Heart of Texas Homeless Coalition

The HOT Homeless Coalition was formed for charitable and educational purposes relating to the promotion, support, development, and furtherance of rehabilitation services, resources and treatment programs for persons who are homeless in the Heart of Texas Region of the State of Texas. The services and programs include, but are not limited to, housing, crisis intervention, psychosocial rehabilitation, case management, client advocacy, and family education and support.

The vision of the corporation is there will be no gaps in available services to homeless individuals. The corporation is committed to developing a seamless continuum of care model that will provide all homeless individuals an opportunity to access needed services.

Some of the activities of the Coalition include:

• Foster public education and awareness of the issue of homelessness.
• Improve outreach to homeless persons.
• Work to eliminate duplication of services and improve collaboration between agencies serving the homeless.
• Identify gaps in services and develop a strategic plan to fill those gaps.
• Advocate for quality institutional and non-institutional care and individualized treatment for the mentally ill homeless.
• Promote appropriate living arrangements linked with supportive social, vocational rehabilitation and employment programs.

2007 Homeless Coalition Priorities:

1. Permanent Supportive Housing
2. Prescription Drug Assistance
3. Case Management/Life Skills Training
4. Continuum of Care Renewals
5. Develop more partnerships with businesses to expand housing and job opportunities for the homeless
6. Emergency Shelter for families
7. Affordable Housing
8. Housing and Employment opportunities for homeless persons with criminal backgrounds
9. Community Education/Awareness regarding homelessness
10. Dental Services
11. HMIS Expansion/Scan Card Implementation
12. Shelter for Mentally Ill
13. Affordable private psychiatric care for mentally ill homeless
14. Funding for driver's license and other identification
15. Transportation after operating hours of public transportation system
16. Child care
17. Drug Counseling

Tax Exempt Status Achieved

We are pleased to announce that the Heart of Texas Homeless Coalition is now recognized as a tax exempt organization under section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code. We were notified of the approval on June 15, 2005. HoT Homeless Coalition is excited about the opportunity this gives to serve the Central Texas community by expanding services through donations and grant funding.

Meeting Announcements

All meetings of the Heart of Texas Homeless Coalition are held on the third Friday of the month, unless it conflicts with a holiday.  Lunch is served at 11:45am and the meeting starts promptly at 12:00pm noon.  To RSVP for lunch, please call Trisha at Caritas at (254) 753-4593 x203 or send an email to pccaritas@grandecom.net.

2008 Meeting Schedule:

January 18          Waco Housing Authority

                            4400 Cobbs Dr.

No February Meeting

March 14             Heart of Texas Council of Governments    

                            1514 S. New Rd.

April 18                Freeman Center Outpatient Clinic

                            2505 Washington Ave.

May 16                City of Waco hosting at

                            Catholic Charities

                            Onward & Upward Building

                            4709 Bosque Blvd.

June 20               Compassion Ministries

                            1421 Austin Ave.

July 18                 Heart of Texas Region MHMR

                            110 S. 12th St.

No August Meeting

September 19     Methodist Children's Home

                            1111 Herring Ave.

October 17          VA

                            4800 Memorial Dr.

November 21       Mission Waco - Meyer Center

                            1225 Washington Ave.

December 19       Family Abuse Center

                            Call for directions

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