Dallas residents are invited to support the fight against homelessness at the Austin Street Center’s Humble Beginnings Luncheon on Friday, October 16. The event will take place at the Hilton Anatole, 2201 N. Stemmons Fwy, beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Community leaders and a sports icon join the cause

NBC 5 Today anchor Deborah Ferguson will moderate a conversation featuring tennis legend and equality advocate Venus Williams, who will serve as the keynote speaker. Williams, known for her athletic achievements and activism, will discuss resilience and the importance of providing a pathway to housing for North Texas’s most vulnerable.

Fundraising to expand shelter services

All proceeds from the luncheon will support Austin Street Center’s mission to offer safe shelter and essential resources to unhoused individuals, particularly men over 45 and women over 18 who often face addiction, victimization, or sudden loss of resources. The organization, with more than four decades of service, aims to help each guest transition from homelessness to independence.

How to attend or sponsor

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available online. Community members, businesses, and faith groups are encouraged to purchase tickets or become sponsors to help “Unlock Hope: Where Healing Has a Home.”

About Austin Street Center

For over 42 years, Austin Street Center has been a cornerstone of North Texas’s effort to combat homelessness. The nonprofit provides shelter, basic needs, and supportive services designed to empower individuals to rebuild their lives.

Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.