Shield-Bearer

Volunteers within the Shield-Bearer organization have worked since 2006 to help others struggling with divorce or marital issues.

"We help families work through dysfunction, restore damaged and broken relationships in marriages and families and help people find peace and become 'unstuck' in their personal lives," said Roy Wooten, executive director.

The organization offers professional counseling at three locations in Cy-Fair, Tomball and Hempstead. Additionally, there are marriage, premarital and couples weekends, retreats and seminars.

Anyone from the community may volunteer at Shield-Bearers to serve as a greeter, ambassador, writer, coordinator or licensed counselor.

"Since Shield-Bearer is still a young organization, almost any skills can be helpful in mission-focused activities," Wooten said.

12345 Jones Road, Ste. 285, Houston, 281-894-7222, www.fightingforhearts.org

This guide is not a comprehensive list of all area organizations that need volunteers. If your organization is not included, please email us at [email protected] and we will add it to our online list.

Bethesda Lutheran Communities helps individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Volunteers may choose from helping with office work, writing letters, conducting Bible classes or assisting at church. 18937 K-Z Road, Cypress, 281-516-4000, www.blhs.org

Boys and Girls Country serves about 90 children who live on campus with houseparents and attend public school and outside activities. Volunteers are needed for summer programs, tutoring, recreation activities, special events and administrative duties. 18806 Roberts Road, Hockley, 281-351-4976, www.boysandgirlscountry.org

CareNet Pregnancy Center of Northwest Houston has provided more than 17,000 individuals with counseling, help or information to women facing unplanned pregnancies or past abortions in the last 20 years. Volunteers are needed to transport donated items, meet with pregnant women and teach group classes to clients. 14530 Wunderlich Drive, Ste. 150, Houston, 281-444-8554, www.houstonpregnancy.com

Cy-Fair Helping Hands provides care packages filled with food, hygiene products and other items to homeless families and individuals. Organizations or church groups may contact the nonprofit for service projects, while anyone else may contribute monetary donations, clothing, blankets or tents. P.O Box 41298, Houston, 832-544-2300, www.cyfairhelpinghands.com

Several volunteer opportunities can be found within the Cy-Fair ISD Volunteers in Public Schools department. Parents and community members may volunteer in more than one area, such as career day programs, fundraisers, tutoring or science labs. 281-894-3950, www.cfisd.net

Cy-Fair Sports Association is looking for volunteers to help with field maintenance and upkeep, registration, uniform and equipment handout and event crowd control, among other opportunities. 11111 Huffmeister Road, Cypress, 281-970-8080,www.cy-fairsports.com

Local residents may submit an application to become a firefighter for any of the 12 Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Department stations that serve the unincorporated area. All volunteers are required to participate in a 90-hour cadet program. 9630 Telge Road, Cypress, 281-550-6663, www.cyfairvfd.com

C-Hope seeks volunteers at its two Hope Centers, Longhorn Mobile Home Park, 11007 Shorthorn Circle Houston and Trails of Windfern Apartment Complex, 13035 Windfern Road

The centers offer kids a safe after-school environment with homework help, crafts, snacks, etc. The nonproft staffs the Hope Centers with volunteers that assist with homework help after school..

Also, through Cy-Hopes partnership with the Houston Food Bank, it delivers backpacks of food for its weekend backpack program to 25 CFISD schools. The nonprofit needs help delivering food bags to the schools. For more info, call 713-466-HOPE (4673) or visit [email protected] .

Cypress Assistance Ministries is a faith-based organization that responds to the needs of homeless individuals, senior citizens and the unemployed. Volunteers are needed to process community donations, stock the food pantry, support the main office or work in the resale shop. 11202 Huffmeister Road, Cypress, 281-955-7684, www.cypressassistanceministries.com

A nonprofit organization, Cypress Cares compiles care packages for U.S. troops. Volunteers may attend box packing events throughout the year, donate personal, practical or food items or money to cover shipping costs. www.cypress-cares.org

Cypress-Fairbanks Medical Center gives volunteers of all ages the opportunity to help with escorting patients, clerical duties and to assist families and patients. Individuals under the age of 25 may participate in the summer volunteer program. 10655 Steepletop Drive, Houston, 281-897-3186, www.cyfairhospital.com

Family to Family Network provides help to families that have children with disabilities by providing information, training, referrals and support through several programs and parent resources. Volunteers are needed to participate in community and fundraiser events. 13150 FM 529, Ste. 106, Houston, 713-466-6304, www.familytofamilynetwork.org

Grace Care Center of Cypress provides nursing and post-hospital care to individuals needing rehabilitation or short-term recovery. Interested volunteers may help with holiday events and other leisure activities. 9602 Huffmeister Road, Cypress, 281-463-9001, www.gracecarecypress.com

Volunteers at Habitat for Humanity Northwest Harris County work every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday to construct new homes around the community. Other volunteer opportunities within the organization include deconstruction, office work, helping at the ReStore or serving on a committee. 13572 Hwy. 249, Houston, 281-820-2307, www.habitatnwhc.org

Through 26 branches, Harris County Public Library system provides books, DVDs, Internet access and more to the community. Volunteer opportunities vary by location, but individuals may help shelve books, assist with crafts or work on special projects. 9191 Barker Cypress Road, Cypress, 281-290-3210, www.hcpl.net

Methodist Willowbrook Hospital is looking for volunteers to help in several departments. Individuals may pick up an application at the Human Resources Department in the hospital's South Pavilion. 18220 Hwy. 249, Houston, 281-477-1035,www.methodisthealth.com

Mission Cy-Fair works with various groups to mobilize the community and initiate new programs. The faith-based organization is looking for volunteers to help with administrative duties, after-school programs, ESL, Bible clubs and community events in Cy-Fair. www.missioncyfair.org

Children and adults with special needs receive equine therapy at Morning Glory Ranch. Volunteers are needed to help with riding lessons. 31514 Charter Lane, Waller, 281-235-4775, www.morninggloryranch.org

Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary is a five-acre shelter whose owners care for dogs, cats, birds, horses and other various animals. Volunteers are welcome seven days a week for washing dogs, playing with the animals or helping out with landscaping or cleaning. 18430 K-Z Road, Cypress, 281-807-7387, www.noahsarksanctuary.org

Nonprofit Volunteer Houston has served the metro area for more than 35 years by helping the homeless, assisting with disaster relief and participating in community events. Families, businesses and educators may participate in a wide variety of volunteer opportunities. 3015 Richmond Ave., Ste. 100, Houston, 713-965-0031, www.volunteerhouston.org

North Cypress Medical Center allows volunteers 18 and older to assist with radiology, staff education, the front and information desks, the book cart and other areas. College or high school students may participate in summer or junior volunteer programs. 21214 Hwy. 290, Cypress, 832-912-3842, www.ncmc-hospital.com

Gently used furniture, clothing and household goods may be donated to the Northwest Assistance Ministries Treasures of the Heart community store in Cy-Fair. Volunteers may help with sales floor cleaning and straightening items for sale. 10505 Jones Road, Houston, 281-897-8952, www.namonline.org

Reach Unlimited Learning Activity Center helps individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through programs such as supported employment, community service and recreation. The organization is looking for volunteers to help in classrooms, around the office or during special events. 11832 Mueller Cemetery Road, Cypress, 281-213-8132, www.reachunlimited.org