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Advocacy and Community Opportunities
Food Insecurity & Homelessness
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Advocacy and Community Opportunities
Sustainable Contra Costa
Contra Costa County
Sustainable Contra Costa is a community of citizens, educators, innovators, and organizations designing and building pathways to ecologically sustainable, economically vibrant, and socially just communities for all.
American Cancer Society Discovery Shop
Alameda County and Mt. Diablo Region
The Discovery Shops sell high quality merchandise, including collectibles and vintage items. As stated on their website, “purchases, donations of goods, and volunteers help the American Cancer Society make the biggest impact on cancer ever.”
→ Learn more about volunteering at a Discovery Shop
Concord Historical Society
Mt. Diablo Region
Volunteers at the Concord Historical Society may do some of the following: care for artifacts, log new donations, prepare materials for storage, and office work. If you want to learn more about the history of our area and be involved in its preservation, this may be the volunteer place for you!
Contra Costa County Library
Contra Costa County
Some volunteer programs for teens include: homework help, computer docent, summer read teen volunteer, social media ambassador. Learn more about all their volunteer programs below!
→Contra Costa County Library volunteer programs
Contra Costa Crisis Center
Contra Costa County
The Contra Costa Crisis Center provides support, counseling, and hope – helping people in emotional or psychological distress. They are looking for volunteers to perform administrative duties, table outreach events and work on special projects around the Crisis Center.
→Volunteer Opportunities at Contra Costa Crisis Center
Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
Solano County
The Museum collects and exhibits the history of the City of Vallejo and the U.S. Navy at Mare Island. In addition to exhibits, the Museum features a research library, youth education program, speakers, films, concerts and other special events.
→ See what opportunities are available on Volunteer Match!
Animals
Jelly’s Place
West Contra Costa County
Jelly’s Place is a community nonprofit rescue and no-kill shelter located in San Pablo CA. We rescue, provide veterinary care, and placement for abandoned, impounded, sick, or injured dogs and cats.
Joybound People & Pets Animal Rescue Foundation
Mt. Diablo Region
Volunteers must be 18 years old, but there are some opportunities for those who 18 years and under. Check out the link below for more information.
Children & Youth
The Crayon Initiative
Mt. Diablo Region
The Crayon Initiative takes used crayons and remanufactures them into new special 3-sided crayons which are then donated to children facing illnesses in hospitals. Volunteer opportunities include joining one of their sorting or melting “pods” at the Danville location or hosting your own crayon sorting event.
→ Students who are interested in volunteering should contact founder Bryan Ware.
The Creek, A Middle School Youth Center
Mt. Diablo Region
Volunteers ages 16+ are needed with homework help, cooking groups, arts and crafts, and games. They are seeking volunteers Monday-Thursday from 2:30 - 6pm.
→ Contact Paulina Torres for more information.
Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area
Contra Costa County
Opportunities available to teens include: helping with a bike camp and communications readiness program. Fill out the volunteer form to learn more!
Hope Solutions - Homework Club
Mt. Diablo Region & East Contra Costa County
We are looking for compassionate individuals to help in our after school Homework Club that goes from August through June. We need support at our Bay Point, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill & Concord sites. You will provide academic and mentoring support to children from extremely low-income homes in grades K-12. Commitment is one afternoon per week (Monday-Thursday) for the entire school year.
→ Look at their website for ongoing opportunities.
Monument Crisis Center - After School Cafe
Mt. Diablo Region
Monument Crisis Center is looking for After School Cafe tutors at the beginning of each semester. Tutoring will be on Wednesdays and Thursdays in the afternoons virtually (during the pandemic).
→ Review all youth volunteer programs here.
→ Contact Karla Tinajero for more information on youth enrichment programs.
Mindful Littles - Youth Leadership Program
Mt. Diablo Region
Youth Leadership Program is perfect for teenagers and college students who want to dive deeply into mindfulness and service learning, develop critical leadership skills, and align passion with purpose—all while having fun working with elementary school children. You can teach mindfulness and kindness to children, or create your own project! Learn more at the link below.
Shelter Inc. - Various Opportunities
Mt. Diablo Region
Volunteers are able to participate in and coordinate projects for Shelter, Inc. Projects include meal-making and children’s activities.
Shelter, Inc. accepts donations year-round. Check out this list to see what they need.
Summer Opportunities
John Muir Day Camp
John Muir Mountain Day Camp is a unique experience for children ages 7 to 12 that instills an appreciation for nature, and for the life and legacy of John Muir. Volunteer to help with camp in summer 2020.
→ Website
→ To find out more about volunteering, contact Camp Director Jill Harcke: (925) 680-8807 or email: info@muircamp.org
Carondelet Volunteering
Development: Various Opportunities
Students will be able to volunteer for various development events: the Phon-a-thon, Visions of Christmas, Crab Feed. More information about about these events and how to volunteer will be shared with students via Schoology and/or Mobileserve.
Environmental & Science
The Bounty Garden
Mt. Diablo Region
The Bounty Garden is a non-profit program committed to providing a source of fresh organic vegetables to the local food banks in Contra Costa County, California. Here, volunteers of all ages come together in a hands-on program to learn about growing sustainable, organic vegetables all while becoming a part of the answer to food insecurity in our community.
→ Contact The Bounty Garden to volunteer.
Chabot Space and Science Center
Alameda County
Teens can volunteer through their Galaxy Explorers program, where volunteers run live science demonstrations and interactive exhibits. Volunteers will need to apply and make a year-round commitment of 12 hours per month. They have an open application period each Spring for students to begin that Summer. Check the website in February or March for more information.
→ Learn more about Galaxy Explorers here
East Bay Regional Parks District
Alameda and West Contra Costa Counties
This parks district has many programs for volunteers. Check out their website for more info
→ EBRPD - Volunteer / Get Involved
John Muir National Historic Site
Mt. Diablo Region
JMNHS is looking for volunteers in a variety of areas, including: garden and landscaping, educational programming, biological/plant activities (plant restoration and field data collection).
→ Read more about volunteer opportunities here
Lindsay Wildlife Experience
Mt. Diablo Region
Lindsay Wildlife Experience has two teen programs: Outstanding Wildlife Leaders and Keeper in Training. These programs involve being an ambassador to Lindsay’s animals and being an animal keeper.
→ Learn more about the programs here
Pleasant Hill Instructional Garden
Mt. Diablo Region
PHIG aims to educate students, staff, and community members in the need for water conservation with a demonstration garden using no pesticides, water recycling methods, drought tolerant and native plantings. Volunteers are welcome to help in ongoing projects or contribute to work days.
→ Sign up for upcoming work party days
Save Mt. Diablo
Mt. Diablo Region
The Diablo Restoration Team (DiRT) is Save Mount Diablo’s volunteer restoration field crew. Dedicated to the conservation and enhancement of natural resources in Contra Costa County, volunteers meet monthly to get DiRTy and contribute to the stewardship of habitat for sensitive and endangered species.
→ Sign up for upcoming restoration days
The Gardens at Heather Farm
Mt. Diablo Region
The Garden Manager is looking for extra hands to help rebuild a dry creek bed, install new paths, plant, and spread mulch/soil amendments.
→ Contact Jere Peck, Garden Manager, at jere@gardenshf.org if you’re interested in this project.
Food Insecurity & Homelessness
Alameda Food Bank
Alameda County
The Food Bank always needs volunteers for food packing and sorting as well as client check-in, food distribution, traffic control, set-up and clean-up. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old.
→ Learn more information on volunteering here
Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano
Opportunities throughout Contra Costa & Solano Counties
The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano has multiple volunteer opportunities in a variety of areas. View their calendar (link below) to learn more about their programs and how to sign up.
→ Volunteer Opportunity Calendar
Kids Against Hunger Bay Area - Meal Packing
Alameda County
Kids Against Hunger Bay Area is focused on feeding starving children and empowering kids, teen and adults to be part of the solution. They do this by using volunteers to package and ship highly nutritious, life-saving meals to starving and malnourished children in developing countries and the United States.
Loaves & Fishes
Mt. Diablo Region and East Contra Costa County
They are seeking volunteers for their dining room, central kitchen, and for special events.
→ Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa
Meals on Wheels
Mt. Diablo Region
Find a list of opportunities that you and your family/parent/guardian can participate in below.
→ Get Involved - MOW Diablo Region
Monument Crisis Center - Emergency Food Distribution
Mt. Diablo Region
Monument Crisis Center operates a year-round Emergency Food Distribution Program Monday through Thursday in the morning, and once per month on Saturdays.
→ Email Alexis Stanley for more information.
Sierra Service Project (Summer only)
Various locations in the Western US
Sierra Service Project’s purpose is to build strong connections and resilience among communities, by equipping volunteers in home repair skills and community-based projects. Making necessary home repairs accessible to historically underserved residents allows communities to thrive and individuals to safely age in place. Program information becomes available in October.
→ Review their summer volunteer opportunities.
St. Anthony’s Foundation
San Francisco
Founded in 1950, St. Anthony’s is the most comprehensive safety net service center in San Francisco. Every day, they provide essential services, health care, and gateways to stability to families and individuals in need. Volunteers are needed in the dining room, free clothing program, and the tech lab.
White Pony Express
Mt. Diablo Region, some in West/East Contra Costa Counties
WPE needs volunteers in a wide variety of areas, ranging from food sorting, “running”, and helping in their general store.
Shelter Inc. - Various Opportunities
Mt. Diablo Region
Volunteers are able to participate in and coordinate projects for Shelter, Inc. Projects include meal-making and children’s activities.
**Shelter Inc is seeking donations for the following items (all items must be BRAND NEW): bedding (twin size), blankets (twin size), socks, underwear (men and women all sizes), bras, and gift cards for food and gas. Drop off your items from Monday - Friday between 9am-4pm at 1333 Willow Pass Rd. Ste. 206, Concord, CA 94520.
St. Vincent de Paul
Mt. Diablo Region
Volunteers can work in areas such as their thrift store, family resource center, and more.
→ Volunteer @ St. Vincent de Paul
→ Contact Linda Bilbay, Volunteer & Food Coordinator at bilbay@svdp-cc.org for more opportunities/questions.
Senior Care
Contact the following volunteer and activities coordinators to set up an ongoing volunteer commitment!
Aegis Senior Living
Mt. Diablo Region
Volunteer Contact: Rochelle Balancio
Carlton Senior Living
Mt. Diablo Region
Volunteer Contact: Rhodesia James
Concord Senior Center
Mt. Diablo Region
Check out their volunteer website for opportunities!
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
If none of the above volunteer opportunities seem like a good fit, check out the website(s) below to search for more opportunities.
TeensVolunteer.org
TeensVolunteer.org is a free service that connects teens with the latest volunteer opportunities in California. Through our website, nonprofit organizations can post their volunteer listings, and teens can sign up via the TeensVolunteer platform.
Browse opportunities on their website. You can also view opportunities in Contra Costa County.
