Looking for ways to lend a helping hand in your community? Our annual Volunteer Guide provides a list of area opportunities to give back in the Austin area, whether it's reading to children and driving the elderly or assisting nonprofits with office work or planning charity events.
AGE of Central Texas-Adult Day Care Center Austin serves older adults, adults with dementia and family caregivers throughout the Central Texas region through five programs. Volunteers assist with and lead engaging activities for participants. 3710 Cedar St., Austin 512-451-4611 • www.ageofcentraltx.org Alzheimer’s Texas seeks to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research and enhance care and support for those with the disease, their families and caregivers. Volunteer opportunities vary. 3520 Executive Center Drive, Ste. 140, Austin 512-241-0420 • www.txalz.org American Cancer Society hopes to reduce the cancer mortality rate and cancer incidents through early detection, prevention and advocacy. Volunteer opportunities include the Road to Recovery and Reach to Recovery programs, assisting at health fairs, fundraising, office duties and Relay for Life. 11000 N. MoPac, Ste. 100, Austin 800-227-2345 • www.cancer.org American Red Cross—Central and South Texas serves Austin and the surrounding areas with disaster relief, military support, international social services, and CPR and first aid training. Volunteer opportunities include helping families impacted by home fires, connecting military families to their loved ones overseas, office administration support, public affairs and social media. 2218 Pershing Drive, Austin 512-928-4271 • www.redcross.org/austin Any Baby Can provides education, therapy and support to families. Volunteers offer homework help, clerical duties, donation pickups, child care and a variety of other services. 6207 Sheridan Ave., Austin 512-454-3743 • www.anybabycan.org [email protected] The Arc of the Capital Area provides programs and services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Volunteer opportunities include helping clients at the Arc of Arts Studio; assisting at monthly activities such as movie night, bowling and coffee club; and volunteering at special events throughout the year. 4902 Grover Ave., Austin 512-476-7044 • www.arcaustin.org Assistance League of Austin is an organization of volunteers dedicated to addressing specific needs through nine philanthropic programs, including toy carts at Dell Children’s Medical Center, services for the elderly and clothing for Austin-area students through Operation School Bell. Donations are always accepted at the thrift house on Burnet Road. Volunteers must attend two training sessions before participating. 4901 Burnet Road, Austin 512-458-3716 • www.alaustin.org Austin Animal Center shelters about 18,000 animals per year and aims to prevent pet homelessness through a variety of programs. Volunteers help care for shelter animals, assist with adoptions, and aid in prevention and awareness activities. 7201 Levander Loop, Austin 512-978-0500 • www.austinanimalcenter.org Austin Child Guidance Center works to improve the mental health of children through treatment and emotional skills training. Volunteers are needed to play with children waiting for appointments, serve on fundraising planning committees and work in the healing garden. 810 W. 45th St., Austin 512-451-2242 • www.austinchildguidance.org Austin Children’s Shelter provides residential and nonresidential services to children, youth and families. Volunteers help by engaging in recreational activities, tutoring and positive interaction, or by assisting in light office and facility projects. 4800 Manor Road, Bldg. A, Austin 512-499-0090 • www.safeaustin.org Austin Creative Reuse fosters conservation and reuse thru creativity, education and community building. Materials sold at the Austin Creative Reuse Center are given a second life. Donations of art, craft and other useful materials are accepted anytime the center is opened. Drop-in volunteer sessions are held every Tuesday from 6-8:30 p.m. Volunteers are needed weekly to help weigh, sort and price merchandise at the center. Interested volunteers should fill out an application on the website or send an email to schedule an orientation session. ACR also accommodates volunteer groups. 6406 N. I-35, Ste. 1801, Austin [email protected] • www.austincreativereuse.org Austin Habitat for Humanity aims to end the cycle of poverty and believes that everyone deserves a decent and affordable place to live. Its goal is to empower community members and give them better control of their futures through homeownership. Volunteers assist in construction and at the ReStore. 500 W. Ben White Blvd., Austin 512-472-8788 • www.austinhabitat.org Austin Humane Society is the city’s largest no-kill, nonprofit pet adoption center dedicated to saving Austin’s homeless cats and dogs, educating the community about responsible pet ownership and reducing pet overpopulation. Volunteers help with activities, such as dog walking, the Cat Adoption Team and the foster care program. 124 W. Anderson Lane, Austin • 512-646-7387 www.austinhumanesociety.org/volunteer Austin Humanists at Work is a group of secular volunteers who collect, sort and distribute basic living items to people who are homeless at monthly giveaways. ATXHAW is 100 percent volunteer-based. Many of its volunteers also knit or crochet items to be given away at the giveaways, such as washcloths for the summer and hats and scarves for the winter. www.austinhumanistsatwork.org Austin LifeCare offers a variety of free services to families experiencing unplanned pregnancies, such as pregnancy tests, limited ultrasounds, resource and spiritual counseling, education and mentoring. Clients can obtain material assistance through the Earn-While-You-Learn program. Volunteer opportunities include peer counseling, office assistance and client mentoring. 1215 Anderson Lane, Austin 512-374-0055 • www.austinlifecare.com Austin Parks Foundation connects people to resources and partners to develop and improve parks. Volunteers participate in activities, including erosion control, mulching, tree-planting, eradicating invasive species and trash pickup. 507 Calles St., Ste. 116, Austin 512-477-1566 • www.austinparks.org Austin Partners In Education provides college and career readiness for AISD students. Volunteer opportunities are at AISD schools and include math; tutoring; lunchtime mentoring; and exposing students to careers in the science, technology, engineering and math fields. 8000 Centre Park Drive, Ste. 220, Austin 512-637-0900 • www.austinpartners.org Austin Public Library volunteers help connect the community to library programs and services. Volunteer opportunities include reshelving books and other materials, facilitating conversational language programs, and teaching technology skills to teenagers and adults. 800 Guadalupe St., Austin (administration at Faulk Central Library) • 512-974-7443 http://library.austintexas.gov/volunteer Austin Public Library Friends Foundation supports the Austin Public Library by increasing public awareness of the library and its importance to the community and by raising funds to enhance library collections, programs and facilities. Volunteer opportunities include assistance with the Badgerdog Creative Writing Program, special events and administrative duties. P.O. Box 13201, Austin 78711 512-542-0076 • www.austinlibrary.org Austin Siamese Rescue is a feline rescue organization that rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes 16 Siamese breeds of cats and kittens from the community that are abandoned or are in danger of being euthanized at local shelters. Volunteers serve as short-term or long-term fosters of cats and kittens until they are adopted. P.O. Box 13474, Austin 78711 512-354-7875 www.austinsiameserescue.org Austin State Supported Living Center provides aid and support to more than 180 residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Volunteers visit with residents as well as assist with resident activities and campus improvement projects. 2203 W. 35th St., Austin 512-374-6160 • www.ausslcfriends.org Austin Tenants’ Council protects tenants’ rights and educates the community on fair housing. Volunteers are needed who can objectively gather and report information about the availability of housing while posing as a prospective renter or homebuyer. 1640-B E. Second St., Ste. 150, Austin 512-474-1961 • www.housing-rights.org Autism Society of Central Texas is an affiliate of the Autism Society of America with a mission to improve the lives of all affected by autism. Volunteers are used in many ways, including fundraising events and community opportunities. 4902 Grover Ave., Ste. 201, Austin 512-479-4199 • www.austinautismsociety.org Bake A Wish’s volunteers bake and deliver free birthday cakes to neglected, abused and abandoned children as well as elderly and disabled residents who would not otherwise receive a birthday cake. P.O. Box 300491, Austin 78709 www.bakeawishaustin.org [email protected] Ballet Austin is committed to sharing the art of dance, including with those who might not otherwise have the opportunity. Volunteers help with special events, the front desk, education and ushering. 501 W. Third St., Austin 512-476-9151, ext. 106 • www.balletaustin.org Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas pairs volunteers with children in need of mentoring and positive role models. Men and Spanish-speaking volunteers are especially needed. 4800 Manor Road, Bldg. K, Austin 512-472-5437 www.bigmentoring.org/volunteer Blackland Community Development Corp. builds, maintains and leases houses to families who earn less than 50 percent of the area median family income. Volunteers help the community and families with cleaning, painting and gardening. 1902 E. 22nd St., Austin 512-220-8751 • www.blacklandcdc.org Blue Santa aims to bring Christmas cheer to families who might not otherwise have gifts and food. The organization was started by the Austin Police Department in 1972 and includes the Texas National Guard, the Austin Fire Department, Austin Water and Austin Energy, who have served more than 4,500 families. 4101 S. Industrial Drive, Ste. 260, Austin 512-974-2583 • www.bluesanta.org BookSpring’s mission is to provide reading experiences, tools and books to children and their families so they can develop a desire to read and succeed in school and life. Volunteers are needed for one-time events, such as decorating a school library in advance of a Books for Me reading program, helping run an elementary school book swap or reading aloud for special events. Other opportunities include volunteering as a regular reader for a classroom or school or being a regular library volunteer. 2006 Greenbrook Parkway, Austin 512-472-1791 • www.bookspring.org Brown Santa is the community service organization of the Travis County Sheriff’s Office. Many sponsors and volunteers help each year to make the Brown Santa drive successful. The goal is to provide assistance to families in need in the unincorporated areas of Travis County. Volunteers help sort and wrap gifts and sort food for holiday meals at the warehouse at 305 S. Congress Ave., Austin. P.O. Box 207, Austin 78767 512-247-2682 • www.brownsanta.org Capital City Village helps seniors age well in their own homes. Part of the national village movement, CCV depends on volunteers to help older adults by driving them to appointments and programs, helping with in-home tasks and maintenance, yard work and technology assistance. Volunteers also help with office staffing, program planning and committee membership. 8403 Shoal Creek Blvd, Austin 512-524-2709 • www.capitalcityvillage.org Caritas of Austin supports individuals on their journey out of crisis and homelessness toward self-sufficiency through housing, food, education and employment services. Volunteers can serve lunch daily to more than 300 clients in the Community Kitchen, help with special events, provide administrative support to staff or work directly with clients. 611 Neches St., Austin 512-479-4610 • www.caritasofaustin.org CASA of Travis County speaks up for children who have been abused or neglected by empowering the community to volunteer as advocates for them in the court system. 7701 N. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 301, Austin 512-459-2272 • www.casatravis.org/volunteer Central Texas Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief charity in Central Texas, serving more than 46,000 people each week. Volunteers are needed to help prepare food donations for distribution, assist with the mobile food pantry and in various administrative duties. 6500 Metropolis Drive, Austin 512-282-2111 • www.centraltexasfoodbank.org College Forward provides access and college completion services to motivated, underserved students to help them transition to college or obtain a degree. As an AmeriCorps-based program, the organization is run largely by volunteers. 505 E. Huntland Drive, Ste. 315, Austin 512-452-4800 • www.collegeforward.org Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas is the only dedicated pediatric hospital in Central Texas. Volunteers provide assistance to patients, families and staff of Dell Children’s Medical Center through one four-hour shift each week. 4900 Mueller Blvd., Austin 512-324-0161 • www.dellchildrens.net Drive a Senior-North Central Austin assists older adults in maintaining their quality of life and independence. Volunteers provide transportation to the elderly. To volunteer, fill out an application on the website. 901 Braker Lane, Ste. 131, Austin 512-453-2273 • www.driveasenior.org Drive a Senior-Northwest Austin, serving Northwest Austin, Cedar Park and Leander, assists older adults in maintaining their quality of life and independence. Volunteers provide transportation, home repairs and companionship to the elderly. To volunteer, fill out an application on the website. 10633 Lake Creek Parkway, Austin 512-250-5021 www.driveaseniornorthwest.org Easter Seals Central Texas, originally chartered as the Texas Society for Crippled Children, has been providing services to children and adults with disabilities and their caregivers since 1937. Volunteers help with special events and fundraisers, clerical duties, camp and the gala committee as well as several other event committees. 8505 Cross Park Drive, Ste. 120, Austin 512-478-2581 www.centraltx.easterseals.com Emancipet’s mission is to make spay, neuter and veterinary care affordable and accessible to all pet owners. The nonprofit manages a national network of low-cost clinics, offers customized training and consulting programs to animal welfare organizations nationwide and assists with public policy that improves the lives of pets in underserved communities. Volunteers assist with general office support and customer service. 7010 Easy Wind Drive, Ste. 260, Austin 512-587-7729 • www.emancipet.org Family Eldercare aims to ensure older adults and adults with disabilities thrive and has more than 40 clinics. Volunteers visit one-on-one with clients at their home and also receive training. 1700 Rutherford Lane, Austin 512-483-3551 • www.familyeldercare.org Foster Angels of Central Texas works to improve the lives of children in foster care and ensures each child has his or her basic needs met and also has life-enriching and life-enhancing experiences whenever possible. The foundation serves 30 counties in Central Texas. Various volunteer opportunities are available throughout the year. P.O. Box 152575, Austin 78715 512-732-2329 • www.fosterangelsctx.org Foundation Communities provides affordable, quality housing to low-income families and individuals throughout the city. Volunteers can work with clients and residents in a variety of ways, such as serving meals, providing free tax-preparation services, financial coaching and tutoring in the after-school program. 3036 S. First St., Austin 512-610-7377 • www.foundcom.org Foundation for the Homeless Inc. mobilizes the resources of the community of faith to alleviate homelessness in the spirit of compassion, hope and love. P.O. Box 28006, Austin 78755 512-453-6570 • www.foundationhomeless.org Girlstart volunteers work to encourage girls to pursue interests in science, technology, engineering and math through after-school programs, summer camps and community events. 1400 W. Anderson Lane, Austin 512-916-4775 • www.girlstart.org Goodwill Central Texas provides numerous volunteer opportunities, including rebuilding computers and tutoring in high school and GED classrooms. 1015 Norwood Park Blvd., Austin 512-637-7100 • www.goodwillcentraltexas.org Greyhound Rescue Austin is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing greyhounds. 2805 W. Fresco Drive, Austin 512-288-4480 • www.greyhoundrescueaustin.com Hospice Austin has provided medical, emotional and spiritual care for terminally ill people and their loved ones in Central Texas for the past 35 years. Regardless of ability to pay, it offers extensive services, including expert pain and symptom management; an inpatient facility; and volunteer and bereavement services in Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties. Volunteers visit or read with patients, run errands, or provide a calm and compassionate presence to families. 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Ste. 100, Austin 512-342-4700 • www.hospiceaustin.org Junior Achievement of Central Texas volunteers serve as role models while teaching K-12 students about entrepreneurship, financial literacy and career readiness using JA’s proven curriculum used by 10 million students annually around the world. PO Box 684571, Austin 78768 512-710-5437 • www.jacentex.org Knowbility is a nonprofit organization supporting the independence of people with disabilities by promoting the use of and improving the availability of accessible information technology. Volunteers help with special events. 1033 La Posada Drive, Ste. 372, Austin 512-527-3138 • www.knowbility.org March of Dimes-Austin’s mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The organization funds research to understand the causes of these issues, help mothers have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies. It also supports families by providing comfort when their baby needs help to survive and thrive. 9430 Research Blvd., Echelon II, Ste. 250, Austin 512-477-3221 • www.marchforbabies.org Meals on Wheels Central Texas-Greater Austin Area makes and delivers meals to homebound members of the community, including those age 60 and older. Volunteers deliver meals by car. 3227 E. Fifth St., Austin • 512-476-6325 www.mealsonwheelsandcentraltexas.org P.A.W.S. of Austin aims to prevent cruelty to all animals by promoting humane standards through education and example; providing care and shelter for homeless animals; aiding in the reduction of domestic animal overpopulation; and aiding in the enforcement of laws, including the investigation of animal cruelty and abuse. 13315 Broadmeade Ave., Austin [email protected] www.pawsofaustin.org People’s Community Clinic was founded in 1970 and is a nonprofit, primary health care facility meant to provide high-quality medical care at a sliding scale to uninsured and underinsured Central Texans. 1101 Camino La Costa, Austin 512-478-4939, ext. 1700 • www.austinpcc.org Refugee Services of Texas Austin is a social service agency dedicated to supporting refugees, immigrants and other displaced persons in their new communities by providing resources, referrals, education and guidance. Volunteers help with donations, transportation and mentorship. 500 E. St. Johns Ave., Ste. 1.280, Austin 512-472-9472 • www.rstx.org Round Rock ISD Partners in Education Foundation generates and distributes resources to RRISD. Volunteers distribute school supplies, mentor students, and serve on scholarship and grant committees. 595 Round Rock West Drive, Ste. 404, Round Rock 512-464-5600 www.rrisdeducationfoundation.org SafePlace’s mission is to lead in ending sexual assault and exploitation and domestic violence through prevention, intervention and advocacy for change. Volunteers work directly with families and individuals as well as provide assistance through indirect service in clerical or administrative roles. They accompany survivors to court, answer hotline calls, plan children’s birthday parties and deliver toys to SafePlace for clients for the Holiday Giving Program. P.O. Box 19454, Austin 78760 512-267-7233 www.safeaustin.org/spvolunteer Salvation Army volunteers assist in many ways with holiday events, acting as bell ringers, serving meals at shelters and distributing gifts at the Christmas warehouse as part of the Angel Tree program. Volunteers are also needed to assist with the annual luncheon in April, the annual golf tournament in the fall, and the Rock the Red Kettle Concert and other fundraising activities. 501 E. Eighth St., Austin 512-634-5921 • www.salvationarmyaustin.org Society of St. Vincent de Paul serves the entire Diocese of Austin area. In addition to its person-to-person visits, the Society in Central Texas operates the Vincentian Family Center and Thrift Store, a collaborative, multiagency resource center providing numerous services to Central Texans in need. Volunteers are needed to assist with client intake, the food pantry and the computer lab. 901 W. Braker Lane, Austin 512-251-6995 (office), 512-442-5652 (thrift store) www.ssvdp.org/volunteer-opportunities Special Olympics Texas provides year-round sports training and competition opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Volunteers do not need any special skills and can choose to help out at competitions or fundraisers, become a coach, be a Fan in the Stands or help out in the office. Volunteers are also encouraged to come the day of an event to provide assistance. 1804 Rutherford Lane, Austin 512-835-9873 • www.sotx.org Texas Juvenile Justice Department has volunteer opportunities to work with adjudicated youth in Austin. Volunteers are needed for mentoring youth on parole and for administrative internships in the central office. 11209 Metric Blvd., Bldg. H, Ste. A, Austin 512-490-7130 • www.tjjd.texas.gov We Are Blood and United Tissue Resources —formerly The Blood Center of Central Texas—is the exclusive provider of the community blood supply for about 39 medical facilities in Central Texas. Volunteers assist on blood drives, serve refreshments in donor centers, provide office support and transport blood product in the center’s vehicles. 4300 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin 512-206-1266 • www.weareblood.org YMCA of Austin puts Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body. YMCA’s purpose is to enhance the lives of people in the community by providing programs, activities and facilities that develop and maintain opportunities. Volunteers help with activities such as special events, coaching, building maintenance, mentoring and policy. North Branch: 1000 W. Rundberg Lane, Austin Northwest Family Branch: 5807 McNeil Drive, Austin 512-322-9622 • www.austinymca.org
This guide is not a comprehensive list of all area organizations that need volunteers. If your organization is not included, email us at [email protected], and we will add it to our online list.