In a direct action to raise awareness and show unity with the city's unhoused, Austin nonprofit We Can Now took to the streets for a 'sleep out' event. The organization's founder Antony Jackson, who himself has faced homelessness twice, invited volunteers to join him in sleeping overnight at an east Austin encampment. The group aimed to "stand in solidarity with them, let them know that there are people in the community that really care," Jackson said. This sleep out commenced at 4 p.m. and was stretched out until 6 a.m. the next morning, according to KXAN.
It isn't just once-off gestures for We Can Now; their commitment to supporting the homeless is ongoing. Every Sunday, they serve East Austin's unhoused population with healthy meals and essential supplies, a gesture that has become a beacon of hope for many. "People feel like there's hope out here," Jackson told KXAN.
Further fleshing out the organization's mission, Jackson reinforced the event's purpose, stating it was to "push the issue to let people know that it's a dangerous situation," due to unsafe environments and the risk of death on the streets. Jackson's history with homelessness fuels his dedication, underscoring the realness of the struggle that many face. This empathy translates into actionable support through We Can Now's diversion program, which assists those with jobs but struggling with housing costs, especially the often prohibitive double deposit, as reported by FOX 7 Austin.
This event is not just about providing immediate relief but also about documenting the realities of homelessness to spur further action. "We're going to document everything that we're feeling, everything that we're seeing," Jackson pledged in a statement obtained by FOX 7 Austin.
