Trinity Center

Trinity center's mission is to improve the spiritual, mental, and physical well-being of poor and homeless persons, our “neighbors,” in inner-city Austin through our many programs such as Trinity Streets—worship service and meal, Woman to Woman—tea, fellowship, and clothes shopping for women, Daily services--spiritual activities, a chapel, breakfast and coffee, social services information, telephones, computers, and case management. We also have a movie and popcorn on Fridays.

Description:
WEEKDAYS:
□ Woman to Woman – Mondays 9:00 a.m.-12:00p.m.: Provide a devotional, breakfast, fellowship, and clothing closet “shopping” to women
□ Breakfast – Wednesday-Friday 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Prepare and serve breakfast (no cooking), make coffee, clean the kitchen.
□ Daily Services/Front Desk –Wednesday-Friday 9:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m. or 10-12 or 11-1: 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, devotionals, prayer, writing, reading, music, or art
□ Grant Application Development: Assist the staff with identifying funding opportunities and with writing grant applications
□ Public Relations/Communications: Assist staff with creating communications and educational materials such as brochures, newsletters, and forms; 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 from The Salvation Army shelter.

SUNDAYS

□ Trinity Streets – 1:45 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

History:
Trinity Center grew from the concern of parishioners of St. David's Episcopal Church for people experiencing homelessness, their downtown “neighbors,” who were living in shelters and on the streets near the church. Trinity Center was founded by volunteers and is based on a model of action through voluntarism. Since its inception in 1999, Trinity Center has evolved from a Sunday-only ministry in borrowed space to a separately-incorporated 501(c)(3) organization that offers a variety of programs throughout the week.

Our programs are based on a neighbor-to-neighbor approach that fosters trust and community between those who have homes and those who do not. We offer companionship, community, food, and – for those who desire it – a place of worship for our neighbors who have lost the comfort of home. We feel very proud of the manner in which our staff and volunteers “lead by acceptance,” resulting in neighbors feeling ownership of Trinity Center and thinking of it as their community center.

The Center currently offers opportunities for volunteers and neighbors to develop positive relationships with each other, serves meals six days a week, and informs neighbors about social service resources. Trinity Center plays a vital role in several categories of service in Austin: faith based services, basic needs services, and homeless services. We collaborate closely with other organizations to minimize overlap in services and to strategize on long-term goals.

Contact person: Emily Kennedy, AmeriCorps Case Manager, (512) 610-3567, (email)

Office fax number: (512) 610-3510

Address:

304 E.7th Street Austin, TX 78701 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.trinitycenteraustin.org

Directions:

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?latlongtype=internal&addtohistory=&latitude=piCHABxIq6k%3d&longitude=TGLHy1Tim0w%3d&name=Trinity%20Center&country=US&address=12th%20%26%20Trinity&city=Austin&state=TX&zipcode=78701&phone=512%2d617%2d4658&spurl=0&&q=Trinity%20center&qc=Executive%20Suites For maps or information, please see http://www.capmetro.org/riding/trip_info.asp

Last updated on November 3, 2009