As a proud supporter of the Women’s Fund at Austin Community Foundation, I recently had the privilege of visiting two remarkable organizations that are making significant strides in advancing economic mobility for women in Central Texas: People’s Community Clinic (PCC) and The SAFE Alliance.
The site visits, part of our “Meet the Women of the Women’s Fund” event series, were a powerful reminder of why we invest through the Women’s Fund—to uplift organizations driving meaningful change for women, children, and families. Women’s Fund supporters gained invaluable insights into the meaningful work being carried out by these grant partners and the significant effect they have on our community. It was an honor to witness their work firsthand, and I’m excited to share some of the powerful takeaways from each tour.
People’s Community Clinic
Founded in 1970, People’s Community Clinic (PCC) is a trusted healthcare provider for uninsured and underserved Central Texans. As a federally qualified health center, PCC provides holistic, wraparound care—with many services housed under one roof.
This intentional design supports patients who often face barriers like unreliable transportation or unpaid time off work. By situating their clinic along a major bus route and offering integrated care in a single location, PCC reduces friction for those who need care most.
In 2023, the Women’s Fund awarded PCC a $15,000 grant to expand women’s health services enhancing access to essential offerings such as:
PCC’s Center for Adolescent Health
- Gynecological surgeries
- Cardiology services
- Sonograms
- Free prenatal vitamins
- Postpartum home visits
We learned that a lactation consultant would soon join the women’s health program, a significant addition to an already comprehensive list of services.
During our tour, we visited the Center for Adolescent Health, the only local comprehensive adolescent medical program for at-risk teens in Central Texas. Our visit also introduced us to their on-site Teaching Kitchen, where patients can engage in healthy cooking classes through The Happy Kitchen, a community partnership that’s improving health outcomes one recipe at a time.
Joy Authur, Chief Development & Communications Officer, leading our group through PCC’s ‘Teaching Kitchen’
Beyond clinical care, PCC provides access to a food pantry, organic pop-up markets, vision care, legal support, and even Zumba classes—all designed to address the social drivers of health and improve long-term outcomes.
See more photos from the tour.
The SAFE Alliance
Established in 1974 as the first rape crisis center in Texas, The SAFE Alliance has evolved into a vital resource for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and sex trafficking. Their survivor-led, trauma-informed approach supports individuals and families through housing, advocacy, and education programs that prioritize safety, dignity, and long-term healing.
In 2024, SAFE received a $15,000 Women’s Fund grant to support their Domestic Violence Rapid Rehousing Program. This initiative provides survivors with crucial support, including:
Women’s Fund members gathered to hear more about the organization’s work from Julia Spann, CEO of The SAFE Alliance
- Rental and utility assistance
- Employment and case management support
- Life skills coaching, parent education, and legal advocacy
SAFE’s approach goes beyond emergency shelter—it’s about creating sustainable housing solutions that promote long-term recovery. One such project is The Sasha, a new 60-unit permanent supportive housing complex designed with direct input from survivors. The facility includes one-, two-, and three-bedroom units so families can stay together in a home-like setting.
The Grove Boulevard shelter similarly embodies this philosophy, providing six mini-shelters that foster communal meals and cultural expression while meeting immediate needs.
SAFE currently shelters around 900 people per day, one-third of them children, and responds to more than 28,000 calls annually through its SAFEline. See more photos from the tour, or hear directly from Julia Spann, CEO of The SAFE Alliance.
Feeling inspired?
These visits reinforced the profound impact that philanthropy grounded in community voice and equity has the power to transform lives. We’re incredibly grateful to the teams at People’s Community Clinic and The SAFE Alliance for their unwavering commitment to serving our community and for allowing us to witness their incredible work firsthand.
If you’ve been considering joining the Women’s Fund, we hope this glimpse inspires you to get involved! Learn more about the Women’s Fund and our mission to advance the economic mobility of women and children in Central Texas.
Janie joined the Women’s Fund in 2024, inspired by its belief that when women succeed, the whole community benefits. As a digital marketer, she’s especially drawn to the Fund’s data-informed approach and now serves as Communications Chair-Elect, using her skills to help drive meaningful impact for women in Central Texas.
