One Second Chance

At A Time

A nonprofit built for LGBTQIA+ individuals experiencing displacement in Austin.

We show up for the ones left behind

ATACO supports LGBTQIA+ individuals experiencing displacement in Austin through meals, essentials, job opportunities, life skills, and creative empowerment.

Who we serve

"We show up where others don’t."
ATACO serves individuals navigating:

  • Homelessness

  • Mental health challenges

  • Displacement due to identity

  • Substance recovery

  • Reentry from the justice system

  • Survivors of trauma

We believe no one should
face hardship alone.
Especially not those shut out of traditional systems.

How It Works

  • You won’t find us sitting behind a desk waiting for someone to walk in. Instead, we actively show up at the parks, on the streets, outside gas stations, and in laundromats. These are the overlooked places where people are simply trying to get by each day. There’s no judgment and no paperwork involved. What we offer is our presence, genuine kindness, and immediate, real-time care

  • Everyone’s story is different, and so is the help they need. Whether it's a fresh pair of socks, a warm plate of food, or someone to sit with in silence. We respond to the moment. We don’t assume, we ask. And we follow their lead.

  • Once trust is built, we connect folks to the next right thing. Maybe a free clinic, a ride to detox, a resume consult, or a job gig with Step Bros. We move at the speed of relationship, never rushing people into systems they’re not ready for.

Partner Programs

man holding a toilet brush with his hand on hips looking proud with the text step bros cleaning and services under it

Not your average gig. Step Bros provides accessible, flexible job opportunities in domestic support . From cleaning to yard work to tech setup. It’s more than a paycheck. It’s structure, pride, and a chance to show up for others while rebuilding your own life.

Before anyone jumps into work or school, they need support and guidance. Bridges & Anchors offers mentorship, résumé help, and basic admin skills all within a judgment-free space where people can practice, stumble, and grow into the next version of themselves.

This is where expression meets survival. Enter Spaces turns donated materials into wearable art, printed tees, and zines made by and for those with lived experience. It's a launchpad for creative voices often left out of traditional platforms empowering people to turn bold ideas into income.

Get Involved

Get Involved

ATACO is powered by people like you. Volunteers who show up with compassion, consistency, and a willingness to meet others where they are. Whether you can give an hour a week or just a few minutes when it counts, your energy goes a long way.

Volunteering doesn’t always mean heavy lifting — though we do appreciate the muscle! Sometimes it means being a kind face, an extra set of hands, or a bridge to safety for someone who feels unseen.

Volunteer with us to:

Pack or distribute resource kits filled with essentials

Organize donations and restock community supplies

Help with outreach, photos, and social media storytelling

Offer administrative support like sorting forms or data entry

Simply be present with a heart ready to care and connect