Volunteer Guide

he 200-plus volunteer members of the Assistance League of Montgomery County provide for children and seniors throughout Montgomery County through their nine philanthropic programs, such as providing clothing for needy school children and blankets for seniors. Members are required to provide a $50 annual membership fee, attend monthly chapter meetings and work once a month at the thrift shop.

Breast Cancer Charities of America holds four annual events, including a Chocolate and Wine Tasting, Stiletto Sprint, a spring golf tournament and fall gala. Money raised through the organization's events goes to its Help Now Fund, which assists those battling breast cancer with emergency financial services to help pay rent and utilities. Breast Cancer Charities of America is seeking volunteers for its four major events, as well as office assistance and creating and delivering packages to breast cancer patients.

Children's Safe Harbor helps children who have been victims of physical or sexual abuse in Montgomery and surrounding counties. Volunteers are needed for the Family Services Team, which works one-on-one with children and families at Safe Harbor, and for the Multi-disciplinary Support Team, which assists the professionals working each case.

The Montgomery County Food Bank distributes more than 6 million pounds of food annually to more than 37,000 low-income children, adults and seniors living in Montgomery County. The Food Bank is in need of volunteers ages 16 and older to inspect, sort and box food, help at special events, and donate talents and professional services, such as graphic design, printing or photography.

The Education for Tomorrow Alliance requires volunteers for several of its youth outreach programs, including the Future Focus Program, which engages junior high students through interactive workshops, and the Student Internship Program, which helps graduating seniors explore their career opportunities. The alliance also needs volunteers to judge various competitions at the annual SCI://TECH science fair, this year scheduled for Jan. 25–Feb. 9.

Montgomery County Youth Services provides crisis counseling, shelter programs andprevention services to Montgomery County youths with the goal of strengthening families and keeping them in school. MCYS provides individual and family crisis counseling, summer programs, pregnant and parenting teen support and alcohol and substance abuse education.

The Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital seeks volunteers for the information desk, golf cart drivers, gift shop workers, for the Family Birth and Breast and Bone centers and for recovery and endoscopy. Orientation and training is held monthly and volunteers must adhere to the uniform dress code policy and be willing to have patient contact. The hospital also offers a junior program for students.

CASA, or Court-Appointed Special Advocates, is Montgomery County's only court-appointed organization advocating for abused and neglected children. Advocates oversee and advocate for abused and neglected children, to make sure they are aided through legal and social services or do not languish in inappropriate group or foster homes. Advocates stay with each case until the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. CASA is seeking volunteers to become a child advocate, event planning and office assistance.

The Montgomery County Homeless Coalition identifies needs of the Montgomery County homeless population, coordinates grant proposals and advises the community on homeless issues. Hundreds of volunteers are needed in late January for the coalition's annual Point in Time Count, which gathers information on the homeless across the county. Volunteers require training.

Panther Creek Inspiration Ranch uses equine assisted therapy in helping individuals suffering from physical, mental and emotional challenges. PCI Ranch is seeking volunteers ages 15 years and older to work as sidewalkers, horse preparation, special projects at the organization's farm, administration and data entry, and assistance with special events and community projects.

The Montgomery County Search and Rescue requires volunteers to help find missing persons across the county. Volunteers must fill out an application, attend three consecutive monthly meetings, take the ICS 10 Course at fema.gov, pass a background check, be voted in by membership and report to the Sheriff's Office for a picture identification.

Children's Books on Wheels provides books for underdeveloped rural communities, which includes more than 300 children in Montgomery and Walker Counties. The organization also provides high school job workshops and summer outreach programs. Volunteers are needed for school tutoring, book distribution, tax preparation assistance and book reading at storytime events.

The Montgomery County Women's Center needs volunteers year round to help in the administrative offices in Conroe and The Woodlands, work in the Something Special retail shop in the Portofino Shopping Center, provide child care so women can attend counseling, provide shelter assistance, work the hotline, and provide personal or legal accompaniment. Volunteers must fill out an application online and training is required for anyone working with clients or their children.

Montgomery County Habitat for Humanity brings together volunteers and community organizations to build and renovate simple, affordable homes for families in need. To date, Montgomery County Habitat for Humanity has built 75 homes in the county. Volunteers are needed for family selection committees, family support groups, church relations, development and events.

Montgomery County United Way needs volunteers for a variety of programs and events. More than 235 people volunteer on an ongoing basis to help make decisions about program funding, strategic planning, volunteer events and campaign fundraising. Volunteers are also needed for MCUW's Day of Caring events in which volunteers work on community service projects and to read for the organization's Success By 6 early childhood education program. Bilingual volunteers are needed to assist with the Hispanic Outreach Program.

  • 1600 Lake Front Circle, Ste. 248
  • 281-292-4155
  • www.mcuw.org

Interfaith of The Woodlands provides a variety of assistance services to residents of The Woodlands area, including counseling services, family services, food donations, bill pay assistance, job locator services and senior services. Volunteers are needed for food drives, food pantry assistance, re-sale story, school supply program, grocery delivery, transportation programs and Interfaith special events.

The Woodlands Children's Museum educates and entertains children through the use of crafts, exhibits and events. Volunteers are needed for several museum activities, including festivals, exhibits, floor management and art project readiness.

Keep Montgomery County Beautiful works to enhance the community environment of Montgomery County through waste reduction and recycling programs, litter prevention, beautification and improvement projects, and environmental education. Volunteers are need for the organization's Growing Green Plant Sale, art contest, manning booths at events and festivals, and serving on the board of directors.

The Tamina Community Center provides children, parents and families of the Tamina Community with access to educational resources, tutoring and support for children, adult computer classes, and activities and assistance for seniors. Volunteers are needed for after-school tutoring programs, service work around the Community Center, and work at the center's food pantry and clothing store.

The Woodlands Waterway Arts Council delivers the annual Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival each spring. The two-day event features the work of 200 artists, as well as performance artists and local child artists and requires nearly 600 volunteers every year.

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.