Volunteer Guide 2015–Central Austin Cancer Connection at Care Communities network members are shown here. The volunteers, all cancer survivors or caregivers, visit cancer patients and their family members at hospitals and oncology centers. Care Communities announced it is closing this fall due to funding challenges.[/caption]

Care Communities, a nonprofit that has provided free, practical assistance to people battling life-threatening illness in Central Texas since 1991, announced it is closing due to funding challenges.

The volunteer-based organization began as an interfaith support network for individuals diagnosed with HIV or AIDS. Later, its mission was amended to include people who have cancer.

“It has been our esteemed honor to serve those in our community who have faced serious illness alone or with little to no support and who have extremely limited resources,” Executive Director Mary Hearon said in a news release posted on the organization’s website.

The Care Communities office at 314 E. Highland Mall Blvd., Ste. 495, Austin, will close on or before Oct. 31.