Good question(s).
Austin has those in spades.
Eh… probably? I can ask around. My partner is going to this:
and he may run across some compatriots from here:
There is a mighty fine clearinghouse for some of the projects you mention:
http://www.treasurecitythrift.org/community-links
An idea, certainly. Hmm.
Had I a Facebook page (I don’t, I am avoiding FB), I am guessing it would a be a simple query to post.