Katherine Saldana She is one of the coldest people I've ever spoken to. She comes across as very…read morecondescending and impatient. If you don't immediately understand her question, she makes you feel unintelligent or small. I only spoke with her a few times over the phone, but every interaction left me feeling uncomfortable and dismissed.

Donate to them instead of scammy nonprofit businesses like Goodwill. They will use it for abuse…read moresurvivors not to resell Easy in and out donation the times I've been there. Remember to check their hours, not open all regular business work days but most

Background Information: This organization offers housing for women and children who have…read moreexperienced homelessness. Some, not all, participants come from Domestic Violence situations, however, this is not a battered women's shelter. Their website boasts about how wonderful they are, but I am here to tell you it is all smoke and mirrors. I lived at one of the two properties they own so I have first-hand knowledge of how they run the program. The housing program gets housing subsidies from the City of Austin, is a Rental Housing Development Assistance Programs, and has some affiliation with HUD. It's worth noting, this organization had ZERO policies in place for anyone with a disability, which is required by law for an apartment complex. They knew my son was disabled because it was on my application for housing and not once did they ask about what he might need accommodations for. My son and I moved into Saint Louise House's Program April of 2020, right at the peak of COVID. At the time I moved in, we had been homeless for a year, so I was excited to have my own place again. I was quickly disappointed when I found out it had an extremely bad infestation with German Cockroaches that they failed to tell me about until after I moved in. I was told that it was treated recently, but additional treatments could not be provided until businesses started to open up and I understood this. However, I would have preferred to postpone my move instead of dealing with the disgusting roaches for what lasted approximately 8 months. When everything started opening up, management finally got pest control to come in and spray, however, it was just a general spray, not the proper one you need for treating German Cockroaches. For quite some time, I continued to email management letting them know the general sprays were not working and provided numerous pictures of all the roaches. It was at that time I got an email from the then program director stating that Robin Kampermann, the operations director, wanted me to submit a video of the current roach situation because pest control "had just sprayed my unit." By this time, I had sent numerous emails documenting the issue and told her I was under no circumstances going to provide a video. The infestation was so bad, I ended up having to repack my kitchen because the roaches were in my cabinets, refrigerator and in our food. Roaches carry many diseases as well as feces as they travel so roach feces were on my countertops and cabinets, inside the cabinets, my baseboards, floors and wall. This created not only a major health hazard, but a major inconvenience to me and my son, but management still dragged their feet for getting the proper treatments and did not care about the health hazard this caused us. As a result, my son and I ended up having to eat out for EVERY meal which exhausted all my savings of $1000.00. Management did not care one bit and made no resolution to refund my money, despite having all my receipts. I continued to send numerous emails complaining about the roaches and nothing was done about it. I even contacted the chairwoman at the time, of the board of directors for the program, Molly Trexler, to complain and she told me the board did not get involved in such issues. My son, who is disabled, was traumatized by the rampant roaches crawling everywhere, including the walls and floors in our dining room and throughout our kitchen. I called the Austin Tenants Council to see what could be done and was told that it was a reasonable request to move to another unit due to my son's disability. I requested numerous times to move to another unit and was turned down. Management expected me to live in a unit that was a health hazard. Laura Ward, the Executive Director of the program told me it was against their policy to allow tenants to move. She accidentally sent me an email intended for other management employees, and she attempted to recall her email, but was unsuccessful. In this email she stated that she would no longer be responding to my emails regarding this issue and that they should help me relocate somewhere else. Robin Kamperman, the Operations Manager, and bully of the organization essentially refused to provide treatment despite numerous photos of the roaches and feces and email requests I sent. I literally had to raise hell and get the city involved to get this issue resolved. Finally, they got the pest company to do proper treatments, although I was thankful, it was a big inconvenience. All my cabinets had to be wiped down with a particular solution before each treatment and because the treatment was toxic, I could not be in the apartment for 3 hours afterwards. See photos for the rest of the review.

Vincare does great work for our community and everyone here at Integrity Moving is honored to do…read morebusiness with this wonderful foundation! If you know any mothers that are struggling and trying to make it on their own, please call this organization!

"Basically once the units are built there is almost no budget set aside to maintain them, they are…read moreleft to rot and the inhabitants with them." My personal opinion is affordable housing in general is a sham. The unit I was in was amazing and large and about $40/month cheaper than the market rate option I'd considered without a roommate. However no one at the complex knew anything about managing, and there were so many issues here I really wish I had moved out sooner. How could the management do a good job though? They were blamed for all the problems the complex had and fired at least every year. There were numerous comfort and health problems at the complex despite how nice and new the units looked. Inadequate parking, roach infestation, bed bugs in some units, A.C. out for weeks at a time over the summer while some part came from Asia, two different floods from sprinklers or broken pipes that flooded units that weren't dried out properly. Vehicle break ins, torched vehicles and shot up vehicles, but we were on the border of gentrified Austin, only cameras or better lighting or security could prevent that. One thing that could have been prevented and changed my life profoundly: A dark mold was growing in the A.C. vents of my unit, I was very sick for over a year. I lost my funding for grad school, my daughter's academic performance plummeted, finally my unit flooded and it dawned on me as a civil engineer that maybe the first flood in my neighbors units had caused mold growth. I asked for an inspection and was ignored, I asked again and was ignored, finally I demanded a pen and paper and wrote a request, they finally sent someone who cleaned the vents. No mold inspection report, nothing done by the book. I went to the office to thank them since I wasn't choking on food while inside from my throat swelling shut, the guy who was fired a week later said that the manager had been let go and it was strange that I felt better because nothing was found. My neighbors showed me mold growing from their A.C. that was connected to the same centralized system, and mold growing through wood and paint on their floorboards. Basically once the units are built there is almost no budget set aside to maintain them, they are left to rot and the inhabitants with them. We weren't even told where the subsidies came from and never knew if our housing would be stable from year to year. If someone complained too much they received lease violations over nonsense so that they could be removed. That's what happened with me, I was told to file an illegal tow hearing by mgmt, I did and my lease was not eligible for renewal at the last minute over that case. I also believe in retrospect my income figures were intentionally altered to put me in a higher rental program instead of CHI which I was eligible for but didn't know existed. They used my student loans and grants that went straight to UT to say I made 20k a year when I made less than 9. Mgmt knew when I moved in that it was my only viable option for school while caring for a daughter who couldn't move into traditional low income student housing. When I moved out I bought an RV with my savings. I pay much less for housing, I could even live in a parking lot without electric and it would be free. Because I am able to perform all repairs and maintenance myself I'm in control of my housing. I'm healthy and able to focus on school again. Public tax dollars for housing the way it stands currently is largely a waste of money. The org is supposed to provide a lot of services to their residents as part of their funding, they either pawn off all the labor on volunteers and other non profits, or just don't provide the service, case in point, free high speed internet that was supposed to be provided at M Station, yeah I paid over 2.4k in the 4 years I lived there for the privledge of downloading my assignments and checking my email from home. I was even referred to AT&T (the only option) by their office staff, as I was moving I saw the TDHCA pamphlet that stated we were supposed to have free high speed internet. There's also a poster that claims we are supposed to have better quality indoor air by design. Yeah, try ventilating the apartments so that the indoor relative humidity isn't so high that mold thrives in the units.

An organization where the name says it all. This non-profit truly develops a communal foundation…read morefor the people it works to support. Foundation Communities IS the affordable housing initiative that makes things happen. To start, their refreshing fundraising approach is an annual no frills lunch that is free to attend and results in 100% profit. Everything required for hosting such an event is donated and the staff organizes a streamlined tour of the organization's latest project. Attendees get a chance to experience the living spaces, learning centers and the grounds of the community before sitting down to a short and sweet hour long presentation. You can't help but be inspired by the stories of those who's lives have been transformed since coming to live there. They offer financial guidance, income tax preparation, health and fitness activities, children's educational support as well as recreation in each of their communities. This is an organization that is passionate as much about their acquisitions and strategic planning because they are inspired by the people that guide their mission. Old run down apartment complexes are sought out to be converted as well as ground up new construction. They serve downtown Austin just as much as they serve the surrounding areas. There are places geared towards a single adult to entire families. Meeting the range of needs of the community is a challenge and Foundation Communities has risen to it!

I volunteered at Inside Book Project tonight and it was a great experience! IBP is a volunteer led…read morenon profit organization that provides free books to people incarcerated in the state of Texas. All of the books provided are free of charge! You read letters for book request, curate a small package of books found in IBPs library and write a letter to send back to each person. This is a really awesome way to provide support to all kinds of humans, who've been through all kinds of challenges. The 30 minute volunteer orientation was thorough and informative! They have volunteer time slots on Sundays and Thursday starting at 6pm! I hope you consider volunteering! I'll definitely be back to volunteer again.

I just started volunteering with IBP and have loved the experience so far! My boyfriend and I found…read moreIBP at an event at Meanwhile Brewing Co maybe a month ago and immediately signed up for an orientation training session. IBP is located in East Austin, housed inside of a church (although IBP is NOT a religiously affiliated organization). They have a huge library built on donations from the community. Every Thursday and Sunday evening, volunteers come to read letters from people incarcerated all over Texas, match them with books, and write handwritten letters back to them. It's truly such a wonderful initiative. People who are incarcerated have the opportunity to request books every 2-3 months and get books sent to them completely free of charge. IBP received around 1500 letters requesting books per month, which is so incredible. If you are someone who enjoys volunteering, this is the place for you! If you don't have the time to volunteer, consider donating to IBP!

Do you ever see those KAB signs along the road and wonder what they are for? KAB stands for Keep…read moreAustin Beautiful and is a nonprofit that helps keep Austin streets and creeks clean and beautiful. KAB is an awesome organization that allows individuals and organizations to adopt a street or creek and clean it up several times a year. Bull Creek is one of my favorite greenbelts so 4 times a year I help clean it up. This year I worked with over 100 4th graders to remove invasive plants and spread Wildflowers. We also educated the kiddos on how litter affects the water and soil and how native plants prevent soil erosion and how important it is to stay on the trails to preserve the natural flora and fauna. KAB is Keeping Austin Beautiful and you should too! It is very rewarding!

Great organization! Kids are very important to KAB! They welcome them as volunteers and provide all…read morekinds of opportunities for them to learn about the environment. We have adopted a creek through KAB which means we agree to clean it up at least 4x a year for 2 years. KAB provides all the supplies we need each time. And they arrange for CoA to come pick up all the trash bags we leave behind. Easy peasy. We do it with a group of kids and their parents. The kids LOVE it. They feel important for doing something good for the Earth and love spending time in nature and always enjoy finding weird stuff and putting it in the trash or recycling where it belongs. Additionally, KAB offers a free camp in the Summer and now only opens it up to their kids who volunteer with them. Can't beat that! We did the camp last year and one day went on the most awesome local tour EVER- The Texas Disposal Systems Landfill. I kid you not. Freakin' awesome!! All the people that work at the KAB office are awesome and truly dedicated. You'd be silly not to go out and adopt a creek or park or SOMETHING right now!! Do your part, people! ;)

I love this place. It's a true community for our Austin unhoused neighbors to be a part of and…read moreactively create and maintain. Beautiful vision and execution and much needed elsewhere.

A unique project designed to help the chronically homeless and disabled find affordable and…read moresustainable housing in a loving community. Located on bus route 237 in East Austin this housing center helps to empower those less fortunate by giving them more permanent housing. This 27 acre park is split into a collection of tiny homes and RV trailers in a well curated landscape. Resources like a medical clinic, workshop, community gardens, and memorial area really makes this a special place. It is a faith based organization that is open to people of all faiths. Many of the RVs have more permanent structures like a porch that have been built next to them. The tiny homes are incredible with a variety of different floor plans sponsored by local builders and donors. Bathrooms are communal. There is an outdoor movie theater right at the entrance. It feels clean and well decorated with more construction constantly underway. By the far the best part is getting to hear from and connect with current residents about how this unique solution to their problem has resonated with them. It's clear that in addition to providing material needs, the people running this place care about the residents here. This business model of using tiny homes to combat homelessness was written up by CNN. In addition to donating financially, you can also help build. I applaud the efforts underway here and am excited for how this place will continue to help people in need in the future.

I've been volunteering for Drive A Senior for a little over a year. It is such a wonderful…read moreorganization. Jill, Deb and the whole team is incredible. The seniors are also amazing too. Consider donating your time with this organization. Also, if you are considering their services for your loved ones, I would trust them wholeheartedly.

This company has many services, but I have used their lending closet on several occasions. Twice,…read morewhen my elderly relative was visiting and I needed things like a walker & other things. Fast forward to 2023 & I find myself in need of some things after breaking my ankle. After spending too much money on things and needing things that weren't so easy to find, I turned to these fine people at AGE for help. They provided me with the much needed elevated leg rests for my wheelchair and an extra walker bc it's not so easy to drag those things around when you're using a scooter. Cindy was the best! I'm very happy that they helped me when I needed it. They take donations, so if you have some unused medical equipment, check with them to see if there is a need. I know they work with some other organizations that provide similar services if they aren't accepting a particular item.

My mom has been going here for a couple months now, and we love it. She started going three days a…read moreweek and we recently switched to the full week because we noticed a positive change in her mood. She's made friends, and every day she comes home with some sort of craft she's worked on. It's also been really great knowing she's eaten a square and social meal. The staff is wonderful and very kind. It's been so great having this support for our family!