Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Boyd
Hi Megan , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Heart of Texas Outreach (HOT) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2023 by myself and my colleague, Phil Leal. As two Austin natives and Social Workers with 20 years of combined experience in various roles within the continuum of care (COC), Phil and I are thrilled to be launching our non-profit in the city we love and feel so connected to. We often reminisce about growing up in a smaller, college town…running through the greenbelt every summer, catching free shows at Blues on the Green, and riding the Zilker Zephyr. There is a reason Austin is growing, and we get…it’s great here! But with rapid growth comes higher rent, higher cost of living, and a transition away from the unique Austin liberal mindset that used to Keep Austin Weird. Working within the COC and witnessing how this rapid growth has deepened the city’s economic divide, it has become clear how disproportionate this growth impacts low-income individuals and those living on the margins. Austin’s homeless population has been steadily increasing with the growth, while the services available aren’t meeting the need and are difficult to access. Folks living outside are often averse to leaving their belongings unprotected, so traveling all over the city can be a barrier to receiving services. In response to this, we recognized the critical need for focused outreach and have made it the heart of our mission to meet people where they are. Heart of Texas Outreach’s goal is to bring services to people, relieving some of the barriers to getting off the streets.
Without extensive funding, we’ve been building this project in our spare time, which has slowed our progress, but we’re steadily making strides! Our goal is to reduce trauma for those experiencing homelessness by providing zero-barrier access, intensive outreach, and advocacy through education, community partnerships, and social justice. Currently, we work weekends and afternoons to collect donations, conduct outreach, and create field assessments. In July, we partnered with Trinity Center, who received City of Austin funding to expand its hours as a cooling center, allowing us to provide outreach on Mondays and Fridays after 1:30 PM. We are working to find an encampment that we can build rapport with and start offering groups in encampments.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In some ways, this journey has been easier than expected, but in others, it’s been far more challenging. Phil and I have a strong network of colleagues in homeless services who have been incredibly supportive and motivating. In this field, there’s a collective focus on ending homelessness, so competition isn’t usually a concern.
However, despite our social work backgrounds, navigating the legalities and formalities of establishing the 501(c)(3) was more complex than we anticipated. Securing funding and applying for grants has also been a significant hurdle. The biggest challenge, though, has been locating camps that haven’t been cleared by enforcement. While we’re familiar with where larger camps are, the rapid sweeps across the city are pushing people further to the outskirts and into less accessible areas.
We’ve been brainstorming ways to engage and build trust with those sleeping outside, but there’s a growing frustration among them due to Austin’s lack of resources and the camping ban. With no available emergency shelter beds and frequent enforcement of the camping ban, people are being forced to move constantly, often losing their belongings in the process. As outreach workers, our goal is to help rebuild trust in the system without dismissing the harsh realities these individuals face.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Heart of Texas Outreach (HOT), we provide critical support to individuals experiencing homelessness in Austin through intensive outreach and zero-barrier access to resources. We specialize in navigating challenges like frequent camp clearances and building trust with those lacking shelter. Our trauma-informed, harm-reduction approach and ease in building relationships with marginalized individuals set us apart.
We are particularly excited about offering therapeutic groups within encampments, a zero-barrier approach we haven’t seen before. We are currently canvassing campsites to build rapport and plan to start leading these groups before the end of the year. We look forward to seeing positive outcomes, including the destigmatization of group therapy and participant improvement.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
With the camping ban showing no signs of resolution and Austin’s ongoing shelter shortage and “NIMBYism,” outreach will remain a critical component of the homeless response system. As the city’s growth continues to limit affordable housing, the number of homeless individuals will likely increase. I hope our non-profit can join other dedicated organizations in helping people access the services they need. We aim to address misconceptions about group therapy and rebuild trust in the system by offering zero-barrier group therapy directly in encampments, providing a more comfortable and safer environment than traditional service centers. We are committed to staying in our lane–outreach. We want to ensure that we become the best at one thing so that we ensure the folks we are serving are receiving the best services from us. I hope that our continued growth will keep up with the shifts in homelessness as Austin continues to grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heartoftexasoutreach.org
- Instagram: @heartoftexasoutreach
