Alacridad is an international nonprofit that provides volunteers and computing resources to Latin American community programs.  This May, we are setting up a computer lab and conducting teacher training for AEC-TEA, a community organization in Capim Grosso, Brazil. Our partnership will strengthen educational programs and bring new computing resources to their community.  Additionally, we will work with community members to make the most of the new computer lab.

In Kind Donations Appreicated: Our major need for the first half of the year is for 16 donated laptops, which will go to Bahia, Brazil to set up a community computer lab.  

Volunteer Opportunities:We are also looking for volunteers for our first fundraising event (a happy hour with a silent auction and a couple of bands) at the end of March. For information, please contact Chris Hastings at 299-6218.

Group and Individual Volunteer Opportunities:  Austin Children's Shelter (ACS) provides emergency shelter, food, clothing, cognitive and emotional evaluation and counseling, medical and dental care, on-site preschool, after-school tutoring, academic enrichment activities, and supervisory care for approximately 300 abused and neglected children per year. Children remain at the Austin Children's Shelter for 14-90 days while the legal system determines appropriate guardianship and custodial care. Most children transition into the foster care. There are both group and individual volunteer opportunities at ACS.  ACS volunteers are asked to make a commitment of 4 hours per week and give one on one attention to the children in our care through talking, playing games, helping with homework and chaperoning outings. One time, group volunteer opportunities are flexible and ACS staff can work with your company and employees to create a memorable activity for everyone. Please contact Kelly Smith at 512-236-2505.

Group and Indiviudla Volunteer Opportunities: Help Austin Partners in Education Put the Public in Public Schools- sign up to Volunteer! Austin Partners in Education (APIE) needs you to share your talent and time with the students of Austin's high-need public schools! APIE has volunteer tutoring and mentoring programs in many grade levels and subject areas. APIE's new study group model means you'll be tutoring 3-4 students in the classroom during the school day with the teacher present. You will be one of five or more volunteers in each classroom so join with your colleagues or on your own. Programs: Partners in Reading (Grade 2), Companeros en Lectura (Grade 2), Partners in Math (Grades 3-10), College Readiness (Grades 11-12), Partners in Literature (Grades 8-10),  Mentoring (All grades), Dell TechKnow (Grades 6-8). Time Commitment:  50 minutes per week for semester for most programs.  Locations and times vary. Call 637-0900 for more information.  

Upcoming Event: BiGAUSTIN has helped entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses for over 12 years. It is in this spirit the 8th Annual BiGidea will feature the Best Business Plan Contest. The BiGIDEA Day is dedicated to recognizing the achievements and empowering the growth of small businesses. Entries are being accepted online, by fax or in person. Finalists will be voted on by audience members and the winner announced live during the BiGIDEA Day luncheon on April 18, 2008. To enter the contest for a chance to win a valuable business prize package worth thousands, go to www.bigaustin.org. Entries must be received by 5 pm, March 21. BiGAUSTIN is the leading self-sustainable small business development organization that provides innovative growth strategies to underserved entrepreneurs in Central Texas. BiGAUSTIN offers entrepreneurial education, tailored business counseling and flexible loans for small business owners. 

Individual Volunteer Opportunities: January is National Mentoring Month and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas needs you to spread the word!  Tell a friend (or two) about our programs and how they can create BIG magic in the life of a child.  BBBS is currently enrolling mentors in both our school-based and community-based programs. Each program has a 12 month time commitment. Bigs spend time with their Little doing everyday things like eating lunch, doing homework, playing on the play-ground, or just talking.  Please call and encourage your interested friends to call 472-KIDS (5437) for more information or to begin the enrollment process!

Upcoming Event and Individual Volunteer Opportunities: It's the 25th anniversary of our largest annual fundraiser - Bowl for Kids' Sake! During this bowl-a-thon, individuals from all over the community form teams of five and raise pledges to help Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) match more kids with caring, committed mentors. There will be hundreds if not thousands of participants involved so we need your help!!! Volunteers will help with check-in, passing out t-shirts and door prize tickets, and replenishing the food area. There are day and evening shifts available from February 22-24. The event will be at Highland Lanes at 8909 Burnet Rd. Please call Meghan Jones at 442-4646 x 204.

Individual Volunteer Opportunities:Camp Agape Bereavement Camp for Children is a unique and innovative summer camp program designed specifically for children who have suffered the loss of a loved one.  Our free, Christian-based service offers all the fun of a typical summer camp, along with group-therapy activities to assist the children in their grief process. These activities incorporate the use of art, music and play therapies; with the theme of offering true HOPE for their future.  We serve kids throughout Texas, as well as military children who have lost a parent in the war in Iraq. There are many areas of volunteer needs for our summer program in 2008. You may contact us at 830-385-8916.

Group or Individual Volunteer Opportunities: The Care Communities provides practical and emotional support for people with a serious illness, particularly AIDS and cancer. The Care Communities has a vision of a caring community where no one will face a serious illness alone. The Care Team, which consists of four to six volunteers, provides light housekeeping, shopping, meal preparation, yard work, transportation to medical appointments. The Care Teams also provide emotional support and companionship to those who are ill who might otherwise remain isolated or alone.  Four hours a month are asked of each volunteer. There will be a volunteer training on Sunday, January 27 from 1:30pm - 4:00pm at The Care Communities, 7215 Cameron Road. RSVP to Roger Temme, Outreach Coordinator, 459-5883.

Upcoming Event: Each month in Travis County there are more than 1,200 children living in foster care because of abuse and neglect.  CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Travis County connects these children with caring volunteers from the community who want to impact and improve a child's life. To learn more about CASA of Travis County attend the upcoming February 6th Open House at our office, 6330 Hwy 290 East. Open House is an opportunity for you to meet with our staff anytime between 10am-6pm and ask any questions you may have. If you can't attend, please call us at 459-2272.

Individual Volunteer Opportunities: Mentor for young single parents 16-25 years old (male or female). Volunteers are needed to work with young single parents as they go through our Young Parents Succeed program. Provide emotional support and help clients establish/realize their goals for the future. If possible, it would be helpful if the mentor attends classes (6 classes held once a week on Saturdays) with the parents. Time commitment: 3-4 months. Communicate with the young parents at least once a week. Location: The office is at 1817 East 6th street, Austin, TX but the meetings with the young parents can take place at a mutual place. Catholic Charities of Central Texas works to strengthen individuals, families and communities through direct services, community collaboration and social justice advocacy. Catholic Charities of Central Texas has other volunteer opportunities.

Group/Individual Volunteer Opportunities and Upcoming Events: College Forward provides college preparatory services to motivated, economically- disadvantaged students, in order to facilitate their transition to college and make the process exciting and rewarding. We serve junior and senior students in seven Central Texas high schools, helping them apply to, prepare for, and remain in college. We offer flexible volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups. From late March through early May, we especially need volunteers to carry out our "Breakfast of Champions" program: decorating, preparing, and distributing bags of wholesome snacks to motivate and energize our students for the grueling four-hour ACT and SAT exams. Also, join us for our monthly Schoolhouse Rock Sing-a-long "friend-raiser" on second Fridays at Mother Egan's Irish Pub. For more information on these and other opportunities to help Austin youth pursue their college dreams, please contact Emily Steinberg, Associate Director, at 452-4800.

Upcoming Event andIndividual Volunteer Opportunities: Lead a Workshop at Expanding Your Horizons. It's that time again! Girlstart is looking for workshop presenters for their annual Expanding Your Horizons program (www.eyhaustin.org), which will be held on March 29, 2008. This program gives middle school girls the opportunity to learn about exciting careers from professional women. The highlight of each workshop is a hands-on activity that shows the girls how much fun a math, science, engineering or technology career can be! Email Girlstart Volunteer/Event Coordinator Sarah Haegelin (sarah@girlstart.org) to be a part of this truly impactful day. There are other ways to get involved at Expanding Your Horizons if you aren't interested in leading a workshop. Girlstart needs approximately 100 general event volunteers to make this day run smoothly! From assisting with workshops to chatting with the girls during lunch, there are many ways for you to help out. 

Upcoming Event: WalkAmerica is now March for Babies! The March of Dimes is changing the name of its biggest event to March for Babies.  It's a great change because it makes clear that we are walking for all babies -those born healthy and those who need our help to survive and thrive.  With our name change comes a fresh new look and logo! Sign up a Team of your coworkers, friends or family online and lace up your shoes for Austin's March for Babies on May 10th at Auditorium Shores!!  Help us make March For Babies our BEST walk ever. Although the name of our event has changed, the March of Dimes mission remains the same. March of Dimes will continue to work to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Families affected by these issues will continue to inspire us all as we work together to champion the health needs of mothers and babies.

For 32 years the Samaritan Center for Counseling and Pastoral Care has been saving lives, healing emotional wounds and providing hope to Central Texas families.  We serve children, adolescents, adults and the geriatric population with offices in Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown and San Marcos.  Reduced fees are available for those who qualify.

Upcoming Event and Volunteer Opportunities: Tuesday, Feb. 26 is Samaritan Center's 6th Annual Ethics in Business Award Dinner, honoring businesses, nonprofit organizations and individuals who exemplify ethical business practice.  Volunteers are needed for the silent auction, registration and logistics.  Sponsors are also needed.  Please contact heidi@samaritan-center.org or www.austinethics.org.

Volunteer Opportunities:  Volunteer therapists; office assistants; special event planners for fall golf tournament and capital campaign events; public speakers; capital campaign and board committee members; graphic designer; interior designers to decorate new building in late 2008.

In-kind Donations Appreciated:  Printing, office supplies, computer equipment, educational toys for play therapy center, office furniture.

Volunteer Opportunities: Skill Point Alliance's Community Technology Training Centers provides the Austin community with free computer training to make our clients more employable. To this purpose, our program also offers Professional Development courses taught by volunteers who currently work or have experience in the business world. These courses include Resume Writing, Financial Management, Interviewing Skills, and Time Management-all vital skills needed for success in the work force.  We have opportunities available for volunteers willing to share their knowledge and experience for the benefit of the community. The commitment entails teaching a class on a weeknight at either Travis High School or Reagan High School. For more information and a class availability listing, please email cttc@skillpointalliance.org.

Group and Individual Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteer and Fight Breast Cancer with Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The promise of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality of care for all and energizing science to find the cures. The Komen Austin Affiliate invites you to attend volunteer orientation to learn more about Komen, promise, breast cancer and volunteer needs.  There are several opportunities to choose from such as the Race for the Cure, special events, office help, fundraising, education, keychain assembly, finance, PR and MUCH more!  Komen has volunteer opportunities to accommodate individuals, small and large groups. Email volunteer@komenaustin.org or call 512-473-0900 for
more details. Also, visit online today and purchase Race shirts from 2007 for $5.00 (shipping included) or $3/each in person.  

 

There is no better place on earth than Austin, Texas for an entrepreneur to gather the tools they need for success. As a unique intersection of the academic, public and private sectors, our city has proven itself to be an environment for entrepreneurs to succeed. 

 

Through RISE - A Relationship and Information Series for Entrepreneurs - expertise is exchanged as entrepreneurs from multiple industries and backgrounds connect with each other as well as members of the academic, financial, non-profit, and government sectors to share their experience, challenges and resources.

From March 4-6, aspiring entrepreneurs may attend free RISE Sessions led by successful members of the Austin business community. Unlike a traditional conference, RISE Sessions are limited to 20 participants and take place all over the city in areas where entrepreneurs naturally congregate. From board rooms to coffee shops, from office parks to Zilker Park, entrepreneurs gather to learn, share and recharge.

Visit www.RISEaustin.org to sign up to host  and learn more!