2017 Highlights in Review

2017 SYM Highlight #10

We need all sorts of items. We keep them listed on our wishlist page. We appreciate used items no longer wanted at home, but we also maintain an Amazon wishlist for some items. We also appreciate shoppers who watch for sales of individual potato chip bags, which we use for outreach. YOU CAN HELP!

2017 SYM Highlight #9

Read about our internship and pass the word to mature high school juniors for summer and college students all year round. We offer a small weekly stipend. We also accept art and craft supplies of all sort for our twice-weekly groups. YOU CAN APPLY!

2017 SYM Highlight #8

Each year we focus on end-of-year fundraising. Help us avoid having to reallocate staff time to fundraising by giving now at Donate.StreetYouthMinistry.org.

2017 SYM Highlight #7

We share quarterly newsletters and monthly prayer team updates, each highlighting one aspect of ministry. Over time, you get a really good idea of what we're about. Sign up for one or both on our single sign-in page. READ OUR NEWSLETTER!

2017 SYM Highlight #6

Each year we focus on end-of-year fundraising. Help us avoid having to reallocate staff time to fundraising by giving now at Donate.StreetYouthMinistry.org.

2017 SYM Highlight #5

We highlight needed items regularly in our quarterly volunteer letter or on our facebook page. And volunteer signup for 2 hour shift to help out daily at volunteer.StreetYouthMinistry.org.

2017 SYM Highlight #4

Each year we focus on end-of-year fundraising. Help us avoid having to reallocate staff time to fundraising by giving now at Donate.StreetYouthMinistry.org.

2017 SYM Highlight #3

Our missionary staff members are all fundraising staff members and have monthly prayer letters. Contact any of them to join their letters. marissa@StreetYouthMinistry.org. Each year we focus on end-of-year fundraising. Help us avoid having to reallocate staff time to fundraising by giving now at Donate.StreetYouthMinistry.org.

2017 SYM Highlight#2

The drop-in mean expanding our budget by $110,000 overnight. We are still working to recover from this rapid growth financially. Our end of year fundraiser must raise about 30,000 to pay for services already delvered in 2017. If we do not break-even, our staff will have to shift valuable time and energy from services to fundraising in 2018. You can help us.  Donate.StreetYouthMinistry.org.

2017 SYM Highlight #1

Our mission is to know, love and serve homeless young people so they can find more stability, sobriety, reconnection with God and a faith home. We do that by establishing long-term relationships across years to deliver cost-effective and high-impact life coaching. We welcome you to become a part. Use our new chatbot to find out how you want get involved. GET INVOLVED!

2016 Highlights in Review

2016 SYM Top Ministry Moment #10
Clients Come Inside to Enjoy Showtime

This summer was quite hot, and we had a wonderful invitation from long-time partner St. Austin's Parish Church to use an air-conditioned fellowship room to give our clients a break. Together, we watched two movies each Friday afternoon and shared snacks and dinner together. It became one of our most popular indoor events! Clients surprised us with their movie choices, such as "Homeward Bound," "Hairspray," and "Daddy's Home!"


2016 SYM Top Ministry Moment #9

LifeWorks, SYM Strategic Agreement

In October, we learned of a new opportunity for a permanent home for SYM. We forged a much-expanded alliance with Congregational Church of Austin to utilize its basement as a new Drop-In Cooperative center, where clients can get safety net services, receive guidance counseling, and learn soft life skills for jobs and apartment living. We also expanded our partnership with LifeWorks, which will provide counseling, case management and group support in our Drop-In Center. The photo shows leaders of the three organizations. 

2016 SYM Top Ministry Moment #8
Computer Lab and Shower Time

Our clients have always wanted access to a clean and safe shower. We were blessed to receive an invitation from University Presbyterian Church to use its fellowship hall, including shower, once a week. We equipped the room with computers so waiting clients can do other things. We also provide access to piano and guitar. Nothing like hanging out after a nice, refreshing shower! In the photo, a client and a volunteer share an interest in drawing.

2016 SYM Top Ministry Moment #7
Darvin Receives his Work Visa

Darvin Tan started with SYM as an intern in 2015, and he discerned that his calling was to stay. However, he didn't have a visa. We applied for a religious work visa for him and, amazingly, received very rapid approval! Darvin is key to keeping our ministry working smoothly. Darvin staffed our annual Turkey Grab, something we do for clients who have recovered from the street every year so they can serve others with a homemade meal. Darvin posed at left with turkey donors from Mothers of Professional Football Players.

2016 SYM Top Ministry Moment #6
SYM Joins 100-Day Youth Challenge

This year we partnered with LifeWorks and ECHO on a 100-day challenge to house as many street-dependent youths under age 25 as possible. Our role was to make sure clients completed the application form and 27 of our clients from the West Campus streets did so! Each youth in the photo and many others were placed into apartments. If they meet the criteria and become able to pay rent, they will be able to remain there!

2016 SYM Top Ministry Moment #5
LifeWorks/SYM Halloween Party

This year, LifeWorks, SYM and University Presbyterian Church combined forces to throw an awesome Halloween party for our clients, complete with costumes, face painting, treats, grilled burgers and hot dogs, and a raffle. We were joined by UT student athletes from many sports. They painted faces, played Jenga and other games, and drew prizes for our raffle. In the photo, a client challenges a UT student to a game of bean bag toss.                                        

2016 SYM Top Ministry Moment #4
Matt and Jared, Super Interns

We were blessed to have two summer interns this year! Jared Dale and Matthew Powell were our high school interns. They learned to interact safely with clients, operate our many events, and master the fine art of logistics!

Read about our internships and pass the word to mature high school juniors. Our weekly stipend is not a lot, but it's enough to keep one from needing a second job.  

2016 SYM Top Ministry Moment #3
A Safer Arrival for Babies

Deon, above, holds one of our newest SYM clients. Her mother got off the street quickly once she learned she was pregnant. When we became aware of high miscarriage and infant death rates among our pregnant clients, we focused on the problem. We raised awareness. We asked them to count the number of months they spent on the street, and work to reduce that number. Several of our clients moved back home, got jobs, and found prenatal care. When their babies arrived, there was room and love for them!

'Giving ... an easy way to help'
“Giving financially to SYM is an easy way to help, since I am not close enough to volunteer. They help these youths go to college with textbook scholarships, celebrate accomplishments like staying off alcohol and drugs. I am impressed with SYM, its volunteers and the street youth themselves for what they are doing.”
-- A donor, posted on-line at GreatNon-profits.org

2016 SYM Top Ministry Moment #2

A Christmas to Celebrate

Our end-of-year celebration of Christmas was fabulous. Forty-one clients and 30 volunteers -- including the happy kitchen crew above -- gathered to celebrate the coming of Jesus. We were hosted by the Daughters of the King from All Saints Episcopal Church. We celebrated a lot of amazing accomplishments by our clients, including moving into apartments, having healthy babies, getting jobs, being sober, going to college and more!

'... a labor of love and faith ...'
“We have been involved with Street Youth Ministry for several years, making sandwiches, and clothing donations and have been watching the dedication that Terry Cole has for the street youth. We get regular newsletters and emails and prayer requests that are evidence of the great labor of love and faith that defines this organization.”
-- Posted on GreatNonprofits.com

2016 SYM Top Ministry Moment #1

'Second Chance' Prom

We team up with LifeWorks to offer a Second Chance Prom each year to all our clients. This is so inspirational for them! They get dressed up, pose for portraits taken by a professional photographer (as above), are treated like prom royalty, and walk taller and prouder for weeks afterwards. Your assistance is pivotal!

'He's everywhere, all the time...'
“You don't really find him -- Terry has a way of finding you. We move around, but no matter where we go Terry finds us and talks to us. He is just this guy walking his dog, like you would see anyone, but then he stops and talks to you and tells you there are ways to get off the street. Even if you don't believe him at first, he is everywhere, all the time, so you can't help but wonder what’s up.”
-- Client, as told to a volunteer

2015 Highlights in Review

2015 SYM Top Ministry Moment #10: Summer Student Interns

McKenzie (far left) and Josh (far right) both learned compassion
and how to help homeless young clients this summer.

This summer we had two high school interns. McKenzie and Josh were our first ever, and they proved it's a very worthwhile position. In addition to logistics, they formed relationships with many clients. The summer internship differs from our leadership internship in that it's fewer hours, more flexibke, and has a shorter term to better fit into a student's summer. We're so proud of both McKenzie and Josh and what they will continue to do in the world! We look forward to new applicants for summer 2016!

Read out our internship and pass the word to mature juniors. We have a weekly stipend we can pay. Not a lot but enough to keep one from needing a second job.

2015 SYM Top Ministry Moment #9: New Prayer Time Home

At prayer time, clients enjoy a meal, making or listening to music,
and reconnecting with prayer for themselves and others.

In 2016 we had to find a new home for our weekly Monday prayer services. Our old host moved to a building whose owner wouldn't allow homeless people into the building. We found an even better location and ministry parter in Texas Wesley House! Clients enjoy homemade breakfast tacos, smoothies, and fresh fruit every Monday at 11am. Clients have also learned to pray for the Wesley House leaders, students, and staff as well as for themselves, family and friends.

We need volunteers at all our events to help prepare food, reheat food, setup, greet, and clean-up. Take our volunteer orientation and sign up!

2015 SYM Top Ministry Moment #8: Turkey Grab

Rosie our ministry dog reconnects with a client who is now in college,
working, and living on her own away from the streets!

Each year we receive boxes of turkey fixings and frozen turkeys. We elect to distribute them to clients who have transitioned from the street and have kitchens, jobs, and houses! Frequently they use their turkey dinner to share Thanksgiving with friends who are still street dependent. It's a wonderful time to catch up with clients we no longer see on a regular basis!

We keep in touch with clients who have transitioned from the street and offer them prayer request service. You can join our prayer team and receive one specific prayer request about one client every 3 or 4 weeks. Sign-up at our single sign-up page.

2015 SYM Top Ministry Moment #7: Reduction in K2

Whit spent the better part of 2015 addicted to synthetic drugs, but faith shared with him on the street among our clients changed his life and saved him!

This past year was one of the darkest ministry years we have experienced, mainly because of an invasion of synthetic drugs with the most common street name of K2. However, we are pleased to report that K2 use is subsiding and that our clients have increased their awareness of the deleterious effects of K2 addiction compared to the start of the year. And we have shining examples of clients who have overcome their K2 addictions!

We share newsletters quarterly that highlight one aspect of ministry. Over time you get a really good idea of what we're about. Sign-up at our sign sign-in page.

2015 SYM Top Ministry Moment #6: Darvin Intern and Volunteer

Darvin helps one of our clients at the Christmas party.
Darvin has trained and volunteered for 6 months this year!

We loved having Darvin Tan as our leadership intern in 2015. His term began in June. He studied for 13-weeks and learned to lean an urban poverty-informed ministry like ours. He feels so called that he continues to volunteer as he awaits approval of his religious worker visa to become our second Journeyman missionary sometime in 2016!

We look forward to new applicants for our leadership intern positions for spring, summer, and fall. Read about it and spread the word. Perfect for those considering a religious call, those interested in social work, or drug counseling!

2015 SYM Top Ministry Moment #5: Homeless Prom

Clients got dressed up in formal wear for a fancy sit-down dinner
followed by a prom, complete with light show and fun!

This year, Lifeworks (a partner organization) hosted a Prom event for clients they served in the age range 17-24. Before the prom started, many professional hairdressers volunteers to help clients with hair and make-up, and everyone got a sweet make-over. There were also lots of fancy prom style clothes donated, and everyone showed up looking pretty sharp. There was great food, punch, ice cream floats, and a live DJ. It was a very fun night!

Our partnership work with Lifeworks need underwriters. We help out Lifeworks everyday and they are not able to pay our staff for the hours spent. See how we spend our funds at our donor page.

2015 SYM Top Ministry Moment #4: Christmas Party

Clients lit advent candles and helped tell the Gospel story through hope, peace, joy, and love.
Here the peace candle is lit carefully from the hope candle.

Our Christmas party is our most extravagant event of the year. We served almost 60 clients this year. They receive practical and fun gifts in exchange for participation in lots of fun games and activities! We overhead things like "I haven't had a gift in over four years" and "I thought it was be lame, but that was really fun!"

2015 SYM Top Ministry Moment #3: From Shoes to College

This client sports new great-fitting shoes selected from our office after being donated.
We leverage those items into relationships and opportunities for counseling.

We use donated items for a reason. Donations come in far more variety and are generally higher quantity that typical "homeless shelter" purchases make in bulk. In-kind donors make a huge difference. In this story, a pair of shoes offered led to relationship, counseling on how to achieve a dream of going to college, and counseling on how to work toward forgiving his father.

We need all sorts of items. We keep them listed on our wishlist page. We appreciated used items no longer wanted at home, but we also maintain an Amazon wishlist for some items. We also appreciate shoppers who watch for sales on individual chip packages for outreach.

2015 SYM Top Ministry Moment #2: Trip the Circus Changes Lives

A group of partner, frequent volunteers, and clients who were on the verge of transition (in our opinion) posed outside the big top. Special events help us reward and motivate clients to follow their dreams. Earlier this year, some people from Cirque du Soleil offered the ministry free tickets to go see their circus performance "Kooza" on opening night. We brought a handful of clients, as well as a few friends that work for Lifeworks, who tagged along to help us. The show was very fun, at times interactive, and almost everyone said they had a positive experience from getting to go. Several clients committed to making life-changes as a result of the experience! Three are in college and one is working! We invite regular volunteers to chaperone our "field trips." So head on over to our volunteer page, take the online orientation, and sign-up to become a regular. You never know what awesome event you might get to accompany clients on!

2015 SYM Top Ministry Moment #1: Magician Does More than Entertain

There are many ways to tell and show the Gospel. We bring our clients a unique and needed expression of the Gospel by meeting them where they are, believing in them, and encouraging change when they are ready. Two clients and a frequent volunteer waive their magic show tickets in approval!

We were invited to attend a magic show at UT campus to and invite clients! We invited all those who had attended at least 3 indoor events that month. The magic show was great, and at the end, the magician revealed that he was a Christian, and that his life has been saved by Jesus! One client gave his life to Christ that evening and another began discussions with us about finding a church home for regular attendance.
We partner with lots of churches around town. If you'd be interested in hosting a special event like a game night, a dance, a trip to the zoo, or a museum, sign-up to receive our partner newsletter so you'll be ready to help!

2014 Highlights in Review

2014 SYM Top Ministry Moment #10: Prayer Walks

We stop to pray with clients we encounter. This volunteer prayer walker met up
with this client for a short jam session and prayer exchange.

We began monthly neighborhood prayer walks this year on Wednesday evenings at 8 pm. It was the brainchild of a couple of our volunteers. The day is done in our neighborhood by 8 pm, and everyone is relaxed. We stop at important locations needing protection and at churches that partner with us, and we chat briefly with clients we meet on our way. It's a super way to get to know the ministry in an hour. Jesus is the cornerstone at SYM, and prayer is the foundation on which we stand.

Click to learn more about reserving your spot for an upcoming prayer walk.

2014 SYM Top Ministry Moment #9: Volunteer Orientations

We love introducing groups to our ministry. This group of college students has
been doing about half our food recovery on Saturday mornings all semester.

Every month we have begun providing a quick but power-packed hour orientation for volunteers who want to serve our clients better. By sharing an overview of who are clients are, what we do, and what our goals are in serving them, we can all pull together better. Volunteers learn who they will interact with as staff and volunteer leaders. The successful format was the summer project of our intern, Tommy Williams. Everyone leaves with a first assignment selected. Jesus is the cornerstone of SYM, and volunteers are the columns holding the place up!

Click to learn more about reserving your spot for an upcoming volunteer orientation. We would love to host one at each of our partner churches in 2015!

2014 SYM Top Ministry Moment #8: Tommy as Intern

Tommy jokes with and encourages our clients on the streets.

We were so lucky to have Tommy Williams as our intern this summer from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He brought such energy, commitment, and fun to the ministry. He studied leadership at SYM in order to be able to better lead some future urban ministry when he completes his pastoral degree. He was lovingly supported by family, APTS friends, and members of his home church, Dripping Springs Presbyterian Church.

Click to learn more about our internship program. Our goal is to attract 100 talented young leaders in 10 years and train them in urban poverty-informed leadership. We believe that will help change the world!

2014 SYM Top Ministry Moment #7: Job Club Begins

We talk through searching for a job and then keeping the job in a
relaxed atmosphere at every job club meeting.

We launched a successful pilot of a new program called Job Club to fill a couple of voids we observed. At each hour-long club meeting, we first walk one person through our hope-filled job search method. Everyone learns it but it's a group activity to help one chosen person by example. In the second half, we role-play challenging situations that come up in the first few weeks of a new job. We have learned that these challenges are the primary reason for clients quitting jobs. The pilot was a big success. The program will be back in 2015 with some tweaks. We always need spirals and nice pens because every club member creates or updates a job search notebook.

Click to view our new wish list on Amazon, which contains a few supplies needed for Job Club. You don't have to purchase from Amazon and we are happy with used, but this is a convenient way to communicate our needs and keep up with inventory.

2014 SYM Top Ministry Moment #6: Last Prayer Time at CHOP

C.H.O.P. times were always good times, with food, prayer instruction, and sharing.

We held our final prayer time at "the CHOP" on Dec 15. They are moving and we are unable to follow into the new building (due to owner concerns about homeless people). We held our first prayer concert there in Sept 2010 and are so grateful to our friends at Campus House of Prayer! Atheists, the disheartened, addicts, and all manner of clients have found peace at "the CHOP" in our weekly prayer concerts, rediscovering an authentic way to approach, talk to, and listen for God in their lives. We are seeking a new location in West Campus where we can be good neighbors and hold our Monday prayer time at 11 am weekly in 2015.

Click to see what the clients at our very first prayer time wrote and shared in September 2010! It's on our ministry Facebook page.

2014 SYM Top Ministry Moment #5: College Textbooks

Textbooks are essential for passing classes; we love for our clients to succeed!

We are constantly encouraging clients to "look up" and realize that they were made for more than just getting by. Often that means getting jobs and settling down, but is also sometimes means going to college. We watched for a few years as clients struggled to get together funding but failed classes because they cut corners on buying books. We discovered that no one fills this gap for clients, and we are delighted to help those attending college with textbooks. We have students at UT now, graduates from ACC, and students at ACC!

Click to learn more about our textbook program and the guidelines we give our clients so they eventually become independent. We typically need to supply textbooks for only a few semesters before the clients are stable enough to buy their own! That's a mark of success and growth we treasure!

2014 SYM Top Ministry Moment #4: Turkey Grab

Former clients who are now stable, housed, and working were able to pick up
turkey dinners to make for themselves and others!

We do a lot for clients on the streets, but we also keep up with clients who are recovering from their street dependency and are now stable, housed, working or going to school, and doing great! We encourage those clients to come to our Wash Nights to stretch their budget dollars a bit with free laundry and to check in with us. And we provide those who can cook with the fixings for a great Thanksgiving dinner at our annual Turkey Grab. Many actually gather friends from the street and share the meal with them. We are so grateful to our awesome friends at Austin Ridge Bible Church who make this event possible. We're so proud of the changes our clients make in their lives!

Click to learn more about all the events we provide for our clients.

2014 SYM Top Ministry Moment #3: Cookin It Up

"I can't believe we made this -- and it looks awesome!" We often hear those words from clients and volunteers alike at our summertime cooking events.

One of our goals with clients is to show them that fellowship can be fun and safe. One way we do this is our "Cookin' It Up" event where we provide groceries, and teams of volunteers and clients cook a lunch together. It's really fun to watch each week as shyness and doubt turn to willingness and then amazement at the conversations and great food produced together. The summer-only events are always fully booked.

Click to learn more about our opportunities for small groups to volunteer with us. We love our missional communities, youth groups, and other small groups that come together to help us regularly!

2014 SYM Top Ministry Moment #2: Christmas Party

Clients pause to listen to instructions before the room explodes into
activities for everyone at our Christmas party!

Lots of ministries do lots of things for Christmas. Many of our clients attend at least three Christmas celebrations. We make ours unique by focusing on relationships and activities. Fifty clients met at All Saints Episcopal Church this year with 37 volunteers for four hours of fun, food, and conversation. They all played an icebreaker game together, had a fantastic taco bar dinner provided by Daughters of the King, sang carols together, and then participated in more than a dozen activities that ranged from decorating cookies, driving remote-controlled cars, sharing music or poetry, writing Christmas cards to friends or family, selecting items from our clothing chest, book noor, or dumpster dive (small prizes). At the end, participants received an MP3 player donated by supporters! There is nothing like seeing people of all sorts of lifestyles mixing together in fellowship and love at our Christmas party. Plan to be there next year!

Click here to see that Christmas party album. It's on our Facebook page.

2014 SYM Top Ministry Moment #1: Stephen Joins SYM

Stephen with his wife, Callen. They bring so much to Street Youth Ministry for God's glory.

The top event of 2014 is something we have prayed for a long time: that a street youth might return one day as a believer to help in this work. The prayer has been answered in Stephen Husband. He once was a street youth in deep trouble, but he stabilized his life, formed a personal relationship with Jesus, found a church community, and got married. He started an an intern on June 1 and successfully completed his training two months later. He has joined us as a missionary journeyman, a terms that means he plans to be in training with us for two years. Stephen has been a fantastic asset this fall and is an amazing advocate for our clients. And he's becoming an effective evangelist as well. One client approached him saying, "I want this faith that has worked for you. I need it." Our hearts leap for joy at this thought! Stephen is responsible for raising his own living wage through the ministry.

Click here to read more about Stephen's work and to consider a financial donation to support his calling. We'd also love to get him some speaking engagements with local churches to hear his awesome story.

2013 Highlights in Review

2013 SYM Top Ministry Moment #10 Improved Bible Study

We moved our Bible study to a new venue at Congregational Church of Austin. The atmosphere is very relaxed and our fellowship has led to great Bible studies this fall. You can sponsor a meal or volunteer to serve the meal

2013 SYM Top Ministry Moment #9 Clients Giving Back

This has been a year when many clients who have successfully transitioned from the street to stable living situations have contacted us to give back, sometimes sending hard to find clothing items, sometimes donating financially, and sometimes volunteering. You can help us find needed items, too!

2013 SYM Top Ministry Moment #8 Girls Group

Female clients told us they needed a girl-only group. We listened and were able to found a girls only Bible study on Friday afternoons, led by UT college students. This was a much needed event for our girls (25% of our clients). (We need new volunteer leaders to continue in 2014!) We train lay-leaders for all our events!

2013 SYM Top Ministry Moment #7 Careful Growth

We've been carefully expanding client services, volunteer engagement, and partnerships. To make that possible, we successfully brought in a contract administrative assistant who helps make sure we serve all our clients, supporters, volunteers and followers well. Stephanie also designs awesome graphics like this one! We heavily rely on creative self-starter volunteers for our Action Team, too!

2013 SYM Top Ministry Moment #6 SYM Thanksgiving Service

We were able to celebrate Thanksgiving with a number of clients, supporters, and followers at Covenant Presbyterian Church. Supporters led the service and clients provided the readings. We are always seeking additional church partners!

2013 SYM Top Ministry Moment #5 Fresh Food

Our clients asked for fresh food. We began by purchasing it with designated funds but eventually found a weekly source of bread and produce from Wheatsville Coop, a local organic grocery! Volunteers now gather every Saturday to process the food for our Monday and Tuesday events!

2013 SYM Top Ministry Moment #4 "Turkey Grab" for Housed Clients

We had the privilege of helping a church partner give eight turkey dinners with all the fixings to clients who have transitioned to housing. It was awesome to honor their achievements and hard work in this way! Church partners really make a difference at SYM!

2013 SYM Top Ministry Moment #3 Christmas Party Success!

This year we had an exceptional party. It was hosted by All Saints' Episcopal. The food was provided by Daughters of the King. And the activities were planned by Callen and Steven. Thirty-seven volunteers helped welcome more 50 clients, demonstrating our ministry motto: to know, love and serve!

Click photo to view a larger view and the entire party highlights album!

2013 SYM Top Ministry Moment #2 College Students!

We had a client graduate from ACC from year social work program. And we had a client transfer from ACC to the University of Texas physics program. Both received textbook support from the ministry.

2013 SYM Top Ministry Moment #1 Clients Sharing Faith

This year we had a record number of clients write us about how their faith has grown. And, amazingly, this fall we had five clients actively and intentionally sharing their faith with other clients. Steven delivered our Christmas party sermon, focusing on the need for love and how "I'm not got going to beat you over the head, but Jesus worked for me!" Please join our prayer team to help celebrate our clients' achievements!