Volunteering

Does your child’s high school offer students the opportunity of and assistance with voter registration? They should. It's the law. 

Twice each academic year, once per semester, Texas high school principals must offer students 18 years of age or turning 18 that school year, the chance to register to vote.

Learn more about your child's high school's duties and how you can get involved and help others register to vote.

Attention, local businesses owners!

We are happy to announce that we're going to roll out a new service free of charge for local businesses and invite you to participate in this program.

We are partnering with Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs) of schools in the Austin area. As you may know, PTOs often seek fundraising support or donations for upcoming school events, such as raffle prizes, food and snacks, or other forms of donations. This is a great way for local businesses to give back to the community and, at the same time, to promote their products and services to families in the area.

Congenital Heart Defects are the number one kind of birth defect.

 
You may have heard about Late Night host Jimmy Kimmel sharing his family’s story: his newborn son Billy was diagnosed with a Congenital Heart Defect that required immediate open heart surgery. 

Congenital Heart Defects or Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) are fairly common. About 8 out of every 1,000 newborns – that’s about 40,000 babies every year in the United States – are born with a Congenital Heart Defect. Here's how you can help make a difference.

Here's how you can honor babies, moms, and heart healthy lives in a very special way.

Do you remember when you moved into your first home and all the things that you needed in order to start a new life on your own? It's a big step and it isn't always easy, especially for youth and young families with little money and resources.

Today, we'd like to introduce you to a new nonprofit that aims to provide those individuals with as much assistance as possible.

Touch, climb on, and explore over 60 big and loud motor vehicles such as fire trucks, ambulances, excavators, dozers, and more, at this Austin family favorite: the 7th annual Touch-A-Truck at Camp Mabry Saturday, May 12th from 10am – 3pm.

Read on for details and how to enter for a chance to win a Family 4-Pack of Tickets to the event.

Today we want to introduce you to the International Student Exchange (ISE).

There’s a huge difference between vacationing and exploring a different country on your own and actually living with and seeing the country through the eyes of the local people. Not only do you have the opportunity to learn and experience the culture and the language in a much more personal way, you will also gain new perspectives, broaden your world view, and build long-lasting friendships.

Find out more about the International Student Exchange program, how you can become a host family and how your child can participate in the program and spend time abroad.

Have you read BBC's famous article Why Finnish Babies Sleep in Cardboard Boxes? If not, here's a brief summary: 
For 75 years, Finland's expectant mothers have been given a box by the government. The maternity package contains bodysuits, a sleeping bag, outdoor gear, baby bathing products, as well as diapers, bedding, and a small mattress. The cardboard box itself serves as baby's first bed and doubles as a crib. 

Did you know that all expectant and new parents with infants 3 months of age or younger in Texas are eligible to receive a free Baby Box? Read on for details.

The average costs for school supplies every year is $35 which creates an extra burden for already challenged families as well as for teachers, who often spend their own money buying missing supplies for their classrooms and students.

In order to ease the burden of both families and teachers, school districts that are continuously facing tighter budgets, are trying to outsource the financial obligation by requesting that parents help provide  these supplies.

Here is a list of Back-to-School Programs and School-Supply Drives in and around Austin.

Did you know that living in the ‘Live Music Capital of the World’ is not just an awesome treat for grown-ups but also for kids of every age, every background, and every ability? In addition to many music events and kids concerts throughout the year, Austin has a plethora of businesses and organizations that allow and help children to enjoy their natural birthright as musical beings.

Beyond the Grade, one of Austin’s many nonprofit organizations serving children in the 512, made it its goal to “Keeping Music Alive in Austin Schools” and to provide music educational opportunities to students beyond the traditional classes offered in schools. Read more about Beyond the Grade programs.

Crystal Ngumezi, a 26-year-old originally from Houston, TX now living in Austin, TX, recently started The Proverbs 31 Women’s Organization, a nonprofit organization that offers free mentorship and professional etiquette training classes to young women from low-income families living in underprivileged neighborhoods.

“I started The Proverbs 31 Women's Organization because I felt there was a need for an organization that supplied underprivileged young women with proper mentors to help lead and guide them through life.”, Crystal says. “As a young woman myself, I always desired to have a female mentor to help coach and guide me through my profession as a female engineer. I never received this type of aid, so I made it my mission and purpose to create opportunities for young women who looked like me to receive free help and guidance, as well as free professional training and teaching.“ Read on for more information on participating, volunteering, and donating.

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