Archive | From the desk of Irit Umani

By Irit Umani
Executive Director

When the COVID19 pandemic started, we just watched it for a while with worried minds, until it became clear that Trinity Center must re-adjust to the new reality. Clearly, we could not keep serving 60 people, six to a table, in our relatively small space. To do so would have meant spreading the virus and risking ourselves, our volunteers and the beloved neighbors we serve. It was heart-breaking because we love the mission, the values and the actual work that is done at Trinity Center. And the people we serve need us and our services.

With deep pain and much worry, Trinity Center now follows the Mayor’s order to “shelter-in-place.” Today, March 24^th, we served the last breakfast until at least  April 13^th. With breakfast this morning, served outside (yes, distance kept,) each of our brothers and sisters also received a care package with soap, shampoo, new socks and other goodies, thanks to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.

What do you do when distancing is the healthiest practice of the day and your whole life has been about connectedness?

By Irit Umani

Homelessness in Austin became a big public discussion issue recently, widely covered by media in town hall meetings and in city council meetings. What happened? What changes created this citywide “emergency?”

By Irit Umani — Trinity Center, which in 2019 celebrates 20 years of serving our brothers and sisters, remains true to the original mission and heart-centered intention to serve physical, emotional and spiritual needs of our neighbors.