From art projects and babies to food banks and thrift stores, check out 18 volunteer opportunities in the Northwest Austin and surrounding area.

The Charlie Center
The homeless navigation and hospitality center offers navigation services to help individuals move toward permanent housing.

• Sample activities: preparing a dish, helping to serve a meal, light set-up and clean-up of navigation center, welcoming homeless clients into the navigation center, helping clients check their mail
• Donations accepted: foam bowls, disposable lunch plates, napkins, granulated sugar, coffee creamer, ground coffee, items off Amazon wishlist
• 12675 Research Blvd., Austin

• Sample activities: peer mentorship, online fundraising
• Donations accepted: monetary donations
• 12325 Hymeadow Dr., Ste. 4-102, Austin

The American Red Cross of Central and South Texas is working to open a new regional headquarters in East Austin.

The big picture: The new center is expected to help the nonprofit better meet a growing need for blood donations, further support military families and veterans, and provide faster, more efficient responses during natural disasters and emergencies, American Red Cross officials said at a groundbreaking event Oct. 29.

In thier own words: “We want this building to be that center of resilience,” said Reihaneh Hajibeigi, chief development officer at the American Red Cross of Central and South Texas. “If something happens in their community, their partners are here reading to take care of them in a moment’s notice.”

The details: The $13 million regional headquarters is expected to open by late 2026 to early 2027 at the nonprofit's former office space off Pershing Drive, Hajibeigi, said.

Why it matters: The 15,000-square-foot facility will allow the organization to collect blood and platelet donations on-site for the first time, Hajibeigi said.

Local environmental nonprofit Keep Austin Beautiful is celebrating 40 years of service to the Austin community.

The backstory: Keep Austin Beautiful promotes the restoration and beautification of the environment in Austin through organizing volunteer opportunities for community members. The organization was started through the city of Austin’s public works department in 1985 and became a nonprofit in 2010.

Something to note: Keep Austin Beautiful will host a 40th anniversary celebration at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 13. The event will feature remarks from Keep Austin Beautiful founder and former Austin Mayor Ron Mullen as well as live music by Tomar and The FCs. Attendees can view a new art print from Austin-based artist David Regone honoring Lady Bird Lake.

Ticket sales are now closed but those interested in attending can contact [email protected] to be placed on the waitlist, according to the organization's website.