Over the past year or more, discussion among the Austin Humanists at Work board of directors has been a continual pivot to meet the needs of clients in unprecedented circumstances. From suspending giveaways, to the wagon-giveaway-on-wheels model, then distributing bags of food across northside camps, and finally returning to tabled giveaways downtown with bins — the challenges in the last 18 months have caused everyone to re-evaluate the best way to meet our mission.
Above all, the board is committed to upholding the values of humanism by serving the local community. How that can manifest nowadays is vastly different than before COVID-19 and the new statewide law that effectively drives individuals into the woods and away from main corridors, centralized care, and support.
Starting in September 2021, we’re rolling out two major changes that will ensure we can meet our goal of helping people in need, solving human problems with human hands, no strings attached, moving forward.
Our monthly giveaway location is moving to Mosaic Church, 12675 Research Blvd, Austin, TX 78759.
After building a mutually beneficial relationship with church leaders over the last several months, we are collaborating with Mosiac Church to offer Austin Humanists at Work giveaways on the fourth Sunday of each month. This coincides with their weekly outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness and limited means. Rest assured that despite the location, there is no evangelism happening in the parking lot where clients are served; we are among other like-minded charitable groups and people who want to provide support and value to the population we at ATXHAW also serve, without expectation or reciprocation. Furthermore, those who can benefit most from our offerings have gravitated to North Austin, away from downtown.
Come volunteer with us! We will meet at 8:30-11 a.m. for the next giveaway on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021.
Here’s what to expect:
- Masks are required during the giveaway and we recommend only vaccinated individuals attend. Age 12 and older can join at this time.
- Please sign our waiver before coming on Sunday. Contact info@ austinhumanistsatwork.org
- We’ll have bins on the tables to distribute typical items during the giveaway, and brief any newcomers or long-boomerang volunteers.
We are no longer accepting in-kind donations.
As we undergo some significant transitions as a nonprofit organization, we are no longer accepting the in-kind donations of items we distribute, such as toiletries, clothing, or camping supplies.
Our donors have provided some much-needed items over the last several years of giveaways, and for that, we are very thankful. We want to be good stewards of every donated item and dollar we receive, including to our clients and to our Earth. Right now, we have a good amount of items in storage to sustain monthly ATXHAW giveaways and will continue to humbly accept monetary donations to fill in any gaps.
Moving forward, the board of directors is meeting regularly to steer the strategy of our future organization and brainstorming innovations that will create a greater benefit to those we aim to support.
We are interested in hearing from you about the future of Austin Humanists at Work!
We welcome your feedback about how you think our nonprofit should move forward. Please take our survey and give us your opinions and ideas.
We are tremendously grateful to our volunteers and donors who have helped keep the organization operational — even as forces of a global pandemic and statewide ban on public camping have forced us to evolve the work. We are looking forward to sharing more information with you in the coming months.