Together, We Can End Homelessness with Care and Compassion.
Restoring Community, One Neighbor at a Time.
At We Can Now, we are committed to creating a community where everyone has access to the essentials for a dignified life. Our mission is to provide immediate relief and long-term solutions to those facing homelessness and food insecurity in Austin, Texas.
Our Mission and Vision
Our mission is to meet people experiencing homelessness where they are, and to create sustainable pathways forward—offering compassionate solutions through direct services, diversion strategies, and strong community support.
Our Impact in Numbers
We Can Now has made a significant impact in the Austin community through our dedicated efforts and programs. Here are some of the highlights:
Healthy Food Served Annually (In Pounds)
Individuals Housed Through Our Diversion Programs
Clean Water Distributed Annually ( In Gallons)
Individuals served per year through direct outreach
Our Comprehensive Support Services
Healthy Food Access Program
We Can Now’s Healthy Food Access Program ensures that individuals experiencing homelessness in Austin receive consistent, nutritious, and culturally relevant food. Through our street outreach, wellness pantry, and community partnerships, we distribute fresh fruits, vegetables, and clean drinking water directly to people where they are—whether in encampments, under bridges, or at our service hub.
We Can Now Wellness Pantry
The Wellness Pantry is a dedicated space where individuals experiencing homelessness can access essential resources in a safe, welcoming environment. It provides healthy food, clean drinking water, hygiene products, clothing, and survival gear—ensuring our clients receive critical support to meet their basic needs with dignity.
Street Outreach Initiatives
Our Outreach Program meets people experiencing homelessness exactly where they are—on sidewalks, in encampments, under bridges, and in the woods. Our team builds trust through lived experience, providing immediate support such as food, water, hygiene kits, and direct connections to housing through our diversion program.
Diversion
Our diversion program helps people experiencing homelessness transition from the streets into stable housing.
Stories of Hope and Transformation
Join Our Community of Changemakers
Volunteer with
We Can Now
Volunteering with We Can Now is more than just giving your time; it’s about making a tangible impact in the lives of those who need it most. Our volunteers are the backbone of our organization, helping to distribute food, clothing, and essential supplies. Whether you’re assisting in our food pantry, participating in street outreach, or supporting our digital initiatives, your contribution is invaluable. Join us in creating a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Over 2M Saved
*We Can Now has saved over $2.5 million for the City of Austin through our diversion program.
Make a Difference Today
The We Can Now (WCN) Diversion Program has proven to be a highly cost-effective solution for addressing homelessness in Austin, saving the city millions of dollars. While the city’s Rapid Rehousing program costs approximately $35,000 per person annually, WCN’s diversion efforts require only $1,300 to $2,000 per individual. With 80 successful diversions completed, WCN’s total expenditure ranged from $104,000 to $160,000. In contrast, the city would have spent around $2.8 million to support the same individuals through Rapid Rehousing. This translates to an estimated taxpayer savings of between $2.64 million and $2.696 million, highlighting the significant financial impact and efficiency of the WCN Diversion Program.
Our Valued Partners
Capturing Our Impact
WCN Moments of Hope and Change
Why Street Outreach Matters
- Austin/Travis County has 3,238 people experiencing homelessness (2025 PIT Count).
- 1,577 people are unsheltered due to the lack of available shelter beds.
- Outreach is often their only connection to food, water, hygiene, and hope.
- 651 people slept on sidewalks, 308 in the woods, 186 in vehicles, 133 under bridges, and 97 in parks.
- Our outreach brings healthy meals, survival supplies, and referrals directly to these locations.
The Data Tells the Story
- 44% of the unsheltered are experiencing homelessness for the first time.
- 68% became homeless here in Austin/Travis County.
- 40% live with a physical disability.
- 13% are veterans—underscoring the urgency for tailored street engagement.
We Can Now’s presence means fewer people suffer in isolation and more people begin a path to housing, wellness, and dignity.
Systemic Challenges Demand Grassroots Solutions
- 56% of people had heard of the Coordinated Assessment (CA); only 65% had completed it in the last year.
- Outreach helps people navigate these systems and gain access to critical housing opportunities.
- 911 people in Travis County Jail (36% of jail population) were homeless on PIT Count night—but are excluded from official data.
- Criminalizing homelessness distorts understanding and limits service provision.
- People who are incarcerated are up to 13x more likely to experience homelessness.
Camping Bans & Service Barriers
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- Since 2021, 1,307 citations have been issued under Austin’s camping ban ordinances.
- 259 dismissed, 105 led to convictions—yet lives remain disrupted.
Most citations occur downtown, displacing people from services and making it harder to reach them. We Can Now’s outreach bridges this gap—bringing support to those pushed out of visibility.
- Since 2021, 1,307 citations have been issued under Austin’s camping ban ordinances.
Smart, Efficient, Life-Saving Investment
- We Can Now diverted over 80 people into housing since 2023—at an average cost of $1,300 to $2,000 per person.
- This saves the city money on emergency medical services, law enforcement, and incarceration costs.
Every dollar invested in We Can Now reduces suffering, builds community safety, and increases public health.
What We Need to Do—Together
- Fund street outreach as essential public infrastructure.
- Protect grassroots organizations from harmful funding suspensions.
- Prioritize health equity and lived-experience leadership.
We Can Now is ready to expand our reach—but we need sustainable support to keep saving lives. Let’s move from reaction to prevention—together.
Meet our Staff
Antony Jackson Sr.
Founder/CEO
Shakendra Jackson
Co-Founder/ Administrator/ SOAR Specialist
Amari Nelson
Executive Youth Leader
Board of Directors
Skye Howell
Simon Rycraft
Constance Dykhuizen
Vero Sandavol
Remy Jules
CPA – Gloria Edokpa
Get in Touch with Us
Address
5426 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78751
Phone
(512) 922-3624
(737) 900-6301