Your  Account:

Virtual Day of Service Projects

Engaging Virtually Disclaimer

This is a non-traditional day of service, given that all service will be done virtually. The Day of Service Committee sought virtual opportunities that CSUSM students could participate in virtually to honor and remember this day in our country’s history. Therefore, none of the opportunities are programs of the Cal State San Marcos and no vetting has been done in any way.

Watch this video from California Volunteers on how to safely serve during a pandemic.

We do not encourage in-person, direct-service volunteering without following the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and your local Health Department.

Virtual Service Opportunities

Select up to two (2) opportunities to volunteer with virtually or in-person.

  • Mon Ami - Companionship for Seniors
    • ORG Info: Mon Ami is an organization which was founded on the ideals of the importance of building communities and relationships to enrich lives. “Being in quarantine doesn't have to mean no contact with the outside world. There are so many technologies and people with big hearts, we won't let Coronavirus beat us.”
    • VIRTUAL Project Info: Mon Ami is looking for volunteers with a passion for people, an inquisitive nature, and an inherent drive to bring joy to seniors. This volunteer opportunity allows individuals above the age of 18 to sign up (which takes less than 5 minutes) and begin connecting virtually with senior citizens. The goal is to build meaningful connections at a time of distress.
  • Hands on San Diego

    Hands on San Diego has many VIRTUAL volunteer-from-home opportunities for students. Here are two options we chose to highlight. Please visit the website for more opportunities + information.

    • VIRTUAL: Social Wellness Friendly Match - Jewish Family Service of San Diego.
      • ORG Info: As a human service agency that works with vulnerable populations, including older adults who are most at-risk, they’ve mobilized Social Wellness Centers to be online, providing virtual content such as online social gatherings, training, and entertainment. Their staff is continually working to ensure all clients impacted by program adjustments or closures continue to have the support they need.
      • VIRTUAL Project Info: The JFS is looking for caring volunteers to be matched with an older adult to create a connection through a mutually agreed upon platform - whether it be a friendly phone call, Zoom chat, an email, or written note or card. The goal would be to create a community while we are navigating social distancing and this new normal.
    • VIRTUAL: Words Alive Content Creator - Words Alive
      • ORG Info: The mission of Words Alive is to open opportunities for life success by inspiring a commitment to reading.
      • VIRTUAL Project Info: Volunteers for Words Alive will create and curate online content for their Story Station & QuaranTEENS! They will help their students and families learn to navigate this new normal by creating engaging online content, from writing prompts to read alouds to art projects. Whether we’re quarantined or social distancing, we’re all in this together and our community needs your support more than ever. 
  • PATH San Diego
    • ORG Info: PATH serves over 20% of the homeless population in California, through nine interim housing shelters, 14 supportive housing communities, and dozens of outreach teams hitting the streets each day.
    • VIRTUAL Project Info: Volunteering with PATH SD will allow students to aid and support individuals experiencing housing insecurities. The opportunities include creating care kits for the unhoused, creating welcome home kits for “newly housed” families, providing home-cooked meals for residents living in PATH’s interim housing facilities and helping pick-up food donations from local grocery stores. For more information on volunteer opportunities and to sign up please visit the webpage.
  • Do Something.org
    •  ORG Info: DoSomething.org provides a digital platform which leads to real-world impact. As the largest not-for-profit exclusively for young people and social change, DoSomething’s millions of members represent every US area code and 131 countries. Using the digital platform, DoSomething members join our volunteer, social change, and civic action campaigns to make real-world impact on causes they care about.
    • VIRTUAL Project Info: DoSomething has campaigns for all causes (Education, Gun Violence, Mental Health, Homelessness & Poverty, Environment, Sexual Harassment, Gender Rights, Racial Justice, LGBTQ+ Rights, Voter Registration just to name a few.) There are several campaigns for each cause with step by step instructions on how to get involved and make a difference (many only take a few minutes). Some campaigns even encourage participation by entering your name into a scholarship drawing! We encourage you to visit the website and find causes & campaigns that interest you!
  • Create Your Own Opportunity

    Check out page 7 of the 9/11 Organization Participation Guide to learn how you can design and implement your own project. Be sure to volunteer either virtually or following CDC guidelines for in-person engagement.

    • The tool kit provides a list of many civic actions to give back to your community in remembrance of September 11.
    • Some of these actions include: Cleaning up a neighborhood playground, beach or park, donating books or toys to a shelter, constructing care packages for military troops, and writing thank you messages for first responders (firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical technicians). Please visit the link for a full list of ways to serve on this day of remembrance.
  • Veteran’s Association of North County [IN-PERSON Activity]
    • ORG Info: A non-profit organization created by Veterans for Veterans and active duty service people and their families to help them navigate life during and after service. We serve as a one-stop resource center for all active-duty military, Veterans, and their families.
    • VIRTUAL Project Info: Assist with in-person food distribution from 10:30 am – 3:00 pm that day. Students sign up for 2-3 hour shifts: 10:30 - 12:30pm or 12:30 - 3:00 pm or 11:00 - 2:00 pm.

    DISCLAIMER: If you opt to participate in either of the In-Person Activities you must follow CDC Guidelines. These projects have not been approved by CSUSM or have been vetted by the institution. 

  • The Jacobs and Cushman San Diego Food Bank Volunteer Food Distributor [IN-PERSON Activity]
    • ORG Info: The San Diego Food Bank helps feed vulnerable families and seniors during the current COVID-19 crisis
    • VIRTUAL Project Info: Volunteer projects may include, but are not limited to: Cleaning and packaging fresh produce for immediate distribution. Inspecting, sorting, boxing, and labeling food donations. Assembling food packages for our Senior Food Program, Moms & Children Food Program, Emergency Food Assistance Program, and our Food 4 Kids Backpack Program.
      • Each shift lasts about three hours and involves a variety of projects. 
      • CSUSM volunteers can visit the website to sign up to volunteer for a food distribution shift during our week of service. 

    DISCLAIMER: If you opt to participate in either of the In-Person Activities you must follow CDC Guidelines. These projects have not been approved by CSUSM or have been vetted by the institution. 


Registration is Closed