Trinity Center grew from the concern of parishioners of St. David's Episcopal Church for people experiencing homelessness and living in shelters or on the streets by the church. Trinity Center was founded by volunteers and is based on a model of action through voluntarism. Since its inception in 1999, Trinity Center has evolved from a Sunday-only ministry in borrowed space to a separately-incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, incorporated in April 2000, that offers a variety of programs and activities for the homeless population throughout the week. Trinity Center’s mission is to serve the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of people experiencing homelessness and poverty in Austin, Texas. Trinity Center’s programs are based on a neighbor-to-neighbor approach that fosters trust and community between those who have housing and a steady income and those who do not. We offer hospitality, compassion and companionship, financial assistance, support group for women, food, and a place of worship and spiritual renewal for those who have lost the comforts of home and the feelings of care and concern from others. Being a small organization allows us to offer a personal, familiar touch as we work with our neighbors each day. We greet each other as neighbors instead of as providers and clients. We treat our neighbors with dignity and respect. In fact, we feel very proud of the manner in which our staff and volunteers “lead by acceptance,” resulting in neighbors who feel acknowledged and understood, have a sense of ownership of Trinity Center, and consider it their community center. Neighbors rely on us when they have nowhere else to go. As one of our neighbors stated in an August 2009 survey, “Trinity Center has been an anchor in a time of storm.”