Volunteer Opportunities
Spring '21 Volunteer Opportunities
STUDENTS! Please start by looking at the first tab below, "Students: Start Here!", where you will find helpful hints for your search. For questions or additional assistance, please email the Department of Civi Engagement at civicengagement@csusm.edu. Thank you for your service to our local communities!
- Students! Start Here
As you prepare to investigate and select a community service opportunity, consider:
- Your personal goals and any applicable course requirements?
- Do you prefer a virtual, in-person, or hybrid service experience?
- If you are doing any service hours in-person you should review CSUSM's COVID-19 guidelines here.
- What community issue(s) do you care about?
- Are there individual or group availability/scheduling limitations?
When researching and speaking with community organizations:
- Visit their website to learn more about the agency mission and services.
- Ask about potential volunteer opportunities, including suggesting ideas or projects related to your course goals or personal interests/skills.
- What requirements, orientation, and training is expected of students?
- What is the application process?
- Is there a specific schedule you will need to follow?
- Who would be your primary site supervisor/point of contact?
- Be clear about your class requirements, individual goals, and availability.
- Solutions for Change-Virtual
Website: https://solutionsforchange.org/
Contact Info: Angelina Santoro – Volunteer Coordinator - asantoro@solutionsforchange.org - 760-941-6545, x 322
Featured Virtual Opportunities: Homelessness/Poverty Outreach-Kid’s Zone/Tutoring volunteers.
- Girl Scouts of San Diego/Imperial Counties - Virtual
Website: http://www.sdgirlscouts.org/
Contact Info: Sarah Runion – Volunteer Coordinator - volunteer@sdgirlscouts.org -(619) 610-0728
Featured Virtual Opportunities: College Volunteer Leader Program – weekly Virtual Troop Meetings with Girls Grades K-8.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YI0xX5vxZf55zJau__xOz3NMgiE0b2VT/view?usp=sharing
- Operation HOPE-Virtual
Website: http://www.operationhopeshelter.org/
Contact Info: Nicole Ketcher, Community Engagement Coordinator, nicole@operationhopeshelter.org - 760) 536-3880 Ext. 304
Featured Virtual Opportunities:
Homelessness/Poverty outreach-Youth programs, development, administration.
- After School Achievement Program (ASAP) - Virtual and In-Person
Website: https://asaposide.com/
Contact Info: Neru Taupau - Executive Director - neru.taupau@oside.us - (760) 207-0172
Featured Virtual/In-person Opportunities
Academic/enrichment support for students grades K-12 in the Oceanside Unified School District -"Future Educator" position.
- A Step Beyond-Virtual
Website: http://a-step-beyond.org/
Contact Info: Christine Zaccarelli-Taylor, Academic manager - CZTaylor@A-Step-Beyond.org - (760) 670-3928
Featured Virtual Opportunity: Volunteer Tutor for youth development program that works with low income, high-risk students through dance, academics, and family services.
- Social Bridging Project- Virtual
Website: https://www.listoscalifornia.org/community-projects/social-bridging-project/
Contact info: Katie Meyer, Volunteer Manager - Katie@listoscalifornia.org - (619) 402-3822
Featured Virtual Opportunity: Social Bridger - public health and safety campaign to counter social distancing through direct phone calls to vulnerable populations in California.
- Maryland Elementary - Virtual
Contact info: Susan Bentley, Community Advocate - shbentley639@gmail.com - 760.445.4049
Featured Opportunities: Kindergarten Family Literacy Initiative (virtual) and Everyone a Reader Initiative (virtual) in the Vista Unified School District.
- American Red Cross of Southern California, San Diego & Imperial Counties Chapter -
Virtual and In-Person
Website: http://www.redcross.org/volunteertoday
Contact info: Kaley Hearnsberger, Recruitment Specialist - kaley.hearnsberger@redcross.org - (619) 455-9513
Featured Opportunities: Disaster Action Team - virtual for now, in person when COVID restrictions allow, Transportation Specialist - in person activity , Blood Donor Ambassador - in person activity
- Alzheimer’s San Diego - Virtual
Website: http://www.alzsd.org/
Contact info: Adrianna McCollum, Volunteer Respite Program Manager - amccollum@alzsd.org - (858) 966-3296
Featured Virtual Opportunities: Virtual Companion Volunteer: Provide virtual companion visits to an individual living with dementia to help reduce isolation and increase quality of life. Outreach & Awareness Volunteer: Learn about Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, then use that knowledge to create models for outreach and awareness campaigns for other students to use on social media, at health fairs, and in classrooms.
- American Language and Culture Institute (ALCI) - Virtual
Website: http://www.csusm.edu/alci/
Contact info: Elizabeth Nercessian, Student Services Assistant - enercessian@csusm.edu - (760) 750-3207
Featured Virtual Opportunities: Volunteers assist our international students in developing their conversational English, cultural adaptation, and campus integration by becoming a Conversation Partner or CSUSM Ambassador for MIC (Miyazaki) International College
- Casa Cornelia Law Center - Virtual
Website: https://casacornelia.org/interpreters-translators/
Contact info: Artemisa Valle, VIT Coordinator - AValle@CasaCornelia.org
Featured Virtual Opportunities: Volunteer Interpreters and Translators (VIT) program
- Elderhelp - Virtual and In-Person
Website: https://www.elderhelpofsandiego.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer/
Contact info: volunteers@elderhelpofsandiego.org - 858-380-5245
Featured Opportunities: Grocery Shopping/Delivery of food or essential items and Transportation to medically necessary appointments.
- Interfaith Community Services - Virtual and In-Person
Website: https://www.interfaithservices.org/volunteer/
Contact info: getinvolved@interfaithservices.org
Featured Opportunities: Some soical service opportunities have been discontinued. Check website or email organization for more details.
- North County Lifeline - Virtual and In-Person
Website: https://www.nclifeline.org/volunteer
Contact info: volunteer@nclifeline.org
Featured Opportunities: After School Program Tutor and Food Bank Shopper and Distribution Aide
- Brother Benno’s - Virtual and In-Person
Website: https://www.brotherbenno.org/volunteer/
Contact info: (760) 439-1244
Featured Opportunities: Children’s Saturday Reading Program–helping kids enjoy reading and selecting books to take home to keep. Drivers and Helpers–picking up food from local grocery stores.
- Jewish Family Services - Virtual
Website: https://www.jfssd.org/volunteer/covid-19-volunteer-opportunities/
Contact info: sheltervolunteer@jfssd.org
Featured Opportunities: Patient Advocacy Card Writing – Family Friendly and Social Wellness Technical Support Volunteer
- United Way of San Diego - Virtual
Website: https://volunteer.uwsd.org
Contact info: volunteeropps@uwsd.org
Featured Virtual Opportunities: VITA Tax Volunteer: https://volunteer.uwsd.org/opportunity/a0C3600000Bmj83EAB and Emergency Food and Shelter Program Volunteer (virtual)
- Boys and Girls Club Oceanside - Virtual
Website: https://bgcoceanside.org/
Contact Info: bgco@bgcoceanside.org
Featured Virtual Opportunities: Boys and Girls Club Service Learner - Depending on the area of interest/study of the student, we will provide an internship and/or service learning opportunity that mirrors their area of interest.
- Summer Camp Hub -Virtual
Website: https://summercamphub.com/
Contact Info: Mark Evans, mark@summercamphub.com
Featured Virtual Opportunities: Tutoring for youth and adults in math, science (Computer Science), writing, reading, ESL