Community Corps Program

Community Corps Program

About Mobile Loaves & Fishes

Mobile Loaves & Fishes (MLF) is a social outreach ministry that has been empowering communities into a lifestyle of service with the homeless since 1998. Founded in Austin, Texas, the organization serves its homeless neighbors through three core programs: Truck Ministry, Community First! Village, and Community Works. Often referred to as the most talked about neighborhood in Austin, Community First! Village is a 51-acre master planned development that provides affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for men and women coming out of chronic homelessness. We are now embarking on a new phase of community expansion, adding more than 1400 new neighbors over the next 5-10 years.

About the Program

Mobile Loaves & Fishes exists to empower communities into a lifestyle of service with the homeless. As part of this vision, the Community Corps program offers participants the opportunity to live and serve in proximity to the formerly homeless neighbors of Community First! Village, engaging in a relational, community-first approach where transformation happens through belonging. We believe housing alone will never solve homelessness, but community will.

Community Corps program participants will contribute to the daily life and operations of Community First! Village by living on-site and serving alongside staff, volunteers and neighbors in areas such as Neighbor Care, Property Management, Site Operations, Community Empowerment, Relationships and Giving, and Replication. Through consistent presence and shared work, participants help cultivate a community where people are known, valued, and supported.

The ideal candidate for this program is a relational, mission-driven individual who desires to grow personally and spiritually while living in an intentional community. This individual demonstrates humility, adaptability, and a willingness to serve in both structured and unstructured environments. They are comfortable engaging with individuals from diverse backgrounds, committed to building authentic relationships, and open to the journey of their own personal growth and transformation. The right candidate is aligned with MLF's vision, mission, core values, and goals, and is motivated to contribute to a culture that prioritizes relational connection in a highly transactional world.

Community Corps members will live and work at Community First! Village located at 9301 Hog Eye Road, Austin, TX 78724.

Participant Expectations

• Participate fully in the life of the Community Corps program, including service, formation, and community living rhythms.
• Serve in assigned program areas across Community First! Village.
• Build authentic, respectful relationships with neighbors, volunteers, staff, and visitors.
• Contribute to the daily operations, upkeep, and hospitality of Community First! Village.
• Welcome and engage volunteers, guests, and visitors in a spirit of hospitality.
• Attend and actively engage in meetings, formation opportunities, and training opportunities.
• Collaborate with staff and fellow participants to address challenges and create solutions.
• Maintain flexibility and willingness to support events, special projects, and emerging organizational needs.
• Represent and uphold the mission, vision, and culture of MLF in all interactions.

Qualities of the Ideal Participant

• MLF is a faith-based organization whose ideals and philosophy come directly from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As an organization, we strive to reflect this precept in our communications, both internally and externally.
• Commitment to serving those who have experienced homelessness and personal alignment with MLF's vision, mission, core values, and goals.
• Understanding of or willingness to learn about homelessness, poverty, and community-based solutions.
• Familiarity with or openness to relational ministry and community-building practices.
• General awareness of nonprofit or mission-driven organizational environments (preferred).
• Strong interpersonal and relational skills with the ability to connect across diverse populations.
• Effective communication and active listening skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in team-oriented environments.
• Problem-solving skills and adaptability in dynamic, hands-on settings.
• Ability to engage others in a respectful, dignifying, and non-judgmental manner.
• Willingness to live and serve in an intentional community environment.
• Emotional maturity and resilience in complex social environments.
• Ability to perform physical tasks as needed (e.g., outdoor work, lifting, event setup).
• Commitment to personal growth and openness to feedback.
• Must be 21+ to apply.

Learning Opportunities

• Hands-on experience at a nationally-renowned non-profit organization operating at the intersection of innovation, community collaboration, and social impact.
• Opportunities for formal training in the Community First! Model and MLF Culture.
• Opportunities for formal training in techniques and