EMPOWER CHILDREN
CASA of Central Texas
The program aims to support children who enter the foster care system by providing a volunteer that will advocate for the child’s best interest and help them find a home.
Sample activities: care for foster children, research individual cases, make recommendations
111 E. San Antonio St., San Marcos
512-392-3578 • www.casacentex.org
San Marcos Youth Service Bureau Inc.
The nonprofit promotes healthy development for children ages 11-17 through touring, workshops and volunteering.
Sample activities: teach, supervise, fundraise
518 S. Guadalupe St., San Marcos
512-396-5437 • www.ysb.org
CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance
With a mission to protect and preserve green space in San Marcos, volunteers at SMGA can help create and tend natural areas.
Sample activities: help maintain natural areas, attend San Marcos Parks and Recreation Commission meetings, outreach and fundraising
107 E. Hopkins St., Ste. 121A, San Marcos
512-392-7457 • www.smgreenbelt.org
San Marcos River Foundation
SMRF focuses on preserving public access and protecting the San Marcos River.
Sample activities: habitat restoration, water-quality testing, hot spot cleanups and river cleanups
1501 Brown St., San Marcos
512-353-4628 • www.sanmarcosriver.org
FEED THE HUNGRY
Hays County Food Bank
The nonprofit helps food-insecure residents in Hays County with food-assistance programs. It gives fresh produce, frozen meats, bread, sweets and nonperishable foods.
Sample activities: driving, weighing, storing and inspecting food; creating food boxes and bags; increasing awareness through social media and special projects; speaker’s bureau; office work
220 Herndon St., San Marcos
512-392-8300 • www.haysfoodbank.org
SERVE SENIORS
Onion Creek Senior Center
Seniors can find community at the center and have the opportunity to interact with others through dance, exercises, arts and crafts, and health-maintenance programs.
Sample activities: hosting or sponsoring activities
420 Barton Crossing, Buda
512-295-3413 • www.ocscbuda.org/home
HELP ANIMALS
PAWS Shelter of Central Texas
Medical attention, care and adoption services for stray and surrendered animals are offered at the no-kill shelter.
Sample activities: foster, coordinating events, exercising animals, fundraising, clerical work, graphic design, writing pet biographies
500 E. FM 150, Kyle
512-268-1611 • www.pawsshelter.org
Prevent a Litter of Central Texas (PALS)
PALS aims to reduce overpopulation of pets and pet homelessness by educating the community and providing spay-and-neuter programs.
Sample activities: foster, hosting pet food drive, special events, writing grant applications and educating the community
P.O. Box 401, San Marcos
512-754-7257 • www.preventalitter.com
San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter
Hays County’s only public animal shelter takes in homeless and surrendered animals to help them find a new home.
Sample activities: cleaning, feeding, grooming and
exercising animals; adoption counseling; special projects; clerical work750 River Road, San Marcos
512-805-2650 • www.sanmarcostx.gov
SERVE THE COMMUNITY
American Widow Project
Military widows are provided with emotional and educational support after the loss of loved ones through retreat events.
Sample activities: working in retreats, planting, weeding and fundraising
P.O. Box 1573, Buda
www.americanwidowproject.org
Austin Habitat for Humanity San Marcos Area
The Austin affiliate of the international nonprofit works to build and fund affordable housing for residents in need across Hays County.
Sample activities: building and repairing homes, planting trees and seeds, fundraising, advocating on social media and serving lunch
500 W. Ben White Blvd., Austin
512-472-8788 • www.austinhabitat.org/getinvolved/volunteer
Central Texas Medical Center
Assist with patient care, make crafts, or help out in other ways at the nonprofit health care organization that offers emergency, surgical and lab services, among others.
Sample activities: hospice patient care, bereavement, fundraising, making craft items for patients
1301 Wonder World Drive, San Marcos
512-353-8979 • www.ctmc.org
Hays Caldwell Women’s Center
HCWC provides support for those in the community who have been victims of family and dating violence, sexual assault and child abuse. HCWC assists victims with counseling, shelter, hospital accompaniment and offers a 24-hour helpline.
Sample activities: answering hotline calls, respond to hospital calls, child care, landscaping, administration, fundraising, group activities, and professional skills
P.O. Box 234, San Marcos
512-396-3404 • www.hcwc.org
Southside Community Center
The center provides resources to improve living conditions for those in need through transitional shelter and food, emergency assistance, housing for low-income, elderly and neighborhood housing improvement.
Sample activities: catering, serving, cooking, socializing with clients
518 S. Guadalupe St., San Marcos
512-392-6694 • www.southsidecommunitycenter.org
United Way of Hays and Caldwell Counties
The local branch of the national organization focuses on investing and developing programs that address needs in education, income and health in Hays and Caldwell Counties.
Sample activities: reading to children, leading financial literacy classes, delivering meals to seniors
P.O. Box 1728, San Marcos
512-353-1420 • www.unitedwayhaysco.org
PRESERVE HISTORY
The Calaboose African American History Museum
Hays County’s first jail now serves as a museum preserving 146 years of local African American history. It aims to educate the community through exhibits on local black heroes in sports, music, business and the military as well as historic documents and newspaper clippings relating to the black heritage of San Marcos.
Sample activities: event staff, guiding tours and welcoming guests
200 Martin Luther King Drive, San Marcos
www.facebook.com/CalabooseMuseum
