On this episode of the Gospel Con Carne podcast, Alan sits down with one of our beloved volunteers, Dita Heilman!

Dita's story of serving others began long before she found her way to Community First! Village. Born and raised in the Albania/Kosovo region of Europe, she met her husband, Steve, while he was volunteering with a medical nonprofit during the early 1990s. What started with a chance encounter and a shared cup of coffee grew into a life rooted in compassion, hospitality and a calling to serve others.

Today, Dita and Steve faithfully volunteer in the Art House at Community First! Village, where they help create handcrafted ceramic pieces alongside our neighbors living in the Village. Through every conversation, shared project and creative endeavor, Dita reminds us that the most meaningful connections are built when we take the time to simply be present with one another.

In this episode, Dita reflects on the power of kindness across cultures, the unexpected path that led her from Kosovo to Austin, and how volunteering has become a beautiful expression of gratitude for the life she's been given. Her story is a reminder that serving others doesn't just their change lives—it has the power to transform our own.

On this episode of the Gospel Con Carne podcast, Alan sits down with one of our beloved volunteers, Dita Heilman!

Dita's story of serving others began long before she found her way to Community First! Village. Born and raised in the Albania/Kosovo region of Europe, she met her husband, Steve, while he was volunteering with a medical nonprofit during the early 1990s. What started with a chance encounter and a shared cup of coffee grew into a life rooted in compassion, hospitality and a calling to serve others.

Today, Dita and Steve faithfully volunteer in the Art House at Community First! Village, where they help create handcrafted ceramic pieces alongside our neighbors living in the Village. Through every conversation, shared project and creative endeavor, Dita reminds us that the most meaningful connections are built when we take the time to simply be present with one another.

In this episode, Dita reflects on the power of kindness across cultures, the unexpected path that led her from Kosovo to Austin, and how volunteering has become a beautiful expression of gratitude for the life she's been given. Her story is a reminder that serving others doesn't just their change lives—it has the power to transform our own.

On this episode of the Gospel Con Carne podcast, Alan sits down with our longtime neighbor and friend, Shorty!

Born and raised in Houston, Texas and one of many siblings, Shorty's life has been shaped by both hardship and resilience. After losing his mother at just nine years old, he eventually spent 31 years living on the streets, struggling with addiction and searching for stability and belonging along the way.

Everything began to change when Shorty moved into Community First! Village in November of 2016. Now approaching 10 years at the Village, Shorty reflects on what it means to finally have a place to call home after decades without one. After knowing Alan for more than two decades, he says the Village has become the family he never thought he would have—a place where he feels deeply loved, supported and known.

In this episode, Shorty reflects on the loss of some of the friends he made at the Village, the peace he finds living near the memorial garden and the moment he instinctively ran into a burning RV to save a fellow neighbor. Through every story, Shorty reminds us to look out for one another, love one another and never underestimate the pure goodness found in community.

On this episode of the Gospel Con Carne podcast, Alan sits down with our neighbor and friend, Brenda!

Born and raised in Midland and one of 14 siblings, Brenda's life has been marked by both deep love and deep hardship. After losing her sense of identity and falling into addiction, Brenda spent more than a decade living on the streets of Austin. This experience humbled her in ways she never imagined. In the midst of it all, Brenda made the incredibly difficult decision to entrust her young daughter to her father, knowing she couldn't raise her child on the streets. However, through every season, Brenda's daughter and family never stopped loving her.

Everything began to change when Brenda connected with a case worker through the Trinity Center, which ultimately led her to Community First! Village. Since moving into the Village in 2018, Brenda has rediscovered who she is—reclaiming her name, her purpose and her sense of self-worth. Today, she loves cooking, enjoys working onsite, and recently moved into a new PMRV on our expansion property. Most of all, she cherishes the friendships she's built and the community she now calls home.

On our season finale of the Gospel Con Carne podcast, Alan sits down with our neighbor and friend, Ruvi. Born and raised in Cuba, Ruvi grew up amid political and economic hardship. After graduating, he traveled the world while working for the Cuban government before coming to Austin nine years ago to seek asylum, leaving behind his family in Cuba.

Life in the United States brought new challenges—learning English, starting over and eventually losing his job as a medical assistant in 2020. The pandemic led to homelessness and deep emotional struggle, but it was during that time Ruvi found God and began rebuilding his faith.

While homeless, Ruvi worked as a swim instructor for the YMCA until a co-worker told him about Community First! Village. In February 2023, he moved into his new home in the Village surrounded by a supportive and loving community. Today, Ruvi gives all glory to God for restoring his life and reminds us that no matter where we are, God is always present—even when we don't see Him right away.

On this episode of the Gospel Con Carne podcast, Alan sits down with our neighbor and friend, Deirdre. Born in California, Deirdre's early life was marked by loss and instability. Even after her father died from addiction, she turned to alcohol and drugs at a young age, leading to years of struggle, incarceration, homelessness and heartbreak. After entering a long-term therapy program, Deirdre rebuilt her life, got married and stayed sober for 15 years. When her marriage ended, her addictions and path toward homelessness returned. Healing came by way of a women's home in Fort Worth and also a supportive church in Georgetown. In March of 2025, Deirdre moved home to Community First! Village, where she has continued her journey of restoration. Today, Deirdre shares her story with honesty and hope, reminding us that addiction is often a symptom of deeper pain and that healing begins when we learn to see our own worth.