Alyssa Ramos is the Development Manager of Caritas of Austin and spoke to us about Caritas on May 20th. Caritas is a local non-profit organization that focuses on ending homelessness. Caritas was founded in 1964 by Monsignor Richard McCabe at St. David's Episcopal Church. Alyssa explained how locally for the approximately 25,000 households making minimum wage in Austin, there are only 5,000 affordable housing units and that approximately 3,200 people in Austin/Travis County experience homelessness in a single night. Affordable housing is defined as housing in which the occupant pays no more than 30% of their gross income for housing (including utilities). Caritas has long-term and short-term housing programs to assist those in need in Austin. They have an employment program and in FY25 served 50 clients with 51 new job placements. Caritas also has a Veterans Program to assist veterans with housing, employment, budgeting, and obtaining benefits. Caritas' food program includes a community kitchen and pantry. They also have an education program with classes on life skills, financial literacy and health and well-being. That program had 613 individuals participate in FY25. Caritas has a 95% success rate for their long-term housing participants. Alyssa also told the club about a number of new affordable housing communities in the Austin area. Wrapping things up, Alyssa discussed Caritas' fundraisers, including Songs of Hope in the Spring and the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. For more information about Caritas go to caritasofaustin.org.