How To See Invisible Women, Children

The Salvation Army of Austin wants to expand its overcrowded facility in East Austin by building a new center nearby. The organization has kicked off its Invisible Austin campaign, hoping to double the current shelter’s capacity and accommodate up to 180 women and children.

The proposal is the organization’s first capital campaign in more than 27 years. The six-week campaign, which began Wednesday, highlights the crisis of family homelessness in Austin.

The Salvation Army is using social media to raise awareness for the unheard voices of women and children living in poverty. By using the hashtag #InvisibleAustin on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, Salvation Army’s financial partner, Frost Bank, will donate $10 for each use, up to a total of $50,000.

“We’re really focused on spreading the awareness,” development director of Salvation Army Austin Jamille Ruebsahm told Patch. “We hope people hear the story and realize they can make significant impact just by sharing the hashtag on their social media pages.”

Nearly two-thirds of the homeless population the Salvation Army serves locally are women and children. Currently, more that 400 women and children in Austin are living in various unsafe locations, including cars and beneath bridges. These citizens struggle to access shelters and other social services needed for self-sufficiency.

“The reality is that women and children are the fastest growing population of those that are homeless, and we’ve seen that trend increase since last year,” said Ruebsahm. “We have 400 women and children on our waitlist. The reason you don’t see them is because they aren’t out in the open. Moms are going to do everything they can to protect their babies and keep them out of the spotlight, and they become invisible in the eyes of society.”

• Want more East Austin news? Click here for our daily newsletter.

The Salvation Army’s capital campaign goal is $14 million. Currently, $10 million has been pledged. Recently, Travis County commissioners voted to sell 7.5 surplus acres of county-owned land next to the city-funded Austin Shelter for Women and Children on Tannehill Lane.

The county has attached deed restrictions to the land, which keeps the use of the land reserved for a women and children’s shelter. This also ensures 24-hour security of the facility.

In 2014, the Austin Shelter for Women and Children served about 370 people, with 241 of them moving into safe and stable housing.

For more information on the organization and how you can help:

Visit the website: invisibleaustin.org

Follow on Twitter: @SalArmyAustin

Friend on Facebook: SalvationArmyAustin

Follow on Instagram: @SalArmyAustin

Donate: bit.ly/invisibleaustin

[Photo: Salvation Army Austin]