Serve in Austin
Discover different ways to use your gifts to serve our community.
Covenant is located in a big city with diverse needs.
We work with several groups, serving people of all ages, economic backgrounds, cultures and interests. These diverse opportunities take advantage of all sorts of spiritual gifts, abilities, backgrounds, personality types and experience levels. You can find one-time or ongoing opportunities.
Mission Spotlight
Men's Clothing Drive for Central Presbyterian Church
Covenant will be collecting men’s clothing for Central Presbyterian Church from June 4 — July 29 to provide garments for our unhoused neighbors. Learn more about what, where, and how to donate below.
Homelessness
and Housing
Helping our Neighbors
Helping Our Neighbors (HON) is a ministry serving our local homeless population in West Austin. HON is looking for mentors to meet with homeless neighbors once per month for friendship and companionship. They are also looking for helpers to join their efforts to distribute food and supplies to homeless neighbors each weekend. If you are interested in serving in this way, contact Jo Ibsen at .
Learn more about HON and read our story about Jo.
Texas Reach Out
Texas Reach Out serves as transitional housing for those who have recently been released from extended stay in the prison system. Through their faith based housing programs, their residents are mentored in how to reintegrate in society in a meaningful way. TROM is looking for help in leading weekly Bible Studies for residents as well as mentors for residents. For more information and how to get involved, please contact Allison Laymon at
Movin’ And Groovin’
Movin’ and Groovin’ is a ministry of Covenant supplying gently used furniture to Austin’s newly housed homeless population as well as newly arrived refugees and others in need. A team of volunteers collects donations of gently-used large furniture and delivers them to newly housed folks who are starting fresh. This ministry is looking for volunteers to serve on Saturdays doing pick ups and deliveries. Movin’ and Groovin’ is currently accepting donations of:
- Sofas and Love seats (No sleeper sofas)
- Kitchen Tables and chairs
- Chest of Drawers and Small Dressers
- Table lamps and floor lamps
- End tables and coffee tables
- Nightstands
Learn more about the story of Movin’ and Groovin’ here! For more information on how to donate as well as how to volunteer, email Dave Arnold at .
Street Youth Ministry
The mission of Street Youth Ministry (SYMin) is to serve homeless youth between the ages of 18 and 28. SYMin offers food, friendship, social services, counseling, clothing and mentorship. They are faithfully caring for the homeless youth in the heart of Austin. Covenant is proud that the Founder and Director of SYMin, Terry Cole, is a member of Covenant, and he continues to inspire our congregation as he pursues his call. For more information and ways to volunteer, please contact Garrett Hall.
They are looking for volunteers available from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. For more information, contact Garrett Hall at
Families and Education
AVEY
Austin Voices for Education and Youth (AVEY), a ministry working in East Austin’s St. John neighborhood, is a community collaboration that aims to strengthen families, support kids and improve schools. AVEY trains and encourages neighbors to be leaders, connects them with services already available and helps to build a safe neighborhood. Click here to sign up to serve with AVEY. For more information and how to get involved, contact Lynn Bell at .
Manos De Cristo
Manos de Cristo aims to empower low-income individuals with a loving hand of assistance and without regard to age, gender, race or religious preference. Manos provides important services — including food and clothing, oral care and education — to more than 20,000 people annually. Clients include the working poor, immigrants and the homeless. Learn more about Manos de Cristo. For more information and how to volunteer, contact Barbara Worley at with questions.
Young Life
The mission of East Austin Young Life is that every student in east Austin would hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and grow in their faith. Volunteer leaders and staff build relationships with students to communicate hope and give vision for the future in this life and the next. To volunteer, contact Area Director Chris Fisher at
Vulnerable Populations
Fostering Hope
Drive a Senior ATX
Drive-A-Senior-ATX (DAS-ATX) serves a vulnerable population that has been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, DAS-ATX focused mostly on driving seniors to appointments, errands and activities. Now, this ministry has shifted to include additional volunteer opportunities. For more information and how to get involved, please contact Kit Chenault at .
Presbyterian Children’s Home and Services
Covenant has been in partnership with Presbyterian Children’s Home and Services (PCHAS) since 1999. Unlike other social service agencies, PCHAS combines data-driven program design and expertly trained staff with a philosophy of care that keeps everyone—from social workers to executive leaders—focused on the goals and strengths of each child and their family. We have loved being able to support their ministry in all kinds of ways and are excited to spotlight some of their current work. For more information and how to get involved, please contact Melissa Gaskell at .
Austin Disaster Relief Network
Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN) is a nonprofit organization comprised of nearly 200 Greater Austin churches and thousands of trained volunteers bringing hope into crisis. ADRN’s network enables and empowers church members to organize, prepare, mobilize and respond quickly in the event of disaster, great or small. Business partners, local agencies and community support play a vital role in ADRN’s mission. It is through the generosity of their in-kind donations, monetary gifts and volunteer assistance that ADRN can fund the rebuild/repair of survivor homes and provide immediate assistance to those in crisis. For more information and how to get involved in ADRN, please contact Whitney Bell at
International Justice Ministry
International Justice Mission (IJM) is a global organization seeking to end slavery around the world. They partner with local authorities in 24 program offices in 14 countries to combat slavery, violence against women and children and police abuse of power against people who are poor. Covenant is in partnership with their field office in Cambodia and seeks to pray and offer support for the team there working tirelessly to advocate for those enslaved. For more info and how you can get involved with IJM, please contact Whitney Bell at
Welcoming the Stranger
Covenant’s Refugee Ministry
Refugee Ministry-The Covenant Refugee Ministry has served many families as they have arrived in the United States over the past 6 years. The needs of this team are vast. From apartment set up and airport welcomes, to long term care and continuing to offer refugee families support in all kinds of practical ways. There are many ways to serve as a part of this team. For how to get involved in the refugee ministry, email Emily Dove at .
ESL
Covenant, in partnership with Manos De Cristo, hosts ESL classes. We offer classes during the year on our campus. These classes serve populations from all over the world with the common goal to flourish in their community. Our daytime classes offer childcare for participants who need it. We need volunteers to help teach classes and to help with child care. For more information about how to get involved, contact Jane Harris at
Meet Whitney
Need help finding more information about Covenant’s Mission Ministry? Contact Whitney Bell, Covenant’s Director of Mission.