Community
BY ASIA ARMOUR & SHAWN ARRAJJ
Volunteer Guide
2023
Learn more about volunteer and donation opportunities in Bellaire, Meyerland, West University Place and surrounding areas. For specific volunteer requirements, contact the organization directly. This list is not comprehensive.
Empower children
Care for the environment
Empower children
Girls Empowerment Network The organization advances self-efficacy—or the belief in oneself to succeed—in girls in grades 3-12 through programs that foster confidence, coping skills, collaboration, communication, critical thinking and creativity. • Sample activities: writing role model letters, creating armation bookmarks, signing up for Girl Connect events • Donations accepted: money, merchandise sales, car donations, stock donations Workshop Houston The nonprofit’s mission is to provide creative, technical and educational resources to young people who are involved in the arts. • Sample activities: working with students during after- school programs once per week during the semester • Donations accepted: checks, in-kind materials • 3615 Sauer St., Houston • www.workshophouston.org • 4660 Beechnut St., Ste. 102, Houston • www.girlsempowermentnetwork.org
Be a Resource The nonprofit works to provide resources to children in Child Protective Services in Houston as well as children who are referred to the organization. • Sample activities: helping with community events; creating hygiene packs and school bags; hosting drives • Donations accepted: money; hygiene products for babies and children; toys; books; diapers; clothing in all sizes; blankets; stuffed animals
educational, health, language or cultural barriers with several core programs that go beyond refugee settlement and social-educational and wellness services. Interested volunteers can receive more information by reaching out to volunteer@thealliancetx.org. • Sample activities: assisting with special events; helping with administrative tasks; sorting donations; helping interpret foreign languages; serving as English language partners, job readiness mentors or refugee youth mentors • Donations accepted: money; nonperishable food items; new baby items, new full-sized hygiene items; new household items and gently-used furniture; electronics; vehicles; gently-used clothing • 6420 Hillcroft Ave., Houston • www.thealliancetx.org Houston Area Women’s Center This organization works to end domestic violence, sexual assault and sex trafficking. Services include crisis intervention, support programs and violence prevention initiatives. • Sample activities: joining a committed volunteer fundraising committee; helping at events; offering holiday gift items to survivors and their families; assembling essential supply kits to aid women and children in the HAWC shelter • Donations accepted: monetary contributions; food items; brand new clothing for women, infants and toddlers; toys; diapers; hygiene products; beauty products; first aid items; luggage; detergent; smaller appliances • www.hawc.org Plant it Forward The Houston-based nonprofit works with more than 60 farmers with refugee backgrounds, including farmers operating five urban sites and four rural sites. • Sample activities: helping urban farmers weed, mulch and compost; working at a local farmers market; being a veggie guide content creator • Donations accepted: Venmo, PayPal, mail, stock • Fondren: 10595 Fondren Road, Houston • Westbury: 12581 Dunlap St., Houston • www.plantitforward.farm
• 3572 E. T C Jester Blvd., Houston • www.bearesourcehouston.org
Second Servings of Houston The nonprofit rescues surplus perishable food from retailers, distributors and manufacturers, and delivers it to local nonprofits. • Sample activities: assisting drivers with food rescues; helping with PopUp Grocery Stores • Donations accepted: surplus food, money • 8825 Knight Road, Houston • www.secondservingshouston.org
Care for the environment
Coastal Prairie Conservancy This organization works to preserve and protect the acres that make up Katy Prairie for the well-being of the wildlife and people in the area. • Sample activities: participating in Stewardship Saturdays; collecting seeds; caring for the plant nursery; guiding as a docent; helping with pocket prairie initiatives • Donations accepted: money, estate plans, merchandise sales, Kroger Community Awards • Houston office: 5615 Kirby Drive, Ste. 867, Houston • Field office: 31975 Hebert Road, Waller • www.coastalprairieconservancy.org
Help animals
Special Pals This animal welfare nonprofit and no-kill shelter works to save animal lives. The center provides adoptions, fostering, low-cost clinics and rescue boarding. • Sample activities: taking care of animals; assisting with administrative work; helping with events; helping transport animals to veterinarians for medical needs; fostering; dog walking; photography, marketing and social media help • Donations accepted: money, gift cards • 3830 Greenhouse Road, Houston • www.specialpals.org
Feed the hungry
Houston Food Bank The nonprofit collects, inspects, sorts, stores and distributes food to community partners, such as pantries, soup kitchens, schools and multi-service centers. • Sample activities: sorting food; building home delivery kits; assisting with hot meals; distributing food and school supplies • Donations accepted: money, food, vehicles, stocks • East branch: 535 Portwall St., Houston • North branch: 146 Knobcrest Drive, Houston • www.houstonfoodbank.org/volunteernow
Support families
The Alliance The nonprofit assists those who face financial,
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BELLAIRE - MEYERLAND - WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION
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