Casey Watson is a Relationship Steward at Mobile Loaves and Fishes, and with Community First! Village, both are Christian social outreach ministries in Austin that have been empowering communities into a lifestyle of service with the homeless since 1998.
With the support of tens of thousands of volunteers, Community First! Village (CFV) is (now) a 100 acre master-planned community providing permanent housing and a supportive community for people coming out of chronic homelessness while Mobile Loaves and Fishes serves “Goodness”: providing food and clothing, cultivating community, and promoting dignity to our homeless brothers and sisters in need.
The single greatest cause of homelessness is the loss of family and/or community. Founder Alan Graham believed that community was and is the most important factor in his vision for creating CVF almost twenty years ago, which is the reason the name lists “Community” first.
There are several home types at CVF: microhomes (not plumbed) that are a short distance to communal showers, restrooms and laundry. There is also an outdoor kitchen for residents to use. Park Model RVs and RV units that are plumbed and Tiny Townhomes that have a toilet & sink, but no shower or kitchen area.
CFV has three requirements for a person to apply for one of the homes:
Be homeless for at least 12 months and
An unaccompanied adult
Live on the streets for one year
Have at least one disability
Have a verifiable source of income
Be over the age of 18
CVF engages a firm, Austin ECHO, to do a coordinated assessment of each potential homeless person for a residence including proving up U.S. citizenship.
Some demographics of CVF are:
70% men to 30% women
Average age is 57 yrs
The average time of a resident on the streets is 9 years
Most residents are single persons; there are a few couples and very few mothers with children
The current CVF population is 440
Programs at CRV:
Genesis Gardens…farming operation that provides food for residents as well as a weekly farmer’s market for non-residents
Art House…provides a space for creative residents to produce and sell the best works of art
Community Cinema…movie nights at the outdoor amphitheater that outside community is always invited
Community Market…the central hub and showcase for unique handcrafted offerings
