Austin Junior Forum works with several local organizations serving the community,
as well as hosting some community projects of its own.

AJF's Community Projects:

The AJF Teddy Bear Program provides Teddy Bears and Dalmatians for local public safety agencies to give to children involved in traumatic events. The stuffed animals provide comfort and often aid in investigations when children must suffer the further ordeal of being questioned. From its inception in 1986, Teddy Bear Program events have evolved from a community picnic to include children's carnivals, outdoor concerts, 5K fun runs, and celebrity bear silent auctions. In 2008, AJF held the first annual Bikerz Bearz & Dogz Benefit Ride to raise funds for this important community service program. The Austin Police Department, Austin Fire Department, Travis County Sheriff's Office, and Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services have relied on AJF for these stuffed animals. Over the past few years more than 5,000 children have been involved in crisis situations and the numbers continue to rise with the growth of our city.

Beginning in the summer of 2011, Caswell House Etiquette Classes began offering the children and youth of central Texas an opportunity to develop and polish their interpersonal skills. As bullying has become more of an issue in modern times, children need tools to help them navigate the sometimes difficult waters of social interaction. These classes address social graces such as presenting yourself positively, making proper introductions, conversation skills, body language, speaking in front of others, tech etiquette, setting a proper table, using napkins and utensils, and coursed meals. Students also receive instruction on dealing with bullies, strategies for avoiding and managing conflict, and how to maneuver difficult situations appropriately.  The course concludes with students hosting an event at the Caswell House for their family and friends at which they demonstrate their newly honed skills.

Christmas at the Caswell House is AJF's signature event and an Austin community tradition since 1983. Each year, the ladies of AJF transform the lovely Victorian home into a magical, winter wonderland. The Caswell House is filled with everything needed for the holiday season -- incredible holiday decor, holiday attire, fabulous jewelry, Christmas ornaments and gifts, and so much more! The gourmet bake shop offers a large selection of sauces, coffees, jellies, dips, and oils, along with home-baked desserts from our famous Austin Junior Forum Cookbooks, which are also available for purchase. Throughout the week-long event, the Caswell House is open to the public for shopping and special events such as Mother-Daughter Teas, Gospel Brunch, Champagne Brunch, Wine Tastings, Daily Luncheons, and the romantic grand finale Candlelight Dinner. Christmas at the Caswell House is AJF's major fundraising event of the year with 100% of the proceeds going back into the community through the AJF Grants Program. For a list of grant recipients, please visit our grants page.

(Click here to learn about AJF's history of community service projects.) 

Any Baby Can / Candlelighters
Any Baby Can's Candlelighters program is the only program in Austin offering a broad spectrum of outpatient services to families dealing with childhood cancer. The Candlelighters Program works closely with the ’Specially for Children Clinic at the Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas to identify new pediatric cancer diagnoses. Candlelighters masters level social workers trained in pediatric oncology provide families with specialized advocacy, medical case management, crisis intervention, support groups, family and individual counseling and bereavement services. Each year, Any Baby Can serves approximately 100 families of children with cancer. This year AJF will help staff their Christmas party, serving food, assisting with crafts, and pictures of Santa.

Austin Groups for the Elderly / Elderhaven
At AGE, Elderhaven Adult Day Health Care centers (Austin and Round Rock) provide engaging activities for seniors and individuals with disabilities, preventing premature nursing home placement and allowing caregivers respite during the day. AJF members help throw birthday parties, play games, and support AGE staff create a fun and active place for seniors. AJF will also assist during AGE’s Caregiver Conferences, playing games and providing companionship to seniors while their families gain valuable information in the Caregiver Seminar. Other opportunities include joining on field trips. Past field trips have included the UT History Museum, the Caswell House, Halloween Pumpkin Patch, and VFW Valentine's Dance.

Austin Children's Shelter
The Austin Children's Shelter provides emergency shelter and longer term residential care and hope for the future to the abandoned, abused, and neglected children of our community. ACS offers the high quality care and critical services children needed to begin the healing process including individual and group therapy, medical and dental care, and educational assistance. The new and expanding ACS campus provides care in a home-like environment with housing for up to 78 children at a time. To support ACS's enrichment goals, AJF members participate in a variety of activity nights. AJF ladies host nail painting parties for teen girls. Members also play games with the children and partake in craft parties throughout the year.

BookSpring
BookSpring champions early literacy to empower children with a lifelong love of reading. AJF members support the Elementary Books for Ownership program, assist with literary events, and help distribute books to students. "Due to their low socio-economic levels, many of the participating students do not have books in their homes. When they receive the books provided by this program, their faces light up with excitement. They simply love books! If you only knew what joy these books bring, you would know how important this program is to them. Please continue to add this ray of sunshine into their lives.” AJF Members will also sort and label book donations, ensuring books are age-appropriate and good quality. AJF looks forward to another year of good books and true tales.

Breast Cancer Resource Center
Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas (BCRC) is a non-profit, grassroots organization created by breast cancer survivors. It is a centralized source for breast cancer information, education, and support. With locations in Austin, Round Rock, San Marcos, and Georgetown staffed by six Certified Patient Navigators, the BCRC enables women to become active, knowledgeable participants in their healthcare. AJF’s 2010 Grant to BCRC helped fund 500 tote bags filled with pillows, Cancer 101 guide, and BCRC brochures for distribution to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. AJF volunteers will deliver these totes to various physician’s offices and medical facilities around Austin.

Capital Area Food Bank
The Capital Area Food Bank of Texas (CAFB) provides food and grocery products to more than 355 human and social services partner agencies in 21 central Texas counties. These partner agencies provide hot meals served on-site or groceries to central Texans in need. In 2010, CAFB provided more than 25 million pounds of food throughout the community. The "Wheels of Sharing" Mobile Food Pantries fill geographic and service gaps in emergency food assistance. These Mobile Food Pantries provide basic staples, fruits and vegetables, and frozen foods. This year, AJF is volunteering with the Mobile Food Pantry regional delivery site in Lakeway.

Caritas
Caritas provides a service continuum for those experiencing poverty that begins with a safety net and links them to resources to achieve self-sufficiency. Over the past 45 years, Caritas has added programs and enhanced existing services to meet Austin's changing needs as it continues to serve the homeless, working poor, and documented refugees. Caritas now serves over 20,000 men, women, and children per year. AJF members assist with meal service in the Community Kitchen and assemble hygiene and food kits for distribution through the Caritas food pantry and other outreach programs. In 2008, Caritas served weekday lunches to over 95,500 hungry families, women, children, and men through the Community Kitchen and provided groceries to over 5,000 client households from its Food Pantry.

Heart House
Heart House is an afterschool program whose mission is to provide a safe haven and academic support to low income children and to encourage children to become good citizens. Heart House’s innovative afterschool program is the only daily program for school-age children in a neighborhood known for its high crime, high unemployment, and lack of affordable, quality care for children. At Heart House, children have access to caring adult mentors, homework assistance, art enrichment, computer learning, health and safety education, and literacy programs. AJF hosts bi-monthly birthday parties, providing games, crafts, and snacks at the Heart House North location.

Hospice Austin / Christopher House
Hospice Austin provides family-centered, quality end of life care that emphasizes compassion, independence, respect, and dignity. Established in 1979, Hospice Austin serves the five-county region of Travis, Williamson, Bastrop, Caldwell, and Hays counties. It is Austin's only community-based, non-profit hospice service. Hospice Austin's inpatient facility, Christopher House, offers 15 patient rooms designed and equipped to provide patients and family members with the amenities of home. Twice a year AJF members host a luncheon for the patients and their families, employees, and volunteers of Christopher House.

Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels and More nourishes and enriches the lives of the homebound and other people in need through programs that promote dignity and independent living. MOW has expanded into a multi-service organization of 5,000 volunteers serving 2,500 clients each day and offering programs designed to keep clients healthy and living in their own homes. MOW has a strong involvement in the community serving the elderly, the disabled, the homebound, and many children who face hardships. One member describes MOW as “compassion in action.” AJF’s MOW projects cover a broad range of activities. AJF members participate in the HOPE Grocery Delivery Program, delivering pre-packaged grocery sacks to MOW clients in need. At Christmastime, AJF members will gift wrap holiday gifts for a joyful surprise to MOW clients. Throughout the year, we’ll also help decorate Mike’s Place, MOW’s new Alzheimer’s respite care program, to create colorful themes based on the center’s planned activities.

Mobile Art Program
The Mobile Art Program delivers art activities to seniors and disabled adults. MAP is not concerned with the finished piece of art; rather, it's about providing people with ways to cope with what is happening in their lives. Art becomes the vehicle for expression, developing relationships, as well as for integrating experiences that may be difficult to understand. AJF will support MAP in three venues: Summer Art Sessions at Mike’s Place (Meals on Wheels’ Alzheimer’s Care Program); a fall art exhibition at the new Laura Bush Library; and Spring Art Sessions at Heritage Park Nursing Center. MAP is a new 2010 AJF Grant Recipient.

New Beginnings Mentoring Ministry
NBMM empowers single parents to become financially able to provide for their children without government funding. With mentoring, support services, and community resources, they are able to seek job training or a higher education, and find their God-given purpose in life. This year AJF will host a Back to School Picnic cooking hot dogs, passing out backpacks, and playing games with NBMM client families to celebrate the start of a new school year. In December, AJF will assist with the NBMM Christmas party as we decorate cookies and help Santa Claus give out presents.

Ronald McDonald House
The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin and Central Texas provide lodging and support services to families of critically ill and injured children in the 46 counties surrounding Austin. The House currently provides lodging and support services to over 700 families annually. The new Ronald McDonald House at Mueller Center provides 30 rooms for families. AJF contributes as Meals Providers, one of the House’s most popular programs. As Meal Providers, AJF members provide and prepare healthy, nutritious dinners to Ronald McDonald families to enhance the "home-away-from-home" atmosphere during their stay. Ronald McDonald House’s goal is to provide hot, home-cooked lunches and dinners to families daily. Providing a meal to the families that stay at the Ronald McDonald House takes away the worry and hassle of food preparation so that the families can give all their energy and attention to their hospitalized child. Ronald McDonald House families frequently cite the donation of meals as a major aid during their stays.

Project Suite Pea
Project Suite Pea’s mission is to use interior design to create beautiful and therapeutic living spaces free of charge for critically ill, injured, abused, neglected, or emotionally distressed children who are in foster care, institutionalized, or hospitalized. AJF will work with PSP to help renovate, paint, and redecorate children’s rooms at the Starry Emergency Shelter for children. PSP is a new AJF project as we’re excited to support this wonderful mission.

The Settlement Home for Children
The Settlement Home for Children is a charitable non-profit residential treatment center and therapeutic foster care program for emotionally troubled children. The Settlement Home serves approximately 50 girls, ages 7 to 18, providing on-site schooling and 24-hour therapeutic care. It also operates a handful of group homes, working with numerous foster and adoptive families facilitating the children's transition to their "forever families." During the school year, AJF hosts regular arts and crafts activities or game nights. Each August, volunteers host two back-to-school events giving the girls makeovers for the new school year, and each December, volunteers host a holiday party of food, games, and craft activities for the girls.

Sunshine Camps
Founded in 1928, the Young Men's Business League Sunshine Camps provides at-risk youth opportunities for personal, physical, academic, and life skill development. Over time, a single summer camp has grown into an entire series of weeklong, overnight summer camps at two locations for children ages 7-15, a year-round leadership training program, and a scholarship program for Sunshine Campers who graduate from high school. In 2009, 875 high-potential, low-income youth were served through camp programs. In the summer, AJF members participate in the Zilker Park Camp’s Carnival nights and Canoe Nights on Lady Bird Lake for children ages 7-11.

Wonders & Worries
Wonders & Worries helps children and their families cope when a parent or caregiver has a chronic or life-threatening illness. All Wonders & Worries services are provided by Certified Child Life Specialist professionals who are specially trained to help children and their families understand and manage challenging life events and stressful health care experiences. All services are provided at no cost to participating families. AJF members participate in their year-round events including the FestiFall crafts festival and Wonder Ball Daddy-Daughter Dance.