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Our members are making a difference.
Volunteer. Donate. Share the Stories of our Members.
Read Member Stories from our previous Tale of Two Austins campaign here.
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El Buen Samaritano
After experiencing the mental and physical distress of a miscarriage last year, Vanessa Martinez turned to El Buen Samaritano’s health clinic to give her body the attention it needed. Vanessa was diagnosed with depression and anxiety and sought help from El Buen’s counselor, who later referred her to an onsite nutritionist. Since she started making regular visits to both her counselor and nutritionist, she’s adjusted eating habits, has increased her self-esteem and says she feels much better about herself than she’s ever felt before.
Contact: Ivan Davila, 512-439-0748
People’s Community Clinic
T. age 59, came to PCC’s Integrated Behavioral Health Program with depression, anxiety, and a history of PTSD and substance abuse due to child abuse. Antidepressants did not help her anxiety, so PCC’s consulting psychiatrist prescribed anxiety medication. T.’s weekly psychotherapy at PCC focused on PTSD recovery and improving self-esteem and relationships, but progress was interrupted by SSI denial and physical issues. PCC’s public-interest attorney, T.’s therapist and her doctor got her approved for disability and Medicaid, allowing her to get treatment for physical problems. She has improved significantly, does not always need anxiety medication, and moved to biweekly therapy.
Contact: Joy Authur, 512-684-1722
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Front Steps
Otto grew up in West Texas and in the Texas Hill Country. Throughout his life, Otto has always struggled with his relationship to alcohol and other drugs. After a car theft incident, Otto found himself in a world of substance abuse, which ultimately landed him in jail. When he was released, he found himself without anything and homeless, and once more fell back into his addictions. Hopeless, Otto ended up at the ARCH. There, case managers helped him find housing, and attended Streets of Hope, a program to help keep his addictions at bay. “I had to break the cycle. These people helped me do it. I’ve still got goals to accomplish, some I don’t even know about yet.” Read the full story here.
Contact: Hannah Ford, 512-305-4153
The Salvation Army
Clayton was hopeless, broken and living in a crack house when he walked into The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center. Through the program Clayton found a mentor, participated in work therapy and a recovery group, and has “learned how to be a father, to be a man of my word.” Clayton graduated from the free recovery program and says The Salvation Army gave him “absolute hope.” He hopes to soon be reunited full time with his wife and daughter. He says, “When I see people on the street corner I can tell them there is a place that can help.”
Contact: Jan Gunter, 512-944-0572
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Any Baby Can
Juan D, was an active and bright nine year old boy seemingly thrust overnight into a fight with cancer. Struggles in finding ways to manage fear, frustration and grief came with this challenge. The No Estás Solo/ You are Not Alone Counseling Program provided counseling services during this time. Now thirteen and with his cancer in remission, the family is healing, full of hope and dreaming of possibilities they had not considered before their journey. He and his family are now training to run local races as they continue to work towards continued holistic strength and wellness.
Contact: John Branham, 512-782-4355
Austin Child Guidance Center
When Nancy was eleven, her father was terminally ill and in the hospital frequently. Nancy began having trouble regulating her emotions at school; she was disruptive in class and withdrawn from her peers. The therapist from Austin Child Guidance Center gave Nancy a safe space to talk about her dad and her anxious feelings about not fitting in. Together, they worked on social skills and self-calming techniques, and after four months Nancy was able to address hard topics without getting overwhelmed. Nancy learned to express her feelings and ask for help, which helped her succeed in school again.
Contact: Russell Smith, 512-451-2242
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