Compassion — In Action

by Charlotte Kovalchuk

If you’re on the lookout for volunteer opportunities that go beyond the traditional food drives and park clean ups, there are plenty of ways to make a difference in your community. From empowering women to helping rescue wildlife, these unique volunteer opportunities that allow individuals to have a lasting impact right where they live.

EMPOWERING WOMEN

Imagine transforming someone’s life with the power of a great outfit. Dress for Success Austin is dedicated to helping women achieve economic independence by providing professional attire, career coaching, and support. Whether you’re assisting clients in choosing the perfect interview outfit, offering job search guidance, or leading workshops on resume building, your involvement helps women build confidence as they navigate their career paths.

DressForSuccessAustin.org /volunteer

IMPROVING LITERACY

Each year, Inside Books Project sends more than 30,000 free books to people in Texas prisons, promoting reading, literacy, and education among incarcerated individuals. The organization relies on volunteers to read letters with book requests and send book packages, as well as solicit book donations, pick up donated books, help run the nonprofit’s bookstore, and plan fundraising events.

InsideBooksProject.org

PEDAL FOR CHANGE

If you’re passionate about cycling and sustainability, consider volunteering with the Yellow Bike Project, a nonprofit that refurbishes bicycles for those in need and educates people who would like to learn about bicycles and bicycle maintenance. As a volunteer, you can assist with bike repairs, teach cycling workshops, or participate in community outreach events.

AustinYellowBike.org

INSPIRING YOUNG MINDS

Jarrell ISD offers a variety of volunteer opportunities aimed at supporting students on their educational journeys. Whether through mentoring, tutoring, organizing school events, providing one-on-one academic support, or assisting in the classroom, volunteers have a lasting impact on the lives of young learners.

Jarrellisd.org/Page/199

Outside-the-Box Volunteering

ENCOURAGING INNOVATION

The Jarrell Education Foundation's mission is to enhance student learning through innovative opportunities that promote academic excellence. Through funds raised solely by the volunteer board of directors, classroom grants are awarded to teachers to implement imaginative and progressive teaching initiatives that promote student achievement. Grants for staff development are also awarded JISD educators to engage in cutting-edge training that refines professional skills and supports innovative teaching.

https://sites.google.com/ jarrellisd.org/jarrell-education-foundation/home

FURRY FRIENDS

From rescue groups to wildlife rehabilitation centers, countless organizations offer opportunities for animal lovers to lend a helping hand to pets in need.

All Things Wild Rehabilitation: Those passionate about helping rescue sick, injured, orphaned, and displaced wildlife can make a difference by joining All Things Wild Rehabilitation’s volunteer team. Volunteers wash dishes, do laundry, clean cages, feed animals, and handle various other tasks to ensure animals receive the care they need.

allthingswildrehab.org/volunteer

Simple Sparrow Farm: At this therapeutic haven designed to help both humans and animals learn, grow and heal, volunteers contribute by caring for various animals, maintaining the bird house, and assisting with events.

simplesparrow.farm/volunteer

Living Grace Canine Ranch: This senior dog sanctuary in Bertram invites volunteers to share their talents, skills, and compassion in offering canines a safe, permanent, and loving home. Volunteer contributions can range from helping with social media and photography to organizing community events and maintaining the facility. Most importantly, you’ll have the joy of playing and bonding with senior dogs, providing them with the attention they deserve in their golden years.

livinggracecanineranch.org/volunteer

Austin Humane Society: The longest-standing no-kill, nonprofit pet and adoption center in Austin, Austin Humane Society has been dedicated to rescuing and re-homing pets since its founding in 1952. With many opportunities for dog and cat lovers alike, the organization welcomes individual and group volunteers to help with animal care, socialization, foster care, and community outreach projects, all with the goal of directly impacting the lives of countless animals in need of loving homes.

AustinHumaneSociety.org/volunteer