The Volunteer Council is a nonprofit advocacy group for the Austin State School. The Council was organized in 1956 with the original goal of raising funds to build the Chapel. The Chapel was completed in 1962 and the Council went on to work on an impressive list of contributions to the facility, including the lighted ballpark, the AquaDome, and the Benjamin House project. The Council engages in various fundraisers for its special projects as well as for operating expenses (such as printing and mailing--personnel expenses are nonexistent), and for funds for a wide variety of residents' needs and recreational outings