Agencies indicated by a star have been thoroughly audited for both efficiency and outcomes by one of the following large grantors: Austin Community Foundation, City of Austin Cultural Arts Division, Glimmer of Hope Foundation, Impact Austin, Junior League of Austin and/or United Way Capital Area within the last two years.
A+ Education Foundation is devoted to providing grants for educators in the ten Central Texas counties in the field of membership of A+ Federal Credit Union. The grant program begins in February each year with a postmark deadline in May. Check out aplusfcu.org/grants for more information.
Some find it shocking that in a city like Austin, nearly half of our kindergartners lack a strong foundation in the language and literacy experiences that are critical for success in learning to read. ACE provides low income schools with highly trained tutors to ensure that children advance to grade level in reading before third grade.
Since 1994, ACE: A Community for Education has provided over one million hours of service to Austin families, teaching children how to read in Austin public schools.
ACE is a program of the Charles A. Dana Center, an organized research unit of the College of Natural Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin, but does not receive operating funds from UT. ACE is supported by donations from people like you and grants from foundations, corporations, and government entities.
ACTIVE Life’s mission is to make healthy the norm by generating a persistent demand for healthy living among all sectors of society. We envision and are committed to creating an American culture which values, demands and supports healthy for all. To accomplish this goal, we are organizing the movement for healthy change by enlisting and equipping people and places to build and sustain healthy communities.
Adoption Coalition of Texas is a public/private collaboration of nonprofit child placing agencies and Child Protective Services, all working together to find forever families for abused and neglected children in the foster care system waiting for adoption. These are older children and sibling groups, often referred to as forgotten children.
ColorCancer, a program of Affect Change, Inc., utilizes a variety of 20 colored shirts and other items to signify that "Every Cancer Has a Color. Every Color has a Story". We hold inspirational, uplifting events, often with cancer-related partners, as well as with schools, business organizations and other groups. In addition, we reach out to cancer patients in hospitals and clinics, offering activities to help make their stays a bit easier. We hope to show awareness and respect and that "we are all in this fight together." The bright colors illustrate that there are people fighting a variety of kinds of cancers, each signified by a color. Each person has their own story to tell. All the stories are different. However, no one needs to feel alone in this fight.The ColorCancer website invites visitors to share their stories and to read those of others.
AGE of Central Texas is a regional organization that provides education and support to people all along the spectrum of growing older, no matter where they are on that journey. AGE serves older adults and caregivers through its primary interrelated programs: adult day health care, caregiver education and resources, early memory loss support, health equipment lending, and peer-based computer classes for seniors.
AIDS Services of Austin responds to the HIV needs of the Austin area by providing services that enhance the health and well being of individuals and the community in the face of an evolving epidemic. ASA is a leading provider of prevention and social services for those affected by HIV/AIDS.
The mission of All Blind Children of Texas is to be a resource for the optimal physical, mental, emotional, and social development of all blind children of Texas. ABCTX encourages Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVI’s) to create opportunities for their students so that they may experience events and activities that will deepen their knowledge of the world. These programs follow the Expanded Core Curriculum of skills that provide hands-on instruction in specific areas for visually impaired children. ABCTX has funded social and recreational activities, fine arts programs, summer enrichment and camps, cooking and travel programs, parent support and a wide variety of sports activities. ABCTX has awarded nine college scholarships to visually impaired graduating high school seniors. 90% of donated funds support the vision of ABCTX that all blind children in Texas will have a quality life, rich with opportunities that will maximize their potential.
The Alzheimer's Association-Capital of Texas Chapter provides family support, community education, public awareness and supports research for the prevention, cure and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.
Visit our website, www.alz.org/texascapital for more information about our programs and our annual Walk to End Alzheimer's, resource referrals, and to view our calendar of events.
The Amala Foundation inspires the diverse youth of the world to live in unity, serve compassionately and lead peacefully.
All of our youth programs provide a space for healing and empowerment. Many of the youth we serve, including refugee and immigrant children, have experienced extreme poverty, abuse, child labor, gang violence, and neglect; some have witnessed the atrocities of war and have literally run for their lives. We provide a safe space for these youth to heal, express themselves, share their stories and connect with a loving and supportive community. Through our programs, we inspire the youth to rise up leaders in their homes, schools and communities.
The AFSP Central Texas Chapter welcomes you to join us in our efforts to increase knowledge and reduce the stigma of suicide. Our efforts include education, fundraising, promoting awareness, providing outreach to survivors, developing resources for researchers and above all creating a sense of community throughout Central Texas as we work together toward a common goal to end suicide. We are dedicated to raising funds for suicide prevention research and educational programs, erasing the stigma surrounding suicide and its causes, and encouraging those who are suffering from mental illness to seek treatment.
The American Lung Association of the Plains-Gulf Region is dedicated to the prevention, control and cure of lung disease, the third leading cause of death in the United States. We work to prevent, control and cure lung diseases such as asthma, lung cancer, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, influenza and pneumonia, and we fight for tobacco control and clean air through education, research and advocacy. Founded in 1904 to fight tuberculosis, the American Lung Association today fights lung disease in all its forms, with special emphasis on asthma, tobacco control and environmental health. The American Lung Association of the Plains-Gulf Region was created by the merger of the associations in Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, MIssissippi, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas.
The American Red Cross of Central Texas is a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement to provide relief to disaster victims and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
Since 2001, over 6,500 U.S. service members have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan (not including our heroes who lost their lives in non-combat ways). Around half of these service members were married, leaving an estimated 3,200 military widows across our country, from the wars alone. While the service member’s sacrifice is acknowledged, many simply forget or fail to recognize the sacrifice of the spouse who is now left a military widow. Oftentimes the invisible wounds of military widows are disregarded due to age or a simple lack of knowledge and understanding.
The American Widow Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to the new generation of those who have lost the heroes of yesterday, today and tomorrow, with an emphasis on healing through sharing stories, tears and laughter. Military Widow to Military Widow. An interactive website,resources,documentary,and monthly retreats are all available free of charge to any military widow.
The museum provides rich environments for a wide range of audiences to investigate and experience excellence in modern and contemporary art. The museum accomplishes this through innovative exhibitions, education, interpretative programs and direct access to the creative process.
Animal Trustees of Austin serves the animals of our community by providing affordable, humane treatment, with compassion and respect for all.
We are committed to ending overpopulation by making spay/neuter surgery for dogs and cats affordable and accessible to the general public, and wellness care an option for all pet owners regardless of income.
Anthropos Arts promotes equal opportunity in music education by bringing top professional musicians into low-income, Title I schools to offer free music lessons, workshops, and performance opportunities to at risk middle and high school students.
At Any Baby Can, we believe that every child deserves a strong family. We serve 7,000 clients a year, and we don’t just work hard, we work smart, with only 10% administrative costs. Most of our work is provided through home visitation, and we also offer community classes and support groups. When you donate to Any Baby Can, you’re giving a family the best gift of all: hope.
The Arthritis Foundation is the largest nonprofit funder of research, public health programs, and advocacy on behalf of the 50 million Americans with arthritis. Along with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis (JA) is a core concern. JA affects 300,000 children causing significant pain, swelling, fevers, and fatigue and bone erosion. Some types damage eyes and internal organs and change growth patterns. Every major advance in arthritis has been funded at some point by the Foundation. We believe the heavy burden of arthritis – the excessive pain, disability, cost, and impact on children and adults and their families – must be taken seriously. The mission of the Arthritis Foundation is to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control, and cure of arthritis. Our efforts center on research, public policy, public health and services to help people stay active and be healthy.
Our mission is to provide quality art, music and fitness programs to children at childcare centers in high poverty areas. Our long-term goal is to enhance curricula in east Austin childcare centers and the professionalism of childcare center employees. We provide 30 weeks of instruction so when we leave the childcare employee has the lessons and supplies to carry on the curricula. AFPYC partners with Austin Community College to provide continuing education units to the childcare employees who participate in our program. This service is provided at no cost to participating childcare centers. In return the childcare centers will demonstrate their commitment to arts and fitness insruction by planning follow-up lessons between visits by AFPYC instructors.
Ascend Center for Learning strengthens the community by providing a supportive and encouraging educational environment for personal and professional growth. We serve motivated adults in the Central Texas community who require economic, academic and personal assistance. We offer GED Preparation, adult basic education, computer literacy and job readiness training as well as counseling and professional partnerships.
To provide a place where Austin's Asian American community can proudly express their cultural backgrounds and house their economic and educational interests, while reinforcing the City's reputation for ethnic diversity.
Assistance League of Austin is a non-profit organization of dedicated volunteers providing direct services addressing specific basic needs of children and adults in schools, hospitals and senior facilities in Greater Austin, significantly improving the quality of their lives. Our THRIFTHOUSE, located at 4901 Burnet Rd, raises funds supporting our six philanthropic programs.
The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) represents 30,000 members in 195 chapters in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, working to advance philanthropy through advocacy, research, education, and certification programs. The mission of the Greater Austin Chapter of AFP is to facilitate ethical and effective philanthropy in Central Texas.
One out of eight women will have to fight breast cancer in her lifetime. That’s why, since 1999, Komen Austin has been hard at work here in the Austin area raising money to provide breast cancer screening, education and medical services as well as financial and emotional support. In fact, 75 percent of the money we raise each year is put to work right here in Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, Williamson counties to improve the lives of those affected by this deadly disease. The remaining funds go to national research to find a cure for breast cancer once and for all. Locally run awareness programs include: Women in Strides an African American outreach group; Speaker's Bureau a group of trained advocates who provide free Spanish and English presentations; and the Young Professionals for the Cure, individuals 21 to 40 who support the organization through innovative events.
We, at the Austin Blues Society, seek to represent the Past, Present, and Future of Blues music through Education in Commemoration and Preservation of, the rich musical history which is so prominent here in Austin and throughout Texas. We honor the many Blues legends that have graced our stages and support and promote ALL of our local Blues artists, both veterans and new arrivals. We serve our community as "Ambassadors of the Blues" and strive to share our love for the culture through Community Events & Festivals, Hosted Jams & Concert Programming, "Blues in the Schools" programming, Cultural Enrichment, and through the support of other organizations with the same or similar mission. The Austin Blues Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to creating higher awareness and a greater appreciation of this historic art form. Keeping Blues LIVE in Austin!
Austin Can Academy is a dropout recovery charter school for high school students who are seeking a non-traditional opportunity to earn a high school diploma as the first step to a fulfilling a productive life.
Our mission is to provide the highest quality education for all students, especially for those who have struggled in a traditional high school setting, in order to ensure their economic independence.
Our Services include:
• Flexible AM/PM classes, small student, teacher, and counselor ratio.
• Ready To Work provides post-secondary options by assisting students with financial aid and college applications. Students also attend workshops for practical money skills, professional etiquette, interview preparation, resume and cover letter development, job-shadowing, excursions, college tours, and on-site seminars & fairs.
• One-on-one and group tutoring helps to improve poor TAKS test scores, poor student attendance, high drop- out rates and a low graduation rates.
• Classroom Learning Assistants help to create a co-teaching environment.
• Student activities and clubs.
Austin Child Guidance Center offers mental health treatment for children through early intervention, diagnosis and treatment. Our team of psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists provides: individual, group and family therapy; psychiatric and psychological examinations. Issues treated include: AD&HD; Conduct Disorder; school phobia/truancy; depression; Pervasive Developmental Disorder; suicidal ideation; juvenile crime; and, risk-taking behaviors.
The Austin Children’s Shelter protects and heals children, young adults and families in need. Since 1984, the Shelter has provided emergency shelter and high quality care for abused and neglected children. ACS now provides a variety of critical services and programs to lay a foundation of hope for the future of children, teens and young adults in need of a safe haven, as well as services for families.
Austin Classical Guitar Society (ACGS) has transformed our school-based music education, having built guitar classes in over 30 local middle and high schools, the Travis County Juvenile Justice System, and the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. ACGS has served thousands of diverse young Central Texans. The unique ACGS curriculum developed to support Austin schools is in use by over 400 educators internationally. In additional to education, ACGS has six complete concert series, and various community engagement programs. A student recently wrote: “ACGS’ Education Program has given me an outlet to release stress from the day and life in general. It has made me a better person and allowed me to appreciate music so much more.”
Austin Clubhouse believes that recovery from mental illness is possible. We are a community that offers hope, respect, and opportunities for personal development.
Austin Clubhouse helps give people living with a mental illness the chance to regain what they have many times lost – employment, education, companionship, health, ties to their community, and self-respect. It is both a program and a place – one where people can go to find fellowship, support, and a sense of purpose.
Through meaningful work and meaningful relationships, mental illness need not be an obstacle to fulfilling one's dreams. We are committed to helping people stay out of hospitals, achieve their personal goals and contribute to the communities they live in.
The Austin Community College Foundation was established in 1991 to expand higher education and training throughout the Austin Community College District. Its mission is to raise funds to ensure student success and develop community support for the college.
The Austin Community Foundation promotes philanthropy in Central Texas to improve the quality of life now and in the future.
Austin Community Steelband’s mission is to expose Austinites of all ages, incomes, and cultural backgrounds to the joys of the musical instrument Steelpan, emphasizing low-income, underserved youth who lack opportunities. Through Steelband we promote cultural tolerance and help prepare low-income youth with skills necessary for their socioeconomic development. Our professional instruction stresses excellence, self-expression, and cultural relevance, while promoting steelpan’s cultural origins from Trinidad. Through performances for diverse community audiences, we demonstrate steelpan’s unlimited musical possibilities and invite audiences to share in the magic of this inspiring instrument.
We partner with youth-serving organizations, leveraging resources to serve at least 90 students in classes yearly, and over 500 through workshops, demonstrations, and performances. Partners have included AISD’s 21st Century, Boys & Girls Clubs, City of Austin Parks & Recreation Dept., Austin Children’s Shelter, Citizen Schools, daycares, and churches. We perform for community festivals, events, and parties.
The Austin Cycling Association (ACA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that serves as Austin’s premier cycling organization. The group has been in existence for 24 years. The ACA is dedicated to furthering bicycle access, safety and education, and cycling enjoyment in Central Texas.
ACA sponsors bike rides, bicycle training and cycling skills classes, defensive cycling classes, informational programs related to cycling and an annual charity bike ride, the Armadillo Hill Country Classic (AHCC). The AHCC benefits bicycle safety education and free helmets for children.
Membership is open to adults and families, and includes a one-year subscription to Southwest Cycling News, access to online ride maps featuring great area ride routes and free classified ads.
Austin Dog Alliance improves the health and well being of individuals and families through programs incorporating the powerful connection between dogs and humans.
To achieve our mission we
* Promote the valuable role of pet therapy in our community
* Implement animal assisted programs in nursing homes, hospitals and rehabilitation centers
* Enhance student reading skills by utilizing Bow Wow Reading Dog pet therapy teams at schools and libraries
* Provide a variety of fun and educational programs designed to build self-esteem and teach children to love and respect dogs
* Provide programs for children and their families who are affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder and other special learning needs
* Provide professional and positive dog training classes
* Carefully place rescued dogs into forever homes
Through faith in action, Austin Habitat for Humanity builds homes in partnership with families and engages our community to end the cycle of poverty housing. Austin Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1985 – 27 years ago – as an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. Our entire mission and vision are anchored around our dedication to ending the cycle of poverty housing and the deeply held belief that everyone deserves a decent, affordable place to live. Together with the great people of Austin, we build homes, communities and hope.
The Austin Humane Society (AHS) offers comprehensive, humane, life-saving animal services, transforming the lives of animals and those who love them. Because we believe homeless animals deserve a chance to thrive in a loving environment, we offer innovative, nationally recognized programs that save the lives of thousands of dogs and cats each year. AHS’ approach to addressing animal homelessness encompasses both finding animals homes through adoption as well as preventing future homelessness through spay/neuter programs.
The Austin Bulldog is a nonprofit independent online news site for investigative reporting in the public interest.
The Austin Bulldog is dedicated to hard-nosed journalism covering topics that matter. Our primary focus is almost entirely on what’s happening in our hometown, the city of Austin, Texas. We will investigate matters involving government, media, politics, and anything else warranting close scrutiny that’s within our resources. We will strive to be an important source of news on the topics we cover.
The Austin Bulldog is nonprofit, nonpartisan and non-advocacy. We will question authority. We will go where the facts lead us and report accordingly.
We set high standards for our reporting. It must be accurate. It must be factual. It must be fair. We adhere to the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics.
We seek to advance the cause of democracy, freedom of information and open government.
The mission of ALMA (meaning “soul” in English) is to increase knowledge and awareness in the community about local musicians and important historical figures in Austin’s Latino music scene, provide exposure and resources to local musicians, and to foster the development of young musicians who will keep Latino musical styles and traditions alive in the Capitol City. ALMA's signature programs are Sonidos del (Sound of the) Barrio, Women in Latin Music and Santana-rama. ALMA has produced several CDs highlighting local Latino music/artists.
Austin Music Foundation fuels Austin's creative economy by empowering musicians through innovative career-development and music-business education programs. AMF provides programs to help local artists navigate opportunities in the music industry and services to unite the local music community.
Austin Partners in Education (APIE) provides 3,500 Austin ISD students with personalized support by recruiting, training and placing a critical mass of more than 850 volunteer Classroom Coaches and 800 mentors into Austin ISD campuses weekly. APIE fosters effective community and school partnerships that prepare students for college and careers.
Our mission at the Austin Pregnancy Resource Center (APRC) is to save lives in the name of Jesus Christ. We have positive solutions concerning unexpected pregnancies and share God's grace with those in need. We educate on abstinence/sexuality and offer compassionate care to each of our clients.
The mission of the Austin Public Library Foundation is to support and strengthen Austin's libraries.
The Austin Shakespeare Festival presents professional theatre of the highest quality with an emphasis on the plays of William Shakespeare, bringing to the public performances and eduation programs to youth that are fresh, bold, imaginative, thought-provoking, and eminently accessible, connecting the truths of the past with the challenges and possibilities of today.
Founded on the belief that all life should be valued and treated with dignity and respect, Austin Siamese Rescue, Inc. has a long-term commitment to responsible rescue, rehabilitation and the re-homing of Siamese cats and their non-Siamese companions in the Central Texas area.
All of the cats fostered in Austin are cared for in private homes by individuals who dedicate their spare time to this effort.
Our cats come from a variety of backgrounds. Some faced death at the shelter, while others came from abusive and neglectful households. Still others were treasured companions of guardians who could no longer care for them. What they all have in common is a need for a forever home, where they can live their lives as the happy, pampered cats they all deserve to be. We're looking for the perfect inside home for them!
Austin Smiles provides reconstructive plastic surgery, primarily cleft lip and palate, to children and adults in Austin and Latin America. It supports the local cleft team at Dell Children’s Medical Center by providing the following: 1.) patient’s assistance fund, 2.) Camp Amigo, an overnight weekend camp for all patients to attend, 3.) all programming services for the patients and families, 4.) all incentive packages for the patients, and 5.) continuing education for the medical staff. In addition, Austin Smiles collaborates with The University of Texas at Austin in endowing a scholarship for bilingual graduate Speech Language therapy students to accompany teams on medical missions and work with the families and patients. Finally, Austin Smiles performs two to three medical surgical trips annually to Latin America to repair cleft children. On average, Austin Smiles will transform 60 children’s lives in four days of surgery.
Austin Speech Labs mission is to improve quality of life for underserved and uninsured stroke survivors by reengaging them in their social and professional lives. We provide intensive speech, language and cognitive therapy for young and older adult stroke survivors. Our services are offered as boot camp sessions, eight week long. Each client attends three days of the week for three hours. We also offer enrichment programs like book clubs, debate and discussion groups to enhance their communication skills.
The Austin State Hospital (ASH) Volunteer Services Council (VSC) was established in 1952 to support volunteer and donation programs at Austin State Hospital. Since its inception, the ASH VSC has worked to enrich the lives of patients receiving treatment for severe mental illness at ASH. As state funding priorities shift and fewer dollars become available, the VSC will continue to work to maintain support for important programs and services. Please visit our website for a list of what the VSC funds. www.ashvolunteer.org
The mission of the Austin Symphony Orchestra Society, Inc. is to enhance the cultural quality of life for the adults and young people of Austin and Central Texas by providing excellence in music performance and educational programming.
The mission of the Paramount and State Theatres is to enhance the quality of life for area residents through presentation of the widest selection of the finest quality theatre and performing arts productions possible. We strive to promote artistic expression and appreciation among all segments of the Central Texas community.
The Austin Traditional Jazz Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which is dedicated to the performance and preservation of traditional (New Orleans style) jazz in Central Texas. The Society, which was founded in 1977 has provided a stage for many leading national and local traditional jazz musicians. It welcomes to its events and membership anyone who enjoys this fine American art form. The Society provides jazz educational programs for students at middle and high schools and local universities.
We provide children of Austin and surrounding areas with opportunities for personal development, skills necessary to succeed in school and life, and hope for a better future. We strive to eliminate the high school dropout rate and increase college participation. Our three programs, Summer camps, Sunrise Challenge and Leadership Programs, include scholarship opportunities.
Austin Youth River Watch is an after-school mentoring program for high school students, combining peer learning and empowerment with intensive environmental education.
Our students learn professional methods for collecting, analyzing, and publishing water-quality data from waterways in the Austin area. They report their data to local and statewide agencies.
Guided by an all-volunteer Board of community leaders, the mission of Austin Youth River Watch is to promote community-based environmental monitoring, awareness, and education while inspiring and advancing personal and scholastic achievement.
The Autism Society's mission is straightforward: "improve the lives of all affected by autism." In Central Texas, the Autism Society of Greater Austin strives to achieve this goal in several ways: --Advocating for the education and training of parents and professionals involved in the educating and caring for persons with autism; --Helping develop a better understanding of the challenges of persons with autism and their families by serving as a clearinghouse for information about autism; --Supporting families and professionals through monthly meetings, workshops, on-line vehicles, and printed material. We also sponsor events that are just for fun--come join us!
"Join us as we help improve the lives of those with autism, their families, and our community. Your contribution will make a real and lasting difference in the lives of individuals and families who face the challenges of autism."
Auxanomen Endocrinology Clinic provides endocrinology and diabetes specialty care for uninsured and under-insured Adults. We are the only specialty clinic in Austin that provides care to those who would otherwise not have access, without requiring eligibility screenings or documents that may be difficult to provide. We do not bill patients for services and ask they pay what they can at the time of each visit on the honor system, without a sliding scale. We are currently open one day each week. Volunteer medical care is provided by Dr. Susan Dubois, M.D. Board Certified Endocrinologist. Staff support includes one paid nurse, and volunteers. A partner organization provides on-site diabetes education and helps patients apply for free prescriptions from drug companies. We provide free glucose meters/test strips, and access to off-site discounted lab work, radiological, eye,and dental exams, as well as nutrition and exercise classes.
AVANCE serves low-income predominately Spanish speaking families with
enhancing parenting skills, promoting children’s long-term educational success, and breaking the
family’s trans-generational cycle of poverty. Our intensive 9-month Parent-Child Education Program
offers weekly classes, 4 hrs a day, to adults on parenting, educational toy-making, ESL and accessing
community resources. Their children, birth-3, are provided age-appropriate learning with a focus on
play, pre-literacy, and school readiness. Food, transportation, and home visits are also key. This
holistic approach works! In recent years, AVANCE’s program has gained national recognition for its
success and innovation. Success is due largely to our bilingual, culturally competent staff whose
dedication to the community are cornerstones of AVANCE. After almost 15 years of service, AVANCE-
Austin’s services are more important than ever, as we serve a growing population of families who are
largely disconnected from the web of resources and support programs offered locally.
Mission:
To inspire a movement that serves economically-disadvantaged youth in our communities by engaging them in new and unlikely pursuits that nurture their greater sense of self and impel them to explore, inquire, engage, and serve, themselves and others; in our communities and beyond.
Aware Awake Alive prevents loss of life to alcohol poisoning by educating teens, young adults and parents on the dangers and symptoms of alcohol overdose, generating awareness and dialogue around amnesty-based policy and legislation and creating an atmosphere of partnership in which young people, parents, educators and like-minded organizations share responsibility for supporting and educating one another.
Back on My Feet is a national non-profit organization that is dedicated to creating independence and self-sufficiency within the homeless and other under-served populations by first engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength, and self-esteem.Through dedication and hard work, Members earn the opportunity to create a new road for themselves by advancing to the “Next Steps” phase of the program where they gain access to educational, job training and employment opportunities, as well as financial aid. In short, BoMF focuses on changing the direction of people’s lives by changing the way they see themselves.
Mission statement: "Bringing Arts to the community and the community to the arts".
Focus on providing platforms for the development of dancers and choreographers, repertoire expansion and a reinvestment in the infrastructure of underserved communities through aggressive community programming, and public and private partnerships and a continual reassessment of the vision and focus.
Bellas Artes Alliance (BAA) is a new 501c3 organization dedicated to the promotion, preservation and advancement of the music, arts and culture of the Latino community by producing festivals, programs and events that strengthen the public’s awareness and appreciation of Latino heritage, that encourage social advocacy on behalf of the Latino community and that support, educate and expose Latino artists residing in the Americas.
For more than 40 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas has been pairing children, ages 6-16 with supportive adult mentors who build friendships and offer encouragement and support to each child. Our one-to-one mentoring model helps kids facing adversity achieve measurable outcomes leading to lifelong success. In 2011 alone, our volunteers provided 90,000 hours of mentoring to 1,500 children in Travis, Williamson and Hays counties. The value of that time is nearly $2 million! Even more impressively, last year more than 97 percent of the children we served stayed in school, improved their grades and avoided early parenting. We also are proud to boast that in 2011, we supported more than 70 students who benefited from our scholarship program and awarded more than $45,000 in scholarship funds. The Central Texas agency is ranked in the top 5 percent in the nation for program quality (out of 360 BBBS agencies), and last year, our agency was one of only 18 honorees nationwide that was named a Gold Standard Award agency for sustained pace-setting performance in quality growth. BBBS is a donor-supported mentoring organization. Your investment, whether it be $25, $100, $1,000 or more, provides a safer community, better prepared workforce and more responsible, productive citizens achieving lifelong success. Compared to the alternative -- $99,000 per year to incarcerate one child in a Texas Youth Commission facility -- our program is a great investment with an excellent return.
Provide affordable housing to low-income families, senior citizens, and individuals with disabilities.
Provide transitional housing and case management services to homeless and near-homeless families.
Create innovative, environmentally friendly, and socially responsible housing
The fundraising arm for both The Blood Center of Central Texas and The Tissue Center of Central Texas, the center accepts financial contributions that play a critical role in both Centers' ability to purchase equipment, maintain facilities and provide programs, education and services to the Central Texas community.
Our mission is to inspire kids toward daily, physical activity, and encourage them to lead others to pursue healthier lifestyles.
The the epic proportions of obesity, our nation and our community at risk, so we are taking action starting at home in Austin. We get kids outside, using their muscles and "shaking their bones" from an early age. Some of our current and planned programs include: a (1-5th grade) track/cross-country program - all kids love running; a mountain-biking team for pre-teens, teaching skills, but more importantly building esteem and confidence; an elite/club cycling team, bringing awareness to our mission via an active volunteer-based community whereby parents lead by example with lifestyle choice; and an urban skateboarding festival/clinic. We also use social media, including an interactive website, to spur community involvement and share resources supporting healthy choices.
BookSpring provides reading experiences, tools, and books to children and their families so they can develop a desire to read and succeed in school. It is our goal to establish a life-long love of reading, motivate children and their families to read more often, and increase the number of age- and culturally-competent children’s books in their homes. Using nationally-recognized model programs, BookSpring effectively engages children in learning to read, thus improving their long-term educational success. All of our programs target low-income, minority children and their families in the greater Austin area that lack access to books, libraries and reading opportunities. Through a range of programs we offer and through our partnerships with a broad spectrum of community organizations, schools, childcare centers, and health care facilities, we are uniquely qualified to fight the battle against childhood illiteracy in the Austin Area.
Our Mission is to enable and inspire all kids, especially those that need us most, to become productive, caring, and responsible citizens. We are the largest human services agency in Travis County devoted entirely to youth development, especially for kids that come from families with limited resources.
Since 1967, Boys & Girls Clubs of Austin has been helping kids from tough neighborhoods stay out of trouble, stay in school and succeed in life. More than a safe haven for kids “at risk,” the Clubs are daily examples of how good life can be as they nurture, inspire and celebrate the limitless potential of our young people. Through the Clubs, kids are given the tools and opportunities to have hope for a brighter future. 57% of Club alumni surveyed nationally say the Club “saved my life.” Locally, seniors from AISD high school Clubs graduated at an average of 98% as opposed to their schools average of 63%. Supporting the Club is not charity, rather an investment in our community’s most precious, natural resource – our kids.
The Brain Power 5K seeks to provide funding to the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation for brain cancer research at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center as well as pediatric initiatives at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. We wish to create an opportunity for Central Texas to celebrate the brain tumor survivors in our community and remember loved ones lost to this devastating disease.
The Brain Power 5K originated from a brain tumor survivor's will to make a difference in the fight against brain cancer. Kelly Bolinger saw the need in the Austin community for an event to honor those affected by this disease. Combining her love for running, years of involvement in races and desire to improve brain cancer research; the Brain Power 5K was born.
5K Chip-timed/Fun Run/Walk & Kid’s K
Brain tumor survivor recognition & family tributes
Brain tumor related group events throughout the year
Breakthrough is a nonprofit organization, founded in Austin in 2001, that builds a path to college for low-income students, starting in middle school, who will be first generation college graduates. Breakthrough admits students in 5th or 6th grade and provides six-weeks of intensive programming during the summer taught by exceptional college and high school students who serve as outstanding role models. Breakthrough’s core services include school year support and advocacy, individualized case management, after school tutoring and homework help, Saturday academic programs, test preparation, mentors, college counseling and guidance, and college persistence support . Breakthrough works because we provide support that is intensive, comprehensive, personalized and sustained. We believe that by providing innovative, educational programs to children and their families, we can break the cycle of poverty in their lives forever.
The mission of the Agency is to stop the cycle of abuse and neglect of children in Texas, by providing residential care services to infants, children and adolescents in a facility and in licensed therapeutic and basic foster homes in central and south Texas. The Agency does treatment in the areas of familial, educational, physical, social, recreational and behavioral growth of clients.
The mission of the C5 Program of Texas is to inspire high-potential youth from risk-filled environments to pursue personal success, to prepare them for leadership roles in college, work and community, and to motivate them to become role models for others.
We do this by engaging middle and high school students from under resourced communities in five years of intensive leadership experiences including year-round leadership development programs, signature summer activities, community action, and preparation for continuing education and career development.
We support C5 youth in becoming…
Character-driven
Community-focused
Challenge-ready
College-bound, and
Committed to a better future.
Drawing on the 101-year traditions of Camp Fire USA, Camp Fire USA Balcones Council builds healthy, resilient, responsible youth through active learning, outdoor experiences, service to community, and by engaging families. Camp Fire USA is a not-for-profit, non-sectarian, inclusive youth organization. The Balcones Council is one of nearly 100 Camp Fire USA councils throughout the nation, and has been providing quality outdoor programs for children and their families in ten central Texas counties since 1966. Camp Fire USA’s mission is to build caring, confident youth and future leaders. In central Texas, Camp Fire USA Balcones Council develops responsible youth through supportive, community programs such as after-school programs, outdoor family nature programs, community service-learning activities and weekend/summer outdoor adventure programs for all ages.
Cancer Connection creates opportunities for Central Texans whose lives are currently impacted by cancer to receive the unique support only survivors can provide. Through peer matching and as clinical partners in local-area hospitals and treatment centers, our survivor volunteers provide psychosocial support and procure tangible resources, all without cost to patients.
Cancer Support Community Central Texas’ (CSCCT) objectives are to help people affected by cancer learn to actively cope with their cancer, take responsibility and control of their care, and make desired lifestyle changes to improve their emotional and physical well-being. To achieve these objectives CSCCT’s activities encompass the following five areas:
• Support-helping patients and caregivers throughout the cancer journey so no one has to face cancer alone;
• Education-programs and workshops to help participants better understand and manage the many facets of the disease;
• Healthy Lifestyle-programs that address exercise, nutrition, stress reduction, expressive arts and other mind/body therapies;
• Social Activities-opportunities to share and laugh with others; and
• Information and Referral-learning to access and navigate available information.
The mission of Cancer Support Community Central Texas (CSCCT), is to ensure all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community.
Candlelight Ranch provides outdoor, educational, recreational and therapeutic programs for Central Texas Children with special needs and at-risk children and youth. We serve children with chronic or terminal illness, physical or learning disabilities, emotional needs, children who are in the foster-care system and children who live in urban economically-disadvantaged areas.
Candlelight Ranch encompasses a pristine 40 acres containing canyons, natural springs, hiking trails and grottos along the northern shore of Lake Travis and almost all of our main facilities are wheelchair accessible. Candlelight Ranch staff and volunteers customize programs to meet the needs of each individual group.
The Foundation serves to advance dental services for the economically disadvantaged in the Greater Austin Area.
The Capital Area Food Bank’s mission (CAFB) is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. CAFB provides food and groceries to more than 355 Partner Agencies in 21 counties. Programs like Kids Cafe, HOPE and Fresh Food for Families, provide targeted services to those in need.
To provide practical and compassionate support, through volunteer Care Teams, for people with HIV/AIDS and/or cancer.
Our mission is to offer a continuum of resources for people in poverty that will assist them with their income stability, housing needs and the life skills to maintain them. 20,000 adults and children in Travis County benefited from our Basic Needs and Self-Sufficiency Programs in 2006.
Our mission is to advocate for abused and neglected children in the court system by recruiting, training and supporting community volunteers. Our vision is to provide every child and youth in State foster care with effective advocacy to achieve permanent homes, free of abuse - 100%. Childhood is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and every child has the right to a safe and stable home. We know that children in foster care fare better and receive more help when they have an independent, trained, and consistent adult advocating for their needs. Advocates experience enrichment and satisfaction as they speak up for the best interests of the children. CASA’s volunteer advocate program provides free and flexible training for ordinary people to become advocates and make an extraordinary difference for children in foster care. CASA of Central Texas serves Hays County as well as Caldwell, Comal and Guadalupe.
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Travis County believes every child who’s been abused or neglected deserves to have a dedicated advocate speaking up for their best interest in court, at school and in our community. To accomplish this, CASA educates and empowers diverse community volunteers who ensure each child’s needs remain a priority in an over-burdened child welfare system. When the state steps in to protect a child’s safety because the people responsible for protecting them have not, a judge appoints a trained CASA volunteer to make independent and informed recommendations and help the judge decide what’s best for the child.
For children who’ve been abused or neglected, CASA means having a home instead of feeling lost, and being a priority instead of feeling invisible. For volunteers, CASA is a life-changing experience that makes our community a better place.
Catholic Charities is people of faith serving anyone in need by strengthening families and promoting respect for human dignity and life. Our Vision is a Central Texas in which every person thrives in their God-given gifts and dignity. Catholic Charities has four core programs to meet the needs of people in Central Texas: Gabriel Project Life Center and Marywood Adoption, Immigration Legal Services, Case Management and Parish Social Ministry.
Catholic Charities is dedicated to helping people of all ages, faiths, ethnic backgrounds, and economic circumstances and works to address the needs of residents in the Diocese of Austin. Catholic Social Teachings guide and inspire the work of Catholic Charities. We serve our brothers and sisters in accordance with the following principles: Love, Service, Advocacy, Integrity, and Stewardship.
The Center is the only nonprofit in Travis County involved in the investigation of crimes against children. We provide services such as forensic interviews, therapy, and parenting education at no cost to families. Our mission is to reduce the trauma to children during the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases.
Central Texas Children’s Home is a non-profit organization providing family services with a Christian influence to those in need. Founded in 1969 to provide residential child care for dependent children, the services have been expanded in an attempt to assist children and families disrupted by problems. All children are given equal consideration regardless of race, religion, sex or national origin.
Our mission is to put Christian principles into practice by providing education, leadership, and development activities, which promote moral excellence, self-confidence, community support, and positive opportunities for at-risk youth.
Christian Outreach Foundation offers a free after school program, Outreach Afterschool to underprivileged kids, located at Oak Springs Elementary in East Austin. The program operates Monday through Friday from 3-6PM serving 60 kids Kinder through Fifth grade. Outreach Afterschool offers bible study, arts & crafts, homework help, outdoor recreation, guest visitors, life skills, etc.
We also provide resources to the families whose kids we serve. We are very excited to start our second year of operation and help make a difference in the lives of these at-risk youth!
COHI defines its target population as women in crisis, specifically partnering with women surviving conflict and disaster. COHI collaborates with locally based, grassroots organizations when invited into a country context to contribute to women's health programming.
COHI provides teams and individual volunteer practitioners such as OB/GYNs, midwives, trauma specialists, and public health professionals with the opportunity to connect with conflict and disaster affected-women as members of international field teams.
Most importantly, COHI identifies women as leaders in ALL its partner communities and supports them in their goals of peace, health, and security.
Co-Lab Projects is an artist-run nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating public projects and exhibiting contemporary works of art, installation, and performance. By operating on an ambitious programming schedule, the organization provides exposure and opportunities for local and national artists to create new and experimental bodies of work on a frequent and flexible basis. Through collaboration, education, and engagement, Co-Lab encourages artistic exploration and dialogue within the community.
The Colorado River Foundation supports natural science education and outdoor recreation programs that encourage the stewardship, awareness, and protection of the Colorado River, particularly to at-risk youth. The foundation also partners with other organizations to organize clean-ups of the lakes that make up the Colorado River.
Communities for Recovery supports long-term recovery for people with substance use and co-
occurring mental health conditions by partnering with communities to provide volunteer peer
supported recovery programs and services.
Our 150+ Peer Support Volunteers share the message of recovery with those who seek
it through our various programs including “Back to Basics,” “Dual Disorders Recovery
Achievers,” “Cross-Talk,” “Family Cross-Talk,” and “Peer Recovery Coaching.” In addition,
volunteers support the Recovery Resource Center at Communities for Recovery. The center
includes a computer lab where recoverees can perform career searches and receive technological
training; a career closet for those in need of professional attire; and a Recovery Café, recreational
center, and library used to foster continued fellowship and education for those on the path to
recovery.
In this way, the volunteer at Communities for Recovery really does live by our motto, “Give
to Keep” – in giving the message of recovery to those seeking recovery, they keep their own
sobriety.
Community Yoga brings free yoga classes to areas of the community that may not otherwise have access to the practice. We believe that yoga has the potential to benefit any individual, no matter their age, background, socioeconomic status, or physical, emotional, or mental challenge with which they are working. Currently, we are leading over 40 classes each week in schools, shelters, housing sites, residential centers, and prisons in Austin and it's surrounding areas.
Connecther is a communication and funding platform working to advance women and girls globally.
Conspirare, inspired by the belief in music’s power to change people’s lives, seeks to draw all persons into the embrace of the musical arts by producing world-class choral/choral-orchestral performances, by exploring avenues of music innovation and education, and by engaging new and diverse audiences in extraordinary musical and educational experiences.
The mission of the CORE Foundation is to advocate for individuals with disabilities through creation of public works and awareness projects that work to remove biases in our society. The vision is to create opportunities for people with disabilities to interact with the general public on equal terms and free of stereotypes. For people with disabilities, economical, physical and attitudinal barriers often stand in the way of participation in society. The Foundation strives to help eliminate these discriminatory barriers. We are working to raise funds to build an all inclusive, universally accessible playground in Austin. We have just funded an ADA Wheelchair Accessible Fishing Pier on Lady Bird Lake. These projects will allow the community to participate in activities which can strengthen the family unit as well as promote an active lifestyle.
CTC International is a community of people working diligently to create solutions and opportunities for a better life in Kenya. We are a cross cultural exchange of ideas, relationships and innovative solutions to global issues like HIV/AIDS, deforestation, unemployment, special needs children, education, etc. We're constantly striving to live authentically into what has become a popular space (international development in Africa) by staying committed to our core values of genuine relationships, holistic development, faith lived in action, sustainable and scalable solutions, passion, transparency, having fun and creating collaboratively with cultural relevance. For all of us at CTC, our work is a reflection of how we live. We live as a community dedicated to creating positive impact in Kenya.
Today’s children are the first generation in two centuries facing a shorter life expectancy than their parents. This shortened life span stems from poor physical and mental health and education deficiencies. Cyberways and Waterways develops programs that make learning and taking action around personal health, sustainability and STEM subjects fun for children, so we can reverse this alarming trend. By donating to Cyberways and Waterways, you help keep all of our programs and resources free to any public or private K-12 school.
The Dick Beardsley Foundation educates the public (including the youth in schools and clubs) on the disease of chemical dependency, the warning signs of chemical dependency, the dangers of chemical dependency, and how chemical dependency can be treated; to promote living a healthy, active lifestyle, chemically free; and to promote greater openness about chemical dependency.
Our volunteer teams visit children and adults facing various challenges, including mental illness (Austin State Hospital, Wounded Warriors at Ft. Hood with PTSD), developmental differences (children with autism and learning disabilities) , physical limitations (St. David's Hospital) and dementia (elderly with Alzheimers) . Therapeutic interaction with our specially trained canines results in emotional and physical benefits such as improved mood, confidence, communication, relaxation and trust. Founded in 2004, the organization's success is based on two simple premises-one philosophical, the other pragmatic. First, there exists a deep, mysterious bond of healing between humans and dogs. Second, dog enthusiasts comprise a responsible, dedicated and highly driven volunteer demographic. Led by highly trained handlers, our volunteer teams of busy individuals care about their community. They appreciate and want to share the joy and unconditional love their dogs so freely give. Click here to view a video to learn more about Divine Canines: http://vimeo.com/22674373
Our mission is to provide education, support, and resources to individuals with Down syndrome, their families, professionals, and the community, while building public awareness and acceptance of the abilities of individuals with Down syndrome. We envision a world in which all member, including those with Down syndrome, are accepted, valued for their uniqueness, respected for their contributions, and assured the opportunity and choice to create their own path to fulfillment and success.
We offer year-round classes to children and adults, including swimming, yoga, cooking and martial arts, creating a safe and nurturing place to learn and make new friends. We teach early reading and math skills and show parents how to best teach their children. We encourage and support new parents and offer training for parents, teachers and medical professionals. And, we work with schools, churches and community leaders to create greater awareness and meaningful inclusion of people with Down syndrome in all areas of our community.
Dream of Hopes Ranch, Inc "A Special Place for Special People" has two locations - Austin and Buda. Day programs for intellectually disabled and autistic children and adults ages 8 yrs and up are offered in several categories...Special Olympic sports,
job training and placement, continuing education, after school care, Holiday, Spring and Summer day camp, weekend respite, life skills, school day off field trips, overnight lockins, dances, animal care and more. Our goal is for each
athlete/rancher to reach their individual peak potential, and to improve their quality of life in a dignified manner.
The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
EcoRise Youth Innovations inspires a new generation of green leaders to design a sustainable future for all. Our school-based program empowers youth to tackle real-world challenges in their schools and communities by teaching environmental literacy, social innovation, and hands-on design skills.
Emancipet is on a mission to make spay/neuter and preventive veterinary care affordable and accessible to all pet guardians. We envision a future where all pets are happy, healthy, and living with families whose lives they enrich through the human-animal bond.
We provide free and low-cost spay/neuter surgeries and preventive veterinary wellness through our stationary clinic on Levander Loop and via our two mobile spay/neuter clinics. Our mobile clinics bring low-cost sterilization services to Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson Counties Monday – Wednesday, and offer free, first-come first-served surgeries in targeted Austin neighborhoods Thursday – Saturday.
Emancipet sterilizes over 18,500 pets annually, and provides preventive veterinary wellness services to over 18,000.
The Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO) is dedicated to planning, prioritizing, and developing strategies to end homelessness in Austin/Travis County, TX.
The Entrepreneurs Foundation of Central Texas amplifies the philanthropic efforts of our member companies, their entrepreneurs, boards and employees who invest equity, time and talent to make Central Texas an even better place to live, work and play. Our programs help build successful corporate cultures and allow start-up companies to participate philanthropically.
Eremos seeks to provide opportunities for people of all faith traditions and all walks of life to step back from the hectic pace of life and reconnect to their Source. We don’t teach technique or method. We invite you to come in and experience. While some contemplative groups focus on the mind, at Eremos we go to the heart.
In the spaciousness created within the Eremos community, you are gently invited to behold the Mystery of God within all that is. As you reconnect to the knowing that you are a unique expression of God within the world, burdens are lightened, clarity comes, and compassion for yourself and others is reawakened.
We provide spiritual direction, retreats, contemplative support groups, and workshops. Donations help us keep all program fees low and ensure scholarships are available for those experiencing financial hardship. Come experience our contemplative community without walls…
Explore Austin’s mentoring program guides underserved youth on a 6-year (6th – 12th grade) journey to leadership. The outdoor adventure curriculum imposes unique physical, emotional, and mental challenges, and adult mentors help translate these challenges into meaningful life lessons. The end results are young leaders of character, integrity and resilience who are prepared to succeed in life.
Extend-A-Care's mission is “to support families, employers, and communities by providing after-school, summer, and preschool programming that is high in quality, convenient, affordable, and enriching.” Extend-A-Care’s primary objectives are to enhance the cognitive, social, and physical development of our children, to assist working families in becoming self-supporting, and to reduce the number of Central Texas children who fall victim to or commit crimes due to inadequate adult supervision.
Family Eldercare provides critical services to seniors, adults with disabilities and caregivers. Our programs offer a continuum of care to help people age in place with dignity and as much independence as possible. Our programs include: In-Home Care & Caregiver Services, Geriatric Consultation and Counseling, Guardianship Services, Money Management, Aging In Place Service Coordination, Lyons Gardens Senior Housing, Lifetime Connections Without Walls and the Summer Fan Drive.
Family Life Skills of Austin is a place where adults attend gender-separate classes to be taught valuable life skills from the curriculum, "Learning to Live, Learning to Love". Whether you are experiencing marriage problems, are (or were) in an abusive relationship, are trying to break patterns of the past, or to develop or enhance your relationships -- Life Skills can help. If a person has come from a dysfunctional family, they don't know what they don't know nor what healthy looks like. We deal with family & individual value systems & personal growth. Those who attend discover some of the "Why?" questions behind unhealthy behaviors & thought processes using Developmental Reconstruction. Then we end the program with learning what "healthy" looks like.
We have organized Father Restoration as a non-profit in order to help draw attention to and tackle the systemic problem of fatherlessness in our city and state, our country and the world. We are working to challenge fathers to change their own lives, then involve or re-involve themselves in the lives of their children.
We:
- Speak to fathers in juvenile facilities, jails, and prisons – especially young adult offenders - discussing the importance of developing fatherhood skills.
- Develop “Daddy Class” for negligent fathers.
- Publish kid’s stories about their missing– in written and video form.
- Publish adult stories of the negative impact of their own fatherlessness.
- Develop TV commercials, songs, and billboards spotlighting the problem of fatherlessness.
- Institute assembly programs for high school boys, encouraging responsible behavior.
- Conduct positive conferences on the virtues of fatherhood and the problem of fatherlessness.
The Financial Literacy Coalition of Central Texas (FLCCT) offers free financial education classes and financial literacy resources to the low-income community within Central Texas. Participants in FLCCT's classes gain a better understanding of the consumer marketplace and the economic environment while learning skills necessary to take charge of their financial situations, plan for the future, and avoid financial predators. As an unbiased provider of financial education, FLCCT's mission is to foster community prosperity by enhancing the knowledge and skills Central Texans need for improved financial decision-making.
FLCCT's volunteer instructors can provide 38 distinct one-hour modules of instruction from several nationally recognized financial education curricula. FLCCT works closely with its partners to design a series of classes that meet the specific financial literacy needs of class participants. In 2012, FLCCT volunteer instructors provided 144 hours of financial education to 1,395 individuals.
For the Children is a 501(c)(3) organization aiding in the education of at-risk elementary school students in Travis, Williamson and Hayes counties. We procure and distribute school supplies based on the number of students qualifying for the federal free/reduced-cost lunch program. 100% of donated funds are used for the purchase of new school supplies. For the last 22 years, For The Children has pursued ONE program and one goal- supply children with challenging home environments with basic school supplies to help make their school careers successful. The school supplies provided help boost the child’s self-esteem and confidence at the beginning of the new school year.
Forklift Danceworks produces performances, classes and workshops that engage all kinds of people in the creative process. Past company dances have included Austin sanitation workers, firefighters, people and their dogs, Elvis impersonators, and Venetian gondoliers. Forklift also directs a creative movement program at two Austin schools and leads mixed-ability dance workshops for people with and without disabilities. By engaging a diverse audience—including spectators, performers, and participants—Forklift Danceworks broadens access to contemporary dance while building community and fostering the creative spirit.
Foster Angels of Central Texas helps improve the lives of foster children of all ages and was designed to give direct help to foster children in need. Our mission is to ensure that each child has his or her basic needs met, and to provide life-enriching and life-enhancing experiences whenever possible.
In its short existence, Foster Angels has already changed the lives of hundreds of foster children and is a welcome relief to caseworkers who are often burdened with the financial responsibility as a last resort in order to take care of these children.
Foster children often grow up to have low self-esteem and self-worth, which leads to a higher rate of incarceration and homelessness as adults. Some children have only the clothes on their backs when removed from their homes because of abuse and neglect. Foster Angels provides these children with what they need to build confidence and put them on a path to lifelong success. Due to a simple program and low overhead costs, we are able to give 100% of all donations directly to the kids in need.
The needs of foster children will only continue to grow as more and more children are removed from their homes each month due to abuse and neglect. Foster Angels of Central Texas is dedicated to this special, and often overlooked population, and will ensure that their needs are met when there is nowhere else to turn.
For more than 20 years, Foundation for the Homeless, Inc. (FFH) has mobilized faith and community-based resources to alleviate homelessness in Central Texas. FFH works with 700+ persons each year who are facing or experiencing homelessness to help them build new opportunities for housing, economic and personal wellness. FFH’s licensed staff focuses first on keeping families and individuals housed. When homelessness cannot be avoided, FFH provides meals, shelter and caring presence for families with children by enlisting the help of committed volunteers and the use of congregational facilities. Shelter families utilize FFH’s Day Resource Center, transportation, comprehensive case management, life skills classes and access to child care, job counseling, training, and subsidized housing to attain their goals of self-sufficiency. FFH also offers warm breakfasts, hygiene items, services and caring presence to 400 adults twice weekly through Feed My People at First United Methodist Church. More than 3000 volunteers work with FFH each year, giving 50,000 hours of service. While the value of direct financial assistance, donated facilities, goods and services provided through FFH easily exceeds $2M annually, the deeper value of our work is in building a more caring and sustainable community. FFH guides families home in a spirit of compassion, hope and love. www.foundationhomeless.org
The Free Minds Project provides Central Texas adults living on low incomes with a chance to fulfill their intellectual potential and to jumpstart their college education. A program of UT’s Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, in partnership with Austin Community College and Foundation Communities, Free Minds offers a free two-semester college course in humanities to adults who have faced significant barriers to education. Top faculty from UT Austin and ACC lead students in lively discussions and help to improve their skills in writing, communication, and critical thinking. Tuition, books, and child care are provided without charge. Students who complete the course receive six credit hours from ACC.
• By making intellectual community available to all, regardless of income or educational background, Free Minds provides Central Texas adults with the tools and confidence to build better lives for themselves and their families.
The Friends' of Austin State Supported Living Center (AuSSLC) mission is to improve the quality of life for the residents who call the Living Center home. The Friends help raise awareness and funds for AuSSLC by hosting special events, publishing newsletters, maintaining financial resources for special needs, supporting the volunteer recruitment efforts of the Community Relations staff, encouraging and supporting staff through morale-raising activities, providing education to the public about the Volunteer Services Council and the AuSS Living Center's population, and supporting the continuous beautification and enhancement of the homes and facility at the AuSS Living Center.
Front Step's mission is to provide a pathway to hope through shelter, affordable housing and community education. Front Steps manages the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH), the Central Texas Recuperative Care Center, and the Keep Austin Housed AmeriCorps Program, as well as three HUD permanent supportive housing programs. Front Steps is one of the largest multi-service agencies serving homeless adults in the Central Texas region, reaching over 10,000 people annually and providing Respite Care, Transitional Housing, 215 emergency shelter beds, and nearly 54 units of permanent supportive housing. Since 2009, Front Steps has moved over 54 vulnerable adults affected by mental illness, chemical dependency, and multiple disabilities off of Austin's streets and into housing, more than any other local homeless provider in the area.
GENaustin’s mission is to support and guide girls to make wise choices as they navigate the unique pressures of girlhood. We offer innovative, confidence building programs, utilizing best practices for working with ALL girls. We also provide education and awareness about the state of girls to teachers and parents.
Girlstart's mission is to empower girls in math, science, and technology. Since its inception, in 1997, Girlstart has served 16,000 girls, teachers, and parents though summer camps, Saturday camps, after-school programs, teacher trainings, workshop series, and community events.
A new way to donate beloved treasures, small furnishings, art and jewels to causes issues and areas of concern. Gone for Good offers an easy way to practice philanthropy plus, just like the dollars you give, your gift can be a taxable donation.
Goodwill Industries of Central Texas's mission is generating lifelong connections to work. Revenue generated from the sale of donated goods and other commercial business lines are used to fund job training and career development programs for Central Texans who have a disadvantaging condition such as limited access to employment, education, housing or health care.
Greenlights is a catalyst for extraordinary nonprofit performance, bringing leading practices in management and governance to strengthen Central Texas nonprofits. We provide affordable, high-value management consulting services, professional development workshops and conferences, customized training, and countless hours of free advice and resources to more than 800 nonprofits and 2,500 individuals each year. We focus our services on five areas of nonprofit management and governance: • Resource Development and Fundraising • Financial Management • Board Governance • Leadership Advancement • Strategy & Planning Because Greenlights is a 501c3, the nonprofits we serve pay only about 65% of the cost of delivering services to them, thanks to the generosity of our many donors and supporters who help us keep our services accessible and affordable to the nonprofit community.
The mission of Groundwork Music Project is to provide low cost and free music programs to young children and families. From music classes to songwriting workshops to public concerts, Groundwork works to create a cultural/community milieu that is rich with music and rich with young musicians.
Growing Roots is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that educates and empowers Spanish and English-speaking families who have children with special needs. We believe all families deserve a unique opportunity to learn about their child’s needs. Providing them with medical brochures and online resources is simply not enough to prepare them for life with a child with special needs. Through interactive classes and by using material that considers linguistic, cultural and/or socioeconomic diversity, Growing Roots provides families with the necessary knowledge, resources,
and support to become experts regarding their children’s needs. Our programs provide education and support to parents with children in the special education system, parents of children with Autism, and parents of premature babies. We are a 100% volunteer organization.
Hand to Hold’s mission is to provide comprehensive resources and support programs to parents of preemies, babies born with special health care needs and those who have experienced a loss due to these or other complications.
Hands Feet & Heart (HFH) began in 2009 when two mothers of children with neuropathy decided to provide a way for others living with the challenges of neuropathy to share information and provide mutual support.
Our mission:
• Promote awareness about neuropathy in Central Texas.
• Provide education, resources and support to patients and caregivers.
• Support research for a cure.
Our Primary Programs:
• Monthly support meetings in Georgetown and Austin with lending libraries for each group
• Regularly updated website (www.handsfeetheart.org) with local and national resources
• One-on-one support for neuropathy patients and caregivers
HFH is the only organization in Central Texas that is dedicated to supporting the approximately 114,000 people in the region with this disease.
Healing with Horses Ranch provides safe, affordable Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT) to individuals with physical, cognitive or emotional challenges to promote healing and independence. The individuals served by Healing with Horses Ranch may face any number of challenges, including Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Down syndrome, paralysis, ADHD, substance abuse, traumatic brain injury or amputation --all benefiting from the healing benefits of the horse, including increasing strength and flexibility, improving motor skills, promoting speech and cognitive reasoning, and building relationships and social skills. Life Skills classes and At Risk Youth in the Manor, Del Valle and neighboring school districts, other Educational Centers that serve the Special Needs Audience of Central Texas, foster and adopted youth , residential centers as well as private pay clients with special needs will be targeted.
The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) provides access to affordable healthcare to Austin’s low-income, uninsured working musicians. Services include: primary medical care through Seton Healthcare Family, basic dental care through St. David’s Foundation in partnership with the Capital Area Dental Foundation and mental health counseling and addiction recovery services through The SIMS Foundation.
HealthStart believes the key to healthier communities is introducing health and wellness concepts to children as young as possible. HealthStart received its 501c3 application approval in June 2010. In September 2010 we launched our health and science curriculum, Health Education for Youngsters!, so children learn how to make good health choices at an early age.
In 2010-11 four preschools tested HEY! All found the curriculum easy to use. HealthStart continued testing and improving HEY! in the 2011-2012 school year with 11 preschool partners reaching over 200 students. Over half our pilot schools serve families below 200% of poverty.
Furthermore when young children take what they learn to home to their families they act as change agents affecting family health behaviors. Parent materials are sent home weekly. HealthStart also offers teacher training and a variety of outreach activities including grocery store field trips and participatory health events.
Since 1893, Helping Hand Home for Children has provided a place to heal for abused & neglected children between the ages of 4 and 12. We provide residential treatment services and therapeutic foster care for emotionally disturbed children. Our mission is to maintain a safe home and restore each child to a healthy family setting.
Hill Country Conservancy is the only professional conservation organization working every day to preserve open space in the Barton Springs Aquifer region. HCC was founded in 1999 to preserve – forever – large strategic natural areas that conserve critical water features, preserve outdoor recreation opportunities, and help maintain the Hill Country’s unique quality of life. Their philosophy is simple. Once Hill Country land is gone, it’s gone for good. When HCC preserves it, it’s here forever.
The Hispanic Alliance for the Performing Arts is a coalition of social, artistic, and educational organizations
devoted to enlargement of cultural opportunities for the Hispanic community and other underserved groups in the
of Austin.
HSC’S MISSION
The Hispanic Scholarship Consortium collaboratively leverages resources to provide scholarships to Central Texas Hispanic students and offers a network of support that mentors and empowers scholars to graduate from college as workforce ready leaders engaged in our community.
HSC’S $1 FOR $1 MATCHING FUNDS PROGRAM
The Hispanic Scholarship Consortium partners with local nonprofit organizations that value access to higher education. HSC catalyzes investments by matching the first $1,000 a Consortium Member raises with another $1,000 to jointly offer a $2,000 renewable college scholarship.
EVERY STEP OF THE WAY
While a $2,000 renewable college scholarship helps student and families to an extent, HSC maximizes its efforts by providing every scholar with invaluable one-on-one advising and referrals to key campus and community contacts. Services include: case management, leadership and professional training, community service, mentoring and internship opportunities.
Hospice Austin is a nonprofit organization that serves terminally ill and bereaved persons in our community with integrity, compassion and respect.
Since 2006, HousingWorks has united local leadership around the value that home affordability is central to the success of Austin families, employers, schools, and neighborhoods. HousingWorks advocates for a wide range of housing options so that all Austinites can afford a home, be it an apartment or a house.
HousingWorks operates through a volunteer board of diverse business and community leaders and a handful of consultants. We engage in research, education, leadership and policy work that make it possible for nonprofit and for-profit builders to make more affordable homes available throughout Austin.
HousingWorks advances leadership understanding of housing through several channels. Tours, publications, and conferences reaching hundreds of Austin leaders. Advocacy for policies that facilitate inclusion of affordable homes in all areas of town. Collaborations with diverse entities to increase understanding of the link between stable, affordable housing and positive community outcomes.
Imagine A Way is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded on a simple yet powerful principle that every child should have the chance to reach their full potential.
We provide financial support for therapy and also help deliver a network of resources to help families with children diagnosed with Autism.
We are only able to help as many families as we have funding for at the time of selection. We welcome any donations to ensure that families are provided the care and therapy to help these children.
Our focus is on children in the critical early childhood years of 2 to 6, when the window of opportunity exists to have the greatest impact on their lives.
Imagine Art's vision is God glorified through the restored lives of artists with disabilities. We are a Christian ministry and operate a fine art studio in East Austin. Our day-to-day mission is to transform the lives of artists with disabilities. Artist participate daily in our creative community and access our fine art studio, glass and clay kiln, gallery, garden and daily lunch program. We offer mid-day prayer times, weekly Bible studies, men’s and women’s groups and an annual 4-day retreat.
We provide recreational activities promoting citizenship and improving lives of youth in the community. Our programs develp communities by building a foundation for leadership, sportsmanship, healthy living, and changing lives. Familes develop life defining relationships with our program
iACT's mission is to cultivate peace and respect through interfaith dialogue, service and celebration. We operate two direct service programs: Hands on Housing repairs the homes of elderly and disabled homeowners living in poverty. iACT for Refugees teaches English to newly arrived refugees and helps prepare their children for school.
Jane's Due Process is the only organization ensuring legal representation for pregnant minors in Texas. Our services include a 24/7, toll-free legal hotline and network attorney program.
The Jeremiah Program helps highly motivated women break the cycle of
poverty by combining a structured environment with high expectations for
education and employment, and the guidance to help them succeed. Through Jeremiah Program, women realize their potential and change their lives to create a better future for themselves and their children.
Mission: To transform families from poverty to prosperity
An umbrella organization, the Jewish Community Association of Austin (JCAA) includes four main divisions: Jewish Federation of Greater Austin, the Jewish Community Center, Jewish Family Service and the Jewish Community Relations Council. These branches work together to comprehensively address the needs of Austin's Jewish community in collaboration with area congregations, schools, and community organizations.
The mission of the JCAA is to enhance the quality of Jewish life in the greater Austin area and around the world, through community, philanthropy, education, social service, culture spirituality and total wellness.
The Junior League of Austin is a diverse group of dedicated women working to make
Austin a better place. Since nonprofit organization formed in 1934, its members
have been committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women
and improving our community through the effective action and leadership of trained
volunteers. The Junior League’s active members serve as trained volunteers at local
non-profit agencies, and in our own community programs, like FIT (Food In Tummies)
and Coats for Kids.
The Junior League addresses hunger in our community with the FIT (Food In Tummies)
Program at two elementary schools. Each week of the school year, 1,400 children facing
food insecurity receive backpacks filled with a weekend’s worth of healthy food. Each
backpack includes bilingual recipe cards, nutrition/fitness tips, and reinforcing games
and puzzles to be shared with the students’ families.
Keep Austin Beautiful provides resources and education to inspire the Austin community towards greater environmental stewardship. KAB programs clean, beautify, restore and protect the Austin environment through physical improvements and education.
The mission of the Kelly Davidson Pediatric Cancer Foundation is to educate and empower families and friends of children diagnosed with cancer by providing them access to resources and information, as well as support, so that they may play an active role in the treatment and survivorship of the disease.
Kids in a New Groove provides private one-on-one music instruction to kids in the Texas foster care system. Our vision is to build a solid foundation for foster youth so that they can age out of care with tools for success. We serve foster youth all over Texas, including Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston. We provide youth with a consistent weekly mentor, and also present them with a brand new musical instrument which they earn from practicing and meeting program goals. Through Kids in a New Groove, lessons become a lifeline to a better future.
KIPP Austin Public Schools is a network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools that empowers students to thrive in and graduate from four-year colleges and universities.
In East Austin, the path to college has traditionally been impeded by a lack of educational opportunity. Our elementary schools, KIPP Austin Comunidad and KIPP Austin Connections currently serve grades Kindergarten through first and will be adding second grade in the fall of 2012. KIPP Austin College Prep and KIPP Austin Academy of Arts & Letters are middle schools that serve grades five through eight. KIPP Austin Collegiate is a high school serving grades nine through twelve. All five schools provide academically rigorous programs where students successfully climb the mountain to and through college.
In the fall of 2012 we will open two more middle schools, KIPP Austin Beacon Prep and KIPP Austin Vista Middle School, in the Dove Springs neighborhood of Southeast Austin.
KLRU-TV Austin PBS has a mission to present quality multimedia content that engages people in the thoughtful exchange of ideas, the expression of the arts, and lifelong learning opportunities resulting in a more vibrant community and a higher quality of life.
The official KUT mission is “to be the most trusted radio source for news and music in Central Texas.” In real terms, that means we strive every day to bring you insightful news coverage and music that gets us fired up. This page includes a lot of information that we need to share with you. But what we want you to know is that our entire staff is devoted to bringing you the best news and music in Central Texas every day—every hour, every minute that we’re on the air.
Leadership Austin fosters a non-partisan environment where people of diverse backgrounds come together to learn about civic leadership and engage in meaningful dialogue about important public issues. Leadership Austin challenges program participants to use their newfound skills and connections to influence the community in measurable ways and improve the quality of life in our region.
Leap of Joy! is a non-profit organization empowering young people through dance & creative movement. Through grants & private donations we offer after school programming for elementary aged students without charge. Classes learn foundational dance techniques, including ballet & modern,hip hop,musical theater and yoga.
LifeWorks transitions youth and families from crisis to safety and success. Providing a comprehensive safety net of services in Austin, Lifeworks serves 10,000+ individuals annually through thirteen programs. Services include outreach & housing for homeless youth, Youth/Adult Counseling, Youth Development, GED, Youth Resource Center, and programs addressing the needs of foster care youth.
Mobilizes providers, learners, employers, educators, policy makers and others to create a central Texas community that is 100% literate, employable, and engaged. The Coalition plays a central role in coordinating and supporting high-quality literacy services throughout Central Texas including services for speakers of other languages, adult basic education, family literacy, workplace literacy, and health literacy.
Our mission is to be a resource for parents/caregivers, educators, and businesses looking for meaningful volunteer opportunities suitable for young children in the Austin community. Through creating and organizing hands-on volunteer activities/programs, Little Helping Hands provides ongoing opportunities to instill the value of community service in early childhood.
Our mission is to provide the citizens of Central Texas a world-class venue that enhances the appreciation, enjoyment, and reputations of the region’s premier and diverse performing arts organizations and artists; to become a cultural, corporate, and educational resource and destination, enabling the performing arts and artists to thrive in our community.
Mainspring Schools provides the highest quality early education and care to Austin’s most economically disadvantaged children, along with comprehensive services for the children and families so each child will
succeed in school and life regardless of socioeconomic status.
Mainspring’s high quality education services are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the most rigorous accrediting body in the country. Disadvantaged children at Mainspring defy the statistical odds and start school on grade level and ready to learn!
The Parenting Program at Mainspring Schools acknowledges that parents are a child’s most influential teacher and seeks to give parents the skills to raise school-successful children. One parent said, “I feel as
if my boys and I are all very important to the staff at Mainspring. They make me feel like they actually care for my boys and truly want to bring out the best in them, and even in me. The Parent Support Group has
encouraged me to try different parenting techniques that have proven to be effective.”
With the Hispanic population booming in Austin and a continued expectation of growth, we need to put the focus on how to assist those coming from Latin countries that need a helping hand. While Manos serves people of all cultural and racial background, there is no denying that Latinos are moving further away from being the minority in Austin and could utilize services offered by places like Manos. With more exposure, Manos can continue to help those in need with ESL classes, a food pantry, clothes closet and a dental clinic. These services help people gain the confidence and skills they need to contribute fully to society.
We nourish and enrich the lives of the homebound and disabled through programs that promote dignity and independent living. With the support of 5,000 volunteers, we prepare and deliver more than 1 million meals each year. We also provide case management & specialized services to keep people healthy, independent, and in their homes.
Minis and Friends is dedicated to bringing our mobile herd of trained miniature
horses/donkeys ambassadors to visit and interact with people of all ages who
may be suffering mentally, physically or emotionally using our technique of Equine Guided Interactions
(EGI). Our unique programs tailor activities for children through adults with disabilities, at-risk youth,
individuals in transition and elder adults to improve their motor skills, ability to connect, tactile
response, use of senses and spirits through interaction with miniature horses.
As many as 23 minis may work at any one time on weekends and some holidays in the greater Austin
Metro area.
Our programs are designed to work with the many facilities for people with special needs. They are:
Minis Out, In the Community (partner agencies);
Minis Out, Moving On (children and youth in transition);
Minis Out, Project Blanket (children with special needs);
Minis Out, Silver Saints (adults and seniors).
My Healing Place desires to serve all individuals who are in need of grief, loss, and trauma related services, regardless of ability to pay. Every effort will be made to work with clients who are in need of financial assistance for services.
The mission of NAMI Austin is to improve the lives of all persons affected by serious mental illness by providing education, support and advocacy through a grassroots network. NAMI Austin is dedicated to supporting the inclusion of individuals with mental illness throughout the organizations. NAMI Austin works to combat stigma through education and raising public awareness that mental illnesses affect everyone and treatment works. We join with partners in the mental health system with a common goal of a comprehensive recovery-based model that meets the needs of individuals with mental illness living in the community. We provide Free education class and support groups to individuals and families living with Mental illness.
Since 1984, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) has worked tirelessly to fight child abduction and victimization, and to safely reunite missing children with their families. Its mission is: (1) help prevent child abduction and sexual exploitation; (2) help find missing children; and (3) assist victims of child abduction and sexual exploitation, their families, and the professionals who serve them.
The Austin-based Texas Regional Office is the official statewide representative for the array of services and programs offered by NCMEC. Its primary focus is to (1) offer training for law enforcement and prosecutors with a particular emphasis on Internet or technology related crimes against children; and (2) work closely with government and non-governmental organizations in prevention and education programs to educate members of the community about child safety.
The Texas Regional Office is funded entirely by private donations. All training and education programs are offered free of charge.
NCDSV designs, provides and customizes training and consultation, influences policy, promotes collaboration, and enhances diversity with the goal of ending domestic and sexual violence. NCDSV’s award-winning website, provides additional information about the agency’s delivery of training, consultation and public policy advocacy including violence in the military community.
Schools & Schoolyards: Research shows student achievement is enhanced when educators use the natural world as a context for learning. National Wildlife Federation’s Austin office is working with local schools to incorporate outdoor environmental education into their regular curriculum and engage entire school communities in sustainability initiatives.
Water & Habitat: NWF is working to transform the way Texas manages and allocates its water resources to better protect the state’s natural heritage, balancing human demands for water with the need to ensure adequate water for fish and wildlife.
Kids & Nature: NWF is on a three-year campaign to get 10 million more American children out of their indoor habitat and into the great outdoors, creating a generation of happier, healthier children with more awareness and connection to the natural world. These connections in early life teach children to appreciate, respect and protect the natural world.
The mission of the Open Door is to provide a quality, inclusive preschool program to children of diverse abilities and backgrounds in a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment that promotes respect and acceptance.
Out Youth works to promote the well being of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) youth and their straight allies. We have a community center, satellite youth groups, social events, activism and youth leadership programs, and counseling. We also house the Texas GSA Network, supporting student lead GSAs across Texas.
Palmer Drug Abuse Program of Austin, PDAP, provides free services to teenagers and young adults who seek and have a desire to live a life free from the effects of drugs and alcohol. In dealing with substance abuse, the program offers peer support and guidance to young people and their families whose lives have become unmanageable due to the devastating effects of drugs and alcohol. Palmer Drug Abuse Program works with Eanes Independent School and Austin Independent School District supporting student struggling with issues surrounding drugs and alcohol. Palmer Drug Abuse Program provides two evening meetings each week of the year to teens and Parents. Palmer Drug Abuse Program of Austin also provides weekend activities for struggling teens.
The mission of the Austin Theatre Alliance, parent organization of the Paramount & Stateside Theatres, is to nourish the mind and spirit and to enhance the quality of life for area residents through presentation of the widest selection of the finest quality theatre and performing arts productions possible. We offer music, film, dance, drama, and comedy in a city and state landmark that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
PAWS' mission is to prevent cruelty to all animals by promoting humane standards through education and example, to provide care and shelter for homeless animals, aid in the reduction of domestic animal overpopulation, and aid in the enforcement of laws, including the investigation of animal cruelty and abuse.
The Pease Park Conservancy is dedicated to the rehabilitation, beautification and support of Austin's central city park for the enjoyment of all of Austin and our future generations. Since our founding in 2008, we have planted almost 500 new trees, installed an irrigation system for the turf and trees, spread tons of mulch and Dillo dirt, removed storm damage and brush, repaired the historic Tudor Cottage, restored the picnic tables and held scores of work days with thousands of volunteers. In 2012, we established a permanent financial endowment for the park with the Austin Community Foundation that we hope will grow and provide a safety net for park. We plan to partner with the Austin Parks Department in developing a Master Plan for the park that will guide its future.
PCC’s mission is to improve the health of medically underserved and uninsured Central Texans by providing high quality, affordable healthcare. Since 1970, PCC has offered care with respect and dignity to people with little or no health insurance. Our 10,000 patients have access to prenatal, pediatric, adolescent and adult care; immunizations; social work and integrated behavioral health services; and chronic disease management. The Clinic offers pharmacy and lab services on-site. Charges for services are on a sliding scale according to patient income and household size. Regular medical care keeps Emergency Room use down for patients with chronic diseases. Making sure children come in for well child check-ups ensures that issues can be addressed early. The babies born into the Clinic practice are healthier because their mothers received quality prenatal care. Simply put, good healthcare makes sense for our patients and our community.
PLAN of Central Texas is an Austin grassroots organization founded by family members to serve adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses and their families. PLANCTX provides support services to address immediate needs and to plan for the future, including care management assistance with public benefits, housing, employment, medication education, life skills training, as well as individual and group therapy, and peer assistance from certified peer specialists.
Planned Parenthood of the Texas Capital Region helps people make informed, private decisions in matters of sexuality, reproduction, and parenthood. Planned Parenthood operates three nonprofit health centers in Austin that provide breast and cervical cancer screenings, birth control including emergency contraception, HPV vaccines, rapid HIV testing, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), colposcopy and cryotherapy to treat abnormal cervical cells, pregnancy testing, referrals for other medical and social services, and sexual health education. Services offered to male clients include testing and treatment for STIs, vasectomy referrals, rapid HIV testing, HPV vaccines, and sexual health education.
Planned Parenthood also provides medically accurate, age appropriate education for teens and parents. Each presentation is designed to meet the needs of the participants and is intended to increase knowledge of reproductive health to help participants stay healthy and safe, and avoid teen pregnancies and STDs.
Pollyanna Theatre Company is a group of adult, professional theatre artists who create and perform theatre for children and family audiences. Founded in the fall of 2000, Pollyanna produces the majority of our plays at Austin's The Long Center for the Performing Arts. We currently serve over 22,000 children through our productions in the theatre and in school settings. The majority of our audience are high at-risk elementary school children who depend upon Pollyanna as their first experience with the live performing arts. Working with some of the best professional actors, playwrights, and designers in Central Texas, Pollyanna commissions and produces original plays with the developmental and educational needs of our audience in mind. All productions have parent and teacher study guides that link the arts to learning.
The mission of Preservation Austin is to promote Austin’s diverse cultural heritage through the preservation of historic places
The mission of PALS is to end pet euthanasia and pet homelessness in Central Texas through our programs of spay/neuter, humane education, TrapNeuterReturn of feral cats, and Pet Food Pantry. PALS is an all volunteer organization. We have our own Cat Spay/Neuter clinic held once or twice monthly. Our TNR rescues kittens and tame cats from feral colonies, fosters them and adopts them to loving homes. Our services are for the underprivileged in our community. Our mission will be complete when the shelters are empty and every pet has a loving forever home.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin and Central Texas creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families. We help families face the weight of childhood illness together. We do this through the Ronald McDonald House and three Ronald McDonald Family Rooms inside Austin hospitals. Since 1985 the Ronald McDonald House has never closed its doors to families facing pediatric medical crisis. Your support ensures that these doors remain open.
SafePlace is ending sexual and domestic violence through safety, healing, prevention and social change. Our vision is a community free of rape, sexual abuse and domestic violence.
SafePlace provides Safety for individuals and families affected by sexual and domestic violence. We help victims in their Healing so they can move beyond being defined by the crimes committed against them, and become Survivors. SafePlace promotes safe and healthy relationships for the Prevention of sexual and domestic violence. We work with others to create Change in attitudes, behaviors and policies that perpetuate the acceptance of, and impact our understanding and responses to, sexual and domestic violence.
SAHELI is a nonprofit organization based in Austin, Texas, that provides assistance to Asian and other immigrant families dealing with domestic violence, sexual assault and trafficking.
Our mission is to promote abuse-free Asian communities through advocacy, support, awareness and access to social services.
SAHELI envisions healthy, abuse-free Asian communities.
SAHELI represents six words that define our services: Support, Advocate, Heal, Empower, Listen, and Inform.
SAHELI specifically addresses the cultural and language needs of Asian and other immigrant families affected by domestic violence. Our values and mission are reflected in our programs, which integrate culture and language specific direct services, educational programs, and community-based initiatives and advocacy.
Saint Louise House was founded in 2000 to address the drastic shortage of safe housing and supportive services for homeless women and children. We provide deeply affordable and supportive housing for low income homeless women and their children with the goal of helping families develop long-term stability. Saint Louise House has grown from five apartments in 2001 to two 24-unit apartment complexes and the capacity to serve 46 families. We currently serve 34 families comprised of 34 mothers and 71 children
The Scottish Rite Learning Center of Austin (SRLC) focuses on the evaluation and treatment of Central Texas children with dyslexia. SRLC offers a two-year academic language therapy program to children with dyslexia without charge to the families. In addition, SRLC maintains a nationally accredited dyslexia therapist training program, and offers evaluations for children ages 5-21.
The Seton Family of Hospitals is committed to providing access to comprehensive, leading edge, compassionate health care to all Central Texas residents. Through leadership, collaborative efforts and good stewardship, Seton can meet those demands and truly make life healthier for those we serve.
The SIMS Mission is to provide access to and financial support for mental health and addiction recovery services for Austin-area musicians and their families.
The Testicular Cancer Foundation (TCF) provides education and support to young men to raise awareness about testicular cancer, the #1 cancer among men ages 15 – 35.
Additionally, TCF invests significant time helping families, speaking to groups and sharing its mission and resources with the medical and healthcare communities, schools and wherever groups of young men can be reached.
The mission of Special Olympics Texas is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
Special Olympics sports are transformative experiences that bring out pride, courage and joy in athletes–while inviting families and entire communities to join in the celebration. The Special Olympics sports experience has always been rooted in the notion: That every person has the capacity to be an Olympian, and that human greatness is defined more by the spirit than the body.
Consider the bowling ball. Left alone on a shelf, it is just a ball. Now put the bowling ball in the hands of a Special Olympics athlete. What happens next is much more than bowling. She rolls the bowling ball down the lane and feels joy. Her family cheers with pride. Spectators without intellectual disability start to see her a little differently, perhaps re-considering how they view people with intellectual disabilities. Little by little, the world changes… The sport is the medium, but the real power lies within the Special Olympics experience and all the people it touches.
Spirit Reins tranforms the lives of children and families through trauma-informed therapy services, training, and research. We offer a variety of innovative professional counseling services and specialize in serving children who have experienced abuse, neglect, or other traumatic events by incorporating Trauma-Focused Equine Assisted Psychotherapy(TF-EAP). TF-EAP utilizes the physiology and psychology of horses to help individuals effectively process trauma. Our therapy model is based on the neuroscience of brain development, how trauma affects the brain, and how trauma affects the ability to form healthy relationships. Spirit Reins is a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization changing lives, one family at a time.
The St. David’s Foundation serves more than 25,000 area schoolchildren and adults with free dental services via 6 mobile dental clinics, and collaborates with other Central Texas agencies through grants, programs, and sponsorships to promote primary health care, healthy aging, mental health services and support for health care research.
STRONG START prevents child abuse and neglect. Our mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect by strengthening families and keeping children safe with effective early intervention programs designed to teach young children social and emotional development, problem solving, expression of feelings, communication, and behavior management. This therapeutic classroom is coupled with educational home visits with the entire family to discuss parenting skills, child development, and appropriate discipline. We offer parenting classes, mental health referrals, and ancillary support. All services are free and confidential for the families of STRONG START.
Sustainable Food Center cultivates a healthy community by strengthening the local food system and improving access to nutritious, affordable food.
Sharing the power of dance through education and performance
Tapestry Dance Company is a professional, non-profit dance organization founded in 1989 for the purpose of developing a foundation in multi-form dance performance and education. The organization has expanded to a professional company of seven resident artists, a diversified administrative and production support staff and a pre-professional and adult training facility in Austin. Tapestry Dance Company shares the power of dance through numerous events and programs sponsored by individual contributors, corporations, the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Austin and the Texas Commission on the Arts as well as its wonderful audiences. These programs include seasonal multi-form concert premieres, The Annual Soul to Sole Festival, community outreach programs such as Rhythm, Dance, Music & You! and Sharing the Power of Dance, numerous master classes and workshops as well as touring residencies throughout the country.
Tejas Family Guidance Center is a nonprofit mental health agency solely dedicated to providing quality mental health services to youth and their families. Through early intervention, diagnosis, and treatment we help children, adolescents, young adults, individuals, and families develop the emotional skills needed for meeting life’s challenges. Tejas also trains new clinicians with the goal of preparing skilled child and family therapists to meet growing regional demands. Our fees are based on a sliding scale to ensure everyone receives professional mental health services regardless of income. Our team works closely together to provide individual, family, couples, and group therapy; psychological evaluations and assessments, neuropsychological evaluations; parent education; and training to current and future mental health professionals. We address a wide variety of issues including anxiety, depression, behavioral management, parent support & guidance, ADHD/attention problems, developmental disorders, grief, relationship issues, communication issues, learning disorders and problems in school.
Texans Standing Tall is a statewide leader in evidence-based, environmental community change strategies. We keep you updated on state level proposed policies and policy implementation, educate on the latest research and reports and teach how to implement evidence-based prevention strategies. We help develop skills through training and technical assistance. And, we provide support to create community and state level change to protect youth.
Promotes social and economic justice for all Texans by leveraging the skills and resources of volunteer lawyers and other professionals to identify practical solutions to difficult social problems. Texas Appleseed does not provide direct legal representation for individuals, but instead works on behalf of all Texans to address the root causes of systemic injustice in our state.
Ninety percent of films made before 1930 no longer exist. Since the invention of film in the late 1890s, countless films have been lost due to deterioration and neglect and more remain inaccessible due to lack of resources. The Texas Archive of the Moving Image (TAMI) works to discover, preserve, provide access to, and educate the community about Texas' film heritage. By partnering with individuals and institutions across the state, TAMI digitizes and provides access to Texas-related moving images at www.texasarchive.org. This easily-accessible and ever-growing collection includes thousands of videos providing insight into the history and culture of the state, including materials like local television, advertisements, home movies, and more. TAMI works to encourage the viewing and use of these films through public programs and educator resources. We need your assistance to continue providing free services to educators, libraries, archives, and the general public.
The Texas Music Museum researches, archives, presents exhibits, educational programs and performances related to the broad range of Texas Music. We serve children, youth and adults through our programs that are all free to the public.
The mission of the TRA Education Foundation is to provide educational opportunities for restaurant careers in Texas.
The Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation ensures the health and welfare of animals in Texas and celebrating the human animal bond through education, public relations, research, fundraising and the development of people in the field of veterinary medicine.
The mission of the 100 Club of Central Texas is to lead the community in providing financial assistance and support for the families of first responders who are seriously injured or killed in the line of duty as well as providing resources to enhance first responders' safety and welfare.
The Arc promotes independence and choice by providing individualized services to adults and children with developmental disabilities. We offer family support, guardianship, juvenile justice services, case management, art classes, academic coaching, social opportunities, training, parent support coops and information and referral.
The Austin Project (TAP) is a non-profit organization created in 1991 by Walt and Elspeth Rostow and other community leaders to act as a catalyst, in collaboration with other community organizations, to improve the lives of children, youth, and families. TAP develops and implements innovative ways to help the most vulnerable members of our community overcome the barriers that prevent them from reaching their full potential. Once initiatives are proven effective, TAP encourages their incorporation into appropriate organizations for full-time management, which allows us to resume developing new strategies and alliances that will support further needs in the community.
TAP’s focus is on the importance of Family Stabilization as a key to student success, Parental Engagement as vital to school success, and Neighborhood Participation in schools as a means of revitalizing the community.
The BeHive is a free afterschool and summer program dedicated to providing a safe
haven and academic support to low income elementary school children, and to
encourage them to become good citizens. The BeHive, formerly Heart House, is a tightly woven family of
dynamic staff, caring volunteers, community collaborators and beloved children and families.
In our unique, student-centered neighborhood clubhouses, our exceptional afterschool and summer
programs provide critical academic support, and encourage self-discovery and critical thinking skills. The
BeHive gives children a sense of community, and helps them feel safe, valued and enthusiastic about
learning.
The BeHive kids come from all ethnic backgrounds, and have often seen extreme violence in their
neighborhoods and even within their families. Most do not live with both parents; many do not even live with
one parent. About 80% of our students live in the immediate area where The BeHive clubhouses are located,
creating a positive connection for these children to their immediate community.
The BeHive families typically make about $18,000 per year. They cannot afford to pay for afterschool, which
is about $2 MORE per hour than minimum wage. These families tend to move often to take advantage of
the ‘one-month-free’ that many apartments offer, adding to the instability felt by their children. Despite the
significant challenges faced by our families, they love their children deeply and want them to have a better
life.
The Boot Campaign is a national 501c3 patriotic movement that is dedicated to showing tangible appreciation of our active military, raising awareness of the challenges they face upon return and supporting their transition home. Through the sale of its signature military combat boots, general public donations, and corporate sponsorship, the Boot Campaign operates five distinct programs -- Jobs, Housing, Family Support, Urgent Assistance and Wellness-- that are caring for military personnel, past and present, healing from a variety of physical and emotional combat wounds, embodying the campaign motto that, “When They Come Back, We Give Back”.
The Children's Project International undertakes charitable activities dedicated to improving the lives of the world's children by providing life-sustaining goods, personally enriching tools, and the belief in a better tomorrow.
Our mission is to provide love, comfort, hope and ongoing support to those who are adjusting to life after the death of a loved one, regardless of the circumstances; and to educate the general public on issues pertinent to the bereaved. We offer support groups for children, teens, and adults.
The Comfort Crew for Military Kids supports and comforts children managing the challenges of today’s military life: deployment, reintegration, moving, visible and invisible injuries, and grief. The Comfort Crew has endeavored to meet this goal by working directly with military children and families, recognizing their unique challenges, providing educational resources, and supporting physical and emotional resiliency.
Whether visiting with a military child at school, providing a Comfort Kit to help with the obstacles they face, sponsoring a camp, or educating our community about ways to support resiliency, our goal is to let these children and their families know they do not have to shoulder the burdens of military life on their own — we are With You All the Way!
The First Tee of Greater Austin is a chapter of The First Tee and is a nonprofit youth mentoring program. Started in 1999, it is committed to enriching the lives of young people in the greater Austin area through the game of golf. The program offers youth from all backgrounds a safe place to go during after-school hours where they can participate in structured activities to help them grow and learn. The First Tee Life Skills Experience curriculum teaches interpersonal skills, self-management, goal setting, and resistance skills and of course, the 9 core values of The First Tee:
Confidence
Courtesy
Honesty
Integrity
Judgment
Perseverance
Respect
Responsibility
Sportsmanship
The First Tee of Greater Austin is considered one of the finest chapters in the world. Its programs serve a diverse population of youth. This year 4,000 area kids were served with 98% of them receiving 100% subsidy to participate in the program.
The Global Human Progress Foundation was conceived to promote and assist the development of basic human rights for individuals and groups currently living in conditions considered unacceptable and lacking basic human needs.
We run several programs including Kid's Café which provides nutritious evening meals to children. To date more than 50,000 meals have been served. We also conduct weekly self-esteem building classes for fifth grade girls and boys at Campbell Elementary School. The sessions focus on personal, civic and educational development, with a goal of enhancing self-worth through self-awareness.
The LIVESTRONG Foundation believes that unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything. Our mission is to inspire and empower people affected by cancer. We do that by providing the needed support to help guide anyone going through the cancer experience, and we also bring together the cancer community to fight this disease, and work for a world in which our fight is no longer necessary.
We provide care for orphans-children without parents.
We currently serve 600 orphan children in India. Each child typically:
-Shares a house mothers love with 75 other children, we lessen the load to 20 children per mother,
-Eats every 2-3 days one serving of rice with sugar, we serve them 3 meals a day plus snacks and end
malnutrition
-Sleeps on wood planks and we provide the first ever soft bedding to rest their head.
Based on year of experience helping orphans, we developed a turn around model
for any orphanage any where in the world to dramatically improve the standard of
care for the world's most vulnerable children.
We educate, clothe, feed and love children without parents.
We give them a chance by giving them a real childhood.
The Nobelity Project is an education and action nonprofit working in schools, on film and through community partner projects to promote basic rights for all of our children.
We collaborate with Nobel laureates and other inspiring leaders to make enlightening and motivating films that bring people awareness and move them to action. The Nobelity In Schools program works with teachers nationwide engaging students with the issues that will affect their futures. And our Kenya Schools Fund is building classrooms, libraries, computer labs and clean water systems across rural Kenya, including Mahiga Hope High School-the only secondary school in that region. In schools, on film, and in action The Nobelity Project is a place to explore global issues and discover ways to effect positive change.
By connecting hands, hearts, and minds we can all be part of a better way.
The Salvation Army is committed to Doing the Most Good with partners who share a desire to help our neighbors move from crisis to stability.
Providing care and aid for those living on the fringes of society is at the heart of The Salvation Army’s mission. Officers, staff and volunteers work with individuals every day in Austin and throughout Central Texas, to help them out of homelessness and along a path to recovery.
Individuals who seek help through the social service programs receive a holistic approach. We provide individuals with physical, emotional and spiritual support to help them make the changes necessary to transform their own life.
The Salvation Army operates the largest emergency shelter in Central Texas. Almost 500 people sleep on a bed each night and 1,200-1,500 meals are served daily for 365 days a year.
The Settlement Home is a therapeutic residential treatment facility and foster family and adoption program for severely abused and neglected children who have been temporarily or permanently removed from their homes.
Our mission is to promote healing and growth to children, young adults and families by providing a continuum of care, support and resources.
Our programs include a Residential Treatment Center, Group Home Program, Transitional Living Program and Foster & Adoption Program. We have a UT charter school on our campus.
Texas River School uses our Rivers as classrooms to teach and reinforce traditional subjects with under-served youth and to introduce important personal growth initiatives like leadership, self discipline and civic responsibility, while fostering a life-long connection to and affection for Texas waterways. Programs include the “Discover the Source” trip where students canoe on Lady Bird Lake to Barton Springs. After visiting the Splash Exhibit, they learn to snorkel and are taken to the actual spring within the Barton Springs Pool. Another program includes the “Down River Colorado Trip” – a trip below the dam on the Colorado River. Students get to experience the rural setting and natural river, and frequently camp overnight at our River Camp on the “Overnight Camping Trip,” where they fish, sing campfire songs, learn nature photography, and more. Students often exclaim that their day on the river is their favorite field trip ever!
Our motto is "Human-powered transportation through community participation" Our goal is to get more people on bicycles and out of their cars. We promote bicycle transportation because it is cheap, accessible, quiet, clean, and healthy. Cars are destroying our city; now is the time to do something about it. We provide free training in bike repair at our workshop in East Austin, and donate bikes to schools and shelters for the homeless and abused, refurbish inexpensive bikes for sale, and have a great time doing it. Come volunteer sometime.
The mission of Thundering Paws Animal Sanctuary is to offer a safe haven for animals of all kinds, with an emphasis on domestic animals,who are homeless, neglected, injured or abused. Our goal is to respect animals as individual beings with spirits who deserve the right to live a happy and healthy life, regardless of their attitude toward humans and human contact.
Services include trap/spay/neuter/recovery/return of feral cats, with medical care if needed; advising public via phone and e-mail on problems with animals; hospice care for aging or infirm animals; temporary boarding; spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchip, adoption of dogs, cats, and rabbits; offering volunteering opportunities to adults and children; informing the public; participating in Hays Co. animal forum.
TreeFolks mission is to grow Central Texas’ urban forests through tree planting, education and community partnerships. Our programs work closely with schools, community organizations, government municipalities and neighborhood associations to educate and involve citizens in tree planting and care. During the 2011-2012 planting season, TreeFolks planted and distributed 13,000 trees, coordinated more than 30,000 volunteer hours and provided education services to over 10,000 individuals in Central Texas.
The mission of TCDC is to provide quality, affordable early care and education to children within our economically and ethnically diverse community. We strive to provide stability and support to the children in our care and to their families, so that together we can truly impact future generations.
The Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum uses its collection of more than 200 sculptures, paintings, and drawings by 20th century American sculptor Charles Umlauf, to provide educational programs and experiences that encourage the understanding and appreciation of sculpture. As both a sculptor and teacher, Umlauf embodies the importance of education, which is central to the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum’s mission.
United Way Capital Area addresses critical social issues by bringing people and resources together to create opportunities for individuals, families and neighborhoods to prosper.
The Volunteer Healthcare Clinic provides free healthcare to people in our community who are low-income and uninsured. With the help of over 400 volunteers and many community collaborations, the Clinic provides walk-in acute care services 2-nights a week and chronic disease management services 1-night a week.
Volunteer Legal Services helps low-income clients access the civil justice system by pairing them with volunteer attorneys who help resolve their legal problem at no charge.
VSA Texas works to create a society where people with disabilities learn through, participate in and enjoy the arts. We are dedicated to the mission of promoting the creative power in people with disabilities by working with all community members to facilitate full access to the cultural and educational arts.
Waterloo was established in 1983 to support all Central Texans in improving their ability to live productive, high-functioning lives by working toward their optimal mental health. We provide mental health counseling services at very low cost, usually ranging from $10 to $60 per session. Clients can access services through a sliding fee scale or they can use their insurance. Under-insured clients are eligible for co-pay and deductible assistance as needed. Waterloo welcomes the entire Central Texas community, and has a specific expertise in serving vulnerable populations including the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) community; Spanish speakers; and people living with HIV/AIDS.
Westcave Preserve serves 7,000 people each year at its extraordinary 30-acre nature preserve and award-winning environmental education center in the Hill Country. Westcave connects kids and families to nature through experiences and programs that encourage discovery, exploration, and conservation of nature, and inspire lifelong practices of valuing and enjoying nature.
The mission of WeViva is to provide accessible and affordable fitness and nutrition classes to people in low-income neighborhoods. We accomplish this by providing the classes on-site and completely free of charge.
Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation’s (WRR) mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release native wildlife and to provide sanctuary, individualized care, and a voice for other animals in need. Over 7,000 orphaned, injured, and displaced wildlife pass through our doors each year, most of whom are rehabilitated and released back into their native habitat. WRR also provides permanent care in large natural habitats to farmed and unreleased wild animals. Among the latter are indigenous wildlife, non-native animals victimized by the pet trade and roadside zoos, and retirees from research facilities. Additionally, WRR serves as a wildlife educational advocate in Texas and receives over 10,000 calls a year on our emergency wildlife hotline which is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Wildlife rescue serves the cities of San Antonio and Austin, all of the surrounding counties, and much of the rest of the state.
Without Regrets Foundation provides gravely ill parents and their minor children with memorable family experiences. This special time together creates memories that will last forever.
For more information, please watch the following video. http://vimeo.com/53107659
At Women.Design.Build we work to foster a community where the women of Austin can collaboratively build skills, friendship and confidence via design and building activities. We provide programs that connect local leaders with those eagar to learn new skills in environments unique to Austin and the building comunity. Our values are built on the importance of collaborative learning, resourceful problem-solving, and community leadership.
Wonders & Worries helps children and their families cope when a parent or caregiver has a chronic or life-threatening illness. Our professional services are always provided free of charge, and are available in English and Spanish.
Workers Assistance Program, Inc. (WAP) is a nonprofit with a long history of innovative community
involvement. WAP invests in the community it serves by providing charitable and educational services.
The over-arching mission of WAP is to create better workplaces, schools, and communities.
Education, training, counseling, workplace consultation, and employee assistance programs are included in the
array of services that support the mission of WAP. WAP is the home of the Youth Advocacy Program (YA),
which has been providing community-based substance abuse prevention and intervention services to Travis
County youth and families since 1975. YA works toward building youth resilience, promoting family stability,
and empowering communities through education and support services in Central Texas. WAP is a private
nonprofit Texas-based organization incorporated in 1975, in good standing with the IRS and not listed on the
EPLS.
The Mission of the YMCA of Austin is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. At the Y, we are for Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility:
- We help to nurture the potential of every child through YMCA Afterschool, Summer Camp, Youth & Government, swim lessons, and MEND (childhood obesity program)
- We help to improve Austin's health and well-being through fitness facilities, group exercise, Senior Retreat (for persons with early- to mid-stage Alzheimer's and dementia) and LIVESTRONG at the YMCA (free 12-week cancer survivor program)
- We help to give back and provide support to our neighbors by ensuring that no one is ever turned away from the YMCA. Annually we give away over $2,000,000 to the Austin community so that more than 39,000 men, women and children can participate, regardless of their ability to pay.
YNPN Austin supports the professional growth of emerging leaders in Austin’snonprofit workforce by building community, offering educational programming to promote professional development, and providing access to skill-building resources. Membership to YNPN Austin is free and includes access to our weekly e-mail digest covering nonprofit news, jobs, and events.
Young Texans Against Cancer (YTAC) is a start-up, nonprofit organization comprised of young men and women affected directly or indirectly by cancer, who actively support the cancer community through the following efforts: Raising funds to help support research-based and small- to medium-sized organizations, increasing support for volunteer organizations, and educating our community about cancer research.
Youth2Seniors creates intergenerational programs designed to engage youth, enhance the lives of senior citizens and bridge generations. Our programs include intergenerational art, Bear H.U.G.s, quarterly events (trick-or-treating, Easter visits, etc), Intergenerational Day for the family and 2 special projects each year.
ZACH aims to create a unique theatre experience that ignites the imagination, lifts the spirit, and creates meaningful dialogue that engages our community. ZACH's season of professional theatre productions celebrates diversity and offers a wide array of cross-cultural educational and participatory activities including professional theatre classes and interactive plays for children.
Entering its 54th consecutive year, the Zilker Summer Musical is one of the most cherished & longest running family traditions in Austin. Zilker Theatre Productions, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is dedicated to preserving this uniquely Austin tradition by mounting these large-scale musical productions at the Beverly S. Sheffield Hillside Theater in Austin's beautiful Zilker Park. These award-winning, pay-what-you-wish Broadway caliber productions boast an audience of 40,000+ and have been entertaining the people of Central Texas for generations. Our mission is to produce outstanding, affordable theatre that educates, engages, and enriches our community in order to provide an opportunity for community access and community participation in the performing arts. In recent years, we have also entered into a public/private partnership with the City of Austin, Home Depot, and other community businesses to help maintain and improve The Hillside Theater which is utilized by numerous
theatre groups throughout Austin.
