Donating your time and energy to a cause you believe in is a powerful way to engage the world around you. Over the past 60 years, Caritas of Austin has been fortunate to receive the support of numerous committed volunteers and community partners. Some individuals spend their time chopping vegetables in our Community Kitchen, surrounded by the delightful aroma of homemade pastries, while others wear festive costumes to cheer on runners at Thundercloud Sub’s Turkey Trot.
Many of our volunteer activities fit the general expectations about contributing time and energy to an organization. However, supporting an organization can take many forms, from brief daily habits to long-term neighborhood projects.
In honor of Caritas of Austin’s 60th Anniversary, here are 60 unique ways to support our organization and end homelessness in Austin.
Amplify the mission
Spreading Caritas of Austin’s mission and message inspires more community members to help prevent and end homelessness in our city.
- Educate your friends and family on the experience of homelessness in Austin
- Share posts featuring Caritas of Austin on social media
- Recommend Caritas of Austin to local and state volunteer organizations
- Encourage your neighborhood to get involved with solving homelessness
- Recommend Caritas of Austin to individuals interested in learning more about homelessness
- Share resources in Austin with families and individuals experiencing homelessness
Attend Events
Attending Caritas of Austin’s events demonstrates your support for ending homelessness and helps provide resources necessary to support families and individuals experiencing homelessness.
7. Race against your friends during Thundercloud Sub’s annual Turkey Trot
8. Jam out to live music at Songs of Hope
9. Gather your team and host a Caritas of Austin food drive
10. Learn about addressing homelessness and nonprofit leadership at a Community Conversation
11. Host a Party for a Cause with friends
12. Connect with your community and make new friends at a Caritas of Austin Community Partnership Fundraiser
Learn More
Educating yourself on homelessness ensures that our community approaches and addresses homelessness in the most effective way possible.
13. Learn about the realities of experiencing homelessness
14. Learn about local homelessness issues in Austin
15. Identify local resources available to people experiencing homelessness
16. Learn about laws and proposed legislation governing homelessness
17. Learn how Caritas of Austin is working to make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring
18. Connect with personal testimony and stories of families and individuals who encountered or are currently facing homelessness
Donate
Sharing your resources with Caritas of Austin allows families and individuals to receive the vital services that prevent and end homelessness.
19. Make a one-time monetary donation
20. Set up a recurring monetary donation
21. Make a workplace donation
22. Provide goods or services as an in-kind donation
23. Donate food and canned goods to Caritas of Austin’s Pantry
24. Create Beat the Heat, Winter Preparedness, and Snack Packs
Share Your Experience
Share your experience of working with Caritas of Austin to end homelessness.
25. Tell your family and friends about your time with Caritas of Austin
26. Share your experience with coworkers
27. Consult with your employer to host an employee volunteer day, and suggest Caritas of Austin
28. Proudly wear Caritas of Austin merch
29. Share photos and videos on social media and tag Caritas of Austin
30. Encourage local volunteer groups to work with Caritas of Austin
Keep Up with Caritas of Austin
Stay up to date on Caritas of Austin’s efforts to end homelessness in Austin.
31. Follow Caritas of Austin on social media (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn)
32. Add your name to Caritas of Austin’s mailing list
33. Monitor for Caritas of Austin in the news
34. Attend events featuring Caritas of Austin leaders
35. Read Caritas of Austin’s blog
36. Check Caritas of Austin’s website for the latest updates
Volunteer
Volunteering provides direct assistance to clients and educates volunteers on how to address homelessness on a day-to-day basis.
37. Serve meals to over 250 community members in Caritas of Austin’s Community Kitchen
38. Put together care kits
39. Assist at Caritas of Austin events
40. Host a fundraiser benefiting Caritas of Austin
41. Host a food drive benefiting Caritas of Austin
42. Become an intern
Advocate for Government Support
Expressing your support for local and national initiatives that provide resources for families and individuals experiencing homelessness is one of the best ways to ensure that nonprofits like Caritas of Austin continue receiving the resources necessary for our work.
43. Call your elected officials to talk about the need for resources for those experiencing homelessness
44. Attend and participate in a local town hall meeting
45. Express support for proposed legislation benefitting those experiencing homelessness in person and on social media
46. Organize an event to increase awareness of the need for government support to properly address homelessness
47. Write letters to the editors of local newspapers detailing the need for increased government support to end homelessness
48. Attend rallies for political leaders who prioritize support for organizations addressing homelessness
Get Involved in Your Neighborhood
Fostering community and building strong neighborhood connections helps prevent homelessness and supports families and individuals experiencing it.
49. Get to know your neighbors
50. Organize community gatherings
51. Take initiative on issues affecting your neighborhood
52. Support and offer assistance to your neighbors
53. Welcome new individuals to the neighborhood and help them connect with the community
54. Create an accessible space for your neighborhood to gather
Support Other Nonprofits
Championing other local nonprofits that provide resources to families and individuals experiencing homelessness supports Caritas of Austin’s mission by providing resources and service to as many Austinites as possible.
55. Bring your whole family to clean up a local park with Generation Serve
56. Be part of the biggest giving event in Central Texas by donating to your favorite nonprofit on I Live Here I Give Here’s Amplify Austin Day
57. Prevent food waste and reduce food insecurity with Keep Austin Fed
58. Build your own recycled bike with Yellow Bike
59. Donate to help families in Austin access affordable housing and prevent homelessness with Austin Community Foundation
60. Maintain public spaces in downtown Austin with the Downtown Austin Alliance
Get involved today in the best way for you and help Caritas of Austin continue making Austin more vibrant for all!
For questions about individual or group volunteer opportunities, please contact volunteer@caritasofaustin.org.
