Volunteering with community groups and getting involved in civic associations are great ways to get to connect or reconnect with Austin life. Austin actually has the third highest rate of volunteering in America (after Minneapolis-St. Paul and Salt Lake City). Surprisingly though, there isn't a centralized place to find out about volunteering opportunities and civic groups in Austin. To help people find and build community, we're posting this growing and comprehensive list of groups. Check them out and if you want to suggest more, send an email. I'm including civic groups, activist groups, and provocative hobbyist groups as well.
Volunteering in Austin
Cooperatives, Collectives, Democratic ESOPs
Sustainable Food Center
The Sustainable Food Center is one of the most impressive organizations in Austin, in my humble opinion. They organize and coordinate the farmers' markets. They organize and coordinate many of the city's community gardens. They offer free classes on organic gardening and low-cost organic cooking. A wonderful bunch of folks doing great work for the city and community.
Treasure City Thrift
Solidarity, not charity. A radical collectively-run thrift store in east Austin. Always looking for more volunteers and collective members. Treasure City donates its surplus revenue to local community groups.
Ecology Action
A radical, collectively-run recycling center working at the cutting edge of Austin recycling policy.