Austin17House - A profile in Community Action

Mark and Justin give me hope that strong communities can heal a broken world.

A couple weeks ago, I had the privilege of visiting one of the most remarkable and uplifting places I have ever been.

In January 2017, Mark Anderson founded Austin17House as a safe haven for youth that weren’t being served by traditional educational and community institutions. He was inspired by the outpouring of love and support that came after he lost his son, Austin at the age of 17 in a drug-related car accident.

Austin17House was founded in the spirit of love, and it shows.

As Eric and I toured the facility with Mark, we met incredible staff and volunteers like Justin, who said it was his mission to be the adult to the kids at Austin17House that he needed when he was a young person struggling to find his way in life.

In addition to love, I was struck by the sense of purpose that infused everything that was happening at Austin17House. From the kitchen to the woodshop to the art room, adults and children worked side-by-side in a spirit of joy, healing, and hope.

Mark’s openness and obvious passion is suffused with relentless hope and a faith in what communities can accomplish when they work together.

Learn more about Austin17House and save-the-date for their October 23rd Masquerade Ball Fundraiser!