The Power of Presence, with Ilene Green

On this episode of the Gospel Con Carne podcast, Alan sits down with a longtime friend of Mobile Loaves & Fishes, Ilene Green!   Ilene's journey to Community First! Village began long before she called Austin home. While living out of state, Ilene started volunteering with Mobile Loaves & Fishes when her son, Charles, began working at the organization. After retiring from a career as a teaching aid, where she spent years working alongside children and adults with disabilities, Ilene moved from Illinois to Austin and quickly found a new place to serve.   What started as simple volunteer work in our Genesis Gardens and Community Market has grown into a beautiful rhythm of showing up, listening and loving our neighbors well. Every Wednesday, Ilene spends the entire day at the Village; walking the neighborhood, sitting with neighbors, learning their stories and helping them access the support they need.   For Ilene, it's never about the state of someone's home—it's about the person inside it. She celebrates neighbors' growth, encourages them through challenges and cherishes the friendships she's built along the way. She's witnessed firsthand that the blessings flow both ways, as neighbors and volunteers continue to teach, encourage and love one another. In this episode, Ilene reminds us that patience and grace can go a long way, and that sometimes the greatest gift we can offer someone is simply our presence.