SolvingYouth Homelessness
A Note From Liz Friends,
At LifeWorks, we don’t just serve young people experiencing homelessness—we are working to solve youth homelessness.
Every day, we ask ourselves: What does it take to ensure that every young person in our community has a safe, stable place to call home? The answer is both urgent and complex. It starts with ensuring that young people have immediate access to safe, affordable housing. But solving youth homelessness requires more than a roof over one’s head—it demands a focus on prevention, the creation of real pathways to stability, and a commitment to ensuring that young people don’t have to navigate life’s challenges alone.
In 2024, we took bold steps toward that vision. We served 2,679 individuals through our housing, mental health, education, and workforce services, providing critical support and opportunity to young people striving for stability. For more than 400 youth, that meant securing emergency, transitional, or permanent housing through LifeWorks. But the need continues to grow. In 2020, 247 young people were on the waitlist for housing. As of February 2025, that number has risen to 988.
That’s why, in 2025, we will break ground on The Works III, a 120-unit deeply affordable housing complex designed specifically for young people exiting homelessness. This project is years in the making, made possible by once-in-a-generation funding and the shared commitment of public agencies and private sector partners working together to turn bold ideas into real housing solutions.
But we know that housing alone isn’t enough. Preventing youth homelessness before it starts is just as critical. Our counseling and mental health services strengthen the support systems young people rely on—whether that’s family, chosen family, or other trusted relationships—helping them heal from trauma and avoid crises that lead to homelessness.
Meanwhile, our workforce and education programs equip youth with the skills and opportunities they need to secure employment and afford Austin’s rising housing costs.
Solving youth homelessness isn’t an aspiration— it’s a commitment to innovation, accountability, and action. And we cannot do it without you. When we come together—as a community, as partners, as fearless advocates—we don’t just create change. We create a future where every young person has the opportunity to pursue a life they love.
Thank you for walking alongside us in this work and for your unwavering belief in our mission.
With gratitude,
Liz Schoenfeld, Ph.D. LifeWorks CEO
Financial Overview
1,164
CLIENTS SERVED
LifeWorks Programs
HOUSING & HOMELESS SERVICES
The goal of the LifeWorks Housing Division is to provide a continuum of support that will help transition youth from homelessness to permanent housing and independence.
• Street Outreach
• Diversion
• Direct Cash Transfers Pilot Program
• After Care Transitional Services
• Emergency Shelter
• Young Adult Shelter
707
CLIENTS SERVED
1,474
CLIENTS SERVED
• Transitional Living Program
• PORT (Permanency through Outreach & Rapid Transitions)
• Rapid Rehousing & Housing Vouchers
• Permanent Supportive Housing
EDUCATION & WORKFORCE
LifeWorks Education and Workforce Division is focused on helping youth develop the knowledge and skills to navigate the challenges of early adulthood, move toward independence, and achieve stability.
• Workforce Development & Supported Education
• Life Skills Training
COUNSELING SERVICES
• GED & Literacy classes
• Young Parents Program
LifeWorks Counseling Division provides support for individuals and families who are struggling with issues such as family conflict, abuse, trauma, anxiety, depression, and the stress of everyday life.
• Youth & Adult Counseling
• Resolution Counseling
• Community-Based Counseling
• Peer Support
• Psychiatric Services (In partnership with Integral Care)
2024 Board of Directors
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Kyle Ali Chair
Lisa Richardson Vice Chair
Ashley Thomas Immediate Past Chair
Alan Hansford Finance Chair
Cloteal Haynes Secretary
Mary Beth Jester Assistant Secretary
Sara Canaday Member at Large
Glenn Neland Member at Large
Trey Salinas Member at Large
Danielle Laing Waliyaya Member at Large
MEMBERS
Chris Aguilar
Crystal Barone
Eddie Blackwell
Albert Castro
C.K. Chin
Kacie Crowe
Lisa Dow
Rachel Green
Clyde Haynes
David Kirchhoff
Kaye Knox
Kerri Lang
Katrina Austria Marrero
Kelly McDonald
Tim Mooney
Ana Moreno VanDiver
Angela Pringle
Lea Sims
Melinda Twomey
Greg Varnell
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Susan McDowell (through 6/30/24)
Liz Schoenfeld (starting 7/1/24)
Chris Adlakha
AMD
American Campus Charities Foundation (Leadership Partner)
Anonymous
Apple Inc.
Applied Materials Foundation
Angelina and Aaron Ashton
Atmos Energy/Robert W. Best Charitable Giving Fund
Rebecca Austen
Austin Guys for Good
Austin Relocation Council
The Aviles Family Charitable Fund
Laura and James Babineau
The Barilla Foundation
Christopher Bauer
Beacon Non-Profit Consulting
Bill M. & Cecile Autrey Ham Charitable Foundation
Boombox
Bright Funds Foundation
Justin Brogna
Meredith and Dave Brown
LuAnn and Anthony Bundrant
The Campbell Foundation
Capital One
Carabuena Tequila
Carl C. Anderson Sr. & Marie Jo
Anderson Charitable Foundation
Donna Carter and Michael Gagarin
Carlos Carvajal
Cathy and Dwight Thompson Foundation
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.
Cjr Foundation Inc.
Jennifer Claymon and Matthew Marlow
Jordan and James Cobb
Corning Incorporated Foundation
Michael Craigue and Jason Craft
Erik Crank
Leilani Cronin
Cross Texas Transmission LLC
CWS Corporate Housing
Travis Danysh
Bruno Dasilva
Dell Technologies
Gloria and Paul DeVere
Dollar General Literacy Foundation
Donald D. Hammill Foundation
Doug & Amber Schmitt Family Foundation
DPR Foundation (Leadership Partner)
Karen and Patrick Driscoll
Grants & Donations
GIFTS OF $1,000+
Duane Morris LLP
DuBose Family Foundation
ECG Foundation
The Edward and Helen Oppenheimer Foundation
Ernst & Young LLP
Exchange Club of Austin
Fair Trade Journeys LLC dba Fair
Trade Safaris
Christal Fisher
FlowTex Energy LLC
Hampton Friedman
Mike Frost / Landy Frost Group
Todd Gaffney
Garrison Family Foundation
Courtney Gill
Gjerset and Lorenz Charitable Fund
Cathy and Mike Godfrey Google
Barbara Graves
Betsy and John Greytok
Douglas Gullickson
Sharon L Hall
Charlotte and John Hambrick
Mary Kay and Don Hanson
H-E-B (Leadership Partner)
Henry L. Kimelman Family Foundation
Timothy Henzel
The Herbert Kenneth and Janet Cleaves Acord Foundation
Kathleen Higgins
Howard E. Butt, IV Charitable Fund
Matthew Hubbard
The Hull Firm
I Live Here I Give Here
Intracorp Foundation (Leadership Partner)
Jackson Walker LLP
Victoria Jalo
John and Mildred Holmes Family Foundation
Joan (Rusty) Kaim
Kimberly and Kristopher Kelley
Ali Khataw
Colby Kiefer
Kitchell Foundation
Joseph Kroesche
Laughlin-Beers Foundation
Laverentz-Kampfe Giving Fund
Chris Lee
Jaclyn Lindig and Steven Cahall
The Lola Wright Foundation
Shauna Lorenz
Salma Manzur
Danny Marquette
Debbie Martin and Robert Sullivan
Mary Anne and John Hettenhaus Fund of The Greater Cincinatti Foundation
Debbie and Mike Matustik
Michael Mayer
Mayfair Austin LLC
Matthew McClain
Diana McIver
Robin McKeever
MDJJ Dining LLC
David Medrano - The Medrano Team at First United Bank
Meryl and Alan Metni
Michael & Susan Dell Foundation
Bonnie K. Mills and Doug Eicher
Moody Foundation
Andrew Moore
Carol Moore
Juan Pablo Morales
Linda and Glenn Neland
Nordstrom
Nicole Nabulsi and Luke Nosek
Tamra-Shae Oatman and Eric Collier
Nancy and Michael Ohlendorf
Johnny Ola
Oracle
Terri and John Orton
Victoria and Brian Ozimek
The Pacey Family Foundation
Peerspace
Jonimay and Winston Peterson
Liz and Jon Phelan
Alessandro Piovaccari
Jeri Sue Plaxco
Popp Hutcheson PLLC
The Powell Foundation
The Prairie Foundation
Michael Pumo
Q2 (Leadership Partner)
Quantiq Partners
Liana and Arjun Rao
Yasho and Nagi Rao
Reissa Foundation
Religious Coalition To Assist The Homeless
The Renner Project
Torrey Reynolds
Rise Title of Texas
Riverbend Church
Janet Roberts
Lorenzo Romero
Sabot Development
Karilyn and Brian Savage
Stephen Scheibal
Mark Scholes
Bradley Schultz
Schultz Enterprise LLC
Laila and Jordan Scott
Mary Seals
Seawell Elam Foundation
Suzette and Eric Segerstrom
Shanti Foundation for Intercultural
Understanding
Samantha Shaw
Shepherd of the Hills Christian Church
Shield-Ayres Foundation
Natalie and Ian Smith
Sooch Founation
Christine and Paul Spangler
St. David’s Foundation
The Stahl Family Foundation, Inc. (Leadership Partner)
Stand Together Foundation
Laura and David Starks
Step Onward Foundation
Jay Stewart
Marc Sultzbaugh
Patsy Tankersley
Tejemos Foundation
Lawrence Temple
Terminal B
Texas Customs Group LLC
Texas Instruments Foundation
Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation
Trisa Thompson and Jack Jacobi
Thomson Family Giving Fund
Topfer Family Foundation
Carrie Trabue
Tres Grace Family Foundation
Eric Turner
United Way for Greater Austin
University Christian Church
Nico Van Slyke
Brian Vattiat
Vista Windows + Doors
Jason Vitanza
Weir Foundation
Quin and Alex Whiddon
Suzie Page Whitworth
Women’s Fund of Central Texas c/o
Austin Community Foundation
WoodNext Foundation
Yardi
Yonge Foundation
Todd Zint 10/1/2023 - 9/30/2024
Making an Impact for Today & Tomorrow
Meet Bella.
In the summer of 2023, Bella became unsheltered. It wasn’t until November of 2024 that she was able to find a permanent, stable home. She was living in a tent at McKinney Falls, unsure of where she would sleep next, when she realized she was pregnant. Before that, she moved between temporary places—broken cars, tents, the backyards and guest rooms of family members— anywhere she could rest.
“I was homeless like that for a good three or four months,” she recalled, “I ended up doing an assessment at Sunrise, and they told me to come to LifeWorks.”
It took nearly a year for Bella to find permanent housing. Along the way, she stayed connected with LifeWorks, accessing street outreach, workforce services, and diversion programming. LifeWorks walked alongside her to secure housing support and ensured she stayed connected to vital prenatal care. From access to nutritious foods to transportation for medical appointments, Bella had the support she needed to have a healthy
“I’ve finally got the opportunity to start doing it, you know? Doing Life.”
pregnancy while working toward stability. When she was approved for a housing voucher, she took every step she could—completing paperwork, applying for apartments, navigating delays and rejections. No matter how long the process took or how many barriers she faced, she stayed determined.
Then, the moment finally arrived. Bella not only successfully secured an apartment, but her newborn was ready to come home:
“I was overwhelmed with happiness and joy that day... having a roof over my head for me and my baby.”
She was finally able to move into her first apartment, ready to begin a new chapter.
Bella’s story is one of many. More than 900 young people in Austin are still waiting for a safe place to call home, hoping for the same opportunity to move forward.
Watch Bella’s story here:
Meg & Steve Abbott
Bretagne Abirached
Sara & Seth Ackland
Patti & Andy Adkins
Laura Agnew & Hill Abell
Chris Aguilar
Mary Ainslie
Danielle & Kyle Ali
Lori & Jeremiah Allen
Anonymous
ARIV Wealth - Lynne Wiggins
Robbie & Tom Ausley
Leslie Bagby
Shelly & David Bain
Lynn Baker
The Barilla Foundation
Candy Barone
Crystal Barone
Jacob Bear
Kim & Jason Belew
Melanie Belt & Demetrius
McDaniel
Nancy & Glenn Birnbaum
Esther & Edward Blackwell, Jr.
Hayden & Michael Blood
Cyndi & Bill Bock
Dennis Borel
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Lesley & Rick Bradstreet
Francine Breckenridge
The Sean Breen Family
Pam & Jeff Brown
Sandra & Kevin Brown
Tammie & Cliff Brown
Jayna & Barry Burgdorf
Rosa & Kevin Byrne
Cathy & Rick Cabrera
Peyton & Jon Callahan
Sarah Campbell
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Mona & Marc Cannon
Amber Carden
Castleview Productions
Monica & C.K. Chin
Catherine & Wade Cooper
Colin Corgan
Cecilia & Steve Cox
Charlyn & Gerald Daugherty
Amy Davis
Anna Degollado
Montse de Muller & Kevin Nater
Phylis & Robin Donelson
LifeWorks Legacy Circle
(AS OF MARCH 1, 2025)
Lori & Dennis Donley, Jr.
Lisa & Matt Dow
Meredith & Patrick Duncan
Maureen & Greg Engle
Patty & Michael Erspamer
Tracy & Jeff Faulkner
Jaelene Fayhee & Jeff Smith
Tracy & Drew Fielder
The Fike Family
Betsy & Jay Foster
Kelly & Stephen Freeman
Lynda Frost
Helen Gaebler & David Adelman
Scott Ginder
Kendal & Ken Gladish
A Glimmer of Hope Foundation
Dottie & Justin Godfrey
Jennifer & Andy Goff
Rachel Green & Lawrence Williams
Tiffany & Larry Greenberg
Stefanie & Stephen Griffith
Haggerty Family Foundation
Priscilla & Tony Hall
Janna & Alan Hansford
Mary Kay & Don Hanson
Karina & Scott Hanyzewski
Jana & Doug Harker
Cloteal Haynes
Marty & John Henderson
Tera & Brett Hogan
Kathy & Jim Hopke
Melinda Horan
Jennifer & Robert Hornish
Pamela & Christopher Hughes
Sarah & Neil Huntsman
Debbie Immel
Beth & Bill Ivers
Mary Beth & Dan Jester
Allison & Rob Johnson
Lorena Junco
Tara & Bart Kalsu
Sara & Tim Keller
Eileen King
David Kirchhoff
Mary Kirkendall
Kaye Knox
L’Aiglon Foundation
Kelley & Jay Lamy
Tracey & Michael Lazorik
Romi & Todd Lessig
Joe Loiacono
Carolyn & Jack Long
Lucila Lopez & Luis Briones
Lara Mandy
Caitlin & Bo Mangels
Scott Marks
Katrina Austria & David
Marrero
Karen & Byron Marsales
Rebecca & Will Matthews
Carol & Steve Mattingly
Chrissy & Tim Mattox
Karen & Mike May
Angie McDermott & Paul Strelzick
Kelly McDonald
Cathy & John McDowell
Mary McDowell & Calvin Lin
Susan McDowell & Bob Elder
Cathy & Ed McHorse
Jennifer & Dee Meador
Valerie & John Meddaugh
Jana & John Menchaca
Gretchen & Matt Mitchell
Lacee & Tim Mooney
Susan Moore
Susan & Robert Morse
The Morton Family
Sue Moss & Craig Bell
Cookie F. Munson
Debbie & Matthew Murphy
Tony Napolillo
Amanda & Edward Nevins
Christy & John Nixon
Shannon Noble
Alyss Noland
Christy & Phillip Olcese
Bebe Olufsen
Sissi & Gerard O’Reilly
Yolanda & Michael Owens
Dee & Mel Parker
Cheryl & Michael Perkins
Tess & Greg Peters
Catherine Pfeiffer & Frank
Stencer
Sue & Michael Phillips
Jody & Joe Piccolo
Rebecca & Phil Powers
Jenny & Matt Preece
Angela & Mark Pringle
Lauren Pyle & Sam Kimelman
Sharon & David Reed
Lisa Richardson & Lisa
Hannusch
Denise & Alan Richey
Shelia & Jerry Roemisch
Dubravka Romano
Melissa & Colin Rowan
Lacy & John Ruwwe
Esteban Sanchez
Stephanie Saulmon & Mike
Reddy
Liz Schoenfeld & Jed Hazlett
Debbie & Jim Schultz
Hannah & Chris Schultz
Liz & Eddie Seade
Chrisine & Anthony Sementelli
Lynn Sherman
Marcia & Barry Silverberg
Ellen Simpson
Lea & Blake Sims
Aliah Smith
Denise & Paul Smith
Sorelle Assets Ltd. - Velvet Hammerschmidt
Kanice & Derek Spears
Jim Spencer
Sherri & Herry Stallings
Nikki W. & Ben Stark
Chellie Stewart
Candace & Rhett Stone
Jessica Stutes
Connee & Kent Sullivan
Katie & Larkin Tackett
Ashley Thomas
Rhonda Toming & Trey Salinas
Marcia Toprac
Perri & Jeffrey Travillion
Kelly Truax
Melinda & Barry Twomey
Ana & Jason VanDiver
Jamie & Greg Varnell
Wendy Varnell Family
Kristen Vassallo & John Fitzpatrick
Jennifer Vickers & Lee Walker
Danielle & Yusef Waliyaya
Shawn Walker
Tammy Warren
Pamela & Matt Washburn
Liz & Kirk Watson
Neil Webber
Mitch Weynand
Diane & Tom Williams
Jason Wills
Tracy & Harry Wolin
Bob Wynn
Amy & Steven Younkman
