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