Get Involved Spotlight: Interfaith Action of Central Texas
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Interfaith Action of Central Texas (iACT) is dedicated to building healthy, respectful relationships between our diverse faith communities. Our mission is to “cultivate peace and respect through interfaith dialogue, service and celebration.” Over 75% of our time and budget goes into our service programs which allow our volunteers to channel their compassion through positive collaborative action.
Our largest service program is Hands on Housing, which has repaired 1,400 homes in East Austin since its creation in 1989. Our clients are typically senior citizens and disabled individuals living on between $8,000 -$12,000 per year.
Hands on Housing performs basic safety repairs, as well as lighter tasks such as sheet rock repair, painting, and yard clean up. The work of Hands on Housing is year-round and involves professional contractors, small teams of volunteer “handy helpers” and large scale teams from local faith communities, social and civic organizations, and businesses. Our large scale teams work during our housing repair “events” which take place in the spring and fall of each year. (Our next team opening will be in the fall of 2012.)
Individual Volunteer needs:
Professional Contractors
We have occasional need for professional electricians, plumbers, carpenters and the like who are willing to volunteer their services to perform small-scale but high-skill emergency repairs for low-income clients who are not eligible for assistance through our main program.
Year round need.
Hauling Services / Debris Pick-up
During our spring and fall repair events we have a need for volunteer haulers and debris removal teams to help with the final clean-up on our homes.
Need volunteers for spring and fall events of 2012.
Experienced Carpenters and “Handy Men and Women”
Individuals with experience in carpentry, sheet rock and dry wall work, painting and painting preparation. These “Handy Helpers” perform work as individuals or in small teams to help prepare homes for our more unskilled volunteer teams.
Year round need.
Welcome Table Hosts
Individuals willing to serve as liaisons between our volunteer teams and the Hands on Housing staff during our repair events. Volunteers will staff a table at each home to secure releases from volunteers, provide information to them, and ensure smooth communication between the team and the Hands on Housing staff.
Need volunteers for spring and fall of 2012.
Team Volunteer Needs:
We are looking for volunteer teams from faith communities and other organizations – especially if they are willing to create a collaborative/interfaith team with another faith community or partner organization. These volunteers will conduct light repairs, paint, and clean up the yards of our clients.
Next team availabilities: Fall 2012
Donation Needs:
We are in constant need of building supplies, tools, paint, lumber and the like. We encourage individuals to either donate cash (to iACT) towards these needs or gift cards from Home Depot and Lowes.
Hands on Housing contacts:
Hands on Housing Associate – Deborah Schagen
(512) 386-9145 ext. 307
dschagen@interfaithtexas.org
Hands on Housing Director – Kathy Weiner
(512) 386-9145 ext 305
kweiner@interfaithtexas.org
http://interfaithtexas.org/service/hands-on-housing/
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