Volunteer Opportunities

Become a Volunteer!

Social Responsibility is one of the three focus areas of the YMCA of Austin. Generosity toward others is at the core of the Y's existence. It is through the support of our volunteers, that the YMCA of Austin is able to give back to the community. When you are involved with the YMCA of Austin, you have the opportunity to bring lasting personal and social change to others.

To receive more information on becoming a volunteer for the Y, or to submit your Volunteer Application, please email volunteer@austinymca.org.

Volunteer Opportunities

Sports Coaches

Volunteer coaches needed for Youth Sports throughout the year. Sports vary by branch and time of year and include basketball, baseball, and soccer. Contact the Youth and Family Director at the facility closest to you:

• East Communities YMCA: Kinny Ochoa 933-9622
• Hays Communities YMCA: Gary Davis 523-0099
• Northwest Family YMCA: Josh Huberty 335-9622
• Springs Family YMCA: Ian Manzak 894-3309
• Southwest Family YMCA: Brandon Gonzalez 891-9622
• TownLake YMCA: Lauren Bickford 542-9622

Community Service

Giving back to the community is one of the three focus areas of the Y. Opportunities for completing community service are available at all the 7 YMCA facilities in Austin.

Special Events

The YMCA of Austin is always on the go. Throughout its seven facilities around Austin and events with partners, the Y is always planning events for the community and its members. Volunteers are needed for special events throughout the year. Please check the Special Events Calendar for volunteer information about upcoming special events!

Board of Directors / Committee of Managers

The YMCA of Austin and its eight branches operate with a volunteer advisory that assist with strategic planning, policy, and vision of the Y. This advisory is vital for the continual existence of the YMCA of Austin and the changes it brings along. You can become a volunteer and lead our Board of Directors and Committees.

Partner of Youth Campaign Volunteer

Every year, more than 400 volunteers participate to raise awareness and encourage financial participation at the Y. Volunteers join forces to raise financial support by calling friends, colleagues, and other contacts to provide more than 20,000 families with the opportunity of becoming part of the YMCA of Austin for those who cannot afford. Come along and help support this cause and give parents and children the opportunity to become part of the Y family.

If interested, please contact Jim Pacey via email or by calling 512-322-9622 ext. 34

Motivating Children

Motivate and support youth, building character strengths, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, healthier lifestyles, smart life choices, the pursuit of higher education and aspiring higher goals in life. Volunteering For Adults Extend a hand and help those adults who want to do more, become healthier and live healthier lives.

Testimonials from Y Volunteers

"I love the relationships I have formed! I love connecting with people in our community. Whether it's the participants, volunteers, YMCA staff, family members of the participants, etc., it's just so great to get to know these wonderful people. I especially enjoy the participants It is so rewarding working with these special people and feeling like you are really helping them w/ exercise and getting some movement doing fun activities. This, along with the social interactions, is important to stimulate their minds and bodies. [The Y is] a place with such a sense of community that you feel the connection the instant you walk through the door. It feels so good to give back locally and the programs through the Y are a great place to do so! You feel the dedication and compassion from the staff and other volunteers. This is now a significant part of my life and one of the things I'm passionate about. It's an amazing feeling!"

--Sarah Klopp, Volunteer in the Townlake Y "Senior Retreat" program

"When I moved to Austin I felt it was extremely important to get involved with my community. I love being a positive influence on people, especially kids. I have learned so many important life lessons through studying music. I want to get people excited about music, and to learn to enjoy it in a way that they may not understand in a formal classroom setting. I volunteer at the Y leading a music class for ages 6-12. I love being a positive influence on children. Many children do not know whether they want to play sports or play guitar, or both. I want to give young people an opportunity to seek out the things that make them happy. The YMCA in Austin has some of the nicest people I have ever met; they are friendly and it is a great place to meet and make new friends. My greatest accomplishment at the Y has been teaching young children about music and building up my own music program from nothing. This is hands down one of the greatest things I have ever done with my education."

--Davey Jones, Volunteer at the Townlake Y

"I play the piano for sing-along at the Senior Retreat every Friday at the Downtown Y. Three years ago I saw a sign at the Y that Laurie McDaniel, Townlake Program Coordinator, was starting a respite program for people with dementia. I went to the first meeting of potential volunteers thinking I would just help out in a general way. I mentioned on my application that I could play the piano...meaning just that I had taken lessons in the past and could read music! The first time I played for the group, I had a repertoire of five songs. Participants stood around the piano, eager for more, and that inspired me start learning all the songs I loved from the 30's, 40's and 50's - classics like Hey, Good Lookin', Sunny Side of the Street, Don't Fence Me In, Blue Moon, and Bye Bye Blackbird, among others. I now have a repertoire of over 60 songs. I love how music is a great equalizer, how it takes all of us - volunteers and participants alike - out of ourselves and away from our problems. These great old songs create a world of pure fun. We don't just sing‚ we ad lib, act up and laugh at our own corny jokes. I sometimes wonder if anybody else in Austin is having this much fun from 1-2pm on a Friday afternoon! It was only here that I came into my own as a piano player. The irony is that my father, who never took a lesson and couldn't read music, played this way (stride style) and always wanted to teach me, but I never wanted to learn. Now, more than 30 years after his death, I sound like him! I grew up singing all these wonderful old songs at family parties with my dad or my cousin at the piano. I love being able to bring that experience to people whose lives are in need of some joy at he Y. Most of all, I love being able to convey to them that they are fun to be with, that when we all get together, something happens that none of us could ever experience alone"

--Linda Hardy, Volunteer in the Townlake Y "Senior Retreat" program