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Help a Youth in Crisis

SET UP A CHARITABLE REGISTRY

Suggest that loved ones celebrate you or your family by contributing to LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance.
Contact development@lifeworksaustin.org for more information.

CREATE A FUNDRAISING PAGE

If you want to help, but don’t have much time then designing a personal page is quick and easy. Contact development@lifeworksaustin.org for more information.

HOST A DONATION DRIVE

Organizing a gift drive is a rewarding way to get your family, friends, co-workers, neighborhood, civic group or school involved. Baby Shower, backpack and cooking drives are just a few examples.To find out more click on the volunteer tab at the top of the page. We are also always in need of gift cards from stores such as H-E-B, Target, Walmart and Randalls.

MAKE AN IN-KIND DONATION

You may help by donating new or gently used items from our online wish list that you can find in the in-kind donations tab at the top of the page.

ATTEND ONE OF OUR EVENTS

Explore our News & Events section to learn more.

VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME & EXPERTISE

To see current volunteer opportunities click on the volunteer tab at the top of the page. For more information on the advertised volunteer opportunities online, please contact the person noted with each available post. If you are interested in a specialized group project, please fill out our online group project request.

SURF THE INTERNET

Use Goodsearch.com and choose LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance as your charity. With every online search one penny is donated to us and that can add up fast. It makes a lot of cents!

Involvement with LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance can be a very rewarding experience. By becoming a volunteer or intern, participating in a group project or hosting a wish list drive for our clients, you are not only giving back to the community, you are sending a message to LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance clients that someone cares. Often times, this message can be the catalyst for change that will last a lifetime.

Given the depth and breadth of services LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance provides, you should be able to find the level of involvement that interests you. Whether that is on-going weekly volunteer work, seasonal involvement or a one-time project, we are happy to have you as part of the LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance family.

• Organize A Wish List Donation Drive (Great for Groups & Individuals!)

  • Many LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance youth and families are unable to provide some of the basic items needed for a stable home and a successful life. They can use items such as food, diapers and baby clothes/supplies, beds, household items, cleaning supplies, toiletries, and educational supplies.
    

    By hosting a Wish List Donation Drive, you can give your family, friends, co-workers, customers and others an opportunity to support LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance and our mission while having a good time.
    

    You may want to host a donation drive that focuses on particular items from the wish lists or create your own.
    

    There are several other opportunities to assist LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance such as Project Holiday Help and other annual donation events throughout the year. Please check out EVENTS for other opportunities to get involved.
    

    If you have any questions, please email development@lifeworksaustin.org or call Brett Barnes at 735-2400.

    Baby Shower Drive

    More than 64% of teen parents never finish high school. LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance Teen Parent Services Program provides case management and parenting education support groups to help more than 200 pregnant and parenting teens stay or re-enroll in school and become positive, self-sufficient parents. The cost of caring for a baby is daunting, and the pressure forces some young people to consider dropping out of school. Throw a real or virtual baby shower, and you'll be taking a big step toward saving a family's future.
    
    Maternity Clothes
    Disposable diapers and wipes
    Infant and Toddler Educational Toys
    Bottles with disposable liners*
    Standard bottles, nipples, pacifiers
    Nursery care kits
    Nursing pads
    First aid kits
    Bib, food containers
    Onesies and socks
    Receiving blanket
    Diaper bag
    Crib sheets
    Mobiles
    Bath items
    Umbrella strollers
    * Most needed items
    

  • Cooking Up Success Drive

    Kitchen kits help young families, homeless people and youth aging out of foster care set up independent living apartments. Put together one complete kitchen kit or collect the things on this list to fill multiple kitchens. You will be cooking up a difference in someone's life.
    
    Set of 4 dishes & bowls*
    Set of 4 drinking glasses*
    Small saucepan w/ lid*
    Medium saucepan w/ lid*
    Skillet*
    Large pot w/ lid*
    Set of flatware for 4*
    Kitchen utensils
    Large mixing spoon
    Microwave*
    Spatula
    Pot holders
    Cutting board
    Paring knife
    Beginner cookbook
    Dish Towels
    Electric grill (for sandwiches)
    * Most needed items
    

  • Clean Sweep Drive

    LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance operates eight buildings and 25 apartments around Austin. Our facilities help young families, homeless youth, and kids aging out of foster care to set up independent living apartments. When you collect the items on this list, you are helping them set up a home and helping LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance save money for other programs.
    
    Broom
    Mop
    Sponges
    Bucket
    Cleaners
    Light Bulbs
    

  • Rub-A-Dub-Dub Drive

    Clean bodies are a step toward clean minds, good jobs, great grades and a social life. Help teenagers in crisis look and feel good while taking some pressure off their household budgets.
    
    Bath towels*
    Washcloths*
    Hand towels*
    Bath mat
    Shower curtain*
    * Most needed items
    

  • Backpack Drive

    When a teenager is forced to live on the streets, a small gift can make a world of difference. Clean socks, soap and a replacement backpack can turn a person's life around, build trust and point him or her toward a positive future.
    
    Adult Sized Backpacks - Plain, Dark Colored (black or dark green)
    Sweatshirts - Plain, Dark Colored
    New socks
    Travel alarm clocks
    Sleeping bags
    Black knit gloves
    Wool Hats
    Black stocking/knit caps
    Travel sized hygiene products
    

  • Gift Card Drive

    Homeless, abused and abandoned youth are like other teens - they like to shop for themselves. Case managers often take kids shopping as a life skills learning experience. Donate these gift cards to help.
    
    H.E.B
    Target
    Wal-Mart
    Old Navy
    

  • GED Drive

    You have the opportunity to give the gift of an education. Collect these items for GED kits, and you have given someone the tools necessary for a better future.
    
    Personal Day Planner
    $90 for GED Fees
    Alarm clock or watch
    Notebooks
    Loose leaf paper
    Pen and pencils
    Calculators
    Resume paper and envelopes
    Folders
    Rulers
    Glue Sticks
    Markers
    Clorox Wipes
    Construction paper
    Gift Cards in small denominations for reward and recognition (Starbucks, GameStop, Subway, etc.)
    

  • Furnish-A-Future Drive

    LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance operates eight buildings and 25 apartments around Austin. This helps young families, homeless people and kids aging out of foster care to set up independent living apartments. When you collect the new and gently used items on this list, you have furnished a home and helping LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance save money for other programs.
    
    Large, plastic storage containers
    Twin mattresses with box springs and frames
    Chest of drawers
    Kitchen table with chairs
    Table lamps
    

  • Maintenance Magic Drive

    Our LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance Maintenance Department spends thousands of dollars a month on supplies to repair and renew our nine buildings and 25 apartments around Austin. These items include paint, plumbing parts, lumber, hardware, doors, windows, glass, clearers, etc. It's not something we can predict accurately therefore it's purchased as needed. Helping LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance in this area saves money for direct services to clients.
    
    We can always use gift cards to:
    
    Home Depot
    Lowes
    Ace Hardware Stores
    Or any home improvement store
    

• Project Holiday Help

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    We need your help to make a difference in someone's life this holiday season. With over 400 youth and families requesting holiday assistance, LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance has launched a sponsorship drive again this year to meet the needs of our clients over the holidays. Through Project Holiday Help, you have the opportunity to bring holiday cheer to a youth or family in your community.
    

    How Can You Help?
    

    Adopt-A-Youth

    Sponsors will be matched with a LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance youth (between 16 – 21 years) and will receive a client profile with information on his/her hopes and dreams and a list of gift wish items suggested by the youth. To maintain fairness within the programs, LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance suggests that donors spend between $75 and $150 per youth. Donors should wrap and label the gifts and deliver them to LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance on December 9, 10, or 11 (donor may choose one of these dates) during specified times. 
    

    Adopt-A-Family

    Sponsors will be matched with a LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance family and will receive a family profile with information on their hopes and dreams and a list of gift wish items suggested by the family. Sponsors may specify family size: small is 2-4 and large is 5 or more individuals per household. As a guideline, LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance suggests that donors spend between $50 and $150 per individual in the family and provide a gift card for groceries. Donors should wrap and label the gifts and deliver them to LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance on December 9, 10, or 11 (donor may choose one of these dates). 
    

    Sponsor-A-Holiday Party

    Sponsoring a Holiday Party provides volunteers the opportunity to interact with LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance clients while providing a meaningful holiday celebration. Sponsors provide food, drinks and decorations for the party (or can make a financial contribution to help pay for these items) and may participate in the festivities.
    

    Participate in the Holiday Gift Card Drive

    No time to shop? Consider donating a gift card to help LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance youth in crisis. Just $25 from a store like HEB, Target or Wal-Mart will provide a youth with much needed food and clothing. If you are planning a holiday party, ask your guests to bring gift cards or to make a donation to LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance instead of bringing gifts.  Every little bit helps those in need!

    Host a Backpack Drive for the Homeless Youth

    LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance Street Outreach Program works with homeless youth living on the streets. During the holidays, we provide them with backpacks filled with basic supplies to help keep them safe and warm. We need your help! A backpack drive is a great group project for more privileged youth to help those less fortunate. If you have a group interested in participating, contact us at holidayhelp@lifeworksaustin.orgBelow are the suggested items for each backpack, but you may provide backpacks with or without these items:
    

    Adult-size backpacks in dark colors (black or blue), no mesh, netting or fancy logos
    Adult-size sleeping bags with temperature range below freezing
    Adult-size hoodies (sweatshirts) in dark colors
    White crew socks, wool hat and gloves
    Food items (non-perishable) – granola/protein bars, dried fruit, trail mix, etc.
    

WHAT'S SO FUN ABOUT FUNDRAISING?

Kids can raise money for LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance by selling their artwork, having a bake sale, running a lemonade stand, hosting a donation page, or inventing their very own fundraiser!

Contact development@lifeworksaustin.org for your Junior Funders Starter Kit!

We can't wait to see what ideas you come up with!

Here's what a Jr. Funder had to say: