1. Boys and Girls Country
The licensed residential home for children ages 5-18 and young adults ages 18-25 was designed for kids from families in crisis. Children receive spiritual guidance, education, counseling and other life-enrichment programs in a safe and nurturing environment.
- Sample activities: service projects (cleaning, gardening, organizing); professional services (haircuts, music lessons, workshops); host a drive (clothing, food, household goods); long-term (tutoring, mentoring)
- Donations accepted: clothing, groceries, household goods
- 18806 Roberts Road, Hockley
- www.boysandgirlscountry.org
The local nonprofit’s mission is to make life better for kids in Cy-Fair. Programs range from the Backpack Buddy program—which provides bags of food to students facing food insecurity over the weekends—to counseling services and scholarship programs.
- Sample activities: assembling and delivering food bags to local schools, assisting with weekly activities and special events at Hope Centers, serving as an umpire or coach for the Dierker’s Champs baseball program, serving weekly as a mentor at local schools, working weekly shifts at the Hope Chest Resale Market, helping with lawn and building maintenance on Cy-Hope properties
- Donations accepted: individually packaged snacks, AA and AAA batteries, cleaning supplies
- 12715 Telge Road, Cypress (primary location); 12015 Barker Cypress Road, Cypress (resale shop)
- www.cy-hope.org
This organization brings hope to the homeless and hungry by providing fresh and nonperishable foods through the food pantry; a Day Center where homeless people can shower, do laundry, have a hot meal and enjoy fellowship; Street Outreach programs serving the homeless weekly; emergency shelter for qualifying families with children; scholarships through Lone Star College; programs in CFISD; and seasonal programs.
- Sample activities: work in the food pantry, assist the homeless in the Day Center, go on Street Outreach, serve as case workers for homeless families, pick up food from grocers, perform administrative tasks, serve as drivers
- Donations accepted: food, monetary donations, backpacks and school supplies (back to school season), gift cards for turkeys (ahead of Thanksgiving), toys and gift cards for teens (ahead of Christmas)
- 9606 Kirkton Drive, Houston
- www.cyfairhelpinghands.org
The local school district’s volunteer program allows community members to mentor students and assist with campus and community events in the district. Interested applicants should contact Dawn Tryon, CFISD’s director of community engagement, at [email protected].
- Sample activities: mentoring; reading to classrooms; assisting in the library, field days, festivals and picture day; presenting animal demonstrations to elementary classes
- www.cfisd.net
The nonprofit community service organization is a group of women driven by a desire to create a positive impact in the community.
- Sample activities: serve at annual Shop 'til You Drop Marketplace fundraiser (second Saturday in September)
- Donations accepted: financial and tangible items designated by Service Projects Committee for collection each year
- www.cyfairwomensclub.org
The faith-based organization serves individuals and families in financial crisis, those on the brink of homelessness, the elderly, the unemployed and anyone that needs hope for a better future with resources, such as education, food, clothing, rent, utility and employment assistance available to individuals and families facing adversity. All volunteers are required to register with Volunteer Services Manager Roxanne Fuselier and attend a scheduled orientation.
- Sample activities: help receive and sort through donations at the donation center; stock, pack and distribute food in the food pantry; provide administrative support to the Client Services department; assist in the Angels’ Attic Resale Shop; help deliver groceries to senior and disabled neighbors
- Donations accepted: Angels’ Attic accepts new and gently used items, such as clothing, shoes, jewelry, handbags, toys, books, small appliances, home decor, furniture in good condition and more.
- 12930 Cypress N. Houston Road, Cypress
- www.cypressassistance.org
The nonprofit has about 40 volunteers who crochet, knit and quilt handmade items for organizations that assist the underserved and disadvantaged. Organizations include The Debakey Veteran’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, Cy-Hope,and Cy-Fair Assistance Ministries.
- Sample activities: designing and sewing quilts; crocheting and knitting hat and blankets; counting and tagging inventory
- Donations accepted: thread, cotton fabric, quilt batting, yarn, monetary donations
- www.hhloctx.org
8. Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital
The local hospital has an active volunteer service program for adults and a summer program for high school students. Volunteers must undergo a drug screen, a tuberculosis test, mandatory COVID-19 and flu vaccines, and safety training.
- Sample activities: patient interaction, assisting in various departments across campus, clerical support
- 18220 Hwy. 249, Houston
- www.houstonmethodist.org/giving/volunteer
The Cy-Fair chapter of the League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization dedicated to protecting voter rights and empowering voters. It does not support or oppose candidates or political parties. The public is welcome to attend events.
- Sample activities: registering eligible voters; educating voters on the voting process; serving as observers at public meetings of local elected bodies; planning programs for public meetings and community events; delivering election information and mail-in voter registration forms to local libraries, community centers, apartment offices and police/fire department offices
- Donations accepted: monetary donations used to support voter education programs in the Cy-Fair community, gift cards for students winning Democracy PSA or art contests
- www.lwvtexas.org/cy-fair
The year-round volunteer program is for adults over the age of 18 and is best suited for long-term volunteers who want to serve the hospital and its patients. Shifts are Monday-Friday from 5-9 a.m., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 1-5 p.m.
- Sample activities: wayfinding, discharges, deliveries, stocking, escorting patients and families, patient callbacks, making discharge packets and other duties
- 27800 Hwy. 290, Cypress
- [email protected]
The community food pantry supports individuals and families facing food insecurity. Additionally, the organization provides school supplies to six local elementary schools each year as well as yearly scholarships for graduating seniors.
- Sample activities: stocking the food pantry, putting food bags together for distribution, administrative tasks
- Donations accepted: canned meats; instant or scalloped potatoes; macaroni and cheese; spaghetti; rice and dried beans (1- or 2-pound bags preferred); canned spaghetti sauce and tomato sauce or paste; all types of soups; boxed cereals and oatmeal; breakfast or snack bars; peanut butter and grape or strawberry jelly; canned fruits and applesauce; canned vegetables and beans
- 16000 Rippling Water Drive, Houston
- www.mesa-outreach.org
The organization provides the most comprehensive programs and services to persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Cypress. Funded through a Medicaid waiver program, Reach Unlimited serves nearly 300 individuals annually.
- Sample activities: assisting with special events; interacting and providing an experience for members at the Learning Activity Center on campus; helping with enterprise program which includes gift shop, glass studio and greenhouse; administrative support
- Donations accepted: monetary, in-kind donations (food, school supplies, hygiene products)
- 11832 Mueller Cemetery Road, Cypress
- www.reachunlimited.org
This nonprofit removes the barriers to receiving crucial counseling services for all ages and all situations. The group makes sure everyone has someone to walk alongside them no matter what circumstance they are in by providing healing solutions, compassion and counseling.
- Sample activities: monthly community events, planning committees, care packages, outreach tables, prayer team
- Donations accepted: monthly donations, stock donations, legacy gifts, event sponsorships, gift cards, gifts-in-kind donations, PayPal, Venmo, all donations to help continue to deliver crucial services to those in distress
- 12337 Jones Road, Ste. 114, Houston
- www.shieldbearer.org
The organization builds and delivers beds, mattresses and bedding free to children ages 3-17 in North Houston who do not have a bed of their own. Children ages 7 and up can serve when accompanied by a parent. Community builds take place the second Saturday of most months.
- Sample activities: sawing, marking, sanding, staining, drilling and assembling headboards
- Donations accepted: bedding for twin beds can be dropped off at Northwoods Presbyterian Church; monetary donations can be made at www.shpbeds.org or mailed to P.O. Box 680862, Houston, 77268
- TheMET Church, 13000 Jones Road, Houston
- www.shpbeds.org/chapter/tx-houston-n
The organization is committed to creating a positive community that supports, encourages and navigates young families. The group teaches essential life skills, including financial literacy, parenting, job prep, meal planning/prep and more.
- Sample activities: babysitting during meetings from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday evenings, bring a meal for 12, help with community baby showers, mentoring
- Donations accepted: gently used baby clothes, strollers, car seats, wipes, diapers
- 18081 West Road, Houston
- www.twoliveschanged.org
Founded in 1886, the YMCA of Greater Houston is committed to the health of more than half a million people to grow and thrive through programs and services at over 21 locations across Greater Houston.
- Sample activities: coach youth sports teams; become a buddy for adaptive sports programs; motivate youth in building the skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors; participate in give-back opportunities; extend a hand to members who want to lead healthier lives; join committees at local YMCAs
- Donations accepted: monetary donations; welcome kits for Houston Welcomes Refugees (www.houstonwelcomesrefugees.com)
- Langham Creek Family YMCA, 16725 Longenbaugh Drive, Houston; D. Bradley McWilliams YMCA, 19915 Hwy. 249, Houston
- www.ymcahouston.org
