Meeting House at Patriots' Hall

At the Grand Opening of the Meeting House at Patriots’ Hall of Dripping Springs last week, John Paul reminisced about his time in the Navy on the USS Hornet. He talked about lessons he learned in the military and how people put faith in him as a young seaman in a way that made him believe he was capable. He talked about how important it is to care for those who have served defending our country. We then got to meet other servicemen and women in Central Texas who are helping build the community that will make Patriots’ Hall a place for veterans of all military branches to gather with their families.

The visit also got us excited for the rest of the property. The meeting hall John Paul donated will be home to VFW Post 2933 and other gatherings, but there is a larger meeting hall on the way as well as a wellness clinic and plans for a garden and equine therapy.

We are so glad these vets now have a place to gather and call their own. And thanks so much to all the other supporters and in-kind donors who helped make this space a reality!

John Paul on CBS Austin

It was such a fun day at Mobile Loaves and Fishes yesterday celebrating our almost 10 year relationship and our $5 million commitment to the future phases of Community First! Village. There was a birthday cake for John Paul, storytelling from MLF founder Alan Graham and a visit to the art house. After John Paul told the story of how he was homeless when he was starting Paul Mitchell, one of the staff asked him if he could remember how he felt the first night he slept in his car. “Lonely,” he said. “I was very lonely. And uncomfortable.” He went on to say that he understands how it is to be homeless, but he always tries to see the good as well. “When you’re that low, there’s nowhere you can look but up.” We are looking up and forward to seeing future residents find their way home and their way out of homelessness.

CBS Austin was there to capture the day, and you can watch it now!

You get an Entrepreneur Hub! You get an Entrepreneur Hub!

To celebrate our announcement today that we will be sponsoring the next two Entrepreneur Hubs on Phases III and IV of Mobile Loaves & Fishes' Community First! Village, you can get 20% OFF your purchase with special code PLH20 at their online store now! Resident-made art and Goodness Gear all helps support the mission of getting more people out of homelessness and into community. So far, the first Hub has allowed artisan residents to earn almost $200,000 in dignified income. We are so excited to see the creativity of future resident artists and entrepreneurs!

Also, John Paul let us know his first entrepreneurial venture was selling Christmas cards as a kid. We think he was probably pretty good at that ;)

*Offer expires 4/30/22 at 11/59 pm CT

John Paul on Mornings with Maria

John Paul was on Fox Business Mornings with Maria this morning talking about supply chains and our gifts to Patriots’ Hall of Dripping Springs, Mobile Loaves & Fishes and UT Dell Seton caring for people struggling with homelessness and veterans. We get so excited to see our partners and their hard work get a shout out!

Watch the full video HERE.

TOOF Gala

We love it when our partners come together to amplify impact! Kathryn Chandler of Patriots’ Hall of Dripping Springs and Courtney Santana of Survive2Thrive (and Antoni from Queer Eye!) were at the recent The Other Ones Foundation Gala with the idea that the future can be different for people experiencing homelessness in Austin. We believe every individual and organization we partner with are part of a greater whole of people working together to envision a different future — better services and support for people in need, be they veterans or women or people struggling with homelessness.

We are also here to tell you that pastel suits must be in this season if Antoni and Eloise agree 😎. Thanks to TOOF for a great night and for their work!

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When do bees get married?

When they’ve found their honey!

We love this video from Grow Appalachia on their bees and beehives project that we funded! Strengthening bee colonies strengthens our food systems and is a great way for people to earn income while growing and farming.

Join the #VibeShift

John Paul spoke at #SXSW2022 with his partner Dr. Deborah Brosnan about the new global trend emerging in how we conserve and manage our oceans. From coral reefs to the blue economy - technologists, investors, scientists, and communities are starting to do things differently and together. John Paul has personally invested in rebuilding coral reefs and protecting aquatic life so that the oceans can thrive. We need the oceans and the oceans need our help — we are in a global #VibeShift for our oceans. We've thought enough, we've talked enough - now, we must do enough. Follow @Vibeshift4oceans and get involved!

Austin Life Magazine

We are so pleased that the DeJorias are covering the December Philanthropy Edition of Austin Life Magazine! The article In the Glow of the DeJorias features so many causes we love and tells the story of their love so well. You can pick up a copy locally or find the whole December issue online.

PLH Apartment at Saint Louise House

Our team got together and set up an apartment for Saint Louise House here in Austin just in time to welcome a mom and her kids home for the holidays. From the shopping and decorating to assembling furniture, we had so much fun preparing a home for a family who will be able to live there for long enough to stabilize and move out on their own. Not gonna lie, the kitchen chairs made us consider giving up 😂, but we persevered and are so proud of the results.

Patriots' Hall of Dripping Springs Update

On a visit to see the almost-completed meeting room he sponsored at Patriots’ Hall Dripping Springs, John Paul was so pleased, he committed to sponsoring even more of the project. This 10 acre community center for veterans and their families has been envisioned by Kathryn Chandler. John Paul was so excited about the Wellness Clinic that will focus on holistic health, the gym that will provide a great place to stay healthy and engaged and the playscape to welcome kids’ and families that he agreed to sponsor them on the spot! We can’t wait for this space to be open and welcoming vets soon.

As a veteran himself, John Paul is committed to making sure veterans feel welcome and making sure they know that they have not been forgotten. Kathryn and the team making Patriots’ Hall possible are great partners in making this goal a physical reality.