WEST ODESSA, Texas — The Red Cross Permian Basin Chapter and Boys and Girls Club Headlee Unit are teaming up to start a coalition of non-profits to serve West Odessans in whatever way the community needs.
"So the idea is that together we're better," said Tracy Austin, senior executive director of the Red Cross Permian Basin Chapter. "We can assess the needs of the community and bring resources to those needs more effectively if we work together. And our donors want us to be in collaboration and in partnership with other organizations, so they know their donor dollar goes further."
The coalition so far has at least five organizations onboard and Austin feels that this is a good sign of things to come.
“We had a tremendous turnout today," Austin said. "People are interested in investing here and investing their time and investing in the people of West Odessa. I think it’s going to be a fantastic organization and a fantastic way for us to assess the needs and try to meet the needs with pooled resources.”
Austin said they’re still looking for more organizations to get involved with the coalition and while it might be a slow start at first, she feels it’ll be worth it in the end.
“We feel like the more people at the table, the better," Austin said. "People have resources, organizations have resources and non-profits in particular have resources and they need to know where the need is.”
If people would like more information about the coalition or want to get involved, reach out to the Red Cross Permian Basin Chapter and Boys and Girls Club Headlee Unit.