Our Staff

Christian Rodriguez, BSW
Executive Director
Christian majored in Social Work and completed his final field placement at Trinity Center before graduating from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. Before coming on staff he worked for a campus ministry serving college students in the Central Texas area.
Christian’s desire to serve and show compassion, combined with communication and organizational skills, brought him to the center first as our Operations Coordinator, and now as our Executive Director leading our team. In his spare time, Christian enjoys listening to good music, watching movies, and spending time with the people he loves.
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Contact Christian at christian@trinitycenteraustin.org

Carter Leer
Operations Coordinator
Carter is originally from Lexington, Kentucky. He earned his Master of Divinity from the Seminary of the Southwest here in Austin, TX. As an ordained deacon in the Episcopal Church, he worked at St. David’s as the Director of Newcomers, while also assisting in the work in the Trinity Center —first as a volunteer, then as part-time staff for the Cooling Center Pilot Project last summer.
Carter’s strong pull toward the work of the Trinity Center eventually led him to the role of Operations Coordinator. His desire to compassionately and efficiently help our neighbors is what drives him in our day-to-day work.
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Carter is also a professionally trained organist, and loves to play music whenever possible. Other than that he enjoys watching movies, playing with his dog Ginger, and anxiously rooting for the University of Kentucky basketball team.
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Contact Carter at carter@trinitycenteraustin.org

Bart Whittington, MSS
Case Manager Supervisor
Bart earned his Master of Science in Social Work in 2018 from the Steve Hicks School of Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin. He became interested in working with those who are unhoused/unstably housed through lived experience.
He enjoys studying about the neurobiology of trauma, complex PTSD and OCD. In his free time, Bart enjoys reading, writing, photography, and long walks in nature.
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Contact Bart at bart.w@trinitycenteraustin.org

Robert Parent
Case Manager
Robert is originally from New Hampshire, and moved to Texas in 2016. His passion for providing social services to unhoused adults is rooted deep from lived experience in addiction, and mental health. Since overcoming personal challenges in 2018, he have leveraged his experiences to assist individuals facing similar struggles, transitioning from volunteer work to a formal role as a permanent supportive housing case manager in 2020.
He is currently pursuing a BAS in Computer Science online at Southern New Hampshire University with a projected graduation date of December 2025. In November 2022, he earned his SOAR adult certification, and he is committed to client advocacy, building authentic relationships and continuing to drive impactful change in each person’s life.
In his free time, he enjoys woodworking, thrift store shopping, and cooking.
Contact Robert at robert.p@trinitycenteraustin.org

Manuela Arango
Volunteer and Communications Coordinator
Manuela holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications and Journalism, with a background in content creation, and digital marketing. Throughout her career, Manuela has worked in different fields such as medical and immigration law, yet Trinity Center holds a special place in her heart. In her own words, it represents the perfect place to utilize her skills to amplify the voices and stories of neighbors, humanize their experiences, and engage the community around us.
She is originally from Colombia but has been residing in Austin for the last three years. Manuela likes to spend her free time cooking at home and vlogging delicious recipes on social media. She enjoys reading, dancing, and snuggling with her two cats, Cricket and Bizcocho.
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Contact Manuela at manuela.a@trinitycenteraustin.org

Bishop Turner
Kitchen Assistant
Bishop does a wonderful job at preparing and serving delicious meals, keeping our kitchen tidy and fully stocked, and leading our volunteers in kitchen duties. Bishop first sought us out for services to help his situation and became a frequent visitor. He then joined us as our Computer Lab Volunteer — signing neighbors in and out and ensuring anyone who needed assistance was given it.
For months Trinity Staff observed his passion to give back, his kindness toward others, and his contagious and life-giving optimism. We are so grateful for his ‘yes’ when being invited to apply for our kitchen position. He is hard-working, loves to serve the public, keeps everyone around him laughing every day, and always has great music playing!

Gianely Garcia
Case Management Intern
Gianely is a dedicated intern at the Trinity Center, where they assist in providing essential services to underserved communities. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin, they are passionate about advocating for individuals in need and fostering positive change. Outside of work they enjoy hiking and staying active through fitness.
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Contact Gianely at: InternC@TrinityCenterAustin.org

Mahira Jiwani
Operations and Case Management Intern
Mahira is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work degree from The University of Texas with the expected graduation of July 2025. Mahira has also completed her Bachelor of Social Work from The University of Texas in December 2023. She hopes to join the medical social work field after graduation.
She has prior experience with youth after completing an internship at Communities in Schools (CIS) and working at Youth Advocate Program (YAP). She is excited to learn more about the unhoused and be an advocate through Central Presbyterian Church and Trinity Center!
Mahira enjoys watching T.V., taking long scenic walks, swimming, traveling, and baking!
Contact Mahira at mahira@cpcaustin.org
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Payton Lykes
Case Management Intern
Payton is currently a senior at the University of Texas at Austin and is pursuing her Bachelor of Social Work which she is set up to graduate with in the Spring of 2025. Her personal journey of mental health advocacy is what fuels her passion to help others and she looks forward to pursuing that at the Trinity Center along with her work at UT Health Biomedical Informatics. Lauren is committed to fostering positive change and to do her best to support the individuals and communities she will be working with.
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Contact Lauren at InternD@TrinityCenterAustin.org

Lauren Bruce
Case Management Intern
Lauren is working toward an MSW through the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work. Lauren’s desire to serve and empower other humans led her to pursue a career in social services.
She enjoys cooking, reading books, petting cats, and exploring the outdoors with her son.
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Contact Lauren at InternB@TrinityCenterAustin.org