A mission to reduce homelessness in San Marcos to a functional zero is the driving force behind local nonprofit, the H.O.M.E. Center. Their efforts to help those facing homelessness has landed them the Community Organization Award from The Texas Homeless Network.
“It was a real honor to have received [the award]; for a small organization we rarely get recognition so this meant a lot to be able to have that type of recognition from the Red Cross and from the Texas Homeless Network for the work that we’ve been doing here,” H.O.M.E. Center Founder and Executive Director Hannah Durrance said.
The organization has been partnering with The American Red Cross through their Community Adaptation Program and whose team members nominated them for the award due to the work they do in the San Marcos community.
“H.O.M.E. Center goes above and beyond to provide services to the most vulnerable in Hays County. Over the few years they have been in existence, they have managed to house many individuals, most of whom are veterans, and provide casework to keep them stable,” Red Cross Coordinator Alyssa Ramirez said in her nomination. “Beyond their regular service delivery, H.O.M.E. Center also actively responds to any number of weather-related events that require assistance for those who are unhoused. Their staff, board and volunteers also play an active part in the Hays County Homeless Coalition, advocating for their clients and other residents of Hays County whose voices may otherwise be unheard.”
A big focus for the organization has been their veteran support.
“The Pathways to Home program is also where we work with our veterans, and we currently have an unhoused veteran that we’re working with who’s in a motel room that we’re trying to raise funds to pay for that motel room,” Durrance said. “He did just start a job so we’re hoping that he’ll be able to become more stable in the next month. But meanwhile, we need to keep him stable while he’s getting his first paychecks and getting established in his new job.”
The H.O.M.E. Center team celebrated the award at their board meeting with many members grateful for the recognition. The team continues to work with those in need in our community. To learn more about the organizations programs or to donate to their mission visit homecentertx. org.
