ATX Helps is addressing the most immediate gap in Austin’s current efforts to help solve homelessness in our community. It supports a housing-first approach and complements other shelters and permanent housing solutions including the Rathgeber Center. The Rathgeber Center is designed to provide low-barrier, housing-focused emergency shelter for families with children who are experiencing homelessness. The shelter is expected to free up more than 50 beds at the downtown shelter for single men and women.
We invite you to join the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation in supporting the Salvation Army to open the Rathgeber Center, a brand new 212-bed emergency shelter for women and families experiencing homelessness. The Rathgeber Center is scheduled to open this fall, provided the Salvation Army closes a $500,000 fundraising gap in the $4.9 million needed for annual operations. The Downtown Alliance Foundation is contributing $100,000 and assisting in efforts to raise the additional funds needed to open the shelter.
“We can bring attention to this critical issue in our community and take this opportunity to rally support among our friends and the community who care about downtown and women and children in need, this challenge grant allows the Downtown Alliance Foundation to leverage our funds with Dick Rathgeber’s pledge and for others to get involved to make an immediate impact on homelessness in Austin.”
– Molly Alexander, executive director, Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation