Services
Welcome! Here is an outline of services you can expect from SYMin. Click on what is most applicable to you. Expand the details under each heading to explore and learn more about how our services are arranged and how to access them. Social distancing required. Masks and vaccination encouraged.
Take SYMinU With You on our App:
The schedule is shown by opening our calendar. You can explore services below based on your location and situation by clicking.
Austin
Camping / Pickup at Sunshine Store
For those camping, we have these things to share. You can get them in Sunshine Store after participating in group, after our evening event participation, during Friday Fun Day. Check our Calendar for specifics.
Water
Sandwich
Camping food bag (limit 1 every 3 days)
A selection of men's or women's Clothing set by size (XS, S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X), fresh socks
Men's or women' shoes by size
Self-care hygiene and travel-sized toiletries
First-aid kits
Sleeping bag (after third visit, limit 1 every 12 months)
Back packs (after third visit, limit 1 every 4 months)
Phone service financial support (after third visit, monthly, while funds last)
Wifi
👓 Eyeglasses voucher for exam and glasses if you can self-refer to a vision provider
Resource navigation cards (ID, sobriety, jobs, neighborhood resources, etc.)
Mail and package pickup (addressed to you) at Street Youth Ministry, 408 W 23rd Street Basement, Austin TX 78705. Note that packages can only be delivered to us M-F 12-4. Unattended deliveries are not accepted.
How do I get it? Be 28 and under, homeless, living outside.
Camping / Austin Outreach
For those camping, we have these things to share on outreach. We are at the Central Library every Tue/Thur. We invite those interested and 28 and under to a group in the Central Library afterwards. Bus passes are available after group for transportation back to our Sunshine Store. Check our Calendar for specifics.
Sandwiches
Bottled water
Camping food bag
Men's or women's clothing and Shoes (we bring a range of sizes on each visit)
Self-care hygiene and travel-size toiletries
👓 Eyeglasses voucher for exam and glasses if you can self-refer to a vision provider
Resource navigation cards (ID, sobriety, jobs, neighborhood resources, etc.)
How do I get it? Text us at 512 553 3796 no later than 11am to find out where and when we will be out. Be 28 and under to receive food bag. Other listed resources are shared with all ages.
Housed / Pickup at Austin Sunshine Store
For those with legal housing on a lease as part of recovering from homelessness or enrolled in a program to end homelessness, we have these things to share in our Sunshine Store after group participation, after evenig event paritipcation or during Friday Fun Day. Check our Calendar for specifics.
Full-size personal care and toiletry items
Household cleaning items (3 items per month)
Household starter items (as available)
You get two bags of pantry items if on a lease or one bag if couch surfing or staying but not on a lease.
All camping resources listed above EXCEPT sleeping bags, camping bags
Rent and utility support (monthly, requires active participation in groups, may require co-payments)
How do I get it? Be 28 and younger and have a lease with your name on it. Informal agreements and couch surfing are great but are not eligible for all services.
In-Person Groups / Austin Learning Center
We have in-person groups at our Austin in our Learning Center. Check our Calendar for specifics.
Peer Support
Bible Study
Women's Group
Men's Group
Prayer Group
The address is 408 W 23rd Street Basement, Austin TX 78705. Be outside near our gate.
All group participants are entered into a weekly raffle for 1.5 hours of SYMinU Bonus credit. One prize is awarded weekly per 10 participants. Bring more people, and more people win!
How do I get it? Be 28 and under and at our location by the start time. Check-in with our team so we can invite you in, if possible.
San Marcos / Outreach
San Marcos / Outreach
For those in San Marcos, we have these things to share on Outreach on Wednesday and Fridays, at 4:00pm, at Southside Community Center in the parking lot.
Meal box or sandwiches
Bottled water
Camping food bag (limit 1 every 3 days)
Men's or women's clothing and shoes (limited sizes on truck)
Self-care hygiene and travel-size toiletries
👓 Eyeglasses voucher for exam and glasses if you can self-refer to a vision provider
Resource navigation cards (ID, sobriety, jobs, neighborhood resources, etc.
How do I get it? Meet is at one of the two locations listed above. Be 28 and under to receive food bag. Other listed resources are shared with all ages.
ANYWHERE
Help Line / Anytime
Call us to leave a message or be transferred if a guidance counselor is available. We return calls to clients as soon as possible. Text us. Facebook Messenger us. You can expect this:
Advice on Austin resources
Advice on San Marcos resources
Advice on nation-wide resources
Brief one-on-one guidance
👓 Eyeglasses voucher for exam and glasses if you can self-refer to a vision provider
How do I get it? You must be 28 or younger.
Virtual Groups
For those with access to internet, we have virtual groups for assistance and fun by joining on Zoom with or without an app, with video or just by phone number. Check our Calendar for specifics.
Peer Support Group
Bible Study
Women's Support Group
Talent Night
Prayer Group
Group participants (28 and under) may claim a laundry pass good for laundry from time of award until end of month for attending at least two groups in the month.
Group participants (28 and under) are entered into a weekly raffle for 1.5 hours of SYMinU credit. One prize is awarded weekly per 10 participants. Bring more people, and more people win!
How do I get it? Participate by being 28 or under and joining our Zoom room at the start time. More Group Info Here. You join by phone or video. You don't have to install an app but you can. Clients who have leveled-up and completed their time with us are welcome to drop in but the host may limit your time in group.
SYMINU Points / Anytime
We now have several levels of SYMinU.
Each "hour" of SYMinU points is equal to $8 in merchandise or shipping cost. 🆕You can request your balance online.
SYMinU Survey can be done on paper or online to earn points.
SYMinU Vault allows you to save a digital copy of important documents for points.
SYMinU Quiz is online but no login or email is required.
SYMinU Skill requires an email and login
SYMinU Volunteer requires in-person volunteering to earn points.
SYMinU Bonus gives participants in our guidance counseling a fun way to enter raffles weekly for deeper discussions and group participation.
SYMinU Health Stability gives participants who entroll encouragement to keep up with medications daily by filling in a form for points.
SYMinU Vault service is for clients. Use our Digital Vault to keep a backup of important documents. You can retrieve digital vault items by text, email or Facebook Messenger from anywhere after verifying your identity with us. To encourage use, we award the following points for helping yourself.
Copy of valid ID: 1 hour
Copy of birth certificate: 1 hour
Copy of vaccination card: 2.5 hours
Copy of voter registration card: 1 hour
SYMinU Survey allows you to fill in on paper (or online) several "get to know" surveys for a quick start.
Get to know you part 1
Get to know SYMin
Covid vaccination info
SYMinU Quiz allows you to watch videos and fill in quiz forms to earn points approximately equal to the average time it takes to learn the material. We have a large variety of subjects compiled by our volunteers.
You can get started with SYMinU Quiz by opening our app at syminu.glide.io. (It's not really an app but you can save it to your phone screen to reopen later)
The app has links to all available quizzes. You can only get credit for a quiz only once.
Credit is awarded as soon as we can for a passing grade, usually within a few days.
SYMinU Skills allows you to receive a login to an employment skills training site used by many major employers. You take courses designed for employees to improve teamwork, communications, and other soft skills. Most are 15 minutes or so in length. Pass the class to get the award. Request a login using this form.
SYMinU Volunteer is a way to help us onsite and give back. It's by appointment and agreement in advance. You earn hourly points for your work.
SYMinU Bonus is a fun way to earn extra points. We also have raffles weekly for bonus points and occasionally have other bonus opportunities.
SYMinU Health Stability is an easy way to stay mindful of your daily medications. You must enroll with our staff by verifying your prescriptions. Then you just fill our our quick online form daily. Fill it in 5 of 7 days and you earn a 1.5 hour bonus!
How do I get it? You must be 28 or younger to earn SYMinU points.
You can spend your points after you turn 29 but you cannot earn any more. Points are not transferrable. You can redeem points for something and prearrange for someone else to will receive the item.
Goodie Bags / Outside Austin
For those outside our service area of Austin and San Marcos, we are able to offer this service as a new pilot.
Men's or women's clothing set by size
Shoes by size
Self-care hygiene and travel-size toiletries
Redeemed SYMinU items
How do I get it? You must have sufficient SYMinU points to cover postage. We will mail only one small box. We cannot mail to a home. It must be a church, caseworker, or agency. We address them to you in care of your helper.
We can help you access the above services or refer you to other resources.
Call or text anytime 512 553 3796 or reach out to us by Facebook Messenger.
We have a lot of physical helps but the main thing we do is guidance.
We look forward to getting to know you and seeing your journey continue to unfold!
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