Volunteer Guide 2025: local opportunities in Williamson, Travis counties

Williamson and Travis counties offer a plethora of chances to get out into the community and lend a hand. Here is Community Impact’s guide to local volunteer opportunities.

Note: This list is not comprehensive

Animal services

The Dog Alliance

The nonprofit provides service dogs to disabled Texas veterans and has a therapy dog team that provides stress relief at hospitals, nursing homes, local schools and libraries. The organization also has dog training classes. The organization is actively seeking short- and long-term puppy raisers to provide service dogs for additional disabled veterans.

Sample activities: helping with distraction seminars for therapy and or service dogs, landscaping, puppy raising, fostering service dogs for vacations and holidaysDonations accepted: monetary gifts, professional services such as painting, plumbing, landscaping and window cleaning1321 W. New Hope Drive, Cedar Parkwww.thedogalliance.orgEquine Rehabilitation Central Texas

The organization is a rescue, rehab and rehoming facility for horses.

Sample activities: helping with horse care, feeding horses and giving them supplements, cleaning and grooming horses, conducting minor labor and repairsDonations accepted: monetary gifts; contact the organization for a list of preferred donations17000 Trailsend Cove, Leanderwww.horseserct.orgCommunity resources

The Caring Place

The nonprofit aims to provide the basic human needs for all community members.

Sample activities: more than 70 volunteer positions, including cashiers, client advocates, pricers, sorters and food pantry and food warehouse workersDonations accepted: food and monetary gifts accepted; Check the website for other acceptable donations.2000 Railroad Ave., Georgetownwww.caringplacetx.orgCedar Park Library Foundation

The group ensures that the Cedar Park Public Library can continue to offer adequate books, technology, and resources to the community.

Sample activities: donor outreach, running the in-library bookstoreDonations accepted: books, monetary gifts425 South Parkwest Drive, Cedar Parkhttps://cedarparkbooks.orgCentral Texas Food Bank

The organization is a hunger-relief nonprofit whose mission is to provide immediate and equitable access to food for individuals throughout its 21-county service area.

Sample activities: preparing after-school meals for kids, sorting products, harvesting produce, assisting mobile pantry distributionsDonations accepted: monetary donations and food donations6500 Metropolis Drive, Austinwww.centraltexasfoodbank.orgDr. Carol Ministries

The Christian organization helps people struggling with relationships, sex and mental health

Sample activities: maintenance and groundskeeping opportunities at the facilityDonations accepted: monetary donations or pre-arranged in-kind gifts675 RM 1869, Liberty Hillwww.drcarolministries.comHeroes Resource Center

The nonprofit serves veterans, service members and their families through peer-to-peer groups, activities and events, counseling, and Veterans Affairs benefits assistance. The coffee and donut peer group is expanding, with 30-40 veterans attending every Tuesday and Thursday.

Sample activities: help with coffee and donuts peer group, assist with events, sponsor events or fundraisers, help with cleaningDonations accepted: coffee, donuts, drinks, paper products, cleaning supplies, monetary gifts1150 S. Bell Blvd., Cedar Parkwww.heroesresourcecenter.orgHill Country Community Ministries

The nonprofit seeks to provide food, clothing and other necessary services to those facing challenging times and financial difficulties such as job loss, disabilities, chronic illness and family emergencies. The organization is planning to purchase 5.9 acres of land in December and break ground on a new food pantry and nonprofit mall in the next nine months.

Sample activities: packing goods orders for clients, helping in the community cupboard, picking up donations from retail partners, serving as a case manager, working in the thrift storeDonations accepted: nonperishable food, hygiene products, clothes, household items, monetary gifts1005 Lacy Drive, Leander (headquarters & food pantry); 1501 Leander Drive, Bldg. C, Ste. 3, Leander (thrift store)www.hccm.orgHope Alliance

The shelter and resource center helps victims of domestic or sexual violence. The organization also offers holiday sponsorships to provide gifts and clothing to families.

Sample activities: staffing the counseling center, answering phones, working with clientsDonations accepted: toiletries, clothing, items from the Amazon wish list1705 CR 285, Liberty Hillwww.hopealliancetx.orgHope House

The nonprofit is home to people with disabilities. On Oct 9, Hope House opened two new homes to accommodate up to 16 more children.

Sample activities: home improvements, resident activities, professional servicesDonations accepted: monetary donations1705 CR 285, Liberty Hillwww.hopehouseaustin.orgMa Bailey’s

The women’s clinic and short-term housing facility provides prenatal and postpartum care for families.

Sample activities: mowing, maintenance and repair services, administrative work, updating website and social mediaDonations accepted: cleaning and household supplies, clinical supplies, monetary gifts747 Dews Road, Leanderwww.mabaileys.orgOpen My World

The riding center provides equine therapy to treat physical disabilities and injuries, mental illness, behavioral issues and learning disabilities.

Sample activities: assisting with therapeutic horseback riding lessons, grooming horses, cleaning horse soles, helping with special eventsDonations accepted: in-kind business donations, such as materials or supplies from businesses; monetary gifts, including sponsorships for riders and horses5300 County Road 279, Leanderhttps://openmyworld.orgOperation Liberty Hill

The food pantry has a thrift store and resource center, which helps people with job readiness. It also offers clothing vouchers and financial aid. The organization recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Sample activities: serve food in the food pantry, stock and organize merchandise in the thrift store, sort and prepare items in the donation centerDonations accepted: nonperishable food, clothing, household goods, financial donations1401 N. Hwy. 183, Leanderwww.operationlh.orgOpportunities for Williamson and Burnet Counties

The organization is the official community action agency for Williamson and Burnet counties. It works to empower children, families and seniors to achieve and maintain independence by partnering with area organizations to provide education, nutrition and community support.

Sample activities: reading to preschoolers through the Head Start program, delivering meals through the Meals on Wheels program, spending time with seniors in needDonations accepted: new children’s clothing, books, monetary donations604 High Tech Drive, Georgetownwww.owbc-tx.orgReveal Resource Center

The food pantry, clothes closet and diaper ministry aims to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the Cedar Park community. The nonprofit will distribute 750 Thanksgiving meals on Nov. 23.

Sample activities: distributing food, clothing and diapers in a drive-thru settingDonations accepted: nonperishable food, gently-used clothing, diapers, monetary gifts1150 S. Bell Blvd., Cedar Parkwww.revealresourcecenter.comRiver City Hope Street

The organization works to fight poverty and hopelessness among adults through spiritual development, workforce training and education. The nonprofit will begin teaching a nationally-recognized certified construction program in January 2026 and is seeking certified electricians and plumbers to teach trade classes.

Sample activities: teaching English as a second language, citizenship or trade classes; serving as an instructional aide; performing administrative tasks; coordinating and working eventsDonations accepted: monetary gifts, tools1150 S. Bell Blvd., Cedar Parkwww.rivercityhope.orgUnchained Foundation

The organization’s mission is to bring comfort, connection and memorable experiences to critically ill adults by helping them fulfill dreams, achieve bucket-list items and preserve legacies.

Sample activities: assembling and delivering care packages, planning events, providing administrative support, organizing donation drives, helping with social mediaDonations accepted: blankets, socks, snacks, self-care items, gift cards, monetary gifts263 Housefinch Loop, Leanderwww.unchainedfoundation.orgWe Are Blood

The blood supply organization serves more than 50 medical facilities and emergency medical services agencies across 10 counties in Central Texas.

Sample activities: donating blood, transporting donations, assisting at blood drives and events, office support, community outreachDonations accepted: blood and platelet donations, monetary donations4300 N. Lamar Blvd., Austinwww.weareblood.orgYellow House Foundation

The nonprofit provides a recovery community for people struggling with substance abuse.

Sample activities: fundraising efforts, web development and social media servicesDonations accepted: monetary donations804 Leander Drive, Leanderwww.yhfoundation.orgYesterday’s Gone

The organization provides transitional housing for women who have experienced abuse, their children and their pets.

Sample activities: child care, maintenance, wellness activities, community engagement, cookingDonations accepted: gift cards, cleaning supplies, nonperishable food items, holiday decorations, paper goods1320 Arrow Point Drive, Ste. 501, Cedar Parkwww.yesterdaysgone.orgEducation and children

Austin Steam Train Association

The association seeks to preserve, interpret and recreate the experience of steam-era railroading.

Sample activities: providing passenger services as a vintage train car attendant, managing on-board volunteers as a crew chief, providing office support, studying to be a student brakemanDonations accepted: monetary gifts401 E. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. C100, Cedar Parkwww.austinsteamtrain.orgCASA of Travis County

Volunteers advocate for children who have experienced abuse or neglect in Travis County.

Sample activities: serving as a court-appointed special advocate assigned to a child and familyDonations accepted: monetary gifts8303 N. Mopac Expy, Ste. A100, Austinwww.casatravis.orgCASA of Williamson County

The nonprofit advocates for children who have experienced abuse or neglect so they may find loving, safe and permanent homes.

Sample activities: serving as a court-appointed special advocate assigned to a child and family, working special events, fundraisingDonations accepted: monetary gifts2100 Scenic Drive, Ste. 110, Georgetownwww.casawilco.orgCheyanna’s Champions for Children (Austin)

The nonprofit supports children with rare and undiagnosed medical conditions, serving the child’s family through financial assistance for medical expenses, well-being programs, peer support and experiences.

Sample activities: create handmade cards for children, make gifts and notes for parents, fundraising, mentorshipDonations accepted: stocking stuffers for children from an Amazon wish list, teddy bears, blank journals and pens, blankets, gift cards, monetary donations11701 Bee Caves Road, Ste. 200, Austinwww.cc4c.orgDwelling Place

The organization provides support for foster, adoptive and kinship caregivers.

Sample activities: Parent’s Night Out: Foster, adoptive and kinship families can meet for a night of fun and volunteer opportunities.Donations accepted: monetary donations14125 W. Hwy. 29, Ste. B203-113, Liberty Hillwww.dwellingplacetx.orgLadders for Leaders

The nonprofit connects high school students to internship programs and job skills programs

Sample activities: conducting job interviews for the program, preparing students for job interviews, providing resume support, working eventsDonations accepted: sponsorships, office space, monetary giftswww.laddersforleaders.orgLeander ISD PTA Clothes Closet

The organization provides free, gently used clothes to all students in Leander ISD.

Sample activities: sorting donations, organizing bins, tagging and hanging clothes, doing inventory, helping families sign in, finding sizes or items, helping with checkoutDonations accepted: gently-used, school-appropriate clothing; closed-toe shoes; new socks and underwear324 S. West Drive, Leander; 6500 Sitio Del Rio Blvd., Austinwww.lisdptacouncil.com/clothes-closetHousing and preservation

Baker Sanctuary

The 715-acre sanctuary provides a woodland habitat for the endangered songbird, the golden-cheeked warbler, and is open to volunteers and members of Travis Audubon, excluding some public events.

Sample activities: maintaining trails, removing invasive plant species, cleaning the parkDonations accepted: monetary gifts12221 Lime Creek Road, Leanderwww.travisaudubon.orgHabitat for Humanity of Williamson County

The nonprofit provides affordable homes for families in need and operates ReStore, a public construction thrift store. In April 2025, the organization held a groundbreaking ceremony for the first two homes at Shepherds Village. Construction on the homes is expected to be completed in November 2025. The nonprofit will also soon select the next round of habitat homeowners as it continues construction efforts in Georgetown.

Sample activities: constructing homes, painting, framing, installing appliances, landscaping, applying carpentry, building wheelchair ramps, stocking retail merchandise, helping in customer serviceDonations accepted: vehicles, boats, construction tools and materials, property, stocks, bonds, furniture, home decor, monetary gifts2108 N. Austin Ave., Georgetownwww.williamsonhabitat.orgMedical care

Agape Women’s Clinic

The faith-based nonprofit offers assistance to women facing unexpected pregnancies with ultrasounds and early pregnancy confirmation. The second Agape Women’s Clinic location is now open in Cedar Park, offering services in the evenings and on Saturdays.

Sample activities: cleaning, organizing and stocking the baby store, mentoring in parenting classesDonations accepted: baby items, monetary gifts104 E. Main St., Round Rock; 1464 E. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. 15, Cedar Parkwww.agapewomensclinic.orgHand to Hold

The nonprofit offers support and resources to families with an infant in NICU. Hand to Hold recently celebrated its 15th anniversary.

Sample activities: peer mentorship, online fundraisingDonations accepted: monetary donations12325 Hymeadow Dr., Ste. 4-102, Austinwww.handtohold.orgImagine a Way

The nonprofit covers therapy costs for qualifying families of children ages 2-7 with autism.

Sample activities: helping at fundraising and community eventsDonations accepted: silent auction items, prizes, monetary gifts206 Northwest Drive, Leander (office)www.imagineaway.orgSamaritan Health Ministries

The organization seeks to provide free, accessible health care to uninsured, medically underserved and undocumented patients in Williamson County.

Sample activities: assisting with administrative tasks, pharmacy technician tasks, medical assistant tasks, and dental assistant tasks.Donations accepted: nonperishable goods, medical supplies, monetary gifts.1900 Cypress Creek Road, Ste. 200, Cedar Parkwww.theshm.org