Inspirational design and foster care don’t usually belong in the same sentence – until now.
Most people think of foster care as the responsibility of government agencies and courtrooms. In a system where instability is common – nearly 50% of foster families discontinue fostering kids within their first year– creature comforts are hard to find, much less rely on.
But the view from inside the groundbreaking Austin Angels Community Center in Buda, a place where foster families can come for continuity and support, is undeniable: sparkling glass, tall ceilings, soft greens, soothing smells and murals with smiling faces. The sign on the front desk, intentionally 3 feet high, reads: “Let everything you do be about the kids.”
The spaces are designed to uplift foster families and give them hope. A kitchen, sponsored by Chick-Fil-A, is filled with butterflies, reminding them that they too can fly. Across from the counter, where cooking classes are held, is a place where kids can slide onto a cozy couch to share an afterschool snack. In the living room, they can relax in a plush teddy bear chair and meet with their mentors, or even their parents if they have visitation. Meanwhile, their foster parents can stock up on essentials for free in the Love Shop or set up an appointment in the healing room, which has yarn on the wall for a sensory experience.
“I started this organization in my bedroom in 2010,” says Founder and CEO Susan Ramirez. “This building is a dream come true.”
The community center is the first of its kind and was made possible through a Design for All grant from Michael Hsu Office of Architecture, a community-wide capital campaign and more than $1 million in donated materials, products, and professional services from local businesses. Four Hands furnished much of the building, while dozens of trade partners contributed their expertise to bring the vision to life.
"Sometimes nonprofits aren't afforded the same level of investment, creativity, and excellence as for-profit organizations. Ramirez says. “We never felt that way. Michael Hsu Office of Architecture and every one of our partners challenged us to dream bigger and created something that communicates excellence from the moment you walk in.”
Like Hsu, Ramirez has an ambitious vision. Her goal is to continue setting the bar high until every child in the foster care system is reached. To that end, she has helped grow the Angel’s movement to 17 chapters across the country.
“The government alone can't solve foster care,” Ramirez says. “Every child deserves at least one healthy adult who knows the color of their eyes and the passion in their heart.”
The community center is more than a building. It represents a new vision for foster care, one rooted not in scarcity, but in possibility. Ramirez hopes it changes not only the experience of the children and families it walks alongside, but also the way the broader community thinks about foster care.
“I don't want people to see foster care through the lens of charity,” she says. “I want them to see what's possible when an entire community decides to invest in children.”
To learn more about Austin Angels go to https://www.austinangels.com/.