News & Events - Press Releases

For all media inquiries, please contact Mitchell Gibbs, Executive Director at 305-4156, or Jennifer Denton, Community Relations and Volunteer Coordinator, at 305-4153. Thank you.

June 2012
Austin's Homeless Receive Gift of Water
Front Steps partners with I Am Waters Foundation to distribute water to Austin's homeless during the summer. Please click on link about to read more.

January 2012
Front Steps New Executive Director
Front Steps is pleased to announce that we have hired Stepehen Luteran, LCSW as our new Executive Director.  Please click on link above to read more.

September 2011
Keep Austin Housed Returns
Front Steps is pleased to announce the return of our AmeriCorps program, Keep Austin Housed, which provides eight local non-profits, that serve homeless men, women, and children, with 23 full time case managers .

June 13, 2011
Water Distribution to Homeless
Due to the extreme heat, Front Steps has partnered with the I Am Waters Foundation and Mobiles Loaves and Fishes to distribute water to homeless men and women this summer.

May 3, 2011
New Leadership Announcement
Front Steps is excited to announce that we have hired a new Executive Director, James Ormand, as well as added three new Board Members to our leadership team. Please click on link above to read more.

January 12, 2011
Annual Austin/Travis County Homeless Count & Survey Needs Volunteers!
The 2011 Austin/Travis County Homeless Count and Survey is in need of more than 300 volunteers to conduct a point-in-time estimate and survey of Austin’s unsheltered individuals. This year’s Count and Survey is scheduled for Sunday, January 23rd, 2011 at 1 pm, with a rain date scheduled for Jan 30th, 2011.

November 11, 2010
Front Steps Leadership Changes
Helen Varty has resigned from the position of Executive Director of Front Steps after over 12 years of service. As the organization's homeless services continue to grown, Mike Abkowitz, former Board President of Front Steps, has resigned from the Board to serve as Interim Executive Director, ensuring a smooth leadership transition while the Front Steps Board searches for a permanent director.

Ocotber 29, 2010
Holiday and Winter Donation Needs
Front Steps is issuing a community plea for cold weather funds and supplies to meet the winter needs of the homeless. This press release provides information on how you can donate, as well as on our most pressing needs during these winter months.

October 27, 2010
National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week 2010
During the week before Thanksgiving, communities throughout the United States will be working to bring greater awareness to the problems of hunger and homelessness. Front Steps is working in collaboration with ECHO and the Basic Needs Coalitionan, locally, to promote this week's events. The theme this year is Listen. Learn. Lend a Hand.

August 25, 2010
Know Before You Give Campaign
A coalition of local social service agencies, businesses and residents have announced a campaign to encourage donations to social service agencies and decrease the prevalence of panhandling in the downtown area. Know Before You Give aims to persuade Austinites to give responsibly, which means donating money to an organization that will use the funds more effectively rather than giving directly to an individual on the street.

May 3, 2010
Celebrating 45 years of Service In Your Neighborhood!
“Domestic Peace Corps”; “Volunteers in Action”; “Change Makers”; AmeriCorps members have been given many titles over the years, but who is Austin AmeriCorps? This May, we want everyone to know the truth about AmeriCorps – our mission, our focus, and how you can become a fan of Austin AmeriCorps Week.

January 21, 2010
Keep Austin Housed Homeless Wellness Fair a Success
3rd Annual Keep Austin Housed MLK Day of Wellness a success for Austin's homeless neighbors.

January 15, 2010
The City of Austin Provides Shelter for Homeless Pets During Freeze Nights
Front Steps is committed to providing shelter for our homeless neighbors 365 days a year and, on freeze
nights, encourages individuals to come to the ARCH to coordinate shelter for their pets.

January 14, 2010
How You Can Help Our Homeless Neighbors During the Winter Months
Provides information about how you can help our homeless neighbors during the winter months.

January 4, 2010
Keep Austin Housed to Offer Wellness Fair for the City’s Homeless

December 7, 2009
Holiday Donation Guide
Provides information about our holiday needs and donation acceptance procedures.

December 3, 2009
Providing Shelter for the Homeless as the Temperature Drops

April 29, 2009
Helen Varty Selected as Finalist for 2009 Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award

December 1, 2008
Burlington Coat Factory, One Warm Coat and Good Morning America Partner to Provide Coats to the Homeless

November 17, 2008
Thousands of Blankets and Sleeping Bags Needed for Homeless Community

June 17, 2008
Austin’s Homeless to Compete in National Soccer Tournament

April 8, 2008
Keep Austin Housed AmeriCorps Members Working Hard to End Homelessness

January 17, 2008
Front Steps’ Executive Director Awarded MBA