Some of the best work happening in Austin starts with people who simply see a need and decide to help.
Madelyn Patterson of GoneMad Productions and Studios and Ujima Magazine joined Sierra Waggoner and Trevor Scott on We Are Austin to introduce viewers to Rachid Sow of the Sow Family Foundation and highlight the organization’s work helping people move forward.
Madelyn Patterson of GoneMad Productions and Studios and Ujima Magazine joined Sierra Waggoner and Trevor Scott on We Are Austin to introduce viewers to Rachid Sow of the Sow Family Foundation and highlight the organization’s work helping people move forward.
“He meets people with opportunities,” Patterson said, pointing to the foundation’s work to “feed the homeless” and provide “job skills.”
Madelyn Patterson of GoneMad Productions and Studios and Ujima Magazine joined Sierra Waggoner and Trevor Scott on We Are Austin to introduce viewers to Rachid Sow of the Sow Family Foundation and highlight the organization’s work helping people move forward.
“We are a one-stop organization meeting people where they are, providing vital resources, helping individuals, children and families from crisis to stability,” Sow said.
For Patterson, learning about that work made her immediately want to introduce Sow and the foundation to the We Are Austin audience.
“We are a one-stop organization meeting people where they are, providing vital resources, helping individuals, children and families from crisis to stability,” Sow said.
That idea of meeting people where they are is at the heart of the foundation’s mission, which focuses on removing barriers and connecting people with resources that can help create long-term stability.
One of the foundation’s newest efforts is the SOW Community Resource Hub, which launched in partnership with the City of Austin in June.
“Just imagine experiencing homelessness, going through crisis, and you are being told to go to one place for a meal, another place for health care and another place for employment,” Sow said.
Sow explained that someone experiencing homelessness or another crisis may need food, health care, employment assistance and other services — but accessing each one can mean traveling to a different location.
“Just imagine experiencing homelessness, going through crisis, and you are being told to go to one place for a meal, another place for health care and another place for employment,” Sow said.
“We came up with this SOW Community Resource Hub, a one-stop space where they can have all those resources to reduce the obstacles or barriers moving from one place to another,” Sow said.
The Community Resource Hub was intentionally designed as a one-stop space where people can connect with multiple services in one location, reducing transportation and accessibility barriers.
“We came up with this SOW Community Resource Hub, a one-stop space where they can have all those resources to reduce the obstacles or barriers moving from one place to another,” Sow said.
For those who need the foundation’s services, the SOW Community Resource Hub is located in downtown Austin at 500 E. Seventh St.
The foundation is also supporting work Patterson is passionate about: creating free skilled-trade career pathways. The effort is designed to connect people with practical skills and workforce opportunities that can lead to sustainable careers.
For those who need the foundation’s services, the SOW Community Resource Hub is located in downtown Austin at 500 E. Seventh St.
The foundation is also supporting work Patterson is passionate about: creating free skilled-trade career pathways. The effort is designed to connect people with practical skills and workforce opportunities that can lead to sustainable careers.
And for Austinites who want to support the mission, Sow said there are plenty of ways to make an impact beyond financial donations. Volunteers and community partnerships are always welcome, but sometimes giving back can be as simple as showing another person kindness.
“Giving back doesn’t necessarily mean money,” Sow said. “Just a simple smile can always change the day of any individual living on the street.”
For more information about the Sow Family Foundation, its programs, volunteer opportunities or available resources, visit the organization online or find the foundation on Facebook and Instagram.
Whether through time, talent, resources or compassion, the Sow Family Foundation is inviting the community to be part of its mission to help people move from crisis toward stability.
For more information about the Sow Family Foundation, its programs, volunteer opportunities or available resources, visit the organization online or find the foundation on Facebook and Instagram.
And to keep up with Madelyn Patterson and the community stories, organizations and people she’s highlighting across Austin, follow GoneMad Productions and Studios and Ujima Magazine on social media.
For more information about the Sow Family Foundation, its programs, volunteer opportunities or available resources, visit the organization online or find the foundation on Facebook and Instagram.