Austin, TX
Austin Free Clinic Has Hundreds of Volunteers. One is Really Fast.
By Noah Smith
Austin, Texas was the fastest-growing metro area in the United States from 2010 to 2022 and is now one of the 10 largest U.S. cities. But the growth has not buoyed all residents.
“It’s a tale of two Austins,” said Marci Roe, executive director of Volunteer Health Clinic. Volunteer Health Clinic (VHC) is a free clinic in Austin that has cared for the area’s most vulnerable residents since its founding by a church group in 1966, making it the oldest active charitable clinic in the city. About 1,000 patients receive care there each year.
Like many free and charitable clinics, VHC relies on volunteers. Annually, about 400 people volunteer, one of whom happens to be Olympic medalist Gabby Thomas.
Thomas, a gold medal contender in the upcoming Paris Olympic Games, initially contacted the clinic via email while training for the Tokyo Olympic Games and pursuing her since-completed master’s degree program in epidemiology at the University of Texas.
“Who I am off the track has always come first,” Thomas said in an interview with olympics.com. “Track is an added bonus. It’s something I love. I think it’s an important perspective that all athletes should have, which is that your sport is not who you are,” she said. A representative for Thomas declined Direct Relief’s interview request, citing the proximity to the Games.
The Safety Net of the Safety Net
“In Austin, we are so affluent; we have universities and politicians and the capital, and then there’s another Austin where people struggle to support themselves with bare necessities. They’re having to make difficult choices,” Roe said.
Since its founding, many federal and state government programs like Texas’s Children’s Health Insurance Program and the Affordable Care Act, in addition to the expansion of the Federally Qualified Health Care clinics, have sought to ease barriers to health care for people in the U.S. with low income, leading some to expect a declining need for free clinics.
However, “there have always been people” who need free clinics, said Roe, citing the VHC’s constant stream of patients. Many hail from neighboring counties where economic realities make Austin’s cost of living prohibitive.
“We are the safety net of the safety net clinics. We are where you go if you’re sick, you don’t have insurance and you don’t have money to pay⦠we’ve got the hardest working patients around but the cost of living here is very high,” she said.
Since the pandemic, patients who sought care at the clinic have been “much sicker,” Roe said. Whereas before Covid-19, patients usually came in for one ailment, now it’s far more common for patients to have multiple issues.
“They don’t seek out care until their lives are really challenged,” she said. “The medicines are just too expensive.”
A Commitment to Care
Volunteer Health Clinic maintains a major focus on addressing and preventing chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. For patients who have diabetes, local retinal specialists and optometrists offer screenings and, if needed, will offer appointments and care in an attempt to save the patients’ vision.
Diabetic patients are also able to work with dietitians and pharmacists to receive education on diabetes and how to control the condition.
Other VHC specialties include dermatology, mental health, pediatrics, and well-woman care. While a $10 donation is suggested, no one is turned away due to a lack of ability to pay. For patients whose needs fall outside of those offerings, VHC assists in connecting them with other clinics, including FQHCs, programs, and support networks in the area.
For its own patients, VHC also has the goal of finding them a permanent home for care. “We are not set up to be someone’s permanent medical home indefinitely,” Roe said.
While patients are receiving care at the clinic, they benefit from individualized care and attention, including from Thomas personally. The Olympic athlete calls patients individually to encourage them to attend their appointments, observe their blood pressure levels, and follow any other doctors’ orders. Thomas also connects with clinic patients to find out if their experiences receiving health care are positive and if they’re able to make it to their appointments.
Thomas also got her sponsor, New Balance, to donate over 100 pairs of shoes to patients, in an effort to encourage patients to stay active and to boost morale.
“She wants to make a difference in people’s lives. She’s so nice, fun, cool. For about a year and a half, she was helping almost on a weekly basis,” Roe said.
As Austin continues to grapple with the repercussions of rapid growth and socioeconomic disparities, VHC remains resolute in its commitment to bridge gaps in healthcare access.
“Our care is incredible with our doctors, nurses, students, and all of the volunteers who donate their time and medical expertise. Even if you don’t have insurance or the money for a medical visit, but you need care, we’ll still see you,” Roe said.
Direct Relief has provided more than $350,000 in medical support to the Volunteer Health Clinic in Austin since 2011.
Austin, TX
LD Systems expands Texas Footprint with Austin Location and welcomes ILIOS Productions — TPi
For over two decades, ILIOS Productions has been a key part of the live events community in Austin, TX, transforming spaces and audience experiences with a vast range of lighting and video design, as well as event production services across a diverse client portfolio. Now, with the backing of parent company Clair Global, LD Systems, a Houston-based premier provider of audio, video, and lighting for event production and installed technology solutions, is welcoming ILIOS Productions to the team, marking the group’s fourth location in Texas. ILIOS Productions will now operate under the LD Systems brand.
LD Systems will further resource ILIOS’ existing Austin operation to include additional services such as audio and rigging for live events, as well as integration solutions and services. This addition helps round out LD Systems’ ability to locally serve major metropolitan areas across Texas, including Houston, San Antonio, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Austin and reflects Clair Global’s continued focus on offering global resources while maintaining strong local-market expertise and responsiveness.
ILIOS Productions’ experience spans the concert and festival sector, corporate and activations, and high-end private, philanthropic and charitable events. The company’s commitment to critical event delivery has established trust with major brands including Lollapalooza, SXSW, Austin City Limits, Google, YouTube, the University of Texas System and many more.
Founder, President & Sr Ops Manager of ILIOS Productions, Bryan Azar, said: “After many years of working alongside LD Systems in Austin and beyond, we are delighted to be joining their world-class organisation. This is an exciting new chapter for a bolder future together.”
Zach Boswell, General Manager, ILIOS Productions, added: “We are passionate about the work we do, and the community and business culture found at LD Systems is the ideal next step for our dedicated employees to progress as a united workforce.“
LD Systems co-founder and President, Rob McKinley commented: “We are delighted to amplify our service offerings in Austin with the addition of Bryan and his exceptional team of technology professionals. They have made a significant difference to many Texans with the work they undertake, and LD Systems is proud to welcome both their talent and ethos to the company.”
Building on this momentum, LD Systems also announced plans to expand its San Antonio facility into a new location in January 2026. Together with the addition of ILIOS Productions in Austin, this investment reinforces the organisation’s long-term investment in Texas and its dedication to meeting growing client demand with enhanced capacity and infrastructure.
www.ldsystems.com
AUSTIN, Texas — Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is one step closer to getting a major makeover after finalizing lease agreements with airlines that will support future renovations, including the addition of 32 new gates.
The airport on Wednesday announced the completion of Airline Use and Lease Agreements and Signatory Cargo Agreements with several major airlines and cargo companies, including Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, FedEx and UPS.
According to a press release from the airport, the use-and-lease agreements allow companies to commit funding to the project through rent and fees “generated under the agreements’ cost-recovery structure, supporting the airport’s ability to deliver projects that expand capacity, strengthen resiliency, and improve the passenger experience.”
The agreements will support the following projects at Austin-Bergstrom over the next 10 years:
- The addition of Concourse B, which will add 26 new gates, including 18 for Southwest Airlines and five with United Airlines.
- Concourse M, adding six new gates, a bus to transport travelers to and from the Barbara Jordan Terminal, new concessions, restrooms and passenger amenities.
- Enhanced seating and amenities, increased space and modernized concessions in Concourse A (home to all international flights). Delta Air Lines will have 15 gates, American Airlines will have nine, Alaska Airlines will have one and there will be eight common-use gates.
- Updates to HVAC systems, electrical system, IT and telecommunications, storm drainage, water quality and de-icing infrastructure.
In a statement, District 2 Councilmember Vanessa Fuentes applauded the future job creation that’s to come out of the project.
“This expansion program represents a tremendous economic opportunity for Austin—not only through the trades and construction jobs created during the buildout, but also through long-term jobs in concessions, airport operations, and airline services after the program is complete,” Fuentes said.
“This agreement reflects years of partnership, thoughtful negotiations, and shared vision with our airline partners. Their commitment provides the financial foundation we need to modernize our facilities, transform customer experience, and build the infrastructure needed to support Central Texas’ continued growth for generations to come. AUS would not be where it is today without the collaboration and investment of our airlines, and we are deeply grateful for their trust and partnership as we shape the future of air travel in Central Texas,” said Ghizlane Badawi, CEO of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
The final cost of the project is still under development, but is anticipated to grow from an estimated $4 billion to $5 billion. According to the airport, funding sources include airport cash reserves, airport revenues, bond proceeds and grants from the Federal Aviation Administration.
“No local Austin taxpayer dollars are used to fund the airport’s expansion program,” the release said.
Austin, TX
Black Sheep Coffee Opens First Austin Location, Expanding Its Texas Footprint | What Now Austin
Black Sheep Coffee, the international coffee brand, will celebrate the opening of its first Central Texas location in Downtown Austin with two public events. The new café, located at W 6th St & Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78701, marks a significant step in the company’s U.S. expansion following strong growth throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth region.
A public ribbon-cutting ceremony, hosted in partnership with the Austin Chamber of Commerce, will take place on Thursday, January 15 from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., welcoming community members, local leaders, and partners into the space. During the event, guests can enjoy half-price lattes, including coffee and matcha drinks.
On Saturday, January 17, Black Sheep Coffee will officially celebrate their grand opening with a Sips & Beats event from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., featuring live vinyl set by DJ Foxxy Brown, signature menu tastings, and half-price lattes throughout the event. Continuing the celebration, the store will also offer a 50% discount to International Half Marathon medal holders on Sunday, January 18, welcoming runners and spectators to refuel post-race.
Designed to reflect Austin’s creative identity, the location features custom graffiti artwork inspired by the city’s street art scene and the energy of Downtown. The new outpost will serve Black Sheep Coffee’s complete menu, including its 100% specialty-grade Robusta coffee, ceremonial-grade matcha, smoothies, pastries, Norwegian waffles, curated food offerings, and two bakery variations created exclusively for the Austin store. Additional limited-time items will debut later in January as part of the brand’s functional health product refresh.
“Austin has long been on our radar for its passionate community and standout coffee culture,” said Eirik Holth, co-founder of Black Sheep Coffee in a statement. “We’re excited to become part of that fabric and bring something new to Downtown. With several U.S. locations in the pipeline, Austin marks a major milestone in our next chapter of growth.”
Black Sheep Coffee chose Austin for its strong alignment with the brand’s ethos and its reputation as a city that celebrates individuality and creativity. The opening also reinforces the company’s long-term commitment to Texas, with several additional locations planned statewide for 2026.
The Austin café will be open Sunday through Thursday from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. For more information, visit BlackSheepCoffee.us.
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