Community Service Projects
Austin Junior Forum works with several local organizations serving the community, as well as hosting some community projects of its own, such as the Teddy Bear Program, which provides Teddy Bears and Dalmatians for local public safety agencies to give to children involved in traumatic events.
Community Service Projects With Local Organizations For This Year:
At Any Baby Can is an Austin, Texas-based nonprofit organization, that believes all children deserve the chance to be healthy and happy. Any Baby Can strengthens parents and their children through in-home therapies (physical, occupational, and speech pathology), medical case management, resource navigation, and family support services. Services are provided through home-visitation programs, community classes and support groups. AJF volunteers for a variety of special projects with Any Baby Can.
Austin Classical Guitar inspires individuals through musical experiences of deep personal significance. ACG’s largest programming area is education, which includes a range of services and resources designed to support classroom-based guitar programs in schools. Since 2010, Austin Classical Guitar has provided guitar classes for youth in residential detention and treatment centers. In 2014, ACG furthered its mission by introducing its Music & Healing program which offers individualized engagement to people experiencing mental or physical health diagnoses, incarceration, homelessness, and other challenges. ACG services also include youth and adult ensembles, and artistic programming that ranges from concerts with international artists to award-winning original productions that draw upon the voices and experiences of individuals in our community. AJF provides a wide array of volunteer support to ACG’s many programs throughout the year.
Austin Groups for the Elderly & AGE of Central Texas Adult Day Health Centers (formally known as Elderhaven)
At AGE, Elderhaven Adult Day Health Care centers (Austin and Round Rock) provide engaging activities for seniors and individuals with disabilities, preventing premature nursing home placement and allowing caregivers respite during the day. AJF members help throw birthday parties, play games, assist with shopping and field trips, and support AGE staff create a fun and active place for seniors. AJF members also assist during AGE’s Caregiver Conferences, playing games and providing companionship to seniors while their families gain valuable information in the Caregiver Seminar.
Established in 1973, AVANCE (Uh-vahn-say) is a national, non-profit organization, primarily serving Texas, that meets hard to reach, low-income families where they are. Meaning "advance" or “progress,” AVANCE serves as a trusted guide to assist under-resourced families of young children in overcoming isolation and lack of opportunity. Using our unique two generation education and relationship-building methodology, we help family members become the best parents, employees, and citizens they can be. We aim to liberate parents and their children from the cycle of poverty in a family-oriented, non-judgmental environment. The result: Our families enjoy a more prosperous future full of opportunity and economic self-sufficiency.
BookSpring champions early literacy to empower children with a lifelong love of reading. AJF members support the Elementary Books for Ownership program, assist with literary events, and help distribute books to students. "Due to their low socio-economic levels, many of the participating students do not have books in their homes. When they receive the books provided by this program, their faces light up with excitement. They simply love books! If you only knew what joy these books bring, you would know how important this program is to them. Please continue to add this ray of sunshine into their lives.” AJF Members sort and label book donations, ensuring books are age-appropriate and good quality.
When the Central Texas Food Bank was established in 1982, it was with a goal in mind to help the hungry in the community. Over the years, the weak economy has increased challenges for clients who have turned to food pantries for food assistance.
The Central Texas Food Bank has been at the front line of hunger relief with the help of Partner Agencies in 21 counties across Central Texas. Together, we provided more than 45 million pounds of food to families in need during the 2016-2017 fiscal year, the largest amount distributed since the organization’s establishment in 1982, when only 330,000 pounds of food was provided.
AJF members volunteer at the Central Texas Food Bank warehouse, sorting and preparing donated food items for distribution. Members have also assisted at a Mobile Pantry site, helping community members select food items for their families.
Foster Angels of Central Texas
Foster Angels of Central Texas provides immediate assistance to foster children in the form of basic needs (clothing, food, beds, medical expenses, etc.) and life-enhancing experiences (birthday parties, camp, sports and the arts, etc.). Their simple, proven program and low administrative costs allow Foster Angels to operate efficiently and keep kids from waiting for crucial assistance. Their philosophy is that foster children must be exposed to positive influences, activities and experiences that help them to flourish and reach their full potential. Foster Angels has formed strategic alliances with Child Protective Services (CPS) which allows them to obtain information regarding the various needs of our community’s foster children. In addition to clothing, education, food, and medical needs, Foster Angels provide funds for events in the children’s lives which build self-esteem and community. AJF members assist Fosters Angels with Christmas gift wrapping and delivery.
Hospice Austin & Christopher House
Hospice Austin provides family-centered, quality end of life care that emphasizes compassion, independence, respect, and dignity. Established in 1979, Hospice Austin serves the five-county region of Travis, Williamson, Bastrop, Caldwell, and Hays counties. It is Austin's only community-based, non-profit hospice service. Hospice Austin's inpatient facility, Christopher House, offers 15 patient rooms designed and equipped to provide patients and family members with the amenities of home. AJF provides lunch once a month for the patients and their families, employees, and volunteers of Christopher House.
Manos de Cristo empowers low-income individuals with a loving hand of assistance and welcomes all regardless of age, gender, race, or religious preference. Inspired by the Christian ideals of service and compassion, Manos promotes dignity and self-reliance by providing essential oral care, furthering educational development, and meeting basic needs with food and clothing. AJF members help with Manos' collection and distribution of school supplies to students in need.
The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin and Central Texas provide lodging and support services to families of critically ill and injured children in the 46 counties surrounding Austin. The House currently provides lodging and support services to over 700 families annually. The new Ronald McDonald House at Mueller Center provides 30 rooms for families. AJF contributes as meals providers, one of the House’s most popular programs. As meal providers, AJF members prepare healthy, nutritious dinners to Ronald McDonald families to enhance the "home-away-from-home" atmosphere during their stay. Ronald McDonald House’s goal is to provide hot, home-cooked lunches and dinners to families daily. Providing a meal to the families that stay at the Ronald McDonald House takes away the worry and hassle of food preparation so that the families can give all their energy and attention to their hospitalized child. Ronald McDonald House families frequently cite the donation of meals as a major aid during their stays. AJF members provide dinner once a month.
Sammy’s House is a nonprofit agency that provides services for children with and without special needs. Sammy's House operates a child development center, a respite care program, summer camp and family support services to fill the gaps in services for children, especially those who are medically fragile and/or developmentally delayed in the Austin, TX and surrounding area. AJF members provide a monthly deep cleaning of the child development center and volunteers at special events.
The Settlement Home for Children
The Settlement Home for Children is a charitable non-profit residential treatment center and therapeutic foster care program for emotionally troubled children. The Settlement Home serves approximately 50 girls, ages 7 to 18, providing on-site schooling and 24-hour therapeutic care. It also operates a handful of group homes, working with numerous foster and adoptive families facilitating the children's transition to their "forever families." During the school year, AJF hosts regular arts and crafts activities or game nights. For Valentine's Day, AJF tranforms the cafeteria and hosts a formal meal for the girls. Each August, volunteers host two back-to-school events giving the girls makeovers for the new school year, and each December, volunteers host a holiday party of food, games, and craft activities for the girls.
The mission of the Texas Rowing For All program is to enrich and transform the lives of people with disabilities through the sport of rowing by helping them to overcome physical challendges in a supportive environment.
TRFA promotes and provides opportunities for active participation in water sports, including rowing, kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddling and outrigger canoeing. TRFA program provides individuals with an avenue for accessing and finding success in the pursuit of preventive health care / wellness; learning through experience; and having fun through water sports participation. Our goal is centered on the desire that participants leave with hope and a sense of purpose.
AJF members have volunteered at TRFA's summer camps and paddling days, assisting participants as needed and partnering with them on the water.
