New Government in Austin TX
Sam06
Member Posts: 21,254 ✭✭✭✭
AUSTIN, Texas - The homeless community at a state-sanctioned campground in East Austin is organizing into their own town.
So far, they've selected seven members to help bring in donations and put together community events.
The once mostly empty lot off U.S. 183 and Montopolis in East Austin has become home to more than 100 people without another place to go.“We give everybody a chance. We don't judge your past history or nothing like that. We give everybody a chance,” said Cori Roberts, the secretary of the committee.
Once referred to as “Camp Abbott” because the governor opened the state-owned land to the homeless population, people there are now calling it something else.
“It's called ‘Camp R.A.T.T.’ Responsible Adult Transition Town. For the homeless, run by the homeless,” Roberts said.
Like every town, Camp R.A.T.T. now has its own list of leaders.
“Well, we have donation and volunteer recruiters, we have maintenance and general labor recruiters, we have the web designer, and the media outreach, we have security, and then we have the treasurer/donation organizer,” said Roberts.
Roberts schedules town meetings each week. The seven-person committee, nominated by those at the camp, has held two of them so far.
“It's important because we actually have a voice, we actually have a hand that we are actually putting forth to make our lives a little bit better,” said LaShawn Ramsey, web designer for the committee.
Comments
Representation.
Now how about a dose of Taxation.