Megan Burkhart, of University Park, is a senior executive vice president and chief administrative officer for Comerica Incorporated. She joined Austin Street’s board — and its fight against homelessness — 10 years ago.
“After touring the shelter and learning more about Austin Street’s work, the mission really
spoke to me, and I knew I needed to be part of their team,” she said.
What kind of work does it do?
At Austin Street Center, clients are not only provided emergency shelter, but also much-needed hope for a plan and a path forward. Serving as one of Dallas’ largest homeless shelters for more than four decades, Austin Street Center and its team of dedicated servant leaders transform lives with innovative programs and individualized plans that lead to permanent housing solutions for clients.
Why do you support it today?
Austin Street Center is a leader in the fight against homelessness in Dallas. The organization has gone through significant transformation over the last decade, and their services have expanded beyond meeting basic needs to wrap clients with the support they need to regain their independence and find a permanent place to call home. No matter how a client finds Austin Street, the dedicated team focuses on a caring, customized, collaborative approach that involves a variety of services and special programs to remove barriers to permanent housing.
What would you say to someone else considering a donation to the nonprofit this year?
Your donation will truly make a significant impact on the lives of thousands of individuals in our community. In 2024, Austin Street’s programs and services touched one in four people experiencing homelessness in Dallas. This included more than 450+ clients served each day in emergency shelter, to hundreds served in street outreach efforts, to more than 30,000 rides given through the Connector transportation program, and more than 2,000 unique individuals served during inclement weather events, to 511 individuals provided safe and stable housing last year. Austin Street Center is a place where lives are transformed every single day.
