10 San Antonio Nonprofits That Support Families in Need

Contributing to nonprofits that support San Antonio families in need is a way of giving back and helping our community grow stronger. And now more than ever, the need keeps growing. But working together, we can make a difference. Contributions of all size have impact, so whether it’s buying something off of an Amazon Wish List, attending an event, making a financial donation, or helping spread the word about a nonprofit whose mission you support, know your effort matters.

You can also help nonprofits that support families in need through family volunteering, and of course, there are always ways you can help during the holiday season. There are also ways you can give back throughout the year, so no matter how you give to these San Antonio nonprofits that support families in need, you’ll have a lasting impact and make San Antonio stronger.

 

 

 

 

 

Attending events that support nonprofits is another way to help organizations like Any Baby Can.

Any Baby Can

Since 1982, Any Baby Can has been a safety net for families in need. The mission of Any Baby Can is to serve families with children and youth facing serious health or developmental challenges. Providing direction and guidance for families of children and youth with special needs is at the heart of this organization. Volunteer, support the Walk for Autism, adopt a family for the holidays, or donate funds to help their programs.

The Arc of San Antonio

Since 1954, the Arc of San Antonio has worked to enhance the lives of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. The Arc fulfills this mission through direct care and case management services for individuals with a broad range of intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Learn how to donate here.

Brighton Center

Providing family and community education and developmental services to children with disabilities or delays, empowering them to achieve their individual potential and making them successful in every community, Brighton Center is the largest nonprofit providing direct services to children with disabilities and developmental delays in San Antonio. You can donate to support their efforts and of course, don’t miss TASTE of the Northside.

logo in the shape of a butterflyChildren’s Bereavement Center of South Texas

As the sole provider of grief support programs for children through young adulthood in South Texas, the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas is wholeheartedly devoted to addressing the bereavement needs of children from every culture and social circumstance to help them heal and move forward. They serve thousands of children, caregivers, and community members every year through ongoing support groups, individual and family counseling, and professional education and training programs. You can donate financially, donate a teddy bear or choose an item from their Amazon Wish List (including a range of art supplies to help children express their feelings), or you can volunteer, even helping serve meals to support groups.

ChildSafe

a white cardboard cutout resembling a child dressed as Harry Potter
The Cardboard Kids program helps raise awareness of child abuse in San Antonio.

The only nonprofit in Bexar County that coordinates the efforts of child protection staff, law enforcement professionals, family advocates, medical experts, and mental health clinicians for children and adolescents traumatized by sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, neglect, or exploitation, ChildSafe’s mission is to restore dignity, hope, and trust to children traumatized by abuse and neglect. Support the Cardboard Kids campaign by participating and spreading the word, volunteer to support ChildSafe, and of course, in-kind and financial donations are needed.

Family Violence Prevention Services

Offering residential and non-residential clients shelter, transitional housing, counseling for adults, children, and families, and legal services, Family Violence Prevention Services is commonly known for its Battered Women and Children’s Shelter. Their services help individuals and families recover from the pain and longer-term effects of domestic violence. You can help build a pet shelter (up to 65% of domestic violence victims will delay or refuse to leave an abusive home out of fear of leaving their pets behind), donate goods to those in need, or donate funds.

a man standing in front of a house
Justin, a Rise Recovery program participant, celebrating four years of sobriety.

Rise Recovery

A local nonprofit that helps teens, young adults, and families overcome the effects of drugs and alcohol, Rise Recovery provides peer counseling, education classes, group meetings, and social activities at no cost in order to eliminate any barrier to recovery. It’s been part of the San Antonio community since 1977 and the need now is greater than ever before. You can provide in-kind donations, including board games, fishing poles, journals, and more, or make a financial donation. Learn how to help your kids avoid addiction and about the messages we send as parents.

Roy Maas Youth Alternatives

A sanctuary for kids undergoing neglect and abuse, Roy Maas Youth Alternatives includes emergency shelters and long-term residential programs for children in crisis; a drop-in center for homeless, runaway, and trafficked youth; a community family counseling and resource center; and a transitional living program for former foster care, homeless youth, and youth in extended foster care. Clothing, underwear, or socks for kids and adults are always needed as in-kind donations, or you can provide financial support. To provide needed items, you can shop their Amazon Wish List. You can also donate goods, shop, or volunteer at the RMYA Thrift Shop.

San Antonio Food Bank

young boy sorting cans of food
Volunteering at the food bank is a great way for families to give back together.

In Bexar County, one in four children doesn’t know where they will find their next meal. The San Antonio Food Bank has quickly grown to serve 58,000 individuals a week in one of the largest service areas in Southwest Texas. COVID has made the need larger, and families who have never needed help before are turning to the Food Bank for assistance—and 35% of the Food Bank’s clients are children. You can host a drive to donate food and you can volunteer in San Antonio or New Braunfels. And of course, you can donate. $1 = 7 meals, so any donation helps.

SA Youth

Empowering San Antonio’s high-risk youth and young adults to achieve their full potential by providing quality educational programming in a safe environment, SA Youth’s prime focus is helping young people achieve academic success, develop their character, and promote healthy lifestyles. Donate to help San Antonio’s low-income children stay in school and help young adults who have quit school gain a second chance through high school credit recovery and workforce training.

 

Dawn
An Army brat who came to Texas for college and ultimately managed to make the Lone Star State her permanent home, Dawn became a mom “AMA” (advanced maternal age), giving her the opportunity to use a stroller vs. a walker as she navigates the world of motherhood. Her growing up way too fast native Texan loves all things Star Wars, Legos, dinosaurs and keeping his parents on their toes. When she’s not busy parenting the original strong-willed child, Dawn runs Tale to Tell Communications, a San Antonio-based PR and marketing agency. An award-winning writer, Dawn also contributes to San Antonio Woman, Rio Magazine and Texas Lifestyle Magazine. She and her family enjoy exploring all that San Antonio has to offer, going on adventures and playing tourist together as much as possible. Favorite Restaurant: Clementine Favorite Landmark: The beauty of the River Walk, especially La Villita Favorite San Antonio Tradition: Celebrating anything and everything with color, music and food