Gospel Con Carne

Join us for our final Gospel Con Carne podcast episode of the season as Alan sits down with our friend and neighbor, Cecile! Originally from Dallas, Cecile and her siblings were raised in a loving home by her parents until they later separated. After graduating high school, Cecile worked in the restaurant industry for a number of years, followed by decades-long work in accounting. She eventually moved to Austin in 2000, but unfortunately found herself homeless after the Covid pandemic hit. Thanks to a local homeless outreach program, Cecile moved into her very first furnished home in Community First! Village in June of 2022. Known around the Village for her loyalty, dependability and optimistic spirit, Cecile has a sociable nature that brings her close to her fellow neighbors. Additionally, thanks to her work with the neighborhood's Property Beautification team, she’s able to use her green thumb to tap into her passion for gardening and plants. Cecile is a devoted mother of two daughters and a loving grandmother to four grandchildren—and she beams like any proud grandmother would when she talks about their visits to her beautiful home in the Village!

Joining our host, Alan Graham, on this episode of the Gospel Con Carne podcast is our neighbor, Nick! Originally born in Kenya, Nick’s mom moved him and his sister to the United States when he was just nine years old. After spending his childhood in Georgia, Nick enrolled in the Army directly out of high school and served for six years. In 2014, Nick's job brought him to Austin where he had a stable income and housing. However, when the covid pandemic hit, he lost his job and had to live off of his savings. After constant searching, Nick was unsuccessful with finding another job, his savings ran low, and he and his mother were forced to vacate their apartment. Nick eventually found himself in a position that he never thought was possible—being homeless on the streets of Austin. After a couple of years living in survival mode, he and his mother found their place of permanence and belonging in Community First! Village in March of this year. Now living just across the street from each other, Nick and his mother enjoy spending time together and engaging with neighbors as much as they can. Together, they have found home and are surrounded by a supportive community. 

On our newest episode of the Gospel Con Carne podcast, Alan is joined by our friend and neighbor, Bennie! Born and raised in Austin, Bennie learned early on what it looked like to care for others while growing up in a two-bedroom home with eight siblings. His parents, who were functioning alcoholics, took care of his family well despite being poor. With the integration of Austin happening during most of Bennie’s upbringing, he was often bused to and from school. He says this experience, coupled with growing up in the projects of the city, ultimately resulted in a lifestyle involving drugs. Following a broken marriage years later, Bennie wound up on the streets of Austin and disconnected from his family. Despite the loss he experienced, Bennie moved into his forever home in Community First! Village seven years ago and now considers many people around the neighborhood his family. On top of always helping out his neighbors, Bennie is often seen with a big smile on his face, doing his best to spread happiness all around him.

Joining our host, Alan Graham, on this episode of the Gospel Con Carne podcast is our neighbor, Cathy! Growing up in Freeport, Texas, Cathy experienced chronic homelessness from a young age alongside her mother and siblings. Often moving from place to place her whole life, Cathy says she doesn't feel like she had her first real home until she moved into Community First! Village in April of 2023. However, the road to finding her home in the Village didn't come easy. Cathy fell into the trap of addiction, just like other members of her family, until she began living in her car and finding the space she needed to get clean. Since moving to the Village, Cathy has been able to pursue her lifelong dream of being able to take care of herself and finds joy in the mundane, even something that may feel small, like paying her own bills. 

On our newest episode of the Gospel Con Carne podcast, Alan is joined by our friend and Community First! Village neighbor, Jimmy! Growing up in Queens, New York, Jimmy says he never really felt at home until he moved to Austin in 1982 to go to college. Despite having distant relationships with his immediate family growing up, Jimmy had the chance to reconnect with his dad after moving to Austin. During this time, they were able to rekindle their bond until his dad eventually passed away. Years later, Jimmy's wife passed away, which was followed by the hard hit of the Covid pandemic. Despite having a strong and consistent work ethic, Jimmy soon found himself homeless. Thankfully, with the help of a local church, Jimmy was able to quickly move into his forever home in Community First! Village in September of 2021. Not only does he work with our Property Beautification team on a daily basis, Jimmy also strives to be a good friend to his fellow neighbors by preaching love, finding the goodness in everyone and encouraging unity over division in the community. 

Join Alan on an emotional episode of the Gospel Con Carne podcast as he sits down with our neighbor Linda. In addition to learning more about Linda's story, you'll hear from one of our Mobile Loaves & Fishes' staff members, Frazel, who works directly with Linda in our Community Inn! Linda grew up in Louisiana with six siblings, later moving to several locations in Houston, and ultimately ending up in Austin. After spending time homeless, while living at a park in Austin, Linda met her case manager who was able to introduce her to Community First! Village. Linda moved home to the Village at the beginning of this year and feels that her experience has been life changing. She has a passion for cooking for herself and her fellow neighbors as a way of spreading joy and lending a helping hand to others. Linda is also a consistent worker at our Community Inn where she has built a beautiful relationship with Frazel, the Community Inn coordinator. More than finding a home and work, Linda is grateful that she has found community, learning that she is never alone with the forged family she now has in her new neighborhood.

On this week’s episode of the Gospel Con Carne podcast, Alan is joined by our neighbor and friend, John! Growing up on the beaches of Florida, John’s childhood was filled with love, surrounded by his mom, stepdad and two brothers. John later attended college in Arizona where he was able to reconnect with his biological father, working to create a relationship even as his dad struggled with alcoholism. John eventually entered a season of his life where many of his family members passed away, causing a breakdown in his marriage which led to divorce. This series of tragedies pushed John to leave his current surroundings and bike across the United States, working day jobs to make a living. When finding day jobs during the covid pandemic became virtually impossible, John began living on the streets of Austin. Since moving to Community First! Village in the fall of 2022, John has reconnected with his daughter and works consistently with our on-site janitorial team. While building relationships with his neighbors living in the Village, John has learned to accept people for who they are and often encourages them that good things are to come if you just hang in there!

Joining our host, Alan Graham, on this episode of the Gospel Con Carne podcast is our neighbor, Orion! Growing up in a small Texas town, Orion had a simple, old-fashioned life and knew what good hospitality looked like. However, what he thought was considered a "normal" family dynamic ended up causing him trouble in the years to follow. With a family history of alcoholism and other unfortunate circumstances, Orion ultimately became homeless around the age of 18. When Orion later found himself in prison, he met some of the most spirit-filled people, which began his journey toward a relationship with Christ. While continuing to pursue a relationship with the Lord was never easy, Orion was put in situations and met people who helped him form the strong relationship he has with Christ today. Since moving home to Community First! Village in early 2023, Orion continues to shed light and love for the Lord through his interactions with his neighbors and others he encounters. He also regularly reminds those around him that as long as there is breath in your body, you can have hope.