SERVING THE COMMUNITY
Love your neighbor in practical ways by finding meaningful opportunities to serve those in need in our area. We are highlighting 3 local organizations that we would love for your whole family to be involved with.
WHAT WE DO
We help street-dependent young adults in Austin with practical things to help immediate needs and with long-term life coaching to help them change their lives.
WHAT WE NEED
Adult clothing of all types (almost always in dire need of boxers, panties, belts, shoes) toiletries, household cleaning items, canned food (especially protein), additional funding to provide more innovative events in which to embed life coaching.
WHAT A TYPICAL DAY LOOKS LIKE
We operate a drop-in day center and serve about 20 individuals daily. Food is always available as are clothing, toiletries, books and art supplies. Every other day is completely unstructured, alternating with days that progress through activities like lunch, art group, faith group, and peer support group. We have fun evening nights like Movie Night or Game Night, sometimes substituting Karaoke or Dance Night or an outing to a local performance event.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
We need almost 1,000 volunteers a year to help us with daily preparation, greeting and hosting. We hold a more strategy-oriented volunteer session each Saturday morning. You can take our online volunteer training and immediately sign up for a time that works with your schedule. You can subscribe to our newsletters to learn more over time at your own pace.
OUR HISTORY
Our founder, Terry Cole, began working with homeless youth in 2003. He left high tech to found SYM in 2008. He is joined by professional missionary staff members, interns and volunteers to serve about 500 individuals every year.
BAGDAD ELEMENTARY
THE NEED
Less than 2 miles north of LiveOak church, Bagdad Elementary is the most under resourced school in Leander ISD with the highest percentage of under resourced families in the district. 62% of the students in this school are on the free and reduced lunch program. Teachers have to buy their own supplies and snacks for the kids. Their administration has asked for help with 1)donating supplies 2)reading partner volunteers 3)"Heroes" mentoring volunteers.
WHAT WE DO
Located one mile east of LiveOak Church, Hill Country Community Ministries is the local:
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food pantry
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clothes closet
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resource center
HCCM serves an average of 2,600 people per month and distributes over 850,000 pounds of food each year. (That's 10.5 semi trailer loads.) They offer assistance with appx. 3 weeks of groceries, clothing, dental needs, vision vouchers, new shoes for students, winter coats, summer fans, and some crisis care.
You can help by supplying items from the needs list, volunteering time, and donating money.