GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
1. Cy-Fair Fire Department: Approximately twice a year the department hosts a volunteer fire training academy. Before volunteers can begin, they must pass a written math and reading comprehension test as well as a physical ability test. Training lasts about 26 weeks and is designed to work alongside a daytime work schedule. Gear is provided upon acceptance. Individuals can stop by one of the 13 fire stations to learn more or email [email protected].
Sample activities: firefighting, firefighter support services
10710 Telge Road, Houston. 281-550-6663. www.cyfairfd.org
HELP THE SICK
2. Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital: The hospital has an active volunteer program for adults and a junior volunteer program for high school students ages 16-18 that runs each year from June through August. Applications for the junior volunteer program are accepted in February of each year. Applications for adults are accepted year-round, with interviews being extended based on the current volunteer needs of the hospital. Orientation includes 1.5 days of training, a drug screen, tuberculosis test, mandatory vaccines for COVID-19 and influenza and safety training.
Sample activities: interacting with patients, assisting staff, providing administrative support
18220 Hwy. 249, Houston. 281-737-1063. www.houstonmethodist.org/volunteer
3. Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital: The hospital has an adult volunteer program best suited for long-term volunteers that want to serve the hospital and its patients.
Sample activities: helping out at the information desk, nursing unit, clerical assistance and as a patient advocate
27700 Hwy. 290, Cypress. www.memorialhermann.org
EMPOWER CHILDREN
4. Boys and Girls Country: Boys and Girls Country is a licensed residential home with a mission to break the cycle of poverty by providing a secure home environment for children in crisis with an emphasis on education, building healthy relationships, and setting goals.
Sample activities: remote volunteer activities include tutoring, cooking classes and teaching different skills.
Donations accepted: Food—canned goods, mashed potatoes, pasta, hamburger helper—as well as towels, washcloths and cleaning supplies are accepted. Donations can be dropped off on campus or purchased through the Amazon wish list at www.bit.ly/wishlistbgc.
18806 Roberts Road, Hockley. 281-351-4976. www.boysandgirlscountry.org
5. Cy-Fair ISD: The school district’s Volunteers in Public Schools program typically has opportunities for community members to mentor students in addition to serving at community events. Interested applicants should contact Dawn Tryon, the district’s director of community engagement.
Sample activities: tutoring, campus event staffing, campus grounds upkeep
10300 Jones Road, Houston. 281-894-3950. www.cfisd.net/volunteer
6. Cy-Hope: The nonprofit serves local children in need by providing food over weekends, homework help, mentors, counseling, recreation, music and sports initiatives, education, recreation and positive influences. Many volunteer and donation opportunities are available. Background checks are required for volunteers working directly with students, and orientations may be applicable depending on the program.
Sample activities: assisting with activities at after school Hope Centers, bagging food and/or delivering food to schools for the Backpack Feeding Program, supporting Dierker’s Champs Baseball League as a coach or umpire, working a weekly shift at the Hope Chest Resale Market, working with students as mentor in Ambassadors of Compassion, serving at special events throughout the year, serving on the maintenance team
Donations accepted: Snack bags, paper towels, Clorox wipes, and AA and AAA batteries are accepted. More information can be found at www.cy-hope.org/donate. Donations can be dropped off at Cy-Hope.
12715 Telge Road, Cypress. 713-466-4673. www.cy-hope.org
7. YMCA of Greater Houston: Two YMCAs serve Cy-Fair through programs and social services designed to help individuals and families learn, grow and thrive.
Sample activities: coaching youth sports teams, assisting with adaptive programs for youth and adults with disabilities, serving at community events, fundraising, mentoring youth and serving on the board of advisors
Donations accepted: There are no running donation drives, but YMCA hosts holiday drives which can be found on its website.
D. Bradley McWilliams YMCA, 19915 Hwy. 249, Houston. 281-469-1481. www.ymcahouston.org/locations/d-bradley-mcwilliams-ymca-cypress-creek
Langham Creek Family YMCA, 16725 Longenbaugh Drive, Houston. 281-859-6143. www.ymcahouston.org/locations/langham-creek-family-ymca
HELP THOSE IN CRISIS
8. Cy-Fair Helping Hands: The volunteer-driven nonprofit organization serves homeless adults, families and students, as well as individuals, senior citizens, and families experiencing food instability within the boundaries of Cy-Fair ISD.
Sample activities: work in the day center for the homeless; provide or sponsor hot meals for the homeless day center; deliver bags of food to those living on the streets; commit to serving one day a week at the community food pantry; volunteer to sub as needed; collect and deliver weekly donations from grocery stores; serve as a Spanish or Vietnamese translator; assist with special events and fundraising
Donations accepted: Nonperishable food items are accepted for the Homeless Initiatives and Community Outreach Food Pantry programs. Visit www.facebook.com/cyfairhelpinghands for food, clothing, household items and other needs. Community Outreach accepts donations on Mondays, Thursdays and the first and third Saturdays of each month from 9 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at 7520 Cherry Park Drive, Ste. B, Houston. Homeless Initiatives accepts donations on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m.-noon at 9616 Telge Road, Houston.
7520 Cherry Park Drive, Ste. B, Houston. 281-858-1222. www.cyfairhelpinghands.org
9. Cypress Assistance Ministries: The organization is dedicated to assisting individuals and families in financial crisis.
Sample activities: help in the food pantry, assistance office, resale shop, donation center and community outreach programs; serve as a food pick-up driver, job counselor or GED or ESL instructor
Donations accepted: Nonperishable foods such as noodles, rice, canned goods and toiletries are accepted and can be dropped off at CAM. More items can be found online.
12930 Cypress N. Houston Road, Cypress. 281-955-7684. www.cypressassistance.org
10. Shield Bearer: The nonprofit offers professional counseling for individuals, couples, families and children as well as prevention services through parenting workshops, school services and faith-based programs.
Sample activities: help transfer donation items and supplies between offices, coordinate events and help in the offices with mailouts, data entry and data organization, among other tasks
Donations accepted: Shield Bearer is relocating toward the end of 2021 and is accepting sofas, tables and chairs for the new facility.
12340 Jones Road, Ste. 290, Houston. 281-894-7222. www.shieldbearer.org
11. Sleep in Heavenly Peace Houston: The nonprofit builds bunk beds for children and families in need, operating on a principle that a bed is a basic need for physical, emotional, and mental support. Since 2018 the Houston NW chapter has built over 1,700 beds.
Sample activities: building and delivering beds, usually on Saturdays
Donations accepted: Financial donations can be made at www.shpbeds.org/make-donation. SHP also accepts twin-sized “bed-in-a-bag” donations.
3219 Chapel Bend Drive, Houston. 844-432-2337 ex. 5721. www.shpbeds.org/chapter/tx-houston-nw
