Week 2

Front Steps runs ARCH, The Austin Resource Center for the homeless. ARCH is basically the serves first point of entry into the homeless social service system for many of Austin’s adults experiencing homelessness. It is designed to assess client needs, provide information on how and where to access services, and meet the basic emergency needs of homeless adults. The ARCH also provides sleeping areas for homeless people to rest, day or night, and a Day Resource Center to get out of the elements during the day. ARCH is located in the heart of Austin, downtown 7th street. A few weeks ago I was walking down 7th street and double the amount of homeless individuals outside ARCH as I had ever seen. A homeless man stopped and asked me for money. I gave him the only change I had, 50 cents, and asked him why there were so many people out. To my horror he said, “it’s the end of the month... everyone just got paid and is looking for drugs.” This sent an absolute pain of sorrow and awe down my spine. I didn’t understand. I thought homeless individuals went to ARCH to seek help for a better future, but I was being too optimistic. Many of these individuals have gone through more traumatic experiences than I could ever imagine, collapsing into a state of decay and becoming reliant on drugs and alcohol. These individuals seek help but many are still fighting their addictions. This does not mean we should give up on them. Instead, we should fight harder for them so they want to save themselves. ARCH offers men and women access to a number of basic needs services including lockers, phones, showers, hygiene items, clothing, laundry, mail and messaging. By encouraging the homeless and keeping them on the right path, ARCH is helping eliminate homelessness in Austin.