2010 MLK Day of Wellness

The third annual MLK Day of Wellness : Best Foot Forward event was a tremendous success. More than 400 individuals experiencing homelessness attended. Services offered included foot exams, massages, case management referrals, haircuts, and various medical screenings. 900 pairs of shoes and 400 jackets were distributed. Mobile Loaves and Fishes provided a warm meal. AmeriCorps members engaged more than 100 volunteers including a wide variety of entertainment - spoken word artists Public Defenders, speakers, slide shows, music, and more. Our AmeriCorps community shared a very special day with those who needed it most.

2009 Fall Review

24 AmeriCorps members are currently serving in eight nonprofit agencies across Austin, TX. Passionate, committed, and professional - our members serve as case managers and advocates for clients experiencing homelessness. Members gave their pledge to service at the Swearing In Ceremony, Friday, October 9 and have committed to serve until July 31, 2010. The following pictures depict members with clients, celebrating together, and learning at our PSO training in August 2009.

2008 MLK Day of Wellness

Keep Austin Housed AmeriCorps members planned and implemented a 1^st Annual Day of Wellness in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. To honor Dr. King's legacy of addressing social injustices and challenges within his community, The Day of Wellness was created to bring together resources to promote health and well-being for homeless individuals in the Austin community.  The AmeriCorps members provided various services to over 350 people including: a foot care clinic, hair cuts, clothing/shoe closet, resource table, food and entertainment.

2006 Austin AmeriCorps Awareness Day

On March 25, 2006, close to 300 Austin AmeriCorps members descended onto downtown and Town Lake to raise awareness of a decade of AmeriCorps service in the Austin area. Members paddled the banks of Town Lake picking up trash and debris, rid the downtown area of hand bills, posters and flyers, while others provided arts, crafts, and reading projects to children at the Farmer’s Market and the Austin Public Library. Austin AmeriCorps Awareness Day is a collaborative service project among six local AmeriCorps programs (Front Steps Keep Austin Housed Project; Communities in Schools—Central Texas AmeriCorps; University of Texas AmeriCorps for Community Engagement and Education; American Youth Works—Casa Verde Builders, Environmental Corps, and Computer Corps; Travis County Capital AmeriCorps Project; and St. Edward’s University Community Mentor Project), AmeriCorps VISTA, and the Capital Area AmeriCorps Alumni Network.

.

______________________________________________________________________________

2006 Martin Luther King Service Day

On January 16, 2006 the Keep Austin Housed AmeriCorps members worked hand in hand with parents and staff of the All Austin Cooperative Nursery School in rebuilding the school's playscape for children to enjoy. The nursery school was established in 1953 by a group of preschool parents to be one of the first interracial and intercultural schools in the state.

.

______________________________________________________________

2005 Swearing In Ceremony

On September 17, 2005 the Keep Austin Housed wrapped up its Pre-Service Orientation with a Swearing In Ceremony at the Texas State Capital. Keep Austin Housed joined five other AmeriCorps programs for some inspiring words from Elliott Naishtat, Texas State Representative, Pascal D. Forgione, Superintendent of the Austin Independent School District, and several AmeriCorps members.

.