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Jean Pierre, better known as JP, willingly shared pieces of his story with us, with parts of it being very difficult, but his experiences also offered a glimpse into the realities faced by people experiencing homelessness. Everyone's story is different. JP is currently enrolled in Trinity Center's case management program. He  has lived in Austin for 40 years and has experienced homelessness on and off—with his current state being his third and unfortunately longest time, going on one and a half years. He has suffered two major accidents in his lifetime, resulting in severe head trauma, a tracheotomy, an amputated arm, and rot in his leg. These accidents have significantly impacted his health and ability to work. He still worked at times in labor jobs and restaurants, but over time, it became increasingly difficult. "Losing my arm was part of life. It ain't nothing to me. It's just a well, and I'm alive—that's what matters," he said. It is clear that he refuses to let his circumstances define who he is or where he is today. JP has also battled addiction for years, but now he is determined to change and get clean. "I want to get into treatment. Once I do, I know a place for me is coming—I just know it, and I really want it," JP said when asked about his goals. With his case manager, Robert, he has been actively working to find an affordable rehab facility that meets his needs. Beyond that, their weekly Wednesday meetings are intentional times for JP and Robert to plan, seek additional resources, gather necessary supplies to stay healthy, or to simply talk. JP looks forward to these meetings, expressing that Robert has his back—something many of our neighbors have expressed to us seems rare to find among different providers. JP is lively, eager, and truthful, with a great sense of humor. Like him, we are looking forward to seeing what the future holds. Though the path ahead won’t be easy, it is one worth navigating toward a place he can once again call home. Just like with JP, our Case Management program provides in-depth support to neighbors who are striving to get off the streets. What sets us apart is our team's deep knowledge of city resources, genuine hospitality, and compassionate commitment—qualities that don’t go unnoticed. Each time neighbors walk out our doors, they walk away with more than just services— they leave with a sense of hope, clarity, and direction among the chaos they may face outside.

Join us for the Barbara Jordan Celebration, Trinity Center's largest and most impactful fundraiser of the year! Celebrate our 25th anniversary and this year’s honorees, Jonathan Gribetz and Texas Coffee Traders. Thursday, April 24th 5:30PM to 7:30PM Bethell Hall -  St. David’s Episcopal Church 301 East 8th Street Tickets: $125 NOTE: Under ‘Sub Fund’, select Barbara Jordan - Ticket Purchase Free parking in St. David’s Garage Entrance on Trinity Street, between 7th and 8th Street. After parking, please exit through the 2nd floor of the garage to enter the St. David’s reception area. For sponsorship  information please contact realestatepalos@gmail.com  or  christian@trinitycenteraustin.org We hope to see you there!

Anyone who walks through the doors of Trinity Center may come seeking help, but they often leave with something even more meaningful and impactful—a true sense of community. For 24 years, we have stood by many—supporting them through struggles and setbacks, always welcoming each person as a fellow human being , our "neighbor." Rick’s story is just one example of how the simple acts  of being truly acknowledged, building meaningful relationships, and accessing vital services can bring relief and comfort to everyday life. This powerful combination has the ability to restore hope and give life a renewed sense of purpose. Rick was married for 30 years and is the father of two daughters and grandfather of four. He spent many years working in IT and even had the unique opportunity to tour with a band as their drummer. Today, at 65 and retired, Rick is facing homelessness due to the challenges of family separation and financial hardship. For Rick, discovering Trinity Center was a light in dark times. He describes it as a place where he has been learning, growing, and surviving. 'My spirit feels at peace here,'  he shares. 'I feel I am part of the family because of the way you accept me and love me here’. Rick comes by almost every day, settling into his usual spot and making full use of the various services:   breakfast, ID assistance, showers, clothing, reading glasses, and unlimited coffee, to name a few. He recently became a client in our case management program and with the continued guidance of his case manager, Rick has gained a sense of structure and direction in his life. Each week he leaves his meetings with clear steps to follow, reassured that he isn’t alone in the process of finding stability and a place to call home. When asked about our services,  he expressed, ‘A lot of what I need is here. You’re not only welcoming—you see us and listen to us. You help me improve my hygiene, offer an extra jacket when it’s cold, and when it got hot, you extended hours and let me shower every day. ’  When asked about his goals  he stated, ‘One of the first things I want to do when I get a place is to buy a drum and play again; that would make my spirit very happy’. Rick is a music lover, father, grandfather, and friend—like everyone else, he has a story as well as hopes and dreams despite his current situation. And he, like all the neighbors we love, can better their situations with just some encouragement, shoulders to lean on, and someone who will join them in the journey. We are grateful to stand by Rick and hopeful for what the future holds for him. Supporting him and so many others we serve is possible only because of generous supporters like YOU , who believe in and uplift our mission in countless ways.

*Interview was translated into English* Trinity Center: What was your life like while living on the streets? Melanie: It was very difficult; it’s not the same as being a man on the street. Many times, I had to sleep with ‘one eye open and the other closed,’ and there were nights when I couldn’t sleep at all. I was frequently threatened, with people trying to rob or hurt me. Thankfully, I had my partner at that time and my dog with me. Whenever they saw my dog, they would back off, but sometimes they didn’t realize she was under the blankets, and they tried to harm me regardless. Trinity Center: How does being away from your children impact you? Melanie: It’s very hard because I miss them deeply, but I’ve had to make this decision. Thankfully, my children understand, especially my oldest, who is twelve. She encourages me and says, ‘Mommy, you can do it.’ Even though people say, ‘You’re a bad mother. Look at your children—they’re in different countries, and you’re living a happy life without them,’ I am not happy. I may smile on the outside, but inside, I’m struggling. Every day, I ask God to help me move forward and give me the strength not to give up, because my children need me, and I need them. I miss them so much, and if I give up, it would be like telling them it’s okay to give up too." Trinity Center: How has Trinity Center helped you? Melanie: They have helped us so much, and I am incredibly grateful for them. They’ve supported me not only with bus passes and finding shelter, but they’ve also helped with my mental health. Talking to them is a big relief whenever I have anxiety attacks, especially when I can’t talk to any of you. Speaking with you also helps me improve my English, which is not very good. I feel safe being here. Trinity Center: What goals or plans do you have? Melanie : I am working on myself, focusing on my safety and building my self-esteem. I’m searching for a job and a home because I want to create a stable life where I can have my kids back with me. Trinity Center: What would you tell other moms going through this situation? Melanie: Never give up. Always seek help. As much as we might say, ‘I can do it alone,’ the truth is, we can’t. I used to say, ‘I can handle this on my own; I don’t need help.’ But there comes a time when you need to talk to someone. Sometimes, we even need to seek professional help. Most importantly, always seek God in everything.

What an incredible journey the Cooling Center has been! Whether you volunteered, contributed time or funds, visited, or supported us online by spreading the word, we want to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU on behalf of our neighbors. The impact of the extended hours was undeniable— it was written on the faces of those who finished showering, sometimes for the third time in a week. We saw it in their gratitude as they received the afternoon snack, which for some was likely their last meal of the day. It was felt in the sense of calm and safety they experienced, knowing they were inside and away from the extreme heat. While this may not have completely changed their situation, it made life a bit more bearable and dignified. The Cooling Center Pilot project ended on September 30th but we are optimistic that this won’t be the last time Trinity Center can offer extra resources to the neighbors we care for. "It adds dignity back into my life to be able to shower 5 days a week" - Sarah H. Do you feel our efforts were impactful? Please consider giving toward our continued work of serving the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our unhoused neighbors. Your generosity is truly appreciated!

I arrived in Austin at the end of January. It was a spontaneous decision. I had a brother here, but I decided not tell anybody what I was doing. I was in the middle of a rather lengthy divorce in the UK. I had some other issues that I was dealing with, and I was probably feeling as low as I had ever had been. My phone was destroyed, I had no cash or I.D., and to top things off, it was freezing in Austin. I met some cool street people almost right away. Christina, with her dog Gator, Miami, from Miami, Houdini, and Jennifer. They were spending the night in the parking garage next to the Trinity Center. Almost the first thing they said was, "You're welcome to stay with us." Miami said he would show me everything I needed to know to make it in Austin, how to obtain food, a bus pass, and blankets. Also where it's safe, and relatively warm, to sleep at night. The next morning I had breakfast at the Trinity Center. I also received a two-year bus pass, and a service point I.D. I listened to Will making announcements, as to what resources Trinity had, and which days they were available. Everyone working there was extremely polite and kind. When I observed situations that would have had me livid, the staff at Trinity always handle things in a calm, cool manner. I was impressed, that's for sure. I utilized the resources Trinity had to offer. Jaimee, an intern with Trinity, instructed me on how to do a housing assessment. Jaimee also helped me apply for food stamps. We applied on a Friday, I was approved the following Wednesday. I received a MAP card the same day, it's a good thing too, because unfortunately, I ended up needing it very soon after, more than once. I met many good people at Trinity. One day Jaimee asked to speak with me when I had a chance. She told me that she was so happy to be my case manager, she couldn't wait to get the ball rolling. I was surprised and delighted. I am not sure how it happened, I don't remember if I put my name on a list requesting one, or if the staff saw my strong desire to get on track again. It didn't matter, I had someone in my court. We set up to meet once a week. We got my goals in chronological order, realistic goals that I should be able to achieve by certain timelines. Things like housing, employment, physical and mental health issues. During one meeting, Jaimee saw me struggling with my phone. She asked if I was having problems with it. I told her that I hated the bloody phone. Jaimee said that she would see if they could get one, and she did. When I wanted to start doing some day work, she got Trinity to supply me with a brand-new pair of steel-toed boots. They also made sure I had the clothing I needed. I am very grateful for the material things that helped me get going, but the main thing that kept me upbeat and positive in this new reality I'm living is the companionship Trinity supplied. To have somebody in your corner rooting for you, actively supporting you, and me knowing they genuinely want to see me back on my own two feet. Having that is a soothing balm for one's brain. I was very saddened when Jamie told me that our time together was coming to an end. Her time at Trinity was up... she was moving on. Jaimee told me that"Eunice" would be my case manager now. She said that she would check up on me in a couple months, to see how things are turning out. I am seeing Eunice every week now. Well... I see her more often than that. We have our scheduled meetings once a week. One day I was in a bind because my ride to a job interview at Lake Travis fell through. I texted Eunice at the last minute, she booked me an Uber and I made the interview. The guy actually hired me, he said I would start in two weeks. I ended up not getting the job. When I called to see about the schedule, I was informed that the corporate office did a background check. He said he was sorry, he wanted to hire me anyway but it was out of this hands. Trying to get a job with any kind of criminal record is another story. I'm working on it, I'll let you know how it turns out. James Kerwick

Wendy, one of our youngest volunteers from last summer, wrote a beautiful essay about her experience at Trinity Center and we want to share it with all of you. This essay got her early admission to UC Berkeley (~1,000/124,000+ applications)! Our volunteers' experiences and stories are at the heart of our organization. Their dedication makes our work possible, and we couldn't achieve our mission without their invaluable support. “Two creams, one sugar,” requests Hattie, for her daily coffee. I oblige, reaching over the strewn housing papers, mini bottles of shampoo, and IDs into the boxes on top of the mail cabinet to retrieve her add-ins. She smiles back gratefully, and I give her a little wave goodbye. I have her preferences memorized at this point, Hattie being the first “unhoused neighbor” I met at the Trinity Center, a local homeless shelter. Entering as the youngest volunteer, I was nervous about assisting adults older than me. On my first day, I clumsily scavenged for masks, handed out mail, and sorted through clothing. But as I connected with this community, as I lip-synced to Moe’s self-produced mixtape, spoke Chinese with gentle-giant Ivan, and prayed on the bathroom floor with grief-stricken Danielle, who had just lost her cousin to a gun, I found myself growing into my role. I now recognize that in the face of losses, whether the loss of a job, the loss of a home, or the loss of a family member, offering simple kindness to others experiencing hardship can have a powerful influence. Whether it’s fingers tracing routes to food banks or mouths softening to offer words of hope, I strive to maintain the Trinity Center as a pillar of support for this underserved, underrepresented and misunderstood unhoused population. In my time here, I came to understand when to listen, when to give advice, and even when to set clear boundaries. Coming back to school, my new-found interpersonal insight flourished alongside my proactiveness. I organized a chemistry peer tutoring program, pairing up students for extra help. When I discovered LASA didn’t offer AP Biology or Biology Olympiad, I co-founded the Biology Club and had over 65 students involved with higher-level biology. Supporting my fellow peers allows me to empower myself and become a better leader. Learning from others, and collaborating with different people in different situations, has helped me identify that improving my community and myself comes from reaching out to others and fostering compassion. I hope to continue my journey of service and positivity at the University of California. Wendy Geng

Men's showers are held every Thursday at Trinity Center, made possible by the generous support of Tarrytown United Methodist Church, which was recognized this year at the Barbara Jordan Event. Edwin Williams, who faithfully volunteers at the showers every week, delivered words that left a profound impact during the event and deserved to be shared beyond those in attendance. "A shower is something we take for granted. A shower at the Trinity Center is more than a shower. It is a break from a world where there are very few people that you can trust. It is a clean start, a reset. When the neighbors come into the Center, they put their names on the list if they want a shower. One of the 3 shower hosts will bring them from the main room of the Center through the closed doors to the hall outside the showers. As we help the neighbor pick out pants, socks, underwear, a shirt, and maybe a coat or a sweater, often his countenance changes. He realizes he does not have to be defensive and the volunteers all want to help him. I have seen multiple volunteers get down on the floor to help a neighbor put on their socks and shoes. I want to tell you about how the shower ministry began. When Jenny Monahan became the Minister in charge of missions at Tarrytown UMC, she was looking to grow the service that was already being done by church members. Gaye Polan has worked in the women’s clothing closet for 11 years and is passionate about helping Trinity serve its neighbors. Gaye told Jenny about how the women from St. Mark’s have hosted showers for women for many years. Gaye pointed out to Jenny that the majority of the neighbors are men and our church should host showers for the men. Since I was a long-time breakfast volunteer at Trinity, Jenny asked me if I would commit to serving in the men’s shower ministry. I said yes. Jenny asked Elizabeth Hoffman, a seminary student serving at Tarrytown if she would help start this ministry as a project required for her graduation. Elizabeth studied how the St. Mark’s women hosted the showers and assembled all the supplies to host showers. Jan, who is the Bookkeeper at our Church watches for sales of jeans, and her husband, Mark, is a regular volunteer. Some of the other shower ministry volunteers are here tonight. Mike is a regular volunteer and Ken is a volunteer. Also, David, the pastor from Texas Wesley at UT serves each month. The suffering of living on the street is not something that most people understand. I can’t watch a weather forecast that includes rain, cold or sweltering heat without thinking of our neighbors’ suffering. The shower provides a little relief from this suffering. Hosting showers on Thursday is an intense morning and I am tired when it is over, but this is only one day a week for me. I am in awe of the staff, who provide radical hospitality every day. The staff and volunteers at Trinity are some of the people I admire most in this world. I am just so grateful to be a small part of the Trinity Center. I want to use our neighbors’ words to express my gratitude for your gifts to the Trinity Center. “God bless you.” “Thank you.” “Thank you all for all that you do. I really appreciate it.” “Thank you all very much. God bless you all.” Edwin.

Donato's journey into homelessness began in 1989. Since moving to Austin in 2009, he has been involved with the Trinity Center community. This year, 2024, marks a turning point in Donato's life—a year filled with newfound hope. In April, Donato received approval for a temporary place to stay, a small yet significant step towards securing a permanent home. With the invaluable assistance of our Case Manager, Myah, Donato was able to complete the process to move into a tiny, temporary home—a safe place where he could finally reside as he waits for his forever home to materialize. Donato speaks joyfully about finally having a place to call his own, the day he opened his tiny home for the first time, was one of the rare times Myah had ever seen him smile. It's something most of us take for granted—the simple act of stepping into our homes after a long day, closing the door behind us and feeling safe. For Donato, this basic sense of security is a newfound luxury after 33 years of uncertainty and hardship, and even with the awareness of forthcoming challenges, he maintains hope and is focused on accomplishing his objectives. Today, Donato is off the streets, filled with optimism for the future. Yet, his journey prompts us to question the system—a system that makes it incredibly challenging for homeless individuals to access stable housing. The lengthy waitlists for shelters reflect a widespread issue that Donato endured for 33 long years—a difficulty shared by countless others living on the streets, struggling to maintain faith in the possibility of finding their own place to call home. As we stand alongside Donato on his journey, we hold onto hope and optimism for his future and wish that his permanent housing approval arrives much sooner than his temporary place.

Please join us for a special evening at The Barbara Jordan Event Benefitting Trinity Center Honoring Trinity Center Award Winners Gene and Robin Shepherd and Tarrytown United Methodist Church Thursday, April 11th 5:30PM to 7:30PM Bethell Hall St. David’s Episcopal Church 301 East 8th Street Free parking in St. David’s Garage Entrance on Trinity Street, between 7th and 8th Street. After parking, please exit through the 2nd floor of the garage to enter the St. David’s reception area. TICKETS $125 NOTE: Under 'Sub Fund', select Barbara Jordan - Event Ticket Sponsors COMMEMORATIVE SPONSORS The Dan Moody,Jr. Memorial Fund Bryan and Beth Plater Shepherd 5 Points Family Foundation PRESENTING SPONSOR Lewis and Kelly Talbert UNDERWRITING SPONSORS Peter and Louise Pincoffs Whitley Charitable Foundation SUPPORTING SPONSORS Geoff Connor Gaye Polan Mark and Cissy Warner Rob and Anna Belle Williams NEIGHBOR SPONSORS Randy Baird and Karen McLinden Lowell and Elizabeth Keig Ed and Molly Sharpe Special thanks to

Hello, this is Christian Rodriguez, Executive Director of Trinity Center. I feel so privileged to be able to write this annual report as I did last year, especially after completing my first full year as the agency’s Director. In May I will complete my 6th official year as an employee with Trinity Center. Having witnessed so much throughout those years, I have been a witness to the same, unchanging reality despite global, national, or local changes: the unhoused neighbors we love and serve every day continue to come to our door physically, emotionally, and spiritually hungry and in need. It is for these reasons that I feel immense pride in the amazing work our agency continues to do to meet such needs. 2023 for Trinity Center was a year of departures and new beginnings, new partnerships, successful fundraising initiatives, impactful advocacy, increased service delivery, as well as a year of continued radical hospitality and care for our unhoused neighbors, both of which have been at the foundation of our existence for more than 20 years. Staff Transitions In 2023 Trinity Center had 4 staff transitions. Trinity Center’s former case managers, Emily Britz and Libby Brennan, departed from Trinity Center and now utilize their skills and gifts in new spaces. Libby joined the team in the Summer of 2021 as the agency’s AmeriCorps volunteer. In 2022 she was offered a full-time position as a case manager. She was well-known for going above and beyond for her clients. Emily joined the Trinity Center staff team in the Fall of 2020 as a case manager and was promoted in 2022 as the agency’s Case Management Supervisor. Through her amazing leadership and work ethic, Emily has added to the amazing legacy of Social Workers and Case Management Supervisors who have elevated Trinity Center’s Case Management Program to what it is today. Thirdly, Sean Campbell, Trinity Center’s 2022-23 term AmeriCorps Volunteer, also transitioned out of the agency at the end of his term in July. Sean was a perfect example of the phrase, “love has no boundaries.” He embodied Trinity Center’s values of being hospitable, caring, and accepting of all. Before his departure, Sean redecorated our chapel area– a space where neighbors can escape the busyness and “noise” of the outside and center themselves and be attentive to what’s going on “inside,” a practice Sean modeled very well for all of us. Lastly, Trinity Center saw the transition of its Kitchen Aid, Joshua Posada. Joshua came to us in the Summer of 2022 at first as a favor, filling in at a time of some major staff transitions. A month of help turned into a year and we are so grateful for his attentiveness and maintenance of our kitchen where hundreds of thousands of nutritious meals were prepared throughout the year. As we said goodbye to so many amazing individuals, we welcomed new faces into our agency. Gregory “Bishop'' Turner joined the Trinity Center staff team and serves as the agency’s current Kitchen Aid. Bishop brings with him a vibrant, positive energy and a knack for putting together even some of the most random food items and turning them into nutritious snacks for neighbors daily. Along with Bishop, Trinity Center hired its new Case Management Supervisor, Myah Williams. Myah Williams comes to Trinity Center from The University of Georgia where she obtained her Master’s in Social Work. Myah has been in a season of continuous learning of homeless services, shaping the agency’s Case Management Program into one that is both impactful and intentional for the clients who participate. Regarding Sean’s replacement, for the first time in a decade Trinity Center was unable to successfully recruit a new AmeriCorps Volunteer. The reasons are heavily attributed to Austin’s continuous increase in the cost of living. We are hopeful to continue recruitment throughout the year as well as raise funds to supplement the stipend an AmeriCorps Volunteer would receive in the future. Board Transitions In 2023 four of Trinity Center’s Board of Directors completed their terms: Heather Dennison, Stephanie “Cissy” Warner, Al D’Andrea and David Schumaker. All were instrumental in supporting and ensuring the agency’s mission moved forward through some of the most difficult times, including the COVID-19 Pandemic. We are so grateful for their dedication and commitment to our cause. In 2023 Trinity Center welcomed and onboarded 3 new members to our Board of Directors: Gaye Polan, Jason Palos and Caitlin Maher. These three individuals enter the group with almost 20 years of combined experience as volunteers for Trinity Center, serving in our clothing closet, in our kitchen for breakfast distribution, as well as our ID Assistance Program. Their love for the neighbors we serve as well as insight and knowledge of the issues and needs our neighbors face make them incredible assets among Trinity Center’s leadership. Advocacy Initiative In 2022 Trinity Center joined staff from agencies like Sunrise Navigation Center, Texas Harm Reduction Alliance and others to advocate to Cap Metro for free fares for the unhoused in the City of Austin. We took our voices to Cap Metro’s Board of Directors, made numerous news headlines, and persisted to push and speak on what the benefits could be for an unhoused person when barriers were removed to transportation. Cap Metro listened and took action. In the Spring/Summer of 2023 Trinity Center along with other agencies participated in a pilot program for the distribution of free-fare “Smart Cards,” and in October the Free Fares Program went live and Trinity Center has continued to be a major distributor of 2-year bus passes to neighbors daily. What a win!!! Services Overall, Trinity Center physically saw more than 40,000+ individuals at Trinity Center in 2023, with many of them receiving a specific service as well as many who entered our space to simply “be,” finding relief from the elements inside, while likely enjoying a snack and maybe a cup of some amazing coffee. With this, I would like to share an extensive list of what Trinity Center accomplished throughout the year: Meal Distribution Trinity Center has been one of the only agencies in the downtown area to distribute breakfast consistently Monday - Friday. In 2023, in partnership with Texas Coffee Traders, Trinity Center served 22,510 breakfast meals. In addition to breakfast, 5,274 snack items were also distributed in partnership with the Central Texas Food Bank, Royal Blue Groceries, and St. David’s kitchen. In partnership with El Milagro Tortilla, our Sunday Streets Ministry volunteers served 2,450 total lunch meals. In partnership with St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Trinity Center distributed 500+ lunch sacks. And lastly, in partnership with The Giving Tree organization for Thanksgiving, and St. David’s Episcopal Church Kitchen for Christmas, more than 500 hot meals were served during the holidays. This totals to 31,234 meals/food items distributed to our neighbors in 2023! Financial Assistance Program At Trinity Center, we understand that a government-issued ID means the ability to apply for various housing programs, employment opportunities, social services dealing with physical and mental healthcare, food access as well as transportation services, all amounting to the stability necessary for better individual situations. Our ID assistance program is facilitated by William Day, our Operations Coordinator, as well as our three amazing and dedicated volunteers: Martha Degrasse, Catherine Robb and Jason Palos. Together, in 2023 we were able to assist neighbors with: 638 Texas ID Cards, 90 Texas Driver’s Licenses and 339 in-and-out of state birth certificates. In addition to identification documents, Trinity Center also assisted with 46 Food Handler and TABC Permit Courses, and 46 Prescription co-pays. 2023 marked the 2nd year of our partnership with the Downtown Austin Alliance for our diversion program. Through our partnership Trinity Center purchased 209 Greyhound Bus Tickets. 209 individuals were successfully reunited with friends or family members who stated they would take in the individual(s) when arriving at their destination, ending their homelessness. In total, Trinity Center financially assisted 1,368 neighbors in 2023! Partner Programs Trinity Center has always been an agency that has thrived off of collaboration. We are so grateful to partner with churches and organizations who conduct weekly outreach or provide specific services to neighbors in our space like: St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Tarrytown United Methodist Church, El Buen Samaritano, SAFE Alliance, The Central Texas Food Bank, Community Care, Vivent Health, UT Austin’s School of Nursing and Social Work, Texas State University, AGE of Central Texas, Communities for Recovery, Travis County Health and Human Services, Well Care, United Healthcare, and Cap Metro, to name a few. To offer you some glimpses into the amazing impact some of our partners had in 2023 I am grateful to share: St. Mark’s Episcopal Church’s shower ministry for women provided 402 private showers, Tarrytown United Methodist Church’s shower ministry for men provided 533 private showers, Community Care utilized our space for outreach and successfully met with and provided 566 Medical Access Program (MAP) insurance cards and conducted 125 free HIV tests, and The Central Texas Food Bank and El Buen Samaritano utilized our space for outreach and met with and completed 336 SNAP/Food Stamp Applications. Within our clothing closet, our amazing volunteers have assisted 1,365 women with outfits on Monday shopping days and 1,400 men with outfits on Friday shopping days. Also in 2023, in collaboration with Travis County and led by our former Case Management Supervisor Emily Britz, Trinity Center became a distributor of Naloxone (aka Narcan), an opioid overdose reversal spray. Today, an accessible cabinet in our main space houses dozens of boxes of Naloxone Spray that can be freely taken by neighbors with no questions asked. In the current opioid overdose epidemic, Trinity Center supports life-saving, harm reduction practices, especially for our unhoused neighbors. Lastly, in addition to the above churches and agencies, we are so grateful for the willingness of the following faith congregations who have continued serving the spiritual needs of the downtown unhoused community during our Sunday Streets Service and meal: St. David’s Episcopal Church, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, The Church of the Good Shepherd, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, St. James’ Episcopal Church, Trinity Episcopal School, St. Joan of Arc Episcopal Church and Westminster Presbyterian Church. Through these group’s continued faithfulness 1,367 neighbors total attended Sunday service and were spiritually and physically fed in 2023. Case Management In 2023, 66 neighbors participated in Trinity Center’s Case Management Program and received one-on-one guidance and assistance in navigating some of the most complex benefit systems as well as intentional care and attention by their case managers which included paid staff and university interns. Through our Case Management Program Trinity Center assisted financially with 92 transactions of client needs such as sleeping bags, tents, cellphones, chargers, flashlights, clothing items  and supplies for employment, backpacks, eyeglasses, international identification documents, HEB Gift Cards for newly housed clients, etc. Our Case Management Program also financially assisted clients who were housed in 2023 with 21 Application Fees, 5 Administrative Fees, 13 security deposit fees, 15 instances for rental assistance, and 2 instances of help with utilities, totaling to 56 housing-related transactions! Despite the transitions throughout the year, Trinity Center successfully housed 14 Case Management clients in 2023!! Such work is not easy, and affordable housing options are few in this growing city of Austin. Our Case Managers serve our clients as advocates, bridge-builders, problem solvers, and agents of empowerment. We look forward to the successes in 2024. Volunteers The above achievements in service delivery could not be done by our small 5-person staff team. For more than two decades Trinity Center has relied on the dedication and commitment of individuals who are willing to show up on weekday mornings and come in with the intention of loving on and caring for others. We are so grateful for those who have served and continue to serve alongside us. In 2023 Trinity Center hosted 306 volunteers total throughout the year, all of which recorded more than 900 hours total of service. In addition to our weekly volunteers, 1,367 individuals total volunteered during our weekly Sunday service. Whether it is through our daily breakfast distribution, the preparation and serving of snacks, the set up, facilitating and serving of food during our Sunday Street Ministry, our front desk volunteers who hand out mail, answer questions, and distribute toiletries, our volunteers who assist in our ID Assistance program–helping individuals obtain important documents–our volunteers who assist neighbors in shopping for clothing in our closet or even sorting all of the donations that come in, or the amazing volunteer teams from St. Mark’s and Tarrytown United congregations who facilitate private showers for dozens of neighbors each week–THANK YOU!!! 2023 also consisted of amazing and willing groups from Dell Technologies, The Giving Tree, Central Presbyterian Church, First Baptist Church, Avanade, as well as mother-daughter teams from The National Charity League, to name a few. We could not do anything that we do without such willing hands and spirits. Finances In addition to our dedicated and faithful volunteers I also want to acknowledge that this work could not be done without the amazing supporters who give to Trinity Center financially. In 2023 Trinity Center successfully  hosted its annual Barbara Jordan Event, an event filled with celebration, story-telling, and the recognition of the incredible individuals who do the work every day. In 2023 Riki Rushing, a long time supporter of Trinity Center, was honored for her amazing contributions to our agency. The event raised more than $140k and we are grateful for all who gave financially that evening, especially those who gave major gifts: Riki Rushing and Allen Gilmer, Heather and Paul Dennison,  Beth and Bryan Plater, Kelly and Lewis Talbert, and Robin and Gene Shepherd. In addition to our Barbara Jordan Event Trinity Center was awarded $249k in grants. We are grateful for the following Grantmakers and Foundations who supported us in 2023: The Moody Foundation, The Religious Coalition to Assist the Homeless, The Shield-Ayres Foundation, The City of Austin, Glimmer of Hope Austin, The Austin Community Foundation, The Lola Wright Foundation, The Donald Hammill Foundation, and The Connor Foundation. Throughout the year Trinity Center was also blessed with fundraising initiatives initiated by groups like The Texas Playboys Baseball Club, who hosted a game with all proceeds dedicated to Trinity Center, and Adobe at the Domain who fundraised and contributed more than $6k specifically for blankets that have been timely and freely given out throughout the recent cold snaps. We also experienced amazing generosity throughout the year in the purchasing of much-needed items off of our Amazon Wishlists, providing relief from the heat and cold, as well as providing essential toiletry items, backpacks, and clothing. Lastly, Trinity Center ended the year with its annual campaign that successfully brought in more than $50k. To all of you who financially support our mission, we thank you and hope the above numbers and service data reflect the impact of your amazing generosity. Conclusion Services, policies, and even the culture among individuals who are unhoused are always changing. The needs continue to grow as more individuals in the city of Austin become homeless due to the continuous increases in costs of living as well as inflation rates on essential needs. People are seeking help and relief and Trinity Center continues to provide both the best we can every day. Whether it is through important information, a service we provide, or simply the acknowledgement and relationship-building that occurs naturally within our walls, Trinity Center remains an important pillar in the downtown Austin community. Would you consider supporting Trinity Center with the generosity of your time or finances? Would you consider rallying up your workplaces or neighborhoods to provide essential toiletry items or much-needed clothing? There is always something you can do. I hope everything above has been encouraging for you to read and I hope you can be as proud as I am of the amazing work Trinity Center continues to do in its serving of the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of our unhoused neighbors that we love. God Bless You. - Christian Rodriguez, Executive Director

This year we wanted to highlight a person whose life Trinity Center has had an impact on and who in turn is making an impact on others. Every so often the love and generosity of time and service can inspire others to do likewise. It is part of the story of Daniel in his time at Trinity Center when months ago he stumbled upon a volunteer opportunity and has been a bright light for all those around him. Daniel is currently unhoused and has been in and out of incarceration for the past 20 years, a scenario that is not uncommon among the people Trinity Center serves. Austin is home for Daniel, and his introduction and time with Trinity Center began around 2018. When asked about the first visit to Trinity Center he said, “I came for clothes, food and a place to ‘be.’” He became a regular and developed friendships and relationships with Trinity Staff and volunteers. When asked if there were any changes that have been noticeable from 2018 to now Daniel stated, “It hasn’t changed at all…. The hospitality of people like you (Trinity Staff) and how you’ve made me feel—it’s like there’s still people out there that are nice, caring and stuff like that. It hasn’t changed. In fact, it’s even gotten better.” Daniel has benefited from many of the services provided by Trinity Center—Breakfast, a mailing address, clothing, showers, ID assistance, completing a coordinated assessment for housing, applying for benefits like SNAP, and insurance. Earlier this year Daniel was encouraged to step into a volunteer role with Trinity Center by preparing and serving breakfast throughout the week. When asked about why he serves he said, “It makes me feel good to know I can help people. God likes that.” Living out the values of service and loving others for Daniel began during his time in high school where he stated he had a ‘spiritual experience’ that has had a significant impact on his life. He believes such service and love in action can bring hope and stronger faith for others and it’s why he serves along Trinity Center staff and volunteers. When asked how Trinity Center has impacted his life Daniel stated, “You all give people hope. Besides an ID, a Coordinated Assessment from a Social Worker…….I’ve gotten counsel from all of you. I’ve seen how you handle people, the way you talk to them. Some churches and organizations are just doing the work, but not showing heart. Trinity Center shows heart.” We are grateful for Daniel and his serving spirit. Stories and experiences with Trinity Center like his exist because of the people like you who have supported our work and mission for so long. Our foundation in radical hospitality and care, as well as the living out of, “loving our neighbors as we love ourselves,” continues to shine brightly for the city of Austin to see. Thank you!