We asked that the funds be used to prepare a home for a new resident.   Community First provides housing and a community for those who have experienced extended periods of homelessness.   Alan Graham, the founder of Mobile Loaves and Fishes and Community First, believes that for many, homelessness results from a profound loss of community.   Currently 340 formerly homeless individual call Community First home and plans are underway to more than quadruple the number of residents over the next few years.   Not only do they provide housing but a real community that includes a large vegetable garden, an auto repair shop, an art center, outdoor theater, convenience store and clinic.   You can learn more on their website www.mlf.org.   You might want to visit during their Village  of Lights events on Friday and Saturday, December 2nd and 3rd and the following weekend December 9th and 10th.  Handcrafted gifts created by artists who live in the village will be available for purchase.   Even if you don’t buy anything the experience is well worth the trip out there.

 

The Social Action Committee (Joan Denson, Faye Maxwell, Debbie White, Richard and Vera Love) recommended the donation after researching the initiatives underway in the Austin and touring Community First and concluding that Community First's philosophy, programs and results were exemplary.