2015-16 Volunteer Opportunities

Austin Dog Alliance provides job training and placement for adults with challenges, Bow Wow Reading Dogs for at-risk readers, therapy dog teams for hospitals and nursing homes, and PTSD service dogs for veterans. Volunteers assist with programs, including summer camps, dog rescue, and training and office management. Volunteers also visit hospitals, nursing homes and schools with their dogs.

1321 W. New Hope Drive, Cedar Park 78613 512-335-7100 www.austindogalliance.org Twitter: @ausdogalliance

Austin Habitat for Humanity aims to end the cycle of poverty and holds the belief that everyone deserves a decent and affordable place to live. Through faith in action, its goal is to empower community members and give them better control of their futures through homeownership. Volunteers assist in construction or do clerical tasks.

500 W. Ben White Blvd., Austin 78704 512-472-8788 www.austinhabitat.org Twitter: @austinhabitat

Austin State Supported Living Center, formerly Austin State School, provides aid and support to more than 190 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 78703 512-374-6160 www.ausslcfriends.org

The Austin Time Exchange Network is a person-to-person social service organization in which community members exchange help and expertise, using time as a complimentary currency. Orientations and potlucks are offered twice monthly in North and South Austin.

512-276-5220 www.austintimeexchange.wordpress.com [email protected]

Blue Santa brings 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.

4101 S. Industrial Drive, Ste. 260, Austin 78744 512-974-BLUE (2583) www.bluesanta.org

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area—Administrative Office offers programs and services to promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence. Those interested in volunteering weekly to help with tutoring, homework help, activities such as arts, crafts and music classes can start applying in January.

5407 N. I-35, Ste. 400, Austin 78723 512-444-7199 www.bgcaustin.org Twitter: @bgcaustin

Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas—Round Rock is a nonprofit organization created by breast cancer survivors. The center exists to serve women with breast cancer, their families and support systems, women who have questions about screening and biopsy, and others in the community who are concerned about breast cancer issues. Volunteers are primarily needed to transport patients to and from medical appointments, accompany chemotherapy patients undergoing treatment and assist clients with their daily chores and errands including lawn care.

306 E. Main St., Round Rock 78664 512-248-2645 www.bcrc.org Twitter: @BCRCofTexas

Brown Santa is a community service nonprofit 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 food for holiday meals at the warehouse at 9101 Wall St., Austin 78728.

P.O. Box 207, Austin 78767 512-247-2682 www.brownsanta.org

CASA of Williamson County provides trained, court-appointed volunteers who advocate for the best interest of abused or neglected children on their journey to a safe, permanent home.

805 W. University Ave., Ste. 111, Georgetown 78626 512-868-2822 www.casawilco.org Twitter: @casawctx

Cedar Park Public Library Foundation volunteers work mainly with fundraising, but they can also assist with other library needs. Volunteers must be age 14 or older, and adults must pass a background check.

550 Discovery Blvd., Cedar Park 78613 512-401-5630 www.cedarparktexas.gov/libraryfoundation

Center for Child Protection advocates for child victims of abuse or witnesses to violent crimes. Volunteers help with direct care for children and provide support during fundraising events.

8509 FM 969, Bldg. 2, Austin 78724 512-472-1164 www.centerforchildprotection.org Twitter: @traviscoccp

Central Texas SPCA is a no-kill shelter that provides care for homeless animals. Volunteers assist with direct animal care, fundraisers and adoption. Opportunities are also available for children who are accompanied by an adult.

909 S. Bagdad Road, Leander 78641 512-260-7722 www.centraltexasspca.org Twitter: @centraltxspca

Drive a Senior—Northwest, 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 for the elderly. To volunteer, fill out an application on the website.

10633 Lake Creek Parkway, Austin 78750 512-250-5021 • [email protected] www.driveaseniornorthwest.org

[caption id="attachment_122758" align="alignright" width="198"] Equine Rehabilitation Central Texas[/caption]

Equine Rehabilitation Central Texas, or ERCT, provides opportunities for volunteers to participate in its therapeutic horseback riding program, Hopeful Hearts. ERCT serves individuals with disabilities and veterans and their families. A monthly new volunteer orientation is provided to teach horse handling and side-walking. Contact Lisa Rivers for more information at [email protected].

17000 Trails End Cove, Leander 78641 512-484-8480 www.horseserct.org

Fairy Godmother Foundation helps underprivileged high school-age girls attend their prom, homecoming or any special evening by giving them dresses, surrounding them with positive role models and encouraging future success. Email [email protected] or call the Austin Fairy Godmother store for year-round volunteer opportunities.

10303 E. Crystal Falls Parkway, Leander 78641 512-709-9867 www.austinfairygodmother.org

Faith in Action Georgetown assists adults age 65 and older in maintaining their quality of life and independence. Volunteers provide transportation, home repairs and companionship to the elderly.

805 W. University Ave., Ste. 105, Georgetown 78626 512-868-9544 www.faithinactiongt.org

[caption id="attachment_122759" align="alignright" width="198"] Friends of the Cedar Park Public Library[/caption]

Friends of the Cedar Park Public Library is a nonprofit, supportive group of volunteers established in September 1980 to promote the library within the community. Its purpose is to support and strengthen the library’s resources and services to the public. Members may volunteer at the two annual used book sales to provide funding for the library.

550 Discovery Blvd., Cedar Park 78613 512-401-5600 www.cedarparktexas.gov/library Twitter: @cedarparkpublib

Georgetown Animal Shelter provides care for homeless animals. Volunteers assist with direct animal care and adoption.

110 W.L. Walden Drive, Georgetown 78626 512-930-3592 www.pets.georgetown.org

Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County teams build quality houses for local low-income families. Volunteers assist in construction, office administration and customer service, and they also handle donations at the ReStore, a thrift store for building materials.

2108 N. Austin Ave., Georgetown 78626 512-863-4344 www.williamsonhabitat.org Twitter: @habitatwilco

Hill Country Community Ministries is a nonprofit corporation that provides food and clothing for people in crisis or poverty in southwest Williamson and northwest Travis counties. Volunteers help out in the food pantry and clothes closet, pick up food at retail stores, and serve as caseworkers.

1005 Lacy Drive, Leander 78641 512-259-0360 www.hccm.org

Just Because Christmas Project is a nonprofit program established in 1987 in association with St. William’s Parish of Round Rock. The purpose of this project is to serve underprivileged families who live outside the city limits of Round Rock or those who do not get help from other agencies. Volunteers are needed 5:30-9:30 p.m. Dec. 18 and 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 19 at Hernandez Middle School, 1901 Sunrise Road, Round Rock, to help sort goods, wrap presents and distribute items to families.

2800 E. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. 120, Cedar Park 78613 512-748-1763 www.jbmhope.com

Lifelong Friends Pet Adoptions is a no-kill, privately run animal shelter located in Lago Vista. Dogs and cats looking for forever homes are housed at the shelter. Volunteers are needed to assist with dog and cat caretaking, fundraising, adoption counseling and off-site events.

20803 FM 1431, Lago Vista 78645 512-267-6876 www.lifelongfriends.org

Meals on Wheels of Williamson and Burnet County—Leander, Cedar Park and Liberty Hill makes and delivers meals to homebound members of the community, including those age 60 and older. Volunteers deliver meals by car.

351 N. Bagdad Road, Leander 78641 512-259-0288 www.wbco.net/services_meals.html

Meals on Wheels—Round Rock makes and delivers meals to homebound members of the community, including those age 60 and older. Volunteers deliver meals by car.

301 W. Bagdad Road, Bldg. 2, Round Rock 78664 512-255-4970

Open My World Therapeutic Riding Center serves individuals with disabilities using horses for therapy. Volunteers age 15 and older are needed Tuesday through Saturday to work directly with the individuals, horses, petting zoo animals or in other capacities such as landscaping. Younger volunteers cannot help with therapeutic riding sessions. Volunteers receive training before starting. Volunteers do not need prior experience with horses.

1020 CR 270, Leander 78641 512-259-6665 www.openmyworld.org

RRISD Partners in Education Foundation generates and distributes resources to Round Rock ISD. Volunteers distribute school supplies, mentor students, and serve on scholarship and grant committees.

595 Round Rock West Drive, Ste. 404, Round Rock 78681 512-464-5600 www.rrisdeducationfoundation.org Twitter: @RRISD_PIEF

Run Free Texas offers a 12-week running and walking program for at-risk youth faced with deteriorating family structure, gang and criminal activity, violence in schools, peer pressure, bullying, substance abuse issues and other social challenges. Volunteers act as motivators and talk to juveniles about goal-setting, failure and healthy habits.

14900 Avery Ranch Blvd., Ste. 278, Austin 78717 512-788-4762 www.runfreetexas.org Twitter: @runfreetexas

Texas Humane Heroes has a mission to provide innovative programs and services to eliminate pet homelessness and to improve the lives of pets and people throughout Central Texas. Volunteers help clean kennels, spend time with the animals, and assist with administrative duties and event planning. The minimum volunteer age is 14 years old.

10930 E. Crystal Falls Parkway, Leander 78641 512-260-3602 www.texashumaneheroes.org Twitter: @HumaneHeroes

Thirst No More is a Christian aid organization whose mission is to transform communities through the power of compassion. Its projects are typically in regions where people have been ravaged by war, tyranny or natural disaster. Thirst No More recruits volunteers of all ages for church projects, disaster relief and humanitarian projects.

P.O. Box 2290, Cedar Park 78613 512-382-4318 www.thirstnomore.org Twitter: @tnmtweets

[caption id="attachment_122760" align="alignright" width="198"] Twin Lakes Family YMCA[/caption]

Twin Lakes Family YMCA volunteers assist in programs that help build stronger families and communities. Most available volunteer opportunities are for youth coaches and special events.

204 E. Little Elm Trail, Cedar Park 78613 512-250-9622 www.ymcagwc.org Twitter: @cedarparkymca

United Way of Williamson County focuses on education, income, health and basic needs. Volunteers are needed at four free tax-preparation sites—Hutto, Georgetown, Leander and Taylor—from January through April. Free training is provided. Volunteers are also needed for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service and Fall Day of Caring projects.

1111 N. I-35, Ste. 220, Round Rock 78664 512-255-6799 www.unitedway-wc.org Twitter: @unitedwaywilco

Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center is a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to abused children, non-offending family members and the professionals dedicated to the intervention, investigation, prosecution and treatment options related to child abuse cases. Volunteers are needed to provide hospitality to families and children, answer phones and give administrative assistance.

1811 SE Inner Loop, Georgetown 78626 512-943-3701 www.wilcocac.org

Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter provides care for homeless animals. Volunteers support the staff by socializing animals; assisting with cleaning, fundraising and off-site event assistance; office work; and helping customers. Search Facebook for the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter for more information.

1855 SE Inner Loop, Georgetown 78626 512-943-3322 www.wilcopets.org Twitter: @wilcopets