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HOUSTON HUMANE SOCIETY

What Is It?

A nonprofit that is “dedicated to, and working towards, ending cruelty, abuse, and the overpopulation of animals while providing the highest quality of life to those in our care.” Programs include pet adoptions, humane education, cruelty investigations, and a low-cost spay/neuter and wellness clinic.

Help Needed:

Collect needed items, such as animal food and treats, grooming items, and cleaning supplies.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

18, but youth under age 18 are invited to collect and donate needed items.

HOUSTON ZOO

What Is It?

A nonprofit organization housing more than 6,000 animals, attracting more than 2 million guests a year and “fostering appreciation, knowledge, and care for the natural world.”

Help Needed:

Help with children’s summer camps, educate visitors while serving as a volunteer Naturalist, or perform other tasks. Please contact the Zoo for COVID-related updates.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

13, with a maximum age of 17. (18-year-olds may volunteer in the adult program.)

INTERFAITH MINISTRIES FOR GREATER HOUSTON – ANIMEALS ON WHEELS

What Is It?

An Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston program that delivers pet food to the disabled adults and homebound elderly clients that Meals on Wheels serves, so they do not feel compelled to share their limited food and resources with their pets.

Help Needed:

Collect, organize, or repackage pet food donations, or deliver pet food to needy homebound seniors. Please contact Interfaith Ministries for COVID-related updates.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

17 to volunteer independently. Children aged 6-16 may volunteer with parental supervision on-site (at the IM offices); no minimum age to volunteer with a parent off-site. Youth under the age of 17 must have a parental consent form signed by an adult who has attended orientation and additional trainings. Volunteers aged 17 years or older must attend orientation.

INTERFAITH MINISTRIES FOR GREATER HOUSTON – CHORE CORPS

What Is It?

An Interfaith Ministries program that matches volunteers with homebound clients to help with chores and tasks that the clients may be unable to do on their own.

Help Needed:

Lawn care such as mowing and weeding, laundry, kitchen help, and more. Volunteers choose the services they want to provide. Please contact Interfaith Ministries for COVID-related updates.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

17, to volunteer independently. No minimum age to volunteer off-site (at food pantry or a client’s home) with a parent.

INTERFAITH MINISTRIES FOR GREATER HOUSTON – EID FOR REFUGEES

What Is It?

In celebration of the Islamic holiday of Eid, every year IM gives welcome baskets containing basic housewares and toiletries to newly-arrived refugee families.

Help Needed:

100 volunteers are needed to assemble the welcome kits in two one-hour shifts. Children can make cards to include in the baskets. Please contact Interfaith Ministries for COVID-related updates.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

None

INTERFAITH MINISTRIES FOR GREATER HOUSTON – MEALS ON WHEELS

What Is It?

The largest Meals on Wheels program in Texas, serving about 4,000 homebound seniors and persons with disabilities each day. Clients are unable to prepare their own meals and have no one else to help with their daily nutrition, making their meal delivery absolutely essential.

Help Needed:

Assemble breakfast bags, help with meal delivery, work in the warehouse, make greeting cards, and other projects. Please contact Interfaith Ministries for COVID-related updates.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

17 to volunteer independently. Children aged 6-16 may volunteer with parental supervision on-site (at the IM offices); no minimum age to volunteer with a parent off-site. Parental consent required for volunteers 17 or younger.

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF HOUSTON

What Is It?

A non-profit social service agency that serves Houston’s Jewish community and the general SW Houston community, “strengthening family life, laying the foundation for self-sufficiency, and improving both the social and economic conditions of our clients.”

Help Needed:

Help create Shabbat boxes, nosh bags, and holiday gifts for Jewish hospital patients; provide needed items for homebound/needy clients; or perform for seniors. Please contact JFS for COVID-related updates.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

No minimum age for most projects; volunteers must be 12 for some projects.

KEEP HOUSTON BEAUTIFUL

What Is It?

The city’s leading organization focused on litter reduction, beautification, and recycling education; it provides resources and education to inspire individuals and Houston communities toward greater environmental stewardship.

Help Needed:

Help with clean-up, planting, and other beautification projects organized by Keep Houston Beautiful or partner organizations.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

All ages are welcome unless a particular project specifies otherwise. Adult supervision is required for all volunteers under 18 years of age.

KIDS’ MEALS

What Is It?

A nonprofit that works to “end childhood hunger” by delivering free, fresh, healthy meals, year-round Monday through Friday, to the doorsteps of hungry preschool-aged children who live within the charity’s delivery areas.

Help Needed:

Volunteers can help prepare meals, collect needed items, decorate lunch bags, and help with special events. Please contact Kids’ Meals for COVID-related updates.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

Minimum age to volunteer: 8, for kitchen volunteers. Volunteers under age 8 can help by decorating lunch sacks with crayons, markers, and stickers.

LAWTHER-DEER PARK PRAIRIE PRESERVE

What Is It?

A 51-acre example of one of the most endangered ecosystems, the tallgrass prairie. Surrounded by housing, it was scheduled to be developed but was saved in 2014. It is now a protected preserve.

Help Needed:

The Prairie hosts work days twice a month, when volunteers help remove invasive species and do other habitat restoration work.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

16, to volunteer independently. Volunteers age 12 and up are welcome when accompanied by a responsible adult. All volunteers should bring a printed and signed volunteer waiver.

LIONS CLUB EYEGLASSES RECYCLING

What Is It?

This Lions Club program collects used prescription eyeglasses and reading glasses. Volunteers at their recycling centers clean the glasses, sort them by prescription strength, and package them. The recycled glasses are distributed to nonprofits that provide vision screening and assistance to people in need, mainly in developing countries.

Help Needed:

Volunteers are invited to collect used eyeglasses to donate. Usually this is done by placing collection boxes at local businesses, schools, optical shops, libraries, places of worship, city administrative centers, or eye care professionals.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

All ages are welcome to collect eyeglasses.

McDONALD’S HOUSTON CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL

What Is It?

The largest children’s festival in the U.S., which raises money for Child Advocates and the abused and neglected children it serves. Usually held in spring.

Help Needed:

Collect tickets, greet guests, provide information, sell beverages, check in volunteers, and more.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

16. Youth aged 13-15 may volunteer with a parent or guardian.

MEMORIAL ASSISTANCE MINISTRIES (MAM)

What Is It?

A nonprofit that “helps people bounce back from a crisis and care for their families.” Volunteer and paid caseworkers help MAM clients address their immediate needs with an array of emergency services, then help find long-term solutions to underlying issues that will continue to threaten families’ long-term stability.

Help Needed:

Assist customers, sort and price donations, and help in other ways at MAM’s popular resale store. Please contact MAM for COVID-related updates.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

13; youth aged 13-15 must be accompanied by an adult while volunteering. Students under the age of 18 need written parental permission to volunteer.

MEMORIAL PARK CONSERVANCY

What Is It?

A nonprofit organization that works to preserve, protect, and enhance Memorial Park for the enjoyment of all Houstonians, today and tomorrow.

Help Needed:

Projects range from working outside beautifying landscaped areas, picking up trash, rehabilitating natural surface trails, working on park conservation efforts, and supporting fundraising events. Memorial Park volunteer activities have been postponed until further notice. Please check the park’s volunteer page for COVID-related updates.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

Volunteers aged 12-15 are welcome with a chaperone 21 years of age or older. There must be at least one adult per ten youth. Volunteers 16 years old and up may be allowed to volunteer without a chaperone at Conservancy events; email volunteer@memorialparkconservancy.org for details.

THE MISSION CONTINUES

What Is It?

A nonprofit dedicated to bringing together veterans and non-profit community partners to address issues facing our communities. The projects also empower veterans to find purpose through community impact, and inspire future generations to serve.

Help Needed:

Events include helping at back-to-school events, sprucing up parks and schools, storm recovery projects, working at food banks and farmers’ markets, placing flags at military cemeteries, and more. Please contact The Mission Continues for COVID-related updates.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

None. Children and teens are welcome at most projects.

MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, HOUSTON

What Is It?

A museum offering more than 65,000 artworks from antiquity to the present, as well as educational programs, films, and more.

Help Needed:

Youth volunteers may be needed at some events, including family days at the Museum and Bayou Bend, and the annual Children’s Party at Bayou Bend. Please contact the Museum for COVID-related updates.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

13, with a maximum age of 17. (18-year-olds may volunteer as adults.)

Youth volunteers must submit an online application as well as the volunteer expectations and waiver forms. A parent or guardian must sign the waiver and application as well.

NATURE DISCOVERY CENTER

What Is It?

A “unique and treasured education center and nature park,” located in Bellaire’s Russ Pitman Park, which serves as an outdoor classroom for its nature science programming and also offers a nature play area.

Help Needed:

Volunteers can be counselors for camps held during the summer and during school breaks, animal care assistants, Discovery Room guides, and special event assistants. The Center welcomes Scout projects and group projects. Please contact the Center for COVID-related updates.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

13

THE NEHEMIAH CENTER

What Is It?

A non-profit that provides educational services to children from low-income families. Services include a year-round middle school, an after-school program, a pre-k program, and college prep support. Nehemiah also helps new parents and those learning English.

Help Needed:

Tutor and mentor students from grades K-12 during the year, or help students during the summer program. Please contact the Center for COVID-related updates.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

14. Students younger than 14 must serve with a parent / guardian.

NORTHWEST ASSISTANCE MINISTRIES

What Is It?

A nonprofit social service agency that “strives to supply basic human needs through neighbors helping neighbors“; programs include a children’s clinic, Meals on Wheels, a food pantry, senior services, emergency aid, and more.

Help Needed:

Assist at the food pantry, children’s clinic, or resale shops, or with holiday or back-to-school events, or collect needed supplies. Please contact NAM for COVID-related updates.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

16. Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

PLANT IT FORWARD FARMS

What Is It?

A nonprofit that offers economically disadvantaged refugees an opportunity to become self-sufficient through growing, harvesting, and selling produce from a sustainable urban farm in Houston, while providing fresh, local produce to Houstonians.

Help Needed:

Help with farming activities, prepare produce for market, sell produce at farmers’ markets, work on fundraisers or other special projects, take photos, help with social media, or assist in the office. Please contact Plant It Forward for COVID-related updates.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

7. Volunteers age 7-16 must have adult supervision. Students over 16 can work independently (or in groups) with parental approval.

PROJECT C.U.R.E.

What Is It?

The largest provider of donated medical supplies and equipment to developing countries around the world. Since its inception, it has delivered medical relief to needy people in over 130 countries.

Help Needed:

Sort and pack medical supplies, help in the warehouse, or donate Kits for Kids. Please contact Project C.U.R.E. for COVID-related updates.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

15, to help at the warehouse. All ages may help with Kits for Kids.

PROJECT LINUS

What Is It?

A national nonprofit that delivers handmade blankets to children in local hospitals, child abuse centers, and other facilities where a child might feel anxious or unsafe. Since 1996 the Houston chapter has distributed more than 21,000 blankets.

Help Needed:

Volunteers make blankets and bring them to a drop-off location; the chapter then distributes the blankets to needy children.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

None, but volunteers must be able to make a blanket suitable for presentation to a needy child.

PROMULGATE

What Is It?

A nonprofit organization focused on “community service, social development, and unity within our community.” It promotes the practice and obligation of Zakat (charity), one of the five Pillars of Islam, and welcomes volunteers of all faiths.

Help Needed:

Help with serving meals at Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen, distributing food to the homeless at various locations, and other projects. Please contact Promulgate for COVID-related updates.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

None

PUP SQUAD ANIMAL RESCUE

What Is It?

A nonprofit that rescues pregnant dogs, nursing litters, and orphaned puppies from the streets, shelters, and other life-threatening situations and matches them with permanent adoptive homes.

Help Needed:

Fostering, helping with events, fundraising, hosting supply drives, and more. Please contact Pup Squad for COVID-related updates.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

16, to volunteer independently. If aged 12-15, the volunteer must be accompanied at all times by an adult (preferably a parent).

SALVATION ARMY ANGEL TREE

What Is It?

A program that invites individual donors to provide Christmas gifts for disadvantaged children and seniors in the Houston area.

Help Needed:

In November, choose a wish list from a disadvantaged child or senior, purchase items (average $60-70), and return them to the Angel Tree.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

None.

SEARCH HOMELESS SERVICES

What Is It?

A nonprofit organization that helps men, women, and children move from the streets into jobs and safe, stable housing. SEARCH “meets clients where they are and gets them back on their feet through services that engage, stabilize, educate, employ, and house.”

Help Needed:

Make snack packs, assemble hurricane kits, make welcome-home mugs or keychains for clients, decorate grocery bags and write notes, or collect needed items. Please contact SEARCH for COVID-related updates.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

No minimum age to make or collect items. Minimum age to serve onsite is 12. Volunteers age 12-17 must serve with an adult chaperone unless cleared with the Volunteer Coordinator in advance.

Volunteers must be at least 18 to volunteer onsite without an adult chaperone.

SEARCH HOMELESS SERVICES – HOUSE OF TINY TREASURES

What Is It?

“A nationally accredited early childhood education program that provides developmentally-appropriate education for children ages 2-5 whose lives have been impacted by homelessness. The full-day, year-round, entirely free to families program includes learning grounded in the Reggio Emilia curriculum, meals and snack, transportation services, and art/speech/play therapy.”

Help Needed:

Make tablecloths, help with seasonal festivals, collect holiday wish-list gifts or basic supplies, or help organize an “in-house field trip” at HTT. Please contact HTT for COVID-related updates.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

12, if serving onsite. Volunteers age 12-17 must serve with an adult chaperone unless cleared with Volunteer Coordinator Molly Martin in advance.

Volunteers must be at least 18 to volunteer onsite without an adult chaperone.