Maximizing Hope rebuilds lives
Our mobile outreach teams help people experiencing homelessness get off the streets, one step at a time.
Sometimes an answer to a big problem lies in small acts of kindness.
In Austin, homelessness has become a divisive problem. Austinites may differ on policy, but we can agree on one thing: no one wants people living in tents, under bridges, or on sidewalks.
We believe Maximizing Hope is part of the solution. Our mission is personal – we help our neighbors who are homeless stabilize their lives by connecting them with Austin’s network of public and private nonprofit social services.
That isn’t easy.
For people facing challenges with mental health, addiction, technology access, and unstable living conditions, accessing those services is nearly impossible.
That’s where kindness comes in.
Kindness is helping someone fill out their application for food stamps (SNAP).
Enrolling them in Medicaid.
Sitting on hold for hours with the nonprofit clinic to make an appointment.
Providing a phone if they need to call someone.
Paying for a hotel room when they are at their wits’ end.
And, sometimes, it’s as easy as smiling, saying hello, and handing over a cold drink.
What We Do
We focus on five “building blocks” needed to stabilize someone’s life. Our first priority is getting each person proper identification (easier said than done). Then we work on sustainable solutions for their food, medical care, shelter, and income.
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IDENTIFICATION
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FOOD SECURITY
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MEDICAL CARE
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SHELTER
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INCOME
Our volunteers take laptops and hotspots to meet our clients where the are: many times under bridges, in parks and, sometimes, when they're on the side of the road. Our clients can use our mailing address to receive mail that we then deliver.
And, we never forget our homeless animal friends who provide much needed support and comfort to our clients. Our volunteers take owners and their pets to Emancipet for vaccinations and spaying/neutering. Pets get leashes and collars with contact tags, and they’re even chipped in case they get lost.
What small acts of kindness can you do?
We invite you to learn more about us and to consider how you could help change a person’s life, whether through our Amazon wish list or donating through our Givebutter campaign.