Operation School Bell®
Operation School Bell® is the flagship program of Assistance League chapters across the United States. Austin’s Operation School Bell provides school-age children in need with a wardrobe of new school clothing, shoes, and toiletries. Between June 1, 2022 and May 31, 2023, ALA clothed almost 10,000 students, making their days brighter, self-esteem higher, and their ability to learn better because they felt they belonged.
Contact: Judy Kennedy and Shanna Kribbs, Operation School Bell Chairs, schoolbell@alaustin.org
Project Impact
Project Impact is a two-year program designed to support a selected, underserved school community with significant needs chosen through an application process and approved by the Superintendent. Assistance League of Austin volunteer time, and fiscal resources are provided in a collaborative manner to the school staff and parents. As a result, Assistance League of Austin provides in-depth support to the students, educators, staff, and families with the end goal of positively impacting social emotional growth, academic performance, teacher satisfaction levels, and parental engagement on the campus.
Contact: Peggy Besand and Paula Bostick, Project Impact Chairs, project_impact@alaustin.org.
Outreach
Outreach was established 14 years ago to help Assistance League of Austin move quickly to meet a range of community needs on a one-time, short term or annual basis, enabling us to respond in a flexible manner. Outreach serves children and adults through three initiatives, this year serving 61 families / 221 individuals. Our outreach program purchases sofas, tables and chairs, dressers, household goods, beds, and bedding in support of the Resettlement Initiative and Supporting the Underserved. We work in collaboration with the Salvation Army Women and Children’s Shelter, the Foundation for the Homeless, Austin Voices for Education and Youth, the Austin, Manor, and Del Valle ISD and other refugee services.
Contact: Ada Stepan and Cheryl Zinn, Outreach Chairs and Dorothy Cleaves Outreach Treasurer, outreach_cochair@alaustin.org
Toy Cart
Toy Cart was the first program established by the Assistance League of Austin in 1973 and serves nearly 17,000 children and families annually. We visit hundreds of children hospitalized at Dell Children’s Medical Center, four days per week, year-round, bringing books, toys, crafts, games, and magazines. These newly purchased gifts are individually chosen by each patient. This year our Toy Cart Studio team spread extra love and comfort by sewing almost 850 baby and teen blankets, crocheting caps, and providing onesies for infants throughout the hospital.
Contact: Laurie Nelson, Toy Cart Chair, toy_cart@alaustin.org
Assault Survivor Kits®
Assault Survivor Kits (ASK) program provides support services to child and adolescent assault survivors seen by SANE nurses (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners). Items provided include stuffed animals, writing journals and new clothing. We serve two Dell Children’s Medical Center locations—in the hospital setting where acute sexual assault evaluations take place and at the non-acute sexual abuse clinic.
Contact: Jan Moynahan and Betty Sue Newton, Assault Survivor Kits Chairs, assault_survivor_kits@alaustin.org
Assistance League Scholarships
Assistance League of Austin members and Community Volunteers advocate for and mentor Austin Community College students to help them excel in their chosen fields. To date, we have assisted over 500 scholars with 92 scholars this year. Assistance League of Austin is proud to cover the costs for tuition, fees and books for scholars selected by the Austin Community College Foundation on the basis of need and desire to learn. Students are required to maintain a minimum of six credit hours per semester and a GPA of 2.5. Preference is given to students who have a strong desire to become productive members of this community and who do not have college experience in their family background.
Contact: Stephanie Dempsey, Scholarships Chair, scholarships@alaustin.org, and Debbie Touchet, Scholarships Co-chair, scholarships_cochair@alaustin.org
