Non-Profit Organizations in East Texas

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Please click on the organization name for information.

American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service. Volunteers are needed to help with events such as the Relay for Life.

American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Volunteers can help in many different ways.

American Red Cross - Smith County Chapter

The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers, guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. The American Red Cross functions independently of the government but works closely with government agencies, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), during times of major crises. It is responsible for giving aid to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and to disaster victims at home and abroad.

Andrews Angels
The mission of Andrews Angels is to meet the needs of those in the community with mental disabilities. Students can volunteer by helping with special events, or by simply providing support for their community.

Azleway
Azleway’s mission is to bring neglected and abused children in crisis into a caring environment that provides structure, and educational opportunities to direct them back to a healthy family environment. Volunteers are needed to tutor, help with building projects and lead Bible studies.

Bethesda Health Clinic
Bethesda Health Clinic is a faith-based clinic dedicated to providing affordable, high quality, health care for the working uninsured of Smith County, Texas through dedicated volunteers and staff. Volunteer opportunities are available for medical professionals, spanish interpreters and those willing to do other tasks.

Boys and Girls Clubs
The mission of the Boys and Girls Club of East Texas is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. Volunteers are needed to mentor students of all ages in programs citywide.

Camp Tyler

The mission of Camp Tyler is to provide children with premier outdoor learning opportunities by designing and implementing unique, interactive programs delivered at our 400 acre facility on Lake Tyler.

CASA for Kids of East Texas
CASA for Kids of East Texas is a non-profit organization that provides trained community volunteers to advocate for the abused and neglected children of Smith, Wood and Van Zandt Counties. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) was created to make sure that the abuse that these children suffered doesn't continue, at the hands of the system. Volunteers can provide love and support to children who need it the most.

Children's Advocacy Center
The Children's Advocacy Center of Smith County is committed to child Victims of physical and sexual abuse and strives to reduce trauma through a unified effort that facilitates thorough investigations, effective prosecutions and the healing of the children and their families. 

There are a variety of volunteer opportunities including helping with clerical work, special events, fundraising, and much more.

2210 Frankston Hwy
Tyler, Texas 75701
903-533-1880
cactyler@cox-internet.com

Discovery Science Place
The Discovery Science Place offers three exhibit halls where kids of all ages are free to move about and explore.

East Texas Crisis Center
The Crisis Center is dedicated to providing safety, shelter, and education to victims of family violence, sexual assault, and other violent crime. There is a variety of volunteer opportunities with the Crisis Center, ranging from peer counseling to office assistants. Training is required for volunteers every three months.

East Texas Food Bank
East Texas Food Bank strives to provide emergency food assistance to individuals and families in 26 East Texas counties. There are many different volunteer opportunities such as organizing food drives, helping with special events and bread delivery.

East Texas Heart Gallery

There are more than 130,000 children available for adoption righ now. 19,000 children "age-out" of the system without ever finding a forever family. More than 1,300 children aged out in Texas last year. There are no unwanted children, only unfound families.

Gentry Parkway Youth Center
Gentry Parkway Youth Center is an afterschool and summer program for school age youth to learn, develop social skills, meet old friends and make new ones in a safe and encouraging environment. Gentry Parkway Youth Center targets the specific needs of children of incarcerated parents by providing support options and mentors that refocus children's attention on their future, and not on their parents' past.

Goodwill
Goodwill is dedicated to providing skills training and vocational opportunities for people with barriers to employment. Donations are always needed at the local Goodwill stores.

Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness from Smith County. There are a variety of ways to volunteer for Habitat, including construction, lunch preparation for workers, as well as working in the Habitat ReStore.

Hispanic American Association of East Texas

The mission of the Hispanic American Association of East Texas is to improve and maintain the quality of life for all Hispanics in East Texas. They provide a combination of advocacy and reliable data to immigrants and the public about immigrant issues, they encourage immigrants to become U.S. citizens, and they promote cooperation and understanding between immigrants and other communities. The organization offers accredited Immigration Services, Income Taxes and W-7, an Information Center, and Job References.

1111 East Erwin Street
Tyler, Texas 75702
903-595-0066

Head Start (Tyler Independent School District)

Head Start is a federally funded program that services families of eligible children who are 4 years old or 3 years old with a diagnosed disability. Students must qualify by age and income requirements set by the federal government. To become a classroom Volunteer: Complete a volunteer application at the Tyler Independent School District building. Every volunteer will be required to supply a valid driver's license. The volunteer department will run a check. The results are confidential. Ways to Volunteer: classroom help, on field trips, at the administrative office, special events/ parent meetings, program committees.

Historical Society
A non-profit organization designed to discover and preserve data and items relating to the history of Smith County.

Hospice of East Texas
Hospice of East Texas specializes in medical, emotional and spiritual care for persons with life expectancies of six months or less. Volunteers include nursing staff, counselors, aides and social workers. However, non-patient volunteer activities are also available in the Hospice office.

The League of Women Voters
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. You can become a member and be an active part of the political process.

Legacy Hospice
Legacy Hospice strives to provide medical, emotional and spiritual care for people with terminal illnesses. Volunteers are an essential part of the hospice philosophy and opportunities could include visiting patients and family members or offering clerical or fundraising support.

Literacy Council of Tyler
The Literacy Council is a community-based nonprofit organization committed to eliminating illiteracy. Volunteer tutors are needed for all the various programs, such as the family literacy program, English as a Second Language program, and the GED programs.

Living Alternatives
The Living Alternatives Crisis Pregnancy Center offers free pregnancy tests and supportive help to women facing pregnancy. Community volunteers are needed to counsel young women as well as do other volunteer tasks for the Crisis Pregnancy Center.

MADD of East Texas

Mothers Against Drunk Driving of East Texas is a non-porfit organization. MADD's mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime, and prevent underage drinking. MADD volunteers do many things in working toward this mission, including victims services, advocate work, office work, assisting in public awareness and special events, and much more.

MADD of East Texas

215 Winchester Drive, Suite 100

Tyler, TX 75701

903-534-6000

east.tx@madd.org

Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels provides nutritional meals as well as other support services to enable senior citizens to remain independent and living in their own homes as long as possible. Drivers are needed to deliver these meals and interact with elderly clients.

3001 Robertson Rd
Tyler, TX 75701
(903) 593-7385 or (800) 451-2912

Mercy Ships
Mercy Ships is a global charity, operating a growing fleet of hospital ships in developing nations. They offer a wide variety of health care services for those in need all over the world. Many volunteer health care professional positions are needed; however some non-medical opportunities are also available.

Parents Anonymous of Tyler
Parents Anonymous is dedicated to strengthening families and building caring communities that support safe and nurturing homes for all children.

PATH – People Attempting to Help
PATH aims to serve, through well-equipped volunteers, the economically disadvantaged people in Smith County. PATH has a large variety of volunteer opportunities such as working in the pantry, grocery pick-up, clerical assistance and many other programs.

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible, and itts ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. The Salvation Army offers a variety of volunteer opportunities including: Disaster Volunteers, Program and Service Volunteers, Christmas Volunteers, Advisory Boards and Councils, and Women’s Auxiliary Volunteers.

Special Healty Resources of Tyler

Special Health Resources for Texas is committed to excellence in their programs serving youth, adults, and families throughout Texas. They promote positive family communication, professional drug and alcohol prevention, intervention and treatment, and client-centered HIV/AIDS education, outreach, testing, and medical treatment.

Special Olympics
The mission of Special Olympics Texas is to provide sports training and athletic competition for persons with intellectual disabilities [mental retardation], giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy. Volunteers serve as coaches, officials, competition assistants and much more.

Therapet
The mission of Therapet is to facilitate the use of animals in the healing and rehabilitation of acute and chronically ill individuals. Their Pads N’ Paws training facility allows for volunteers to have their dog certified by Therapet Animal Assisted Therapy Foundation.

Tyler Day Nursery
The North Tyler Day Nursery aims to provide a wholesome climate and a desirable environment for children of working parents. This nursery provides daycare for low-income families, parents pay on a sliding scale based on income. There are volunteer opportunities to help provide the child care, as well as assist with property up keep.

YMCA

The Tyler YMCA has been serving the community for over 50 years and strives to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities. Volunteers are an essential part of reaching this goa. Volunteers can range anywhere from youth sports coaches to service groups. For more information contact Brandson at the Tyler YMCA at 903-595-7327.

Website: tylerymca.org