Caring ministries

We share the same vocation. We are called to ‘seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves’ (Book of Common Prayer, p 305). Regardless of what each of us does to earn our own living, we all share this common mission: in order to fulfill our baptismal vows we must care for all people. The family of Good Shepherd recognizes that there is deep suffering in the world – people without jobs, without homes, without hope; through the following programs and many others, we work to alleviate suffering in the world as Christ has called us to do.


El Buen Samaritano
We support low-income working people through the many programs of El Buen Samaritano, the only non-profit resource in Austin for healthcare, leadership training, and self-sufficiency education for Spanish-speaking families.  Click here to visit their website.
 

We provide clothing, diapers, and financial assistance for women residents of SafePlace, a non-profit facility for those seeking refuge from domestic violence. We also participate in a fundraising walk every spring to benefit this organization.  Click here to visit their website.
 

Diapers cannot be purchased with food stamps. Olivia’s Closet provides diapers and wipes to families who qualify for food stamps, but who do not qualify for TANF (‘welfare checks’). Future plans for Olivia’s Closet include storefront space, parenting classes, and a children’s clothing consignment shop.
 

Every summer we participate in the Fan Drive for Family Eldercare, collecting fans for low-income seniors and families without air conditioning or the means to run it.
 

Each year Good Shepherd assembles over 200 food baskets for clients served by El Buen Samaritano and AIDS Services of Austin each year.
 

Thanks to a very generous anonymous donor, hundreds of families are able to experience a much brighter Christmas season through Christmas Caring and Sharing. Individuals receive grants from this fund and support for our adopt a family Christmas tree comes from this fund. Families from Family Eldercare, West Austin Caregivers, and the Austin Housing Authority received utility assistance, food, toys and clothes.
 

In 2006, Good Shepherd joined eight other area Episcopal parishes to build a 3-bedroom home for Habitat for Humanity. This home was completed in June. We just finished another home which was dedicated in May, 2007.  Plans are underway for a Habitat build with churches in the Tarrytown area.  Click here to visit their website.
 

Bridges to Homes
For the past year, families from Good Shepherd have been spending Saturday mornings playing games, visiting, and sharing lunch with homeless families living at the Salvation Army’s downtown family dormitory. Through a new program called Bridges to Homes, Good Shepherd will work with the Salvation Army to help provide furniture and housewares to some of these families who are moving from homelessness into apartments. We hope to be able to sponsor one family every three months. Click here for the lists of items needed for housekeeping. Because of space limitations at Good Shepherd no items are to be brought to the church. We will gladly accept gently used or new items, and donations of money would be most appreciated. Please contact the parish office about donations or to arrange a time to deliver the items to the Bridges to Homes storage space.

Church Under the Bridge
Good Shepherd provides meals to the homeless the second Sunday of the month, and volunteers are needed to help in the kitchen. Help is also needed to transport food to the bridge area and distribute the meals. Serving will end about 1:30. CUB is a great way for our parish to express our faith, serving the homeless of Austin. Good Shepherd’s ongoing commitment to this multi­denominational service ministry is deeply appreciated. Contact Kingsland Kemperman at 828 7031.