Resources

Directory     (for Covid 19  available services)        ( updated 4/22/2020 )

First Call for Help : 211 or  512-973-9203

A free, bilingual information and referral service that provides information about food, clothing, housing, child and youth services, job placement assistance, education, recreation, support groups and other programs and services.

Some of this and other information can be found here:  [Austin’s Homeless Strategy – COVID-19 Support]

Resource map: [https://www.austintexas.gov/department/resource-sites-map-covid-19-response]

Updates from folks directly impacted and/or engaged with those who are: [https://www.facebook.com/stopsweepsatx/]

The City of Austin has gathered a list of telehealth services in the area [https://austintexas.gov/department/covid-19-information/if-you-are-sick].

The City of Austin has implemented a 60-day grace period for rent, effectively immediately. [See Basta Austin’s explainers for renters below in English and Spanish, and for folks in subsidized housing in English and Spanish, Updated 3/30] Travis County Eviction court delayed until May 9. State and local housing stability policies here, maintained by UT Law.

There will be no utilities disconnections during the pandemic (information in English/Spanish here). Austin Energy is providing assistance for limited-income and medically vulnerable customers, and deferred payment plans for others; its Customer Care Contact Center can be reached at 512-494-9400. Walk-in payment centers are CLOSED as of 3/18; other options for payment can be found here. [Updated 4/5]

The City of Austin’s Neighborhood Centers will be providing rent and utilities assistance starting Monday, 4/6 at 512-972-5780. Must be under 200% of the FPL and owe for March or April; folks who anticipate being late for, or unable to make, May rent/utilities are being told to call back closer to May. The Travis County Community Centers are also providing rent and utilities assistance. [Updated 4/6]

Shelter-in-Place Order goes into effect 11:59 PM 3/24/2020 and renewed 4/13/2020 at 11:59 PM to last until 5/8/2020. The order can be read here in English

Exemptions and definitions from the order that may apply to your work:

 

SECTION 6. Definitions and Exemptions.

  1. Individuals experiencing homelessness are strongly urged to obtain shelter and are required to make use of such shelter as is made available and as directed by the Public Health Director, Public Health Department and Health Authority. Governmental and other entities are strongly urged to further make such shelter available as soon as possible and to the maximum extent practicable and to use COVID-19 risk mitigation practices in their operation. Otherwise, individuals experiencing homelessness are exempt from this Order except that, to the extent individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces, they shall, to the greatest extent feasible, comply with Social Distancing and Face Covering Requirements as set forth in Sections 1 and Exhibits A and C.

 

  1. Essential Business, which includes:
  2. Social Services and Charitable Organizations. Businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals;
  3. Food Delivery Services. Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods or services directly to residences;

xvii. Home-Based Care and Services. Home-based care for seniors, adults, or children, including caregivers who may travel to provide care;

xviii. Residential Facilities and Shelters. Residential facilities and shelters for seniors, adults, children, and animals; [Updated 4/14]

PUBLIC Restrooms & Showers [also see The Other Ones mobile hygiene truck below]:
NOTE: Doors/gates are often closed/locked, not every facility has signage indicating access is available, please inform folks to knock or ask for access

Starting Thursday, 3/19 – Open for bathroom and shower use Mon-Sat, 10a -3pm:

  • Gus Garcia Recreation Center 1201E. Rundberg Ln
  • Barton Springs Pool 2201 Barton Springs Rd
  • Bartholomew Pool 1800 E. 51st St
  • Austin Recreation Center 1301 Shoal Creek Blvd Central
  • Springwoods Pool 13320 Lyndhurst St. Northwest

Restrooms only:

  • Terrazas Branch Library / 1105 E. Cesar Chavez / 9-5 Monday – Sunday
  • Little Walnut Creek Branch Library / 835 W. Rundberg Ln / 9-5 Monday – Sunday
  • Downtown Austin Community Court / 719 E. 6th St / 8-5 Monday — Friday
  • Public Restroom 4th & Trinity
  • Public Restroom 6th & Brazos [Updated 4/9]

Hand-washing & sanitizing stations

  • 7th & Neches
  • Oak Tree & Waller Creek (next to Waller Creek Pub House)
  • 1100 Red River Parking Lot
  • St. Johns & Cameron- behind EMS station
  • Slaughter & Menchaca (behind strip mall by railroad tracks)
  • Menchaca & Redd St. (2 Here) [near/at Sunrise Community Church]

These coincide with porta-potties

  • Terrazas Library – 1105 E. Cesar Chavez
  • Little Walnut Creek Library – 835 W. Rundberg Ln
  • Ruiz Branch Library – 1600 Grove Blvd

These coincide with Violet Bag sites (where ARR does trash pick-up for encampments):

  • Highway 71/Packsaddle Pass
  • Cesar Chavez/Pleasant Valley (near the IBC Bank)
  • 183/Burnet Road
  • 183/Cameron Road
  • 7th Street and Gonzalez (under the bridge)
  • Highway 71/Menchaca
  • Terrazas Branch Library
  • Highway 71/Burleson Road
  • Pleasant Valley/Riverside Drive (located in the median near the McDonald’s)
  • I-35/Airport
  • 183/Oak Knoll [Updated 3/27]

COVID-19 info via 2-1-1 — select option 6 [Updated 3/18]

Angel House / Austin Baptist Chapel is providing sack breakfast from 9:30-10 AM and sack lunches 11 AM-12:30 PM. No inside dining room, no restroom, no shower, and no clothing ministry access (except on an extremely limited basis) at this time. [Updated 4/10]

ARCH: Clients who are on Front Steps case management will be allowed in the building. Day services will be limited to clients on the Reservation List/Case Management. Non-Reservation List clients can access mail through the garage door in the alley, M,W,F 9am-10am only. List clients can access lockers twice daily, entering and exiting through the garage. Case managers are providing remote services for clients. Front Steps has secured forehead thermometers to check folks for fevers, with an eye to referring them to appropriate medical care and/or quarantine. There is now a quarantine room at the ARCH. CommUnity Care will be using the garage to triage Covid-19 screenings. [Updated 4/1]

Art From The Streets will be CLOSED at both locations (Trinity/Waterloo) until April 6th, reassessing at that time if further cancellations are needed. [Updated 3/16]

COVID-19 line for Ascension Texas 1-833-919-1680, 6am-midnight. [https://healthcare.ascension.org/Specialty%20Care/Coronavirus] [Updated 3/18]

Austin Free-Net’s computer lab at the DeWitty Center is OPEN Monday-Friday from 9 AM — 4 PM. PCs have been reduced by more than half to maintain social distancing requirements, and clients are required to disinfect their workstation when signing off. Clients are allowed 1 hour and at least 30 minutes as needs of clients may be prioritized; there may be a wait time. The team is providing digital literacy training and assistance, and priority will also be given to those working on resumes, job & unemployment applications, etc. [Updated 4/1]

AISD will be CLOSED until indefinitely but has curbside meals. Families are advised to stay in their cars and not enter buildings during meal pick up. Children (up to age 19) must be present in the car to receive meals, OR documentation must be presented if children are not present (i.e. official letter/email showing child enrolled, report cards, attendance record from parent portal, birth certificate for child not in school, student ID — tape to windshield if car pick-up or put on table if bus pickup). The Texas Department of Agriculture is no longer subsidizing weekend meal provision, so as of 3/31 no meals provided on weekends. Full list, schedule, map, and English/Spanish information can be found here: [https://www.austinisd.org/coronavirus/meals] AISD helpline for Chromebooks, hotspots, etc. 512-414-9355. There will be 8-10 bilingual attendants on that line to answer technology-related questions. [Updated 4/8]

Austin Public Health-WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) is issuing benefits through the mail. This is being coordinated over the phone and APH is working to increase staffing. So far, WIC recipients are unable to avail of online purchasing and curbside pick-up; Wal-Mart is now allowing SNAP users to avail of its grocery pick-up service while paying with benefits. [Updated 4/14]

The Neighborhood Centers now have a fully-staffed emergency food helpline at 512-972-5133 and are working with Central Texas Food Bank to provide shelf-stable food. They will also be providing emergency rent and utilities assistance at 512-972-5780 starting 4/6 (press release here); must be under 200% of the FPL and owe for March or April; folks who anticipate being late for, or unable to make, May rent/utilities are being told to call back closer to May. [Updated 4/6]

ALL Austin Public Library locations are CLOSED, except for Terrazas and Little Walnut (which will only be open for restroom access; see full list, with hours, above). Wi-Fi Hotspots will remain enabled during the closure. There are also now portapotties outside Terrazas (1105 E Cesar Chavez), Ruiz (1600 Grove) and Little Walnut (Rundberg/Lamar). [Updated 4/6]

Austin Recovery is no longer accepting new clients and will be winding down all programming by May 15th, except its partnership with the UT Charter School System will continue and the alumni group is still connecting people seeking help through online meetings. [Updated 4/21]

Austin Tenants Council is providing remote services at this time. Clients with rental housing concerns, tenant-landlord disputes, or fair housing concerns should call ATC’s administrative line at 512-474-7006 for further information. Clients may also find more information at [www.housing-rights.org](http://www.housing-rights.org). All services closed for Friday, 4/10. [Updated 4/10]

The ATCEMS Community Health Paramedic team is at this time providing its regular services to folks experiencing homelessness such as street outreach, medical and social needs assessments. [Updated 4/9]

Basta Austin’s explainers re: evictions, rent payment grace period, etc., for Austin renters below in English and Spanish, and for folks in subsidized housing in English and Spanish [Updated 3/30]

Bastrop ISD is providing breakfast and lunch Monday-Friday 7:30 AM-12 PM. All children under age 18, and those enrolled in the Bastrop Works program, are eligible for meals; children must be present at pickup. Adults are not eligible for meals. Schedule here (page is in English; second page of the meal distribution insert at the bottom is in Spanish). [Updated 4/6]

Caritas of Austin: Community Kitchen is serving SACK LUNCHES Monday-Friday 11 AM-12:30 PM. Clients will continue to have access to food from our pantry. Serving clients who are on caseload remotely with case management/housing stability services; and in-person with groceries through our food pantry practicing social distancing. The lobby is OPEN M/T/W/Th- 8am-4:45pm and Fri- 8am-11:45am to the public, 1 person at a time to access water, bathrooms, and phones. [Updated 4/6]

Casa Marianella is still taking in new folks and quarantining. Not allowing visitors onto the property. [Updated 4/17]

Central Presbyterian (200 E. 8th, corner of 8th and Brazos) will continue to offer sack lunches on Tuesdays at 11 AM. Sack breakfasts will be available on Thursdays from 8-9:30 AM. No restroom access, other services suspended as long as shelter-in-place is in effect. [Updated 4/16]]

Communities for Recovery is offering Zoom-based Peer Support Meetings / Substance Abuse Support Meetings. These meetings are available to anyone in the community and facilitated by a certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist. Individuals may also call our center phone at 512-758-7686 if they would like to talk directly to a Peer Recovery Coach. Offerings/schedule can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/communities4recovery/ [Updated 3/24]

CommUnity Care’s new, dedicated COVID-19 phone line for uninsured Travis County residents and established patients is 512-978-8775. Hours of operation are 8 AM to 5 PM Monday-Friday, 9 AM to noon Saturday. [Updated 4/9]

CommUnity Care mobile medical teams focused on folks experiencing homelessness have been reassigned to other duties. [Updated 3/17]

CommUnity Care Satellite Clinics at the ARCH & Care Connections OPEN by appointment only; those at Sunrise, Community First Village and Austin Transitional Center are CLOSED. Dental and routine, non-urgent diagnostic testing POSTPONED for 3 months. [Updated 3/24]

CommUnity Care DRIVE-THRU (and walk-up) CLINIC at Hancock Center OPEN Mon-Fri 9 AM-4 PM, Sat 9 AM-12 PM. Drive-up testing will be offered at Manor, Colony Park, Austin’s Colony/Hornsby Bend, Del Valle, and Dove Springs on a ROTATING basis beginning 4/17 with Colony Park. [Updated 4/17]

SOME brick and mortar CommUnity Care Clinics to remain OPEN. Hornsby Bend Health Center has reopened as of 4/15. Del Valle Health Center will reopen 4/20. The following are now CLOSED as of 3/23:

  • Austin OB Manor
  • Austin OB Riverside
  • Carousel Pediatrics May’s Crossing
  • Manor Health Center, for the next few weeks, however this is a fluid situation and may evolve.
  • Dove Springs Integral Care (MAT patients will go to South Austin location) [Updated 4/17]

Downtown Austin Community Court (DACC) – The DACC is assisting the city with triaging and identifying folks experiencing homelessness to help them gain access to the city’s quarantine sites. The DACC will remain OPEN for social services only, “one person in, one person out” system with teleconferencing equipment for people to interact with their case managers. DACC court and community service operations will reopen along with the Austin Municipal Court schedule. Still providing HEB cards (no longer offer bus passes as public transp is free currently). Working with the Central Texas Food Bank and HEB to distribute food kits.

DACC’s intensive and triage case managers continue to be available to individuals experiencing homelessness. Controlled access to the DACC facility is being implemented in order to meet social distancing recommendations of Austin Public Health.  You may experience longer wait times while controlled access is in place.  We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

Open regular business hours*:

Monday through Friday

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

*Hours subject to change. {Updated 4/10}

 

ECHO has suspended ALL outreach. Coordinated Assessment Walk-in Locations are closed and no longer see clients in person. The Southeast Health and Wellness clinic (2901 Montopolis Dr. Austin Tx 78741) is currently open to the public but has reduced its staff to only clinical services. Due to this change, Coordinated Assessments will no longer be done on-site. Please encourage individuals to request a Coordinated Assessment through our Aunt Bertha Screener which can be located on our website (https://www.austinecho.org/get-help/experiencing-homelessness/). [Updated 3/24]

El Buen Samaritano food pantry will be OPEN Tuesdays-Thursdays from 9-11AM. Food will be provided on a first come, first served basis. Our bilingual staff is available to assist you in both English and Spanish. At this time, we do not require documentation of any kind. If you are an organization seeking food pantry services for your clients, please contact our CEO, Rosamaria Murillo, at rmurillo@elbuen.org [Updated 4/7]

Family Eldercare’s physical office is CLOSED to all non-staff members effective March 18, 2020 until further notice, and we are shifting to remote operations. We can be reached by phone during regular business hours on our main line at (512) 450-0844. [Updated 4/6]

First Baptist Austin is CLOSED but The Other One’s Foundation will provide showers on Tuesdays in the surface parking lot across the street (901 Trinity St). ***Coming soon: masks and food delivery to MLF, Sunrise Community Church, and The Other Ones Foundation [Updated 4/9]

Foundation Communities can provide assistance with Health Insurance Marketplace applications by PHONE. To determine eligibility, book an appointment online [https://booknow.appointment-plus.com/yr4hl26q/], leave a voicemail message at 512-381-4520, or email enroll@foundcom.org. [Updated 3/27]

Foundation for the Homeless / Feed My People breakfast will be distributing breakfast tacos in paper bags for those seeking a Tuesday/Thursday breakfast. Distribution will be outside on the corner of 13th & Lavaca starting around 6AM. Clients will have limited access to the church building, 2 of “each” gender to use the bathroom. No showers will be offered. [Updated 3/24]

Good Apple is providing FREE food assistance to folks 55+ and/or immuno-compromised, and it appears people can sign up on behalf of others who meet those criteria. It appears to be for groceries. Turnaround time varies but as of right now appears to be within 48 hours; may be one-time rather than on-going; one person reported getting 3 veggie farm-share bags and 3 bags of non-perishables.

[https://goodapplefoods.com/covid-19 / available in English & Spanish][Here is a local link apparently coordinated by the Hope food pantry, Good Apple and possibly UT in English & Spanish: https://utexas.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2fBMQtb1i5IBor3?_ga=2.165291391.1949043995.1584368314-1094412584.1571888873&fbclid=IwAR0L4EGrD4ECA0NMQ6HcW2wf2FKtQXbrMi0Kc80jeaFzaJchcLGV_aInjGU] [Updated 4/2]

Green Doors’ services are still OPEN to eligible veterans (transitional housing) and affordable housing residents (affordable rental or PSH with vouchers) until capacity is full. They may require a brief hotel stay for folks seeking to join the transitional housing program (and Green Doors would cover the cost); affordable rentals are immediate admission because they are single occupancy. If you have eligible clients, contact info@greendoors.org or 512-469-9130 for information or applications. [Updated 3/24]

Texas Health, & Human Services has set up a 24/7, toll-free COVID-19-related mental health line: 833-986-1919. [Updated 3/31]

HealthWell Foundation is providing copay financial assistance up to $250 to help folks with delivered food, delivered medications, diagnostics, telehealth, and transportation costs. Recipient or household member must have tested positive for COVID-19, be considered high-risk, be immuno-compromised, or be under self-quarantine per physician’s directives, and live in the US or one of its territories, to qualify. [https://www.healthwellfoundation.org/fund/covid-19-fund/] [Updated 4/3]

Hoonuit has a state-by-state school meal finder (map):  [https://schoolmealfinder.hoonuit.com/?filter_state=tx] Access requirements and rules will vary by school/district/agency. [Updated 3/27]

HOST (Homeless Outreach Street Team) is continuing to provide targeted outreach services to individuals experiencing homelessness in the downtown and West Campus areas of Austin. To refer an individual to HOST please call 512-804-3720 or email HOST@austintexas.gov  [Updated 3/27]

Integral Care – update page re: services [https://integralcare.org/en/covid-19-update/]. Urgent mental health care for adults and children still provided at 1165 Airport after a brief medical screening (512-472-4357), M-F 8 AM-10 PM, Sat-Sun/holidays 10 AM-8 PM; counseling, program services, medication and doctor’s services by telephone or telehealth, or in person if necessary and made by appointment. Medication-assisted therapy to proceed as usual. IDD services coordinated by phone or telehealth, or in person if necessary and arranged by appointment; testing services in person after brief screening (512-483-5800). Intakes are proceeding but must be scheduled via the hotline and are done over the phone. [Updated 3/25]

Integral Care is distributing PHONES to folks experiencing homelessness and is doing targeted outreach. Call 512-472-HELP to assist someone in getting a phone, getting access to medications, etc. [Updated 4/1]

Integral Care’s East 2nd Street Clinic has suspended group services as of 3/17. [Updated 3/17]

Information on the IRS stimulus checks in English and Spanish, check their Web site regularly for updates. [Updated 4/1]

LifeWorks offices are now closed to the public. Many services are being offered remotely, and LifeWorks can be reached on our main phone line during regular business hours at (512) 735-2400.

THE FOLLOWING LIFEWORKS SUPPORT SERVICES ARE STILL AVAILABLE TO CLIENTS:
The Youth Resource Center will operate walk-up services for individuals 26 and younger experiencing homelessness. Staff will provide the following basic needs to clients briefly outside the north lobby (YRC entrance):
• Bus passes, food/drink, mail, hand sanitizer, socks, feminine hygiene, handwashing station, porta potty, computer, and a phone.
• WiFi and outlets will be available outside the building until further notice.

YRC WALK-UP HOURS:
Monday – Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
835 N Pleasant Valley Road
YRC call/text line: (512) 473-9125

  • Existing clients can still maintain connection to their case workers, peer supporters or employment specialists by contacting them via phone/email. If you are in need of your support’s contact information, please call the main LifeWorks number (512) 735-2400.
    • If you are a new client seeking LifeWorks services, please call the main LifeWorks number m(512-735-2400) to be connected with programs and centralize intake.
    • If you are not already connected to a counselor or peer supporter, and need immediate mental health attention, please call Rebecca Chavez for counseling (512-735-2166) or Beth Hutchinson for peer support services (512-735-2195).

EMAIL JAIRID.PACILEO@LIFEWORKSAUSTIN.ORG FOR A FLYER [Updated 4/7]

Lighter Loads ATX will be providing SHOWERS and LAUNDRY services at Camp RATT/Abbottsville Saturday, 3/28 10 AM to 3 PM, and at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on Sunday, 3/29, 10 AM to 1 PM. Regular and fuller schedule to come. [Updated 3/27]

Literacy Coalition of Central Texas offices are currently closed to the public. Many classes and services are being offered remotely. Call 512-326-8655 or email info@willread.org for more information. Covid-19 Updates and Resources pages for students and partners can be found on the website homepage at www.willread.org  [Updated 3/25/20]

Manor ISD has SUSPENDED its meal distribution effective Friday, 4/17 until further notice. [Updated 4/17]

Mobile Loaves & Fishes will continue as long as there are volunteers to serve on the food trucks. With reduced volunteers, we are currently operating under limited schedules. For locations and schedules, visit http://www.mlf.org/truck-schedules. Below our MLF trucks map is a new map and list of organizations that are also serving meals around the city, which is being updated daily from information we receive from this Google Doc. We’ve teamed up with Sunrise to help get additional meals to them five days a week, and we’ve also teamed up with The Other One’s Foundation to deliver 100 meals to them Monday-Friday at their mobile hygiene locations. [Updated 4/8]

All City Of Austin Neighborhood Center food pantry services are closed to walk-ins but there is a fully-staffed emergency food helpline at 512-972-5133. Working with Central Texas Food Bank to provide shelf-stable food. Check here for updates: [http://www.austintexas.gov/department/neighborhood-centers] [Updated 4/10]

Food pantries at Travis County Community Centers (HHS) remain OPEN, but people need to call and schedule an appointment (no in-person applications) before going to pick up food. Palm Square (Downtown Austin), Pflugerville, Post Road (South Austin), and Del Valle are scheduling 2 days out; the other three locations are still able to accommodate folks same-day. Also providing rent and utility assistance.  [https://www.traviscountytx.gov/health-human-services/community-centers] [Updated 4/6]

The Other Ones Foundation’s Oak Hill site is OPEN as of 3/19, but at a very limited capacity of 10 people at a time (to allow for social distancing). The organization is asking that folks please make sure to call ahead of time to make sure there’s room for them before making the trip out. They can be reached at 512- 568-7557. The Other Ones Foundation is partnering with Mobile Loaves and Fishes and the Trinity Center to prepare weekly food drops, and will utilize HMIS so that other service providers have a sense of who has been reached. [Updated 4/2]

City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department’s public showers and restrooms along city trails will remain OPEN until further notice. Trails and parks will be CLOSED for Easter, Thursday evening, 4/9 through Monday morning, 4/13. [Updated 4/8]

City of Austin Parks and Recreation (PARD) and Watershed Protection [Current as of 4/6] have suspended homeless encampment sweeps. [Updated 3/27] Public Works (which contracts the company that handles underpass encampments for COA and TxDot) is not conducting sweeps during the week of 3/30, may resume next week and did conduct them 3/24-3/27 but without the intent to displace anyone. [Updated 4/1]

IS THERE A SOURCE FOR THIS? ZS: I got word from a public employee who is a frontline healthcare worker about the first two departments and that the third was intended but hadn’t been confirmed as of lunch a couple days ago. However, I saw word about it on social media—shared by Stop the Sweeps. According to them, the state is still engaged in sweeps activity, but I would like further confirmation. More from my contact:

‘“Based on federal recommendations, city departments have suspended encampment cleanups that have the potential to displace individuals.”

Since the “TXDOT” underpass cleanups (maybe 12-14 locations of 60 total) are done by a contract crew under direct management of COA public works employees, I doubt TXDOT will be able to continue with them.’ [Updated 3/18]

I am a City employee.  All City Departments have suspended activity that would displace anyone experiencing homelessness, unless they are in imminent danger, e.g., in a creek bed, in a construction site. TxDOT and The City of Austin both contract with the same company for underpass cleanups.  The City has a cleanup schedule, and the State has a different schedule. Again, the City has suspended cleanups.  I do not know if TxDOT has suspended cleanups.  I can try to find out…  [Updated 3/19]

Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) will distribute curbside for seniors at three locations, providing kits with 10 meals. This program is resuming Monday, 3/30. (Meal distribution is for pre-registered patrons; Unregistered individuals interested in registering can come to one of the locations below during the scheduled time on a first come, first served basis, pending available food) [Updated 3/24]

The City of Austin’s Public Works department is not conducting “clean-ups” during the week of 3/30 but may resume next week. It conducted its “clean-up” process 3/24-3/27, utilizing its contractor, with no intention to displace people. Source: Austin Public Works Department [Updated 4/1]

Round Rock ISD will be CLOSED until at least May 4th but in collaboration with the Texas Department of Agriculture will prepare and distribute meals for children under the age of 19 at 10 locations around the District. Meals will be provided Monday through Friday and children must be present to receive a meal. Information in English and Spanish. Serving times are breakfast from 8  – 9 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Please continue to visit Round Rock ISD’s COVID-19 web page for the latest information and updates. We will also provide information on our Facebook and Twitter pages. [Updated 4/1]

SAFE Alliance shelters still OPEN, operating off of a waitlist as usual, most of their other resources are also still functioning, some virtually. Please continue to refer clients dealing with Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault/Child Abuse/Human Trafficking. 24/hr SAFEline 512.267.7233, website safeaustin.org [Updated 4/16]

St. Austin Catholic Parish’s Outreach to Persons in Need – Passing out snacks, bus passes, and hygiene kits on Thursdays from 9am to 10am or until items run out, depending on volunteer capacity. They are located at 2026 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705. Call 512-477-9471 or email gethelp@staustin.org [English] and ayuda@staustin.org [Spanish] for help with rent or utilities; person needs to provide name, good contact number, whether rental or utilities assistance, and photo of their ID + first page of utilities bill or rental agreement. All other services are suspended. [Updated 3/27]

Salvation Army shelters are and will be OPEN/operational during the “shelter in place” order from the City of Austin. However, the Downtown Shelter, and the Austin Shelter for Women and Children (ASWC) are FULL and are not taking in new clients. The downtown shelter is CLOSED for cleaning and residents have been quarantined. The Rathgeber Center for Families is currently addressing the shelter waitlist.

Phone numbers:

(Single Adults) Downtown Shelter- 512-634-5900 Update as of 4/13 Downtown is closed temporarily for cleaning

(Women and children—17 years or younger) ASWC- 512-933-0600

(Family unit with a male 17 years or older) Rathgeber Center for Families- 737-256-6926

(Williamson County residents) Salvation Army Service Center- 512-943-8421 or email tex.wilco@uss.salvationarmy.org

Individuals who are currently in our shelters and/or enrolled in our post-shelter Passages Program are only able to receive rental and utility assistance.

Visit, SalvationArmyAustin.org/covid-19 for more information. [Updated 4/17]

The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center for men is not currently accepting any admissions either. [updated 4/8]

The Sobering Center is still operational and has also been designated a quarantine site for Austin/Travis County. [Updated 3/31]

ALL Social Security offices will be CLOSED starting 3/17. See the full press release for information about how to continue accessing services (typically online): https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2020/#3-2020-2 [Updated 3/17]

Spectrum Wi-Fi Hotspots are now OPEN for public use across its coverage map, and Spectrum Wi-Fi is FREE for students pre-K to 12th and college for the next 2 MONTHS. [Info here.] [Updated 3/23]

St Andrew’s Presbyterian’s ministry to the homeless will be OPEN this Thursday (3/26) from 5:30-9 PM, early arrival encouraged for full access to services and supplies as available. A to-go meal and laundry drop-off will be available; showers will NOT be available. Its twice-monthly Saturday shower and pantry access is now suspended. Lighter Loads ATX will be providing SHOWERS and LAUNDRY service on Sunday, 3/29, from 10 AM to 1 PM. [Updated 3/27]

Street Youth Ministry remains OPEN to serve our homeless young adult clients. We are in Drop-by mode with service outdoors with six foot spacing. Drop-by service is 12-4 PM Mon-Fri. We are still accepting new clients who are young adults and homeless or already enrolled in other programs to prevent homelessness. We are not expanding our services to all ages or other poverty parameters beyond our mission target for the safety of everyone. We are also continuing outreach in San Marcos on Friday afternoons. We have a home team to respond to questions by phone 9-5 M-F at 512 553 3796. We are accepting drop-off of non-perishable items 12:30-3:30 M-F. [updated 3/31]

Sunrise Community Church Homeless Navigation Center will remain OPEN (weekdays 9-1) but serving outside at a 6-foot distance. Food, coffee, mail, SPID’s. PATH is also currently still engaged here. CA’s available on a limited basis. Shower access is CLOSED, but The Other Ones Foundation comes once a week and the City has provided bathrooms and handwashing stations.[Updated 4/8]

SNAP/Food stamps: Texas will implement phone interviews in place of face-to-face interviews for SNAP. More information from the federal government here: https://www.fns.usda.gov/disaster/pandemic/covid-19 [Updated 3/17]

Texas Center Point Veterans Services is still OPEN, providing screening, assessment, case management, emergency financial assistance, and behavioral health counseling through phone, email, and online services to qualified veterans, dependents, and surviving spouses in Bastrop, Bell, Coryell, Hays, Williamson, and Travis Counties. For inquiries and referrals to our services, you may call at 512-297-2990 or send an email to texasvets@cpinc.org [Updated 4/1]

Texas Harm Reduction Alliance has limited outreach to encampments (3 times a week) where they had already established contact/relationships, but this may change depending on shelter-in-place orders. Only giving out supplies. No one coming to drop-in center, no one being signed up for services. [Updated 4/8]

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid offices are closed and all in-person intakes are cancelled. Individuals may apply for legal services by calling (888) 988-9996 Mon – Thurs. 8am – 7:30pm. Additional information and flyers on COVID-19-related legal issues can be found at https://www.trla.org/covid19-main [Updated 4/06]

Unemployment: follow this link from the Texas Workforce Commission: [https://twc.texas.gov/news/unemployment-news#ifYourEmploymentHasBeenAffectedByTheCoronavirusCovid1] Expect major delays online and over the phone; Web traffic appears to be lightest between 1 AM and 6 AM. Information (including a flow-chart) for creatives and artists from the Dramatists Guild here. Here is a fact sheet from the National Employment Law Project on COVID-19 unemployment insurance provisions. [Updated 4/1]

Trinity Center is providing folks the opportunity to check their mail between 11 AM – 2 PM Monday-Friday. Takeaway breakfast service has resumed Monday-Friday at 9/9:30 AM until all meals (80-100) are served. [Updated 4/9]

Hot meals provided at Victory Ministries church (2300 Canterbury St.- 78702) but supplies are VERY LOW. People being served outside only. If able, PLEASE CALL 512-480-9628 to check status before coming. [Updated 3/27]

Westover Hills Church of Christ– They are providing food (non-perishable groceries) for everyone on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 pm to 3 pm. Drive-thru style. They are located at 8332 Mesa Dr., Austin, TX 78759. [Updated 3/27]

ALL Austin YMCA locations are CLOSED. [Updated 4/8]

Resources and CEUs for social workers and therapists providing care in the time of COVID-19: [https://www.socialwork.career/2020/03/covid-19-resources-social-workers-therapists.html] [Updated 4/1]

 

Refugee Services: As part of a group of refugee service providers across Region 3 in Texas, we are very excited to announce we are launching a hotline to reach underserved refugee populations including asylees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, and victims of human trafficking. The hotline was created to assist those who might be experiencing barriers to accessing critical services and is available in 5 languages.

Central Texas Office for Refugees – Refugees, Asylees, Cuban & Haitian Entrants, Victims of Trafficking

We are here to help you – Food Medical care, cash assistance, housing, employment, English classes, transportation, and more.

Your status may entitle you to receive support from a number of public assistance programs. All of these services are free of charge.

Call us or text “Hello” to 844-286-7797 for locations and more information about our programs. Phone support in English, Kinyarwanda, Nepali, Spanish, and Tigrinya. Text support is available in English and Spanish.

                                            

Help us keep this directory up to date – tell us of any changes or additions.   512-560-4735

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These are good places to volunteer!