Holiday Advent Market Helps Homeless Earn Dignified Income

AUSTIN, TX — The Community First! Village began with a simple idea in 2004. After Mobile Loaves & Fishes purchased a gently used RV, they sought to help a homeless person in Austin regain their dignity and stability. Once achieved, the success of the idea led to the creation of the Community First program that assisted more than 100 individuals move into RV homes in different RV communities in the Austin area.

Having transformed lives, the idea to provide affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for homeless neighbors was born. The Community First! Village began moving residents into the masterplanned community in 2015, and to date approximately 170 formerly homeless men and women call the Village home. With the recent acquisition of an additional 24 acres, Phase II of the Village will provide homes to about 500 formerly homeless neighbors.

Community First! Village has much to celebrate, and in keeping with the tradition of building communities and forging neighborly ties, the Village invites the community to enjoy the Christmas season with its Village of Lights 2019 event. Now in its 4th year, the festivities will include more than 200,000 lights choreographed to holiday music and is one of the biggest Christmas lights displays in Central Texas.

The Advent Market will also be a featured activity at the event, and visitors will have the chance to shop for unique, handcrafted gifts created by formerly homeless craftsmen and artisans now living at the Village. Gifts and concessions purchased during the event help Community First! Village neighbors earn a dignified income this holiday season. For more information about Community First! Village and ways to donate or assist in their endeavors, please visit the Mobile Loaves & Fishes website. For Village of Lights 2019 information, please click HERE.

Event Details

4th Annual Community First! Village of Lights

• Friday, Dec. 6
• Saturday, Dec. 7
• Friday, Dec. 13
• Saturday, Dec. 14

5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Community First! Village

9301 Hog Eye Road, Austin, TX 78724

Admission: FREE

For more events, be sure and check out the Austin Patch Events Calendar.