During this time, SAFE needs your help. Here are some options for:

Off-Site Volunteer Projects During COVID-19 & Shelter In Place

If you are looking for ways to help others with the added bonus of keeping yourself and/or your kids busy during this time of social distancing and staying in place, below are some projects that you can work on from home by ordering supplies online and delivering at a later date.  Email Lindsay Contreras at lcontreras@safeaustin.org for more information regarding quantity, delivery, etc.

Make Face Masks for SAFE Staff and Clients

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, SAFE staff and clients would appreciate anyone that can donate extra fabric masks. While under normal circumstances fabric masks are not recommended for clinical use, CDC guidelines and emerging research shows that fabric masks may help prevent community spread of the virus. Any donated cloth masks will be made available to: (1) Staff still doing face-to-face work on campus, for example at our shelter, and (2) Clients who want or need masks for necessary activities out in the public. (At this time, these fabric masks will not be used by staff members caring for COVID-19 positive patients; the staff caring for COVID-19 positive patients, however, will utilize medical masks.) If you have the ability to make masks for SAFE, here is an easy video with instructions: https://youtu.be/9tBg0Os5FWQ. You may mail fabric mask donations to The SAFE Alliance, PO Box 19454, Austin, TX, 78760. Or if you are able to do so safely you can take masks to SAFE’s Resource Center at 1515 Grove Blvd, Austin, TX, 78741 Monday through Friday, 8am-4pm. Masks should be made in a non-smoking environment and should be laundered before mailing. All donations are gratefully accepted, but please consider sending a minimum of 10 at a time to save on postage and laundry loads. Thank you!!

Make Craft Kits for the Youth and Adults Living in SAFE’s Shelters

These kits would be individual baggies filled with the supplies and instructions needed to create a specific craft – dream catchers, spring-themed crafts, stress balls, etc.  Kits could be geared towards adults, toddlers, elementary aged kids, or teenagers.

Make Seasonal/Holiday Decorations

You can help brighten up the Shelters by delivering homemade decorations – door wreaths, seasonal or holiday themed wall decorations, etc.

Deliver Snacks with Positive Affirmations

With limited supplies at grocery stores and online, we would love donations of individual portioned snacks (individual bags of chips, pretzels, fruit snacks, granola bars, etc.).  We welcome you to write positive affirmations on colored paper and adhere them to the snacks.  We will provide examples of approved language for the affirmations.

In-Kind Donation Superstar

SAFE has seen a decrease in the amount of basic needs donations, and we’re having a difficult time purchasing the quantity we need due to either being out of stock online or due to quantity limits at the stores.  Inspired by a former SAFE employee, we invite you to encourage friends to give funds that you take to stores – maybe even multiple stores due to potential limits of what can be purchased – and delivering them to SAFE.  Our current greatest needs are disinfecting spray/wipes, toothpaste, razors, baby wipes, diapers sizes 5 & 6, and non-perishable food for babies, kids, and adults.  Bins to receive donations are placed outside our warehouse address at 1515 Grove Blvd, and they will be emptied checked Sunday – Friday.  Email inkind@safeaustin.org for more information.

Volunteers are a vital link between SAFE and the community, providing support in every aspect of our mission to end sexual assault and exploitation, child abuse, and domestic violence. For more information on regular ongoing volunteer opportunities, contact us at SAFEvolunteer@safeaustin.org.

We have community engagement opportunities for folks who would like to get connected with our mission and issues quickly. View our events calendar to see what is available.

And sign up for our SAFE E-newsletter HERE. 

Attend a volunteer information session

Attending a volunteer information session is the best way to get involved as a direct service volunteer. Once a volunteer has attended an information session, they are then eligible to attend a 40-hour volunteer and/or children’s and youth training. Trainings are held three times per year.

To reserve your seat in an upcoming volunteer information session, visit the registration page here.

Flexible and group opportunities

Do you want to volunteer but don’t have a ton of extra time?  SAFE offers a variety of one-time or once per month opportunities for both groups and individuals.  For example, you could host activities for the kids and families we serve, sort donations in our warehouse or pantry, prepare and deliver food for survivors, or help around the holidays.  Click here for more information and to sign up.

Professional volunteer opportunities

We welcome the involvement of community members offering their professional skills and services to the agency and its clients. Our agency clients often have a wide range of needs, some not possible for SAFE to meet directly. Partnering with the community is an important way to help ensure these needs are met in the fullest possible way. Join us at a volunteer info session for more information.

Direct-service volunteer opportunities

Volunteers at SAFE often serve as the first hope for survivors, offering support during sexual assault forensic exams or a compassionate presence in court or the shelter. Volunteers work daily with children and youth in our residential cottages, therapeutic classroom, after-school programs, and other areas across SAFE. We also need support from volunteers in areas that involve limited client interaction, such as staffing booths in the community, assisting at our charter school, early childhood education centers, providing workshops for Life Skills classes, and much more. Take a look at our direct service volunteer requirements.

Volunteers of Distinction

To learn about our incredible Volunteers of Distinction over the last few years, click here.