Civics 101

Wednesday 24

YMCA EARLY LEARNING READINESS PROGRAM A free community program for qualifying low-income families that focuses on preparing children ages 2-4 for school, while providing their caregivers with the tools to facilitate their child’s development. Classes are offered twice a week in English and Spanish and last one hour. English: Mondays & Wednesdays, 9am; Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:30am. Spanish: Mondays & Wednesdays, 10:30am; Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9am. Online, 512/322-9622. Free. austinymca.org.

OPERATION TURKEY Register online to help cook, package, and deliver food to those in need. The goal is to prepare 45,000 meals this year, so every hand helps. (Expected delivery is between 10am-2pm on Thanksgiving Day). Meal prep: Wed., Nov. 24; meal delivery: Thu., Nov. 25 Citywide. Free. operationturkey.com/locations/austin.

DONATE BLOOD, GET A FREE SCARF As temps drop, We Are Blood has your back (or neck). Donate blood or platelets to get a limited-edition scarf while supplies last. Nov. 18-27, 8am-6pm We Are Blood donor centers. Free. weareblood.org.

Thursday 25

DONATE BLOOD, GET A FREE SCARF As temps drop, We Are Blood has your back (or neck). Donate blood or platelets to get a limited-edition scarf while supplies last. Nov. 18-27, 8am-6pm We Are Blood donor centers. Free. weareblood.org.

YMCA EARLY LEARNING READINESS PROGRAM A free community program for qualifying low-income families that focuses on preparing children ages 2-4 for school, while providing their caregivers with the tools to facilitate their child’s development. Classes are offered twice a week in English and Spanish and last one hour. English: Mondays & Wednesdays, 9am; Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:30am. Spanish: Mondays & Wednesdays, 10:30am; Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9am. Online. Free. austinymca.org.

OPERATION TURKEY Register online to help cook, package, and deliver food to those in need. The goal is to prepare 45,000 meals this year, so every hand helps. (Expected delivery is between 10am-2pm on Thanksgiving Day). Meal prep: Wed., Nov. 24; meal delivery: Thu., Nov. 25 Citywide. Free. operationturkey.com/locations/austin.

MT. OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH THANKSGIVING MEAL To-go meals are available to the community on a walk-in basis. Volunteer opportunities for adults and older youth are available. Food donations welcome. 8:30am-12:30pm. Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 1800 E. 11th. Free. mtolivebcaustin.org.

ANNIE’S WAY THANKSGIVING DINNER Sign up online (or text 512/801-1629) to register for a meal to pick up via drive-through. Due to COVID-19, limited volunteer opportunities are available for facility setup, cooking, serving food, and cleanup. 9:30am-1pm. St. William Catholic Church, 620 Round Rock West Dr., Round Rock. Free. fb.com/justbecauseministryofhope.

PRINCIPE DE PAZ THANKSGIVING MEAL Due to COVID-19, there will not be a sit-down dining area. Meals will be distributed in to-go containers via drive-through and walk-up. 11am-1pm. Principe de Paz, 1204 Payton Gin. Free. pdpaustin.org.

SUNRISE COMMUNITY CHURCH THANKSGIVING MEAL Meals will be distributed outside. 11am-1pm. Sunrise Community Church, 4430 Menchaca. Free. sunriseaustin.org.

Friday 26

DONATE BLOOD, GET A FREE SCARF As temps drop, We Are Blood has your back (or neck). Donate blood or platelets to get a limited-edition scarf while supplies last. Nov. 18-27, 8am-6pm We Are Blood donor centers. Free. weareblood.org.

Saturday 27

DONATE BLOOD, GET A FREE SCARF As temps drop, We Are Blood has your back (or neck). Donate blood or platelets to get a limited-edition scarf while supplies last. Nov. 18-27, 8am-6pm We Are Blood donor centers. Free. weareblood.org.

ZILKER PARK VISION PLAN POP-UP: ZILKER HOLIDAY TREE Learn more about the plan that will establish a guiding framework for the restoration and future development of one of Austin's most-loved parks. 6-8pm. Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd.. austintexas.gov/zilkervision.

Monday 29

YMCA EARLY LEARNING READINESS PROGRAM A free community program for qualifying low-income families that focuses on preparing children ages 2-4 for school, while providing their caregivers with the tools to facilitate their child’s development. Classes are offered twice a week in English and Spanish and last one hour. English: Mondays & Wednesdays, 9am; Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:30am. Spanish: Mondays & Wednesdays, 10:30am; Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9am. Online. Free. austinymca.org.

Tuesday 30

YMCA EARLY LEARNING READINESS PROGRAM A free community program for qualifying low-income families that focuses on preparing children ages 2-4 for school, while providing their caregivers with the tools to facilitate their child’s development. Classes are offered twice a week in English and Spanish and last one hour. English: Mondays & Wednesdays, 9am; Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:30am. Spanish: Mondays & Wednesdays, 10:30am; Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9am. Online. Free. austinymca.org.

TRAVIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT SPECIAL JOINT SESSION Austin Public Health leadership briefs the Travis County Commissioners Court and Austin City Council on the state of COVID-19. 9am. Travis County Commissioners Court, 700 Lavaca, 512/854-9020. traviscountytx.gov/commissioners-court.

Wednesday 1

YMCA EARLY LEARNING READINESS PROGRAM A free community program for qualifying low-income families that focuses on preparing children ages 2-4 for school, while providing their caregivers with the tools to facilitate their child’s development. Classes are offered twice a week in English and Spanish and last one hour. English: Mondays & Wednesdays, 9am; Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:30am. Spanish: Mondays & Wednesdays, 10:30am; Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9am. Online. Free. austinymca.org.

CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL CALLED WORK SESSION An executive session Item addresses the appointment, compensation, and benefits of a city clerk. 9am. City Hall, 301 W. Second. austintexas.gov.

Ongoing

DRIVE-THROUGH VACCINE CLINIC VOLUNTEERS If you're interested in volunteering at Travis County's drive-through vaccine clinic at COTA, sign up here. Clinic open: Fridays-Sundays Travis County Expo Center, 7311 Decker. centraltxvaccs.org.

AUSTIN STRATEGIC MOBILITY PLAN SURVEY Austin Transportation Department seeks community members’ feedback on three new policy changes to the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan, the city’s first comprehensive, multimodal transportation plan. Ongoing Online. austintexas.gov/asmp.

AUSTIN LGBT CHAMBER HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE Austin’s queer business chamber hosts its annual drive for new (and unwrapped) toys, clothing, and shoes for local children. Donations will go to children and families enrolled in LifeWorks programs and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Travis County programs. See here for a list of drop-off locations and suggested donations. Through Dec. 10 Multiple locations. austinlgbtchamber.com/toydrive.

YWCA GREATER AUSTIN WARMLINE Call 512/548-9922 for support amidst the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mondays-Thursdays, 9am-8pm; Fridays, 9-5pm; Saturdays, noon-4pm Citywide. ywcaaustin.org.

LEGALLINE Call 512/472-8303 for free legal advice concerning family law, criminal matters, traffic problems, consumer issues, landlord/tenant issues, and employment law. Attorneys who are bilingual (English/Spanish) are also available. First Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30pm 512/472-8303. Free. referrals@austinlrs.org, austinlrs.org.

PRIMARY ELECTION DAY WORKER Over 600 spots need to be filled at polling locations for the March 1 primaries; this is a paid position through Travis County. traviscountydemocrats.org.

WIC MOBILE UNIT Resources and info about Austin Public Health’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition program for qualifying pregnant women, new mothers, and young children. Check online for current schedule Various locations. Free. austintexas.gov/wic.