Meal Prep with The Gathering at WHPC

The Gathering at WHPC is a memory loss respite program, where participants engage in activities and socializing while their caregivers get a break. We meet on Wednesdays from 9:30am to 1:30pm.  A Kitchen Crew provides a meal for about 30 hungry participants and volunteers each week.  

Volunteers with the Kitchen Crew could help prepare lunch from 10:00am – 1:00pm or clean dishes from 12:30pm – 1:00pm.  You could also help prepare for the lunch in advance by shopping or baking treats.

Central Texas Flood Relief Special Offering

Central Texas Flood Relief Special Offering

The Session of WHPC has voted to receive a special Central Texas Flood Relief Offering. In response to the recent devastating floods across Central Texas, we invite you to join us in providing critical relief to those affected. Your generous donation will help bring hope, comfort, and essential support to families and communities in need. 

75 % of the offering will go to Presbyterian Disaster Assitance and 25% will be reserved to support local, hands-on projects in the affected area through direct engagement.

Why Presbyterian Disaster Assistance?

PDA brings both expertise and deep local partnerships to every situation they serve. They are often among the first to arrive and the last to leave, committed to long-term recovery, not just immediate relief. Most importantly, PDA is guided by a Gospel-centered commitment to justice, ensuring that aid reaches all who are impacted, especially the marginalized and overlooked.

Why retain 25% for project support?

This will allow our church and its members to participate in meaningful recovery work alongside those impacted.  This effort is especially close to the hearts of many in our church family who have roots in or loved ones living in the affected areas. We invite you to give generously and, as opportunities arise, to serve personally in the work of rebuilding and restoration.

Donations Received To Date: $88,000

GIVE HERE

Monthly Community First Gathering

Monthly Community First Gathering

WHPC has a long history of supporting MLF with transitioning people from homelessness to being part of a community that includes housing, dignified income, physical and mental well being, and supportive relationships.

We are continuing to do this with monthly gatherings at King Park area of Community First. These gatherings focus on hanging out with neighbors and sharing a meal. Think of it as a cul-de-sac party/cookout in your neighborhood. Grilling, games & conversations … This is a family friendly event that will bless all those that participate.

These gatherings take place on the 3rd Saturday of every month at Community First VIllage in East Austin.

REGISTER HERE

Volunteer with The God of Hope Prison Ministries

Volunteer with The God of Hope Prison Ministries

1. Teaching Classes. Using God of Hope approved curricula, volunteers teach the Bible, spiritual habits, and life skills. Classes are held in the dorms every weekday morning and afternoon, and are attended by all participants.

2. Leading a Discipleship Group. Meetings are held once a week, and are led by a volunteer. The purpose of Discipleship Groups is to provide an atmosphere of trust and safety where individuals come to know Christ and each other through sharing and discussion of life issues.

3. Life Coaching offers a one-on-one relationship where a volunteer walks through life with an offender examining issues through use of the Word, praying for offender concerns, and helping the offender prepare for release.

For further information or to volunteer to serve, please contact Chris Knepp, WHPC’s liaison to the God of Hope Ministries, at 512-809-0957 or at c.ardenknepp@gmail.com

More information about the ministry, as well as directions for applying to serve as a volunteer, can be found on the God of Hope website: https://www.thegodofhope.org/

Volunteer to Assist Trainers During Dementia Live Demonstrations

Volunteer to Assist Trainers During Dementia Live Demonstrations

6 Volunteers Needed

The Memory Caregiver Academy of Austin (mcaaustin.org) is a new, small, nonprofit organization that has been generously supported by WHPC. This group provides training in dementia care to young people in low-income schools across Austin. Our organization is currently looking for some additional volunteers. We have recently added another training tool called, “Dementia Live”, which teaches students how it feels to have dementia. We are looking for about 6 new volunteers who would be willing to assist the trainers during Dementia Live demonstrations. This would take about 1 ½ hours of your time. It is certainly not necessary, but anyone who speaks Spanish would be extra helpful! If you have any questions, please call Debbie Wilder at 512-965-6262.

Mentor with YoungLives

JOB DESCRIPTION
Mentor a teen mom (women) or dad (men). The role of a mentor includes attending YoungLives events such as club and campaigners with you mentee, and finding time to hang out with them outside of these events. Your role is to be someone that they can feel loved and seen around. The most important thing that you can do in this role is show up! Once the parents know that you are there for them, the relationship will grow and you will be able to point them to Christ.

 

TIME REQUIRED
We ask YoungLives mentors to reserve Tuesday evenings from around 5:00-8:00pm. This time will be used for club, campaigners, mommy and me events, and leader meetings. You are also expected to spend time with your mentee outside of events if you are serving as a mentor. 

LENGTH OF COMMITMENT
We ask YoungLives volunteers to commit to at least one school year.

TRAINING PROVIDED
Training will be provided at the beginning of each school year and as needed throughout the year. The training will be specific to the role that you decide to serve in.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL SKILLS
When looking for YoungLives volunteers, we are seeking individuals who are willing to share their faith with young parents, who have time to spend with them, love them, and who can be consistent in their lives. Sometimes we are the only positive influence in these parent’s lives.

 To be a YoungLives volunteer you will need to pass a background check.

BENEFITS TO THIS POSITION
Serving with Younglives will help you grow in your faith and lead many generations to faith through young moms, dads, children, and supportive family members. You will also grow strong relationships with the team that you serve with. We look forward to having you on our team!

Contact Information
Tamara Hartman- South/Central Austin (512)992-4382
tamara.hartman473@gmail.com

Caitlynn Lopez- East/North Austin (512)906-7026
caitmaceo@gmail.com

Committee Member with YoungLives

JOB DESCRIPTION
Support the ministry financially, along with supporting staff with the operations of the ministry. Committee members attend clubs when available, and a monthly committee meeting.

TIME REQUIRED
Two Tuesday evenings a month- one for club and one for committee meetings.

LENGTH OF COMMITMENT
We ask YoungLives volunteers to commit to at least one school year.

TRAINING PROVIDED
Training will be provided at the beginning of each school year and as needed throughout the year. The training will be specific to the role that you decide to serve in.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL SKILLS
When looking for YoungLives volunteers, we are seeking individuals who are willing to share their faith with young parents, who have time to spend with them, love them, and who can be consistent in their lives. Sometimes we are the only positive influence in these parent’s lives.

 To be a YoungLives volunteer you will need to pass a background check.


BENEFITS TO THIS POSITION

Serving with Younglives will help you grow in your faith and lead many generations to faith through young moms, dads, children, and supportive family members. You will also grow strong relationships with the team that you serve with. We look forward to having you on our team!

 

Contact Information
Tamara Hartman- South/Central Austin (512)992-4382
tamara.hartman473@gmail.com

Caitlynn Lopez- East/North Austin (512)906-7026
caitmaceo@gmail.com

Childcare with YoungLives

JOB DESCRIPTION
Childcare- Attend one YoungLives club a month to watch babies. Other opportunities may come up throughout the year. A YoungLives Coordinator will reach out to you if we need additional support from the childcare team.

TIME REQUIRED
Childcare- One Tuesday evening a month.

LENGTH OF COMMITMENT
We ask YoungLives volunteers to commit to at least one school year.

TRAINING PROVIDED
Training will be provided at the beginning of each school year and as needed throughout the year. The training will be specific to the role that you decide to serve in.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL SKILLS
When looking for YoungLives volunteers, we are seeking individuals who are willing to share their faith with young parents, who have time to spend with them, love them, and who can be consistent in their lives. Sometimes we are the only positive influence in these parent’s lives.

 To be a YoungLives volunteer you will need to pass a background check.


BENEFITS TO THIS POSITION

Serving with Younglives will help you grow in your faith and lead many generations to faith through young moms, dads, children, and supportive family members. You will also grow strong relationships with the team that you serve with. We look forward to having you on our team!

 

Contact Information
Tamara Hartman- South/Central Austin (512)992-4382
tamara.hartman473@gmail.com

Caitlynn Lopez- East/North Austin (512)906-7026
caitmaceo@gmail.com

Leader Support with YoungLives

JOB DESCRIPTION
Leader support- Check in with volunteer leaders. Many of our leaders are volunteers from UT and need support as they get through school, work, and ministry.

TIME REQUIRED
Check in with a leader at least once a month.

LENGTH OF COMMITMENT
We ask YoungLives volunteers to commit to at least one school year.

TRAINING PROVIDED
Training will be provided at the beginning of each school year and as needed throughout the year. The training will be specific to the role that you decide to serve in.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL SKILLS
When looking for YoungLives volunteers, we are seeking individuals who are willing to share their faith with young parents, who have time to spend with them, love them, and who can be consistent in their lives. Sometimes we are the only positive influence in these parent’s lives.

 To be a YoungLives volunteer you will need to pass a background check.


BENEFITS TO THIS POSITION

Serving with Younglives will help you grow in your faith and lead many generations to faith through young moms, dads, children, and supportive family members. You will also grow strong relationships with the team that you serve with. We look forward to having you on our team!

 

Contact Information
Tamara Hartman- South/Central Austin (512)992-4382
tamara.hartman473@gmail.com

Caitlynn Lopez- East/North Austin (512)906-7026
caitmaceo@gmail.com

Prayer Team with YoungLives

JOB DESCRIPTION
Prayer Team- Join us in praying for the ministry. You will be added to the weekly YoungLives prayer email sent out by one of our committee members.

TIME REQUIRED
Prayer team- Time to review weekly prayer emails.

LENGTH OF COMMITMENT
We ask YoungLives volunteers to commit to at least one school year.

TRAINING PROVIDED
Training will be provided at the beginning of each school year and as needed throughout the year. The training will be specific to the role that you decide to serve in.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL SKILLS
When looking for YoungLives volunteers, we are seeking individuals who are willing to share their faith with young parents, who have time to spend with them, love them, and who can be consistent in their lives. Sometimes we are the only positive influence in these parent’s lives.

 To be a YoungLives volunteer you will need to pass a background check.


BENEFITS TO THIS POSITION

Serving with Younglives will help you grow in your faith and lead many generations to faith through young moms, dads, children, and supportive family members. You will also grow strong relationships with the team that you serve with. We look forward to having you on our team!

 

Contact Information
Tamara Hartman- South/Central Austin (512)992-4382
tamara.hartman473@gmail.com

Caitlynn Lopez- East/North Austin (512)906-7026
caitmaceo@gmail.com

Volunteer at The Gathering - A Memory Loss Respite Program

Volunteer at The Gathering - A Memory Loss Respite Program

The Gathering at WHPC is a memory loss respite program, where participants engage in activities and socializing while their caregivers get a break. We meet on Wednesdays from 9:30am to 1:30pm, and volunteers plug in when it works for their schedule and for any amount of time, including lunch if they wish. Besides becoming a volunteer, we also welcome one-off presenters for special topics, activities or entertainment.

Our goal is to be in community with each other while having fun, helping families live enriching lives during this journey with dementia, while also sharing resources and opportunities that can help along the way.

How you might help at The Gathering:

  • Most of the volunteers focus on keeping the participants company, helping them with activities when needed, and making sure they stay within our meeting area.  Volunteers help with activity set up, rearranging chairs, collecting dishes, etc. Volunteers can help lead or assist with an activity.

  • Volunteer photographers would take pictures all or part of the time from 9:30am – 1:30pm and upload them for participants to enjoy.

  • Volunteers with the Kitchen Crew could help prepare lunch from 10:00am – 1:00pm or clean dishes from 12:30pm – 1:00pm.  You could also help prepare for the lunch in advance by shopping or baking treats.

  • Morning set up help with arranging chairs and decorating takes place from 8:00am to 9:00am.

  • We would love to have more male volunteers, since at least half of our participants are male.

  • If you are interested in helping outside of The Gathering hours, you can assist in planning activities and/or administrative tasks.

Please contact memorycare@whpc.org, and either The Gathering Director or the Parish Nurse will contact you to share information and see when you can visit!

Learn more here. Email us at memorycare@whpc.org to arrange a visit. We can’t wait to meet you!

If you know a family who could benefit from this ministry, please pass along our email to the caregiver!

Meal Prep with Mobile Loaves & Fishes

Meal Prep with Mobile Loaves & Fishes

Through the Mobile Loaves & Fishes (MLF) food truck ministry, volunteers provide food, clothing, hygiene products and other life-sustaining items to our unhoused neighbors 7 nights a week, 365 days a year. WHPC is responsible for make-ready on the first and second Sundays of every month. 

The Meal Prep Team works together for an hour preparing the food that will be distributed off the delivery trucks. The commissary where the food prep takes place is just a mile from WHPC at St. John’s Newman Catholic Church. This is a great intergenerational opportunity to do alongside your kids!  

REGISTER HERE

Donate to Syria and Turkey

Donate to Syria and Turkey

The scale of the disaster facing Syria and Turkey after the Feb. 6 earthquake is becoming clearer. The 7.8-magnitude quake and its aftershocks have left more than 11,000 people dead and thousands more injured; these numbers will rise as search and rescue continues. Buildings have been reduced to rubble, and roads and bridges have been severely damaged, resulting in dangerous conditions for first responders. In some places, such as Aleppo, this destruction is compounding the damage of the now 11-year war in Syria.

 

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is providing emergency relief and short-term recovery in the impacted areas through long-standing partners in Syria, in addition to ACT Alliance members in Syria and Turkey, all of whom are already on the ground. PDA will remain active throughout the entire recovery process, accompanying our partners in the area as they determine long-term program needs and providing financial support for building and resilience.

DONATE HERE