Opportunities From: Orange County United Way

Did you know that all 28 of Families Forward's transitional homes are fully furnished by donations from our local community?  We gladly accept the following new items: Linens, kitchen towels, cooking tools and utensils, dining utensils, bath towels, cleaning equipment, cleaning products, and toys. We also accept toiletries, telephones, gently used baby equipment (car-seats, high chairs, cribs, changing tables), and small appliances (toasters, small table-top microwaves). All donations must be clean and in good working condition.

We also accept furniture items that are clean and gently used with no rips or holes. These furniture items are for immediate use in our homes and must be in good condition. Because of limited storage space, we cannot accept everything. Acceptable furniture donations may include:

Appliances must be no more than 5 years old and in working order. They may include washers, dryers (gas only), and ovens. We do not accept King size mattresses or bed frames, sleeper sofas, or dishwashers.

Local businesses graciously donate fresh bread, produce, and other food items to provide Families Forward clients with nutritious meals. Families Forward is looking for cheerful volunteers pick up this food from the businesses and bring it to our food pantry on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Some pick up schedules are on a regular basis while others are on-demand basis depending on the type of donation. We rely greatly on our volunteers and this food pick-up makes a direct impact on the families that we serve!

The Thomas House apartments always need refurbishing. The following projects were made for our corporate partners. Team building and service go hand in hand!

If event is on a Saturday, we will provide childcare and activities for all of our residents' children as well as volunteers' children! We support getting the whole family involved in our community service projects. 

Thomas House is in need of canned food! Peanut butter, tuna and canned corn are our fastest going food items for our families.

Teach the children to learn piano and guitar

*One instructor per 5 children max with one volunteer/intern supervise/children’s program coordinator

Art Program

Art classes (painting, abstract art, collages, etc.)

*one instructor per 10-12 children with one Thomas house staff supervise (Children’s Program Coordinator)

Teach younger children learn to type and get familiar to using computer for academic purposes

Teach Middle and High School kids to learn how to use the following software:

                Word document

                PowerPoint

                Excel

                Google Document (upload, edit, share, etc.)

*One instructor per 4 children max with one volunteer/intern supervise/children’s program coordinator

Most Needed Items:

Thomas House offers an engaging opportunity for volunteers called Serving Supper. On Thursday nights our parents attend a mandatory life skills class. They get home from work and often do not have the time to prepare dinner for their families before they have to go to the class. We ask different groups of volunteers come with food for the shelter and arts and crafts or activities for the children on Thursday nights. It is family friendly, kids of all ages are welcome to attend with their parents.  

We are looking for groups of people (businesses, churches, youth groups, etc.) to plan a dinner for our kids and their parents! Pot lucks are most welcome and we also have a BBQ! Dinner should serve about 50-60 people.

Bring the whole family for this fun and interactive evening!

The Villa could use the following as an ongoing need for our women

Toothbrushes

Toothpaste

Pads, Tampons

Bras, Underwear

Deodorant

Shampoo, Conditioner

The Regina House program is looking for Play Hour Attendants to enhance children’s natural creativity and curiosity and work to enhance their socialdevelopment.  Volunteers are needed to play with children whose ages range from newborns through 10 years old and to make sure they are safe while their mother's attend life skills classes.  The mothers are on the premises in case of an emergency.

The program staff at our Wakeland Property Facilites is looking for individuals specializing in tutoring children or adults.

Volunteers are needed Monday-Thursday from 2:00-5:00, however, the volunteer may choose a day(s) that works best for their schedule.

Live Scan must be completed if Volunteer is over the age of 18 years.

Thomas House needs new bedding, blankets, sheets, towels, etc. Our familiies take these personal items when they move out of the shelter. We go through them like crazy!

We also need any type of furniture and small appliances so that the families that move out of the shelter can have items to furnish their new apartments!

The Friends of the Orange Public Library is a non-profit organization of community residents who believe in the value and future of our public library. The Friends support the Library with funds from the Friends Bookstore, by receiving and encouraging personal donations, bequests from estates and distributions from trusts, and by encouraging community support for a better library. This wonderful group of volunteers has been serving the Orange Public Library and the community since 1959.

The Friends of the Orange Public Library operate the Friends of the Library Bookstore Monday - Saturday and are looking for volunteers to help staff the bookstore.  Two to three hour shifts are available throughout the day.  Other volunteer opportunities include sorting through donated books, helping to sell books at the semi-annual booksales, and helping with internet book sales.

If you have a passion for helping the library by helping to raise funds, please consider volunteering for the Friends.

Purpose: Through our Homelessness Prevention Initiative (HPI), Thomas House Shelter works intensively with families on the verge of eviction to help them reach financial stability through rental assistance and budget mentoring. As part of the road to independence, we require adults in our program to work with expert Financial Mentors recruited from professional positions in our community. Meetings are scheduled based on availability of families and volunteers.

Location: Budget Mentors meet with program participants in our administrative office located in southeast Garden Grove.

Key Responsibilities:

Reports to: HPI Case Manager

Length of Appointment: Financial Mentor meets with adult at least twice/month for a minimum of three months.

Time Commitment: at least 4 hours/month

Qualifications: Background in personal finance; fluent in Spanish

Support: Financial Mentor meets with Case Manager to discuss responsibilities of position and completes the requisite paperwork before being assigned to a family. For training purposes, Financial Mentor is paired with the Case Manager for initial intake session to learn what is expected from him/her in this role.

Age Requirement: 22 and up 

Girls Inc is always welcoming new interns from all different majors. During the school year, Girls Inc has an after school program from 2-5pm. Volunteers have the opportunity to make a difference in a child's life by helping with homework, facilitate program groups and supervise "free play." Interns will also be able to interact with parents, and assist other staff and volunteers as needed.

Girls Inc has various programs such as STEM work that helps promote science, technology, engineering and math. Another program is Project Bold where girls are taught about safety and anti-bullying. Girls are also taught about money management. A Mind and Body Program is also available for interns to help out with- this program helps girls learn about nutrition and how to manage stress. Interns have an opportunity to have a hands on position with any of these programs. Interns will be able to take part in many activities that will help many low-income families in the community as well.

Help girls of Orange County become leaders in their own lives, all while boosting skills of your own! Perfect your public speaking by practicing connecting to an audience, sharing a common vision and networking.

The Girls Scouts of Orange County is looking for a Recruiter to help share our mission at parent information nights and community events. We have a great need in all cities and schools across Orange County. Free training will be provided to teach you all of the benefits of Girl Scouts.

Help girls of Orange County become leaders in their own lives, all while boosting skills of your own! Perfect your public speaking by practicing connecting to an audience, sharing a common vision and networking.

The Girls Scouts of Orange County is looking for a bi-lingual Spanish speaking Recruiter to help share our mission at parent information nights and community events. We have a great need in all cities and schools across Orange County. Free training will be provided to teach you all of the benefits of Girl Scouts.

Girls Incorporated of Orange County is a non-profit agency serving girls ages 5-18. All programs are delivered with a youth development approach, which addresses the comprehensive needs of girls and their families and encompasses areas such as pregnancy prevention, healthy body image and self-esteem, academic achievement, participation in sports, substance abuse prevention, economic literacy, and excellence in math, science and technology.

Volunteer Program Objectives: 

Comfortable working with girls ages between the ages of 12-18 years

Networking with schools and communities to establish programs

Assist with overseeing group participation and interaction

Co-facilitation of classroom and workshop presentations

Recruitment of groups

Co-facilitation of prevention and education programs

Help set-up and clean-up for the day’s activities

Assist with crisis interventions, assessment and referral

Assist with special events

Community networking

Must be okay with being a disciplinarian

Available to complete other tasks as needed

The Girls Inc. Literacy Project highlights best practices and strategies for youth-serving organizations to effectively work with schools and teachers in developing a literacy program for girls in grades K-3.  Girls Inc. will serve as one of three affiliate pilot sites to integrate the program model into their organization and report on their progress.  Pilot sites will leverage existing relationships with schools to form a strong bridge between formal and informal education in the development of a literacy program.

Program Volunteer Objectives:

Qualifications:

Position Benefits:

To apply please submit a resume to Ashley Cashdollar at ACashdollar@Girlsinc-oc.org or call (949) 646-7181 ext. 305.

Laura’s House encourages volunteer involvement and the development of community resources to enhance our programs and build closer ties with the community. In addition to providing support to clients and their families, volunteers help increase the knowledge and understanding of domestic violence our community. We love our Laura’s House Volunteers!

The BEST way to get started in the Laura’s House Volunteer Program is to attend a Volunteer Orientation. These Orientations are held twice a month—one offered in the evening and another during business hours each month.

We are limited to 15 attendees per Orientation, so please sign up online as soon as possible: http://laurashouse.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/ If you click through the link and do not see the above dates, they have been removed from the listing because they are at full capacity.

Please be prompt. We will be unable to admit attendees who are late to the Orientation.

Orientation Location: 999 Corporate Drive, Ladera Ranch, CA 92694
Click here for a map: http://www.laurashouse.org/contact.html

Once a volunteer has attended a Volunteer Orientation and completed an application, your email address is added to our Volunteer Connection Monthly Newsletter. This newsletter goes out during the last week of each month and outlines our volunteer needs in the coming weeks and months. Volunteers are then directed to sign up for opportunities through the Volunteer Local website: http://laurashouse.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/

Opportunities include:

Some of our Volunteer Opportunities require the 40 Hour Domestic Violence Advocacy Training because of their direct service role with our clients. Completion of this training does not guarantee a position, but allows a volunteer the opportunity to interview for a position when a timeslot becomes available. Each volunteer must provide a copy of their 40 Hour Domestic Violence Advocacy Training Certificate, complete a background check, and in some roles provide TB Test results.

Opportunities include:

The 40 Hour Domestic Violence Advocacy Training hosted by Laura’s House is scheduled 2-3 times a year. More information regarding the training and instructions on how to sign up are available on our website: http://www.laurashouse.org/40hr-training.html Space is limited.

Thank you for your interest in the Laura’s House Volunteer Program. Volunteers contributed over 8,108 hours in 2012. Your service helps maximize contributions and support made to Laura’s House, helping to increase our capacity—thank you! For any questions concerning the Volunteer Program please contact Melanie Galloway, Development & Volunteer Coordinator, mgalloway@laurashouse.org

This Wish List is a strategic and focused list of items we can use immediately to provide the best possible care and services to our clients. Your donations are critical gifts that save Laura's House thousands of dollars each year, in turn helping to dedicate the greatest amount of our resources directly to individuals and families relying on us!

http://www.laurashouse.org/wishlist.html

Women to take our women to meetings on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Must be able to pass probation background and have registration, insurance and CDL. The hours are 6:30pm - 10:00pm

Help spread the mission and vission of the Girl Scouts of Orange County by becoming a Lead Organizer. Help extend the Girl Scout experience to girls in Orange County by managing a team of School Liaisons, networking with schools and school officials, recruiting Troop leaders and girls, helping to place girls in troops or register as a Girl Scout Independant.

This is a leadership position as part of a larger committee in. Organizers are needed in Huntington Beach, Westminster, Newport Beach, Garden Grove, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana, Lake Forest, Rancho Trabuco, and Saddleback areas.

Girl Scouts of Orange County is looking for volunteer troop leaders to co-lead troops in Orange County. Girl Scouts is the largest volunteer-led organization in the country, with a rich history and incredible impact, however in some underserved communities, girls miss out on the opportunity to participate in these life changing experiences due to a lack of resources. Volunteering your time that every girl has the courage, character and confidence to make the world a better place!

Co-lead a troop, through badge work and activities according to your expertise and your girls interests. The schedule is set by you and your co-leader, most troops meet twice a month after school or in the evening. Initial and continuous training is provided, and the commitment is for at least one school year, beginning ASAP.

We are talking to you, bakers! Everyone deserves to feel special on their birthday. We are looking for volunteers to bake our parents and children birthday cakes. Cakes should feed about 12-15 people with candles :) Themed cakes are encouraged!

"Let's face it, a nice creamy chocolate cake does a lot for people; it does for me."

-Audrey Hepburn

Assist clients with job search. Duties include:

Computer lab hours are: Monday 4-6pm, Wednesday 4-5:30pm and Friday 4-5pm.

To find out how you can help contact us at: 714-558-8600 or Tobi Aclaro @ tobi.grandmashouse@gmail.com.

We are in need of people who would like to wrap gifts for children living in motels. The gift wrapping would take place from 9am-5pm on December 21st at St. Anslem's Church in Garden Grove.

Location is: 13091 Galway St., Garden Grove, CA 92844

Have a love of reading?

Volunteer with THINK Together and Reach Out and Read. You can actively share your love of books and reading with children and families. You will provide a positive reading experience for children, and model reading aloud for parents who may have never seen good reading techniques themselves.

Volunteers will be placed in a participating Reach Out and Read pediatric waiting room in Orange County. With over 40 sites throughout Orange County, we will find the best site for you!

THINK Together looks to its community partners to help with the substantial task of fulfilling community need for gently used books. Each month there are requests from community agencies for hundreds of books. These books are distributed through THINK Together to low-income children in community clinics, school readiness programs and doctor’s offices. Each community agency that distributes the gently used books takes the time to talk with parents on the value of reading to their child. 

Donate your gently used children's books or host a book drive to bring the love of literacy to others!

Help us collect those gently used books that are collecting dust and have them be distributed to children throughout Orange County.

Hosting a book drive is really up to you and how you want to conduct it. Book drives can be done at your school, any organization you are apart of, part of a community events, or just among your neighbors. It could be done in collaboration with local businesses if you can arrange for their cooperation. You would first decide how long you would want to run the book drive for. Then the tricky part is collecting the books. It's up to you to decide where, when, and how the books will be collected. After the books are collected, you can either drop them off at our site, or we can arrange to pick them up.

Qualifying Books Must:

NOT be religious

NOT be violent/gory/scary

NOT be adult in content

Must be for ages 10 and under

Position Overview and Impact:   Open up the world of technology for someone!  Share your computer skills with novice computer users.  As the world becomes more wired and the economy demands computer knowledge, many people are learning to use a computer for the first time.  Be part of a team that is helping to bridge the digital divide in our community.  Help library users learn to use or increase their skills on the computer and the internet. 

Key Responsibilities:      

Qualifications:           

Training and Support Provided:    Orientation to the library and its computer policies and procedures.  Access to staff as needed for problem-solving and when confronted with difficult situations.

Benefits of Volunteering:

Time Commitment:               Minimum of one scheduled 2 hour shift per week in the library.  The library is open M – W from 10am-9pm and Th - Sat from 10am-6pm. 

Length of Commitment:       Minimum 3 month commitment and 30 hours is requested

Requirements:    All volunteers 16 and older are required to be drug screened and fingerprinted before they can volunteer at the Orange Public Library.  This process is paid for by the City of Orange.  Please note that City policy does not allow the library to accept court-referred volunteers. 

Responsible To:                      Adult Librarian

Position Overview and Impact:        Are you interested in local history? Do you enjoy genealogy? Do you like helping others in their research projects? The Orange Public Library & History Center offers you the opportunity to staff our History Center.   

Key Responsibilities:      

Qualifications:           

Training and Support Provided:    An orientation to the library will be given by library staff, covering library resources.  The library will provide ongoing support and access to staff as needed for problem-solving.

Benefits of Volunteering:

Time Commitment:               The ideal volunteer will commit to a minimum of one scheduled 2 hour shift per week.  The Local History Center is currently open M, T, TH from 12-6pm; W from 3-9pm, SA from 2-6pm.  We hope to be able to extend the hours of the Center with the help of volunteers.

Length of Commitment:       Minimum 6 month commitment and 30 hours is requested

Requirements:    All volunteers 16 and older are required to be drug screened and fingerprinted before they can volunteer at the Orange Public Library.  This process is paid for by the City of Orange.  Please note that City policy does not allow the library to accept court-referred volunteers. 

Position Overview and Impact:        Open up a homebound patron’s world to books and learning.  Provide vital links of friendship and service to local Orange Residents that are homebound and unable to utilize the library’s facility by delivering books to their homes on a monthly basis.

Key Responsibilities:      

 Qualifications:           

Training and Support Provided:    An orientation to the library will be given by library staff, covering library resources and policies.  The library will provide ongoing support and access to staff as needed for problem-solving.

Benefits of Volunteering:

Time Commitment:               Volunteers give their own time – about 4-6 hours per month. 

Length of Commitment:       Minimum 6 month commitment and 30 hours is requested

Requirements:    All volunteers 16 and older are required to be drug screened and fingerprinted before they can volunteer at the Orange Public Library.  This process is paid for by the City of Orange.  Please note that City policy does not allow the library to accept court-referred volunteers.  Copy of driver’s license and proof of insurance are required once you have completed the City’s background process. 

Responsible To:                      Library Volunteer Coordinator

Position Overview and Impact:   The Orange Public Library is looking for a volunteer who can read books to small groups of children in both English and Spanish.   

Key Responsibilities:      

Qualifications:           

Training and Support Provided:    Orientation to the library and its children's library.

Benefits of Volunteering:

Time Commitment:              One 30 minute storytime per week.  The Orange Public Library is open M – W from 10am-9pm and Th - Sat from 10am-6pm.  The El Modena Branch is open M-W from 2-7pm and Th-Sat from 1-6pm. 

Length of Commitment:       Minimum 3 month commitment and 30 hours is requested 

Requirements:    All volunteers 16 and older are required to be drug screened and fingerprinted before they can volunteer at the Orange Public Library.  This process is paid for by the City of Orange.  Please note that City policy does not allow the library to accept court-referred volunteers. 

You can help heal homelessness in your community by donating any of the following items:

- new twin size bedding

- new blankets

- new pillows

- diapers/pull-ups

- baby wipes

- toiletries

- gift cards to grocery stores, Target and/or Walmart