OUR MISSION

To provide practical and compassionate support, through volunteer Care Teams, for people living with serious illnesses, such as cancer and HIV/AIDS.

OUR VISION

A caring community where no one will face a serious illness alone.

WHO WE ARE

The Care Communities (a non-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization) formed in 1991 to provide practical, non-medical, compassionate support to those living with AIDS in the Austin area. In 1997 we expanded our focus to include other serious illness, such as cancer.

THE STAFF

Carol Johnson (M Div, MBA, Executive Director) joined The Care Communities staff as Executive Director in November of 2005. She is a Presbyterian minister with an MBA, CPA and RN. She comes from Hope Hospice in New Braunfels, Texas where she was the Director of Spiritual, Psychosocial and Volunteer Services. She was born and raised in upstate New York. Outside of her work she enjoys her two school-age sons, two miniature dachshunds, the Austin music scene, biking and exploring Texas.

Z Blair (BSW, Care Partner Coordinator) is a native of Los Angeles but has lived in Texas since 1983. Z received her BA in Social Work from St. Edward’s University in 2008 and is currently earning her MSW as a graduate student at Texas State University-San Marcos.  She is happy to be able to serve our community as part of the wonderful team at The Care Communities. Z shares her life with her husband Jeffrey and their Labrador/Red Heeler mix Saffron. She loves travelling, organic gardening, being a volunteer and is invested in the arts; visual, audible and performance of all distinctions.

Liz Brown (MSSW, Care Partner Manager) is a native Texan and a double graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, holding a BA in Religious Studies and a Master’s of Science in Social Work with an emphasis on Community and Administrative Leadership.  She has worked in several Austin-area nonprofits like Easter Seals, ATCIC, and Foundation Communities and has done volunteer work with the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps.  She joined The Care Communities as the Care Partner Manager in June 2011 and is excited to be here! 

Mark Chavez (Development Director) brings a decade of non-profit fundraising and community relations experience having worked witmultiple high profile arts organizations and a nationally recognized disability service organization. Before returning to his native Texas, Mark was heavily engaged in the production of live programs and events at The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Hollywood, CA. He is glad to be back and admits one of the things he missed most was great Tex-Mex. You will most likely find him at the gym, on the tennis courts or running the trail around Lady Bird Lake.

Vincent Malouf (Communications Director) joined The Care Communities after returning to Texas from Chicago. While in Chicago, he worked in not-for-profit theatre, doing marketing for such companies as Steppenwolf and Lookingglass. He is thrilled to be working with the passionate, creative people at The Care Communities.

Sabina Peerbhai (MSW, Volunteer Manager) is glad to be back in Austin, working with The Care Communities She is a double graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a Master’s in Social Work – nonprofit management, and a Bachelor’s in Psychology. She spends her free time volunteering, enjoying local food venues, reading, and traveling.

Melissa Sanchez (Volunteer Coordinator)is a native South Texan and received her BA in Comparative American Studies from Oberlin College in 2006. Since graduating she has worked at various non profit organizations doing volunteer management and development. She moved to Austin in 2008 and is very excited to be working with the wonderful team at The Care Communities. Her Australian Shepherd, Luna, keeps her smiling and active and together they go hiking, biking, swimming and camping.

Roger Temme (M Div, Outreach Director) is a native of Detroit but has lived in Texas since 1963. Before beginning work at The Care Communities in March of 1999, he was a member of a Catholic religious community for 30 years and for almost 25 years as a Catholic priest. Besides his work, Roger enjoys walking, dancing, reading mystery novels and the company of his friends and neighbors.

Georgian Whitenight (Office Manager) moved to Austin from the Dallas area in 2009. She is in ACC’s Certificate of Public Accountancy program with an anticipated completion date of May 2012. Once completed, she will sit for the CPA exam. She loves cooking, beading, walking her three dogs around the lake, travelling, and searching out the best eastside breakfast tacos.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

W. Blake Robins, President — Harden Health Care Employee Benevolent Fund
Adrian Mertz, First Vice President — ProGressive Home Health Agency
Apolonio Silguero, Second Vice President — Prosperity Bank
Elizabeth Lew Amundson, Secretary — Entercom Broadcasting
Brian Uecker, Treasurer — Benefit Systems
Barbara Formichelli — Community Volunteer
Lisa Kerber, PhD — Nybeck Analytics
Julie Killingsworth — Sony Electronics
Linda Kruetz — Community Volunteer
Grace Lanni — Ginac Group
Steven Lee — Steve Lee Law
Robert Sartin — Community Volunteer
Vivian Smith — LifeSmith Business Consulting and Coaching
John Stovall — Ricoh Americas Corp.

 

WE BELIEVE…

• No one should go through a serious illness without the loving care of a community to sustain everyday living.
• People should be free to be who they are and express themselves openly. Everyone deserves honesty and integrity, and unconditional love. All are welcome in this community.
• A team of caring people can provide more support than one person. Sharing support makes care possible.
• Miracles happen every day when someone cares for another. Heroes are born through the smallest acts of care
• People facing a serious illness have support from power higher than their own.
• In facing AIDS or cancer there is strength in numbers, comfort in care and hope in support!