LOCAL OUTREACH
Our motto, “More than us. More than here,” guides Westover to care about the good of others beyond our congregation and outside our building. Therefore we invest time and resources in the following local Austin initiatives.
All these programs and organizations are connected closely to Westover. Many are led by Westover mission partners. We have seen their impact firsthand and we encourage you to get involved with them. You can get involved with serving with these organizations through our Serve page →
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Academy 4
Academy 4 is a local nonprofit organization that pairs 4th grade students in economically disadvantaged schools with a mentor. Students meet with their mentors monthly for 90 minutes to walk through a leadership development curriculum from which they learn a new leadership trait each month (Listen, Encourage, Attitude, Develop, Example, Respect, Serve). Through the simple vehicle of a positive relationship with a dependable adult, 4th grade students gain a greater sense of self-worth, a positive view of the future, increased engagement in school, and encouragement for greater academic achievement.
All Academy 4 volunteers from Westover are paired with students at Pillow Elementary School. We serve together one Friday afternoon each month for 90 minutes. This is a great way to share God’s love with young people in Austin.
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InKind
InKind, Inc. is an all-volunteer 501c3 nonprofit organization that has been serving single moms and families in crisis since 1997. One of InKind’s major programs is creating and delivering baby blessing baskets packed with essentials and gifts for baby and mom—it’s like a baby shower in a basket!
A few ways you can contribute to this meaningful program:
• Donate items:
1) new or gently worn baby clothes (3 months to 24 months)
2) new or gently loved stuffed toys (12 inches or smaller)
3) small mom's gifts (lotion, liquid soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, makeup) that can fit into a small makeup bag
• Do you knit, crochet or sew? (baby blankets, baby booties, stuff toys, caps, etc.) contact In-Kind to see what’s needed.
• Monetary donations (Venmo code & mailing address on the InKind website)
• Volunteer! In-Kind volunteers are building baby blessing baskets every week.
• Want to help from home? There are various projects that you can do from home for the baby baskets.… or do you like getting your hands dirty? You can help out in the fall/spring/summer in the In-Kind prayer gardens at Westover.
For more information, go to InKind’s website, or contact Deb Benaglio at dbenaglio58@hotmail.com
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Longhorns for Christ (LFC)
LFC is our college ministry partner. Originally established on UT’s campus by University Avenue Church of Christ, LFC is now a nonprofit organization of its own. It offers faith formation to college students in their context through a weekly Sunday night worship gathering, small group connection, seasonal retreats, gatherings, summer mission projects, and loads of unscripted, unplanned community life.
The campus minister, Cary McCall, associate minister, Sam Garza, and a small staff of student interns run the ministry. The Campus Center is located on 1909 University Avenue on the UT campus. Stop in for worship at 7pm on Sundays!
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Ramjaane Joshua Foundation
The Ramjaane Joshua Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Texas. Our mission is to change the lives of immigrants, refugees, and others by advocating for them and helping them learn to integrate themselves into American society.
RJF provides various services that help refugees and immigrants integrate:
• Classes in English, computers, citizenship, driving in the US
• Translation/Interpretation
• Job assistance
• Small projects- hair braiding, Sewing, Farming, Agriculture, etc...
• Use of buses
• Applications: apartments (lease), food stamps, Medicaid, financial aid, etc.
• Bill and shopping assistance
• Sport and Entertainment
• Organizing baby showers, birthdays and children’s events
• Teaching about laws and rights (working with law enforcement to clear up common confusions) -
Westover Drive-Thru Food Pantry
Since getting started in 2020, Westover’s weekly Drive-Thru Food Pantry has provided essential groceries for over 70,000 Austin families. Distribution is on Saturday mornings from 9:00 to 11:00am in the Westover parking lot. Each car receives a bag of fresh/perishable goods such as produce and a bag of nonperishables such as cans and dry goods. On the last Saturday of each month, each car also receives a package of diapers (if needed).
Food and supplies are sourced from donations, the Central Texas Food Bank, and a weekly bulk purchase Westover makes from HEB. The Drive-Thru Food Pantry provides groceries for 260 - 300 households each Saturday and is completely run by volunteers. In addition to delivering groceries to cars, volunteers show up to sort food each week on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
Volunteers and donations needed! Email pantry@westover.org with questions.
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Westover Counseling Center
The Westover Counseling Center provides affordable, Christ-centered, licensed mental health and talk therapy services for individuals, couples, and families (not just Westover churchgoers)
Sessions are 55 minutes and cost $75/session.
