Perla Carranza, Community Partner Coordinator for Caritas of Austin, was our speaker on July 19th. Caritas of Austin is working to prevent and end homelessness in the greater Austin area. Perla showed us two different videos of people that Caritas helped out of homelessness and into permanent housing. She also told us that homelessness is a process that usually happens over time when one or more of the following occurs: lack of a strong support system and then crisis, unaddressed mental illness, unable to sustain employment, poverty, rising medical costs, rent increases, and substance abuse. She showed as statistics about how much a person needs to make income and how many minimum wage hours need to be worked to avoid housing in the Austin area - many people just cannot do it. To help, Caritas provides a personalized approach through relationship based services that include housing, food, education, employment and veterans and youth programs. Caritas has also built their own housing, which includes 171 studio apartments and is 100% targeted to people experiencing homelessness. The facility includes a community room, on-site pantry, fitness center, secured entrance/security cameras and community laundry rooms. Caritas has a number of volunteer opportunities, including community kitchen volunteering, pantry drives, gift card donation, individual giving, and attending and supporting their events. For more information, go to: caritasofaustin.org.