Neighbors Program
The Neighbors Program serves our unhoused neighbors in Austin through direct service and advocacy, and some who are housed and have low-income or are under-employed.
We offer Central Mission on Thursday mornings, which meets immediate basic needs by providing a hot meal to approximately 80 of our neighbors without homes. We offer a clothing closet, hygiene items, service connection and a support group for our neighbors. Prep for a Success is a workforce development program for unhoused neighbors that happens on Tuesday mornings.
In order to create longer term solutions to homelessness in Austin, the Neighbors Program also has a strong focus on advocacy. We partner with community organizations through the Homeless Advocacy Project and write policy proposals and help empower our unhoused neighbors.
Central Mission
Central Mission is a respectful, caring space where we respond to the physical and spiritual needs of our downtown neighbors who are experiencing homelessness. On Thursday mornings, we offer a hot breakfast, coffee, toiletries, clothes, and a support group. We partner with local agencies to improve access to social service supports, with the goal of empowering our neighbors to resolve their homelessness.
As a spiritual community, we can do what other social service agencies cannot — we listen, we connect, and we strive to treat each guest as the child of God they are. Personal prayer sessions and Bible study are available, though not required. We walk with people wherever they are on life’s journey, offering words of support and hope. We believe that people experiencing homelessness are strong, resilient, and resourceful, and that no one deserves to be punished because they are poor. By fostering a spirit of peace, welcome, and cooperation, we trust that people experiencing homelessness will receive the care, healing, and spiritual nourishment they need to transition into more secure situations.
Central Mission serves a hot breakfast in Fellowship Hall every Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The following services are also offered:
- 8:00-8:45 Clothing Closet is open
- 8:00-9:15 Distribution of hygiene items
- 8:00-10:00 Partner organizations offer services
- 8:30 – 9:00 Meal Served
- 10:00 Support group for our unhoused neighbors
- Fellowship Hall is open until 11:00 a.m. on Thursdays to allow neighbors to connect with service providers, use the phone, or to have a quiet place to be off the streets.
Current Partnerships
- The Homeless Outreach Street Team provides housing assessments and other referrals.
- Central Health signs neighbors up for the Medical Access Program.
- The Other Ones Foundation, Going Home Program provides bus tickets for neighbors who can reunify with family or friends in other cities.
- Austin Community Court assists neighbors with resolving issues they have with the justice system.
Volunteer Opportunities
Our volunteers are the heart of Central Mission! It takes at least 10 volunteers each week to keep our doors open for our neighbors. Volunteer opportunities include assisting with clothing for neighbors, preparing and serving breakfast and coffee, distributing hygiene items, greeting guests, and providing fellowship or connecting guests with other resources.
Interested in volunteering?
Fill out this volunteer application. Once your application is complete, please contact Andi Brauer, Neighbors Program Manager, at 512.472.2445 ext. 15, andi@cpcaustin.org.
Donations Needs
There is a huge ongoing need for clothing and shoes that we give out at Central Mission. Donations can be dropped at the Church Tuesday-Friday between 10:00am and 3:00pm.
Here’s our Amazon wish list. Have items shipped to Central Presbyterian Church, 200 East 8th St, Austin TX 78701. And please share these lists with your friends, family, and neighbors!
Prep for Success
We also offer Prep for Success on Tuesdays from 9:00am to 11:00am and are open for workforce readiness and development. We partner with Goodwill, Block by Block, Building Promise USA, the Military Veterans Empowerment Network, and the Texas Veterans Commission. CPC staff and partner agencies help connect neighbors to employment opportunities and also help with applications, resumes, and referrals to other important services like digital literacy and training programs.
Homeless Advocacy Project
In addition to operating Central Mission, which addresses immediate basic needs of our unhoused neighbors, the Neighbors Program is a leader in local and statewide advocacy. We offer policy proposals and work with leaders to offer solutions that address homelessness. We do this by:
- Advocating for shelter, better system coordination, and transparency with City organizations and leaders.
- Leading the Homeless Advocacy Project meetings to bring together organizations in the homelessness response system to share resources and spread awareness about the needs and gaps in the system. You can also download the 2025 policy priorities and positive outcomes from our work.
- Providing opportunities for our unhoused neighbors to have a voice in advocacy and participate in activities along with us.
Sponsors
Andi Brauer, LMSW
CPC Neighbors Program Manager
Andi Brauer, our Neighbors Program Manager, oversees the Central Mission and leads the homeless advocacy efforts at CPC. Andi represents Central Presbyterian Church on the Board of Directors of the Trinity Center.
Andi has a background in coalition building and project management and is passionate about serving and advocating for people experiencing homelessness. You can contact Andi at 512.472.2445 ext. 15, or andi@cpcaustin.org.
