Legal Aid Society of Orange County
Contact person: Bill Tanner, Supervising Attorney
Contact information: btanner @ legal-aid.com
Location: 2101 N. Tustin Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92705
Website:http://www.legal-aid.com/
Service days/hours: Monday to Friday 9 to 5, also Wednesday evenings 5 to 8 p.m. Students are especially needed on Wednesday evenings and in early mornings.
Application/screening required? Complete volunteer application on line, submit copy of resume.
Number of students: No limit
Organization mission: Legal Aid Society of Orange County provides free, civil legal services to low-income persons and seniors. LASOC offers a wide variety of options to help individuals solve their legal problems. Services include a Hotline intake system, self-help clinics, workshops , on-line court forms, and in-depth legal services ranging from preparation of legal documents to legal representation. Areas of law addressed include family and children, protection from abuse, consumer, housing, health, taxes, public benefits, work, and criminal.
Service learning opportunity: Students are needed to help match clients with appropriate Legal Aid services. Students may assist with intake of clients, conduct research for special projects, and assist with legal clinics and community fairs.
Free Wheelchair Mission
Contact: Ariel Rigney, Run for Mobility Coordinator
Contact information: arigney @ freewheelchairmission.org
Location: 9341 Irvine Boulevard, Irvine, CA 92618
Website: www.freewheelchairmission.org / www.runformobility.org
Service days/hours: Weekdays 9 to 5. Select weekends possible if available.
Application/screening required? No
Number of students: 3
Organization mission: Free Wheelchair Mission is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to providing wheelchairs for free to impoverished disabled individuals in developing nations. Partnering with a vast network of humanitarian, government, and social groups across the world, FWM has distributed over 500,000 wheelchairs to over 76 countries. Wheelchairs are produced overseas in order to keep costs low, and are then shipped directly to recipient countries and then distributed. FWM is headquartered in Irvine, and provides administrative, logistical, and fundraising support for our international operations.
Service learning opportunity: Students will assist with marketing, communications, event planning, and general fundraising campaign support based around our annual Run for Mobility campaign. This campaign is a partnership with the Huntington Beach Surf City USA® Marathon. Opportunities include community education and outreach, online communications, office administrative support, and expo event staffing on select weekends (optional). Strong communication and interpersonal skills are required. Orientation is provided.
KidWorks
Contact: Donia Quon, Volunteer Director
Contact information: donia @ kidworksonline.org
Location: 1902 W. Chestnut Santa Ana, CA
Website: http://www.kidworksonline.org
Service days/hours: varies
Number of students: unlimited
Homework Club Volunteer: Spending an hour or two a week with a K – 5th grader may not seem like much but it will make all the difference in their world. As a Homework Club Volunteer, you will support a child by helping them with their homework, character development and other educational needs. You don’t need specific academic knowledge, just a desire to be a consistent presence in a child’s life. Our program is looking for 80 new Homework Club Volunteers to help at both of our community learning centers for the 2010-11 school year from 3 – 5:30 pm Monday – Friday.
YouthWorks Volunteer: KidWorks is looking for volunteers who want to make a difference in a youth’s life by spending an hour or two a week with 6th – 12th graders. By helping these youth with their homework, character development, and other educational needs, you will contribute something special to their lives as they get prepared for young adulthood. As a YouthWorks Volunteer, you don’t need specific academic knowledge, just a desire to be a consistent presence in a youth’s life. Our program is looking for 80 new YouthWorks Volunteers to help at both of our community learning centers for the 2010-11 school year from 4 – 7 pm Monday – Thursday.
STEAM Workshop Volunteer: You can share your Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematic skills with our 6th – 12th graders by leading them in a fun, energetic, hands-on 5 or 10 week workshop. The amount of students you would be teaching per workshop would generally be about 6 – 12 students. Our program is looking for 10 new STEAM Workshop volunteers to lead a workshop during the 2010-11school year from 9 am – 12 pm on Saturdays.
KidWorks University Volunteer: On Mondays and Fridays from 6 – 7 pm, we are putting together specific workshops for our 6th – 12th graders in writing, typing, and studying skills. We are looking for volunteer instructors who are interested in teaching these skills to 20 6th – 12th graders. Join us as a KidWorks University Volunteer as we prepare our youth for their launch into college.
Preschool Volunteer: Come to KidWorks and assist the little ones in our licensed preschool facility. We are looking for committed Preschool Volunteers who can be consistent, dependable, assist our teachers in whatever they need, and support the preschoolers in their daily activities from 8 – 11 am and 12 – 3 pm Monday – Friday.
Childcare Volunteer: Here at KidWorks we know that community development starts with education. Adults are often overlooked when it comes to education so we are trying to change that. Help us by providing childcare to make it possible for parents to attend our adult engagement classes. Please note: dates and times will vary and this opportunity is great for groups!
Support Volunteer: Here at KidWorks, we believe every daily function is important – not just the volunteer roles that mean you help our children and families directly. In order to make our programs flow, we need help behind the scenes too! You could share your important skill set with us through administrative, graphic design, party-planning, marketing, IT, and other types of support. Join us this year as a Support Volunteer! Please note: opportunities to be a Support Volunteer will vary from project to project.
Requirements and Next Steps
- A passion for children to be successful.
- A willingness to learn and be flexible.
- Must complete KidWorks online volunteer application.
- Must complete orientation/training at KidWorks.
- Must complete KidWorks volunteer interview.
- Must complete Live Scan Background Check.
- Must get a TB Test done or have TB Test results current within one year and available to show (Preschool only).
- Must commit for a minimum of a quarter (Sept – Dec) or for the calendar school year.
Aids Services Orange County
Contact person: Carolyn Spivak, Volunteer Coordinator
Contact information: cspivak @ ocasf.org
Location: 17982 Sky Park Circle, Suite J, Irvine, CA 92614-6482
Website: www.ocasf.org
Service days/hours: 9 to 5 Monday to Friday, possibly some later hours; students must also be available to assist with an event during the day on Saturday October 17
Application/screening required? TB test required. Application required at in-person interview.
Number of students: 2
Organization mission: AIDS Services Foundation Orange County’s mission is to prevent the spread of HIV and improve the lives of men, women, and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Orange County. Services include counseling, screening, housing and food assistance, health education, policy, support groups, and others.
Service learning opportunity: Students may assist with activities that include working at the front desk, assisting with the food pantry, record keeping, event planning and operation, data base management, and others. Students should be comfortable working with diverse populations including gay, bisexual, and straight individuals and people with HIV/AIDS. Students will receive an orientation and training.
Share Our Selves of Orange County
Contact person: Julie Larson, Volunteer Services Manager
Contact information: jlarson @ shareourselves.org
Phone: 949.270.2113
Location: 1550 Superior Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Website: www.shareourselves.org
Service days/hours: Monday to Friday 8 to 12 or 11 to 3.
Application/screening required? Tour of facility and On-line application required.
Number of students: 20
Organization mission: SOS provides free health care care and assistance to those in need and act as advocates for systemic change. With the help of over 300 weekly volunteers, SOS provides life essential safety net services, including medical and dental services and social services (including food and financial assistance.)
Service learning opportunity: Students have the opportunity to assist with the daily operation of the social services department. Tasks may include working at the front desk to greet and register clients, office and computer support, food sorting and bagging, helping with the holiday Adopt a Family project, reading and arts with children, and translation (if bilingual in Spanish). Orientation and tour of facility provided.
Peace Over Violence
Contact person: Cayla McCrae, Director of Design and New Technologies
Contact information: cayla @ peaceoverviolence; 213-955-9090
Location: 1015 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Website: www.peaceoverviolence.org
Service days/hours: Monday to Friday 9 to 5.
Application/screening required? Call to schedule an interview.
Number of students: 1
Organization mission: POV’s mission is: building healthy relationships, families and communities free from sexual, domestic and interpersonal violence. POV offers programs and services in five areas: Emergency–24 hour hotlines and emergency response teams; Intervention–individual and support group counseling, with specialized programming for Latinas, Deaf, Disabled and Elder, LGBTQ and Teens; Prevention & Education– violence prevention curriculums, trainings, school and community education and organizing; and Advocacy–legal advocacy project, hospital and court accompaniment, and media and policy advocacy. Currently, POV’s staff, volunteers and board of directors provide these services for approximately 26,000 clients a year from our two locations in downtown Los Angeles and Pasadena.
Service learning opportunity: Peace Over Violence is seeking a PHP developer to aid in setting up an SMS system. You will be working with Frontline SMS software (frontlinesms.com) and writing custom scripts to perform database lookups and insertions and respond to keywords. Previous experience with SMS systems is desired.
Girls Incorporated of Orange County
Contact: Amanda McMahon- Volunteer Program Specialist
Contact information: amcmahon@girlsinc-oc.org
Location: 1815 Anaheim Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Website: http://www.girlsinc-oc.org
Service days/hours: M-F 1-6
Number of students: Unlimited
Our Mission: Inspiring all girls to be Strong, Smart, and BoldSM
Our Vision: Empowered Girls and an Equitable SocietySM
Girls Incorporated of Orange County is a 501(c)(3) organization that has served the Orange County community since 1954. We are an affiliate of the national youth organization Girls Incorporated®, a research, education and direct advocacy organization that inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold.
Girls Incorporated of Orange County provides vital after-school and summer enrichment and educational programs to girls ages 4 ½ -18 to help them develop the values and skills they need to become confident, productive and responsible adults.
Our programs and activities are offered at our Main Center in Costa Mesa and at school and community sites throughout Orange County.
Volunteer Opportunities
Elementary Volunteer Co-Facilitator / Support Staff: Build positive and nurturing relationships with Elementary girls, provide overall supervision and safety, co-facilitate activities and workshops with program staff, and assist program staff in preparing, implementing, and putting away materials used during educational enrichment activities.
Mustache Time Volunteer: Assist K-6th grade girls with homework after school, providing them with the one-on-one attention that will help them succeed in class. To keep it fun, everyone wears a mustache!
Structured Outdoor Play Volunteer: Organize and supervise K-6th grade girls during outdoor structured playtime. Volunteers can initiate outdoor games like Jump-rope, tag, or “Simon Says.” Assist program staff in the supervision of girls, ensuring their safety and teaching good sportsmanship.
Operation SMART Volunteer: Share your Science, Math, and Relevant Technology skills, knowledge and experience with girls age 4 ½ to 18 as they learn new skills, participate in hands-on activities, explore career options and college majors.
Workshop Volunteer: Bring your passion, skills, and experience to Girls Inc. by planning a workshop, class, or program for Girls Inc. participants ages 4 ½ to 18. Whether your passion is kung-fu, gardening, or public speaking- you can bring that passion to the girls and make an impact on their lives.
Teen Volunteer Co-Facilitator / Support Staff: Build positive and nurturing relationships with Junior High and High School girls, provide overall supervision and safety, co-facilitate activities and workshops with program staff, and assist program staff in preparing, implementing, and putting away materials used during educational enrichment activities.
Body IMAGE-ination Co-Facilitator: Assist in facilitating program curriculum and activities for teen participants, provide administrative support to program staff, and assist in overall supervision and safety of participants. Program focuses on redefining beauty, deconstructing media, building “sisterhood,” and affirmation of inner attributes and qualities.
Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Co-Facilitator: Assist in facilitating program curriculum and activities for teen participants, provide administrative support to program staff, and assist in overall supervision and safety of participants. Program focuses sex education, positive body image, boosting self-esteem and grades, and career readiness.
Fit Girls Co-Facilitator: Assist in facilitating program curriculum and activities, provide administrative support to program staff, and assist in overall supervision and safety of participants. Program focuses on healthy lifestyle choices for girls 9 to 15.
Requirements and Next Steps
- Must complete Girls Inc. volunteer application and questionnaire. .
- Must complete “Girls inc. 101” orientation/training at the Main Center in Costa Mesa.
- Must complete Girls Inc. volunteer interview.
- Must complete Live Scan Background Check.
- Must commit for a minimum of 3 hours a week for 12 weeks.