Make a direct impact on the city of Austin, located deep in the heart of Texas. Because of the high quality of life in Austin, there is a high emphasis on social, environmental and community issues. Thus, Cultural Embrace offers ample opportunities to gain a rewarding volunteer experience from projects in fields that interest you. Work with at-risk and at-need individuals, whether they are immigrants trying to learn English, youngsters who need a hand with their school work, young adults that seek moral support to improve their economic viability, or elders that are looking for a new friend. Choose to work in a variety of resource centers, such as: a homeless shelter, a health clinic, an animal rescue shelter, a nursing home, a community day-care or a food bank. Or, if you envision getting your hands dirty, literally, opt to work in the many city parks and greenbelts to improve nature conservation, or give a hand in building homes for the under-privileged or city environmental projects.

Now is your chance to experience the capital of Texas, a city renowned for its music, food, academia, arts, culture, and 'weirdness!' Come spend some time getting to know one of United States' most livable cities, helping at-need communities and enjoying the many social and recreational activities, as well as optional English or Spanish language lessons and academic test preparation courses (i.e. SAT, ACT, LSAT, GMAT, TOEFL and more) available. Cultural Embrace partners with local community organizations to help children, families, and the community. By contributing your time, energy and passion to others, you will gain a memorable and meaningful experience to "Keep Austin Weird".

Teach/Tutor
Assist the local schools, community centers, libraries, churches, and NGOs that assist at-need students and community members. Tutor children with their school work, or help immigrants learn and improve their English language level. If you are knowledgeable with specific skills (ie: foreign language, computers, environment, health/medical, etc), we can tailor a more subject- and field-related placement for you. Opt to serve as a role model for struggling teenagers and adults through informal education classes, community centers and administrative support to local non-profits.  Most of these students have dropped out of school or immigrants to the Austin area, and trying to find alternate opportunities to continue and improve their education. 

Social Welfare Development
Provide assistance to community centers that support at-risk and at-need communities in Austin. Work at homeless shelters, women and children agencies, animal rescue, pet shelters, food banks, nursing homes and community centers. Be a friend and lend a hand and a smile to help others learn values, manners, and life skills to become self-sufficient and obtain an appreciation of education.  Past projects range from tutoring, cleaning, carpentry, program development, cooking, childcare, business skills training, administrative, date entry and more.

Health/Medical Clinics
Work alongside community health and medical clinics.  Be a friend to patients, assist medical staff, and organize health/nutrition classes.  Knowledge of nutrition, health and medical field are preferred for these projects. 

Environment/Ecology Conservation
Learn and practice how to be a positive example of nature conservation. Work at community parks to help preserve Austin's 'green' city! Duties include restoring and improving the grounds, plantations and facilities.  Interact with the local communities and expand your knowledge with reasons, benefits, and ways to be more environmentally-friendly.

Building/Construction Maintenance
Lend a hand with a variety of laborious and maintenance jobs.  Assistance for building, painting, gardening, cleaning and wiring are needed for a variety of projects.  Experience and knowledge helpful, but not required.

Volunteer in Austin, Texas USA Offers:

• A first-hand experience to see and improve the communities in Austin.
• A broader perspective on world views.
• Opportunity to learn Austin’s lifestyles and community initiatives as well as other cultural activities (ie: music, language, crafts, dance, etc.).
• Memorable experiences while traveling and experiencing one of the most ‘livable’ cities in the USA.
• Lifelong friends from all around the globe.
• International work and cultural experiences that strengthen your resume.
• Support and development of self-confidence and personal skills.

Cultural Embrace Offers:

•  Guaranteed volunteer placement
  Customized volunteer placement(s) will be organized prior to your departure.
•  Accommodations
  Basic, clean & comfortable housing is included in your program. Most housing will be in a shared dorm room (2-4 people).
•  Meals
  At least two meals a day, six days per week are included with your program. Meal plans will depend per project and destination, usually a family style or cafeteria meal plan. Dietary and allergy restrictions will be met with advanced notice.
• Optional English or Spanish Language Lessons or Academic Test Preparation Course
  Private and small group lessons to improve your English or Spanish language, or to improve your test-taking skills (i.e. SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, TOEFL, etc.) may be offered upon request before, during or after volunteer placement for nominal fees.
• Arrival Assistance
   Airport or bus station pickup and transfer to your housing are included with your program every first Saturday of the month. If you arrive on a different date, we will provide you with detailed instructions of your housing details.
• Orientation & Training
  You will receive training of your responsibilities and tasks, as well as local orientation of the area
  from our local coordinators on the first Sunday of every month. 
• Cultural Embrace Cultural Kit
  You will receive useful information prior to your departure to prepare you for your adventure abroad.
• Full-time pre-departure and local support
• Visa assistance (if applicable)
  Cultural Embrace will assist you with the process to obtain the proper visa, but we have no control or guarantees of government issuances and visa availability.

• Volunteers must be at least the age of 18 (or with parent consent.)
• Basic English skills. We offer optional English and Spanish language lessons for a nominal fee before, during, or after your volunteer project.
• Enjoy working and serving at-need or at-risk communities.
• Open to foreign cultures and living abroad.
• Dependable and dedicated to full-term of commitment
• Responsible and conscientious with volunteer projects and accommodations

-All Volunteer Projects include: room & board (as specified), traveler's insurance, airport/bus station pick-up & transfer (as specified), full-time pre-departure and local support
-Prices listed in US Dollars, and AUD$, CAN$, £,€ accepted

1) Obtain the Volunteer Abroad Application Forms & Procedures documents in one of three ways:
(a) Download the forms:  Volunteer Application (pdf) and Volunteer in United States Program Details (pdf). 
(b) Fill out an online application request form and the forms will be e-mailed to you within 2-3 days.
(c) Call Cultural Embrace at 1-512-469-9089 or 1-888-214-8750(US toll-free) to have the forms mailed to you in 7-10 days.
2)  Read the instructions carefully and complete all forms.
3)  Submit your completed application packet to:

Completed packet should include:
-Volunteer Application
-Signed Volunteer Program & Agreement
-Copy of your passport - information page only
-Copies of diploma or certificates related to field of interest (if applicable)
-Resume/CV
-Cover Letter explaining what you want to do and why you want to provide a service in Austin, TX. 
-Two references: preferably professional references and/or character reference
-Doctor's certificate verifying that you are in excellent mental and physical health
-Police background security check
-Two 1½" x 2" official passport style photos printed on each photo
-One full-length picture of yourself
-US$200 non-refundable deposit (credited towards your program fee)

Upon receipt of your application, a Cultural Embrace coordinator will contact you for a 20-30 minutes phone interview. Once we accept you in to our program, you will receive an invoice for the remainder of your program fee. In order for us to contact our local partners to start your placement process, we require at least 50% of your program.

We recommend submitting your application and program fee at least 12-16 weeks prior to your desired start date in order for us to organize and arrange your volunteer placement.

*Cultural Embrace requires an expedited application fee for those applying 12 weeks or less before the desired date of departure. Applications received 8-12 weeks prior to desired departure date will be charged $150. Applications received less than 8 weeks before the desired departure date will be charged $250.