Help Make the World a Better Place
Life means more when you're an active participant:
Activism 101: a quick course and suggestions about how to participate and contribute to the dialogue
Get Informed about how science affects you and the world:
The Economist-Science and Technology
Federation of American Scientists
BBC News-Science & Environment
NPR News (includes Science, Health & Technology)
PBS Newshour (includes Environment, Health, Science & Technology)
Jump Into Politics:
Call or write your local & national representatives on issues that concern you.
Who are your local representatives? What districts are you in?
Go to the league of women voters website to find all local, state and federal elected officials who are making decisions for you. Let them know what you want and what you don't want. A personal letter or phone call has more weight than signing petitions circulated by various special interest groups.
Do Good Works with Nonprofit Organizations:
Below are just a few organizations literally trying to "change the world". Many produce regular newsletters and updates and suggest ways that you can join in.
Volunteer Locally (Austin, Texas):
Heart House Austin is a free after school program dedicated to providing a safe haven and academic support to low-income children and encouraging them to become good citizens. To grow up to be healthy and productive citizens, children need critical resources now to build a better future
The Austin Children's Shelter provides a variety of ways to get involved in meaningful ways and help make a difference in the lives of abused and neglected children. It is the mission of the Austin Children's Shelter to provide emergency shelter, high quality care and hope for the future to the abandoned, neglected, and abused children of our community.
Political Asylum Project of Austin
PAPA Mission: To promote justice for immigrants and refugees by providing free and low-cost legal services, education, and outreach.
The Austin Yellow Bike Project is dedicated to providing human-powered transportation for the people of Austin, running a community bike shop, and educating kids and adults. People-power is a way to limit the traffic congestion of a rapidly growing city. It also provides a sane, inexpensive, and sustainable alternative to the reliance on motor vehicles and foreign oil.
GENaustin's mission is to foster healthy-self-esteem in girls by engaging them to explore and define their personal values and to build skills that empower them with confidence and courage to make wise choices.
SFC addresses the complex issues underlying hunger. In 1995, our organization conducted research and released a report entitled Access Denied. This report documented limited access to fresh, healthy foods in areas of Austin with a high percentage of low-income families.
Latinos are now the majority population of Austin and soon, the country. Many Hispanics in Austin are very interested in facilitating success for the next generations of Latino-Americans, but may not know about opportunities like Latinitas. Latinitas is a non-profit organization whose main mission is to empower Hispanic girls to succeed through media and technology.
Interfaith Care Alliance (ICA) needs volunteers who have open minds and open hearts. Our volunteers will meet persons (Care Partners) from all walks of life, with all types of serious illnesses.
The Austin Humane Society is a community resource which promotes compassion towards animals. We advocate responsible ownership of companion animals. The Austin Humane Society is dedicated to making our community a better place for people and pets.
The Austin Children's Museum accommodates all interests, talents and schedules. Volunteers are welcome anytime the museum is open. We do not require a long-term commitment or minimum hours of service. Volunteers are given hands on experience with local children and their families by engaging and encouraging strong minds. Volunteer opportunities are carefully designed to provide a fulfilling and meaningful experience for the participant.
Capital Area Food Bank of Texas
The Capital Area Food Bank is committed to providing a meaningful experience in a positive, safe work environment. We offer a variety of opportunities, including one-time efforts, weekly leadership roles, and off-site activities that will enable volunteers to find just the right match for themselves. We are well suited for group projects, for those interested in making a difference with others.
Project Transitions is a unique place to volunteer because this agency offers such a wide range of volunteer opportunities as well as commitment levels. We encourage our volunteers to donate their time where they feel most comfortable and to perform the tasks that best match their individual skill sets. Some volunteers enjoy providing direct care to our clients, while others enjoy retail work at our thrift store.
Our volunteers understand the societal impact of NOT helping the children in our community who need an extra hand. These individuals know that by helping just one child do something more with their lives will in turn benefit the immediate community, the city and the country.
Austin Parks and Recreation Department
Volunteers needed to maintain parks, clear and mulch trails, restoration, water quality monitoring and biological monitoring projects
Our goal is to enable residents to reach their maximum potential through structured education and training programs, called Abilities Centered Training (ACT). ACT provides the mental stimulation and encouragement that residents need to continue learning in a comfortable and positive training environment, surrounded and encouraged by their peers. There are many ways you can volunteer at Marbridge. From companionship to horticulture therapy, we have a place for you. Marbridge can put your time, talents, services, and products to use to benefit our residents—and we’d be pretty surprised if you didn’t have fun in the process.
go to the sites below for more information on these and other volunteer opportunities in the centrtal texas area: