Local Nonprofit, Austin Angels, Set to Build New National Headquarters in Buda

Swinerton, a national industry-leading general contracting and construction management firm, is working with Michael Hsu Office of Architecture and HomeAid Austin to design and build a new national headquarters for Austin Angels, a local nonprofit organization focused on supporting children, youth, and families in the foster care community. The 8,500-square-foot, two-story facility, is located on a 2.5-acre site and will serve as both a community center and central office for the national organization. Currently in design, the facility is set to break ground summer of 2024.

Located at 401 FM 967 in Buda, TX, three blocks west of Main Street, the headquarters will be created by repurposing a church facility on the property into a multi-purpose building for the organization. The existing church will be renovated and an addition will be built, featuring a family room, kitchen, office space, a large lecture hall, conference area, outdoor activity area, and space specifically dedicated to creating Love Boxes, customized in-kind donations for local foster families. The new, inviting space will include a warm color palette, exterior murals and natural light throughout.

Susan Ramirez, Founder and CEO of Austin Angels, notes that, “The Foster Care Community Center has been a long-time dream for us. We are so thrilled to create a space that will offer extended support to the most incredible children, youth and families who are currently in our programs, and those who will join in the future. There is so much potential for what this building can do, not only for the foster care community, but for our entire community. It has been incredible to work alongside Swinerton, the Michael Hsu Office of Architecture, and HomeAid Austin. We feel so honored to partner with them as we work towards transforming foster care!”

Austin Angels was founded in December 2010 with a vision to change the way children, youth, and families experience foster care. With 20 locations nationwide, the organization focuses on identifying practical ways to meet the needs of the foster care community. Their Dare to Dream® program matches mentors with youth to navigate life’s challenges together, providing advice, encouragement and support. From January through June 2023, the Dare to Dream program impacted the lives of 380 youth with over 10,171 volunteer hours. The Love Box® program provides community and holistic support to fostering families, through the creation of customized boxes containing gift cards, household supplies, clothes, games and toys. Over 2,107 children and youth and 630 families have been served through the Love Box program in 2023 alone, with volunteers devoting 12,926 hours.

Ryan Garris, Project Executive at Swinerton emphasizes, “Austin Angels is making a substantial difference, not just in the local community but nationwide, through their efforts to support those in the foster care community. We are excited and honored to partner with the organization to create a new facility that will help them increase their reach and impact.”

Each year, Swinerton issues an annual Fall Giving Challenge, encouraging employees across the company to participate in giving back to their communities. The challenge runs for four weeks, from November 13th through December 8th, and this year, the Austin team is specifically focused on serving Austin Angels by volunteering to create Love Boxes and holiday thank you cards, and providing outdoor site maintenance.