The Children's HOME Initiative offers low-cost, quality housing for 45 families at three Austin locations, plus case managers who help these families find employment, health care, transportation and more. Most of the families in this program were homeless or at risk of being homeless, but now have a permanent place to live and the tools to take an active role in improving their lives.

The Children's HOME Initiative, launched in August 2003, helps children overcome poverty by:

 

• Housing:

Providing stable homes at a reduced cost

• Opportunity:

Helping parents gain skills and opportunities to increase income

• Money:

Creating opportunities through economic education and tutoring to help their parents save money

• Education:

Through after-school programs offered at our learning centers

Darrel had a successful career in the machine tool industry until his life took a dive into depression and alcoholism. Eventually, he was faced with the choice of shooting himself or calling for help, and Darrel chose to pick up the phone.

After completing a rehabilitation program, Darrel became one of the first to move into Garden Terrace, an apartment community providing permanent, affordable housing and help with health care, employment, and other needs. Darrel has taken college classes, dealt with health issues, and is working again. He calls Garden Terrace “a godsend” that has given him a second chance at life, and he wants to see it expand to help others.