Building a Relational Nonprofit Model: How Alan Graham is Mobilizing Austin, TX to Support Their Houseless Neighbors
“What we're trying to do is build a forged family for people that have been despised, outcast, lost and forgotten, and pushed to the furthest fringes of society.”—Alan Graham
Before you see an issue up close, it’s easy to keep your distance. But once you view it through the eyes of the people it affects, you can’t unsee its weight.
That’s what happened for Alan Graham, who has now dedicated nearly three decades of his life to supporting his houseless neighbors in Austin, TX.
Alan is the Founder & CEO of Mobile Loaves and Fishes, a Christian nonprofit that has been empowering their community into a lifestyle of service since 1998. In that time, they’ve served over 6.5 million meals and helped more than 470 neighbors move from the streets into permanent homes.
In this episode, Alan shares:
- His personal journey of faith that led him to start Mobile Loaves and Fishes
- Why we should have compassion for those who find themselves without support
- The value in heart-to-heart solutions
- And why nonprofits should stick with new initiatives longer than we often do
For Alan, the purpose of his life and the work he’s dedicated to is quite simple: To love God and love his neighbor. This conversation will bring you right back to the roots of your own work, reminding you of the simple truths that truly fuel your vision. Listen in!
Links
- Mobile Loaves & Fishes
- Follow Sackcloth & Ashes on Instagram and Facebook
- Joe Rogan Experience #2181 - Alan Graham
Key Takeaways
- Showing compassion and communicating dignity lead to more meaningful connections. No matter the type of work you do in your nonprofit, everyone has a story to tell, from your team to those you serve. Listen to stories, give relationships the space to form, and then use any stories you can tell to more deeply engage donors or volunteers in your mission.
- Don’t forget the power of “slow work.” In today’s culture of instant gratification, it’s typical to want to see progress now. But just because something takes more time doesn’t mean that it isn’t working or that you should abandon your efforts.
- Your experiences truly matter. In Alan’s story, it’s powerful to see the way God led him on a journey towards the work he does today. What you’ve experienced in your life, the beautiful and the hard, are all part of shaping you into the leader you are today.
Meet the Guest
Alan is the founder and CEO of Mobile Loaves & Fishes (MLF), a Christian social outreach ministry that provides food and clothing, cultivates community and promotes dignity to homeless men and women in need.
Previously a real estate investor and developer, Alan founded Trilogy Development and the Lynxs Group, which developed Austin’s airport cargo facility and similar facilities at airports around the country.
Alan also is the lead visionary behind MLF’s Community First! Village—a 51-acre master planned development in northeast Austin that provides affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for men and women coming out of chronic homelessness.
Alan is a published author of the book Welcome Homeless: One Man’s Journey of Discovering the Meaning of Home. He also is the host of the Gospel Con Carne podcast, which explores the woundedness of society through untold stories of individuals who have encountered homelessness.
