and beverage station.

DONATION DRIVES

The needs of Austin Street Center’s clients are ever-changing. Hosting a donation drive is a great off-site volunteer (or virtual) opportunity that can provide a lasting impact on our clients. Please review our website and consult with us about our current needs before organizing your drive.