Volunteer Opportunities for teens throughout Los Angeles County

By volunteering to help out in your community, you not only feel good about yourself, but your are helping those out who are not as fortunate as you. It can offer you a great sense of self-accomplishment. An added perk, it looks GREAT on College Applications.

If any of you are interested in volunteering to help out the community, here are some great opportunities:

ALS Organization
http://www.alsa.org/community/volunteer.cfm
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a motor neuron disease. Although the cause of ALS is not completely understood, the last decade has brought a wealth of new scientific understanding about the disease that provides hope for the future. Volunteers are the driving force behind the ALS Association. Local Chapters and the National office depend of the efforts of many volunteers to support their many programs, including patient services and fund raising activities.

Autry Museum of Western Heritage
http://www.autrynationalcenter.org/volunteers.php
Support the Autry National Center by joining the volunteer family. Volunteers serve in nearly every department of the institution, from the Collections Department to Visitor Services and Membership, the the Museum Stores; some interact with the public, others help with behind-the-scene activities, and some serve as trained docents who guide and educate visitors of all ages. Volunteer hours are available weekdays, weekends, and special event evenings at both the Southwest Museum of the American Indian in Mt. Washington and the museum of the American West in Griffith Park. Please browse our website to learn more about these events and programs.

California Science Center
http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/GenInfo/Employment/Volunteer/Volunteer.php
Volunteers are very special people at the California Science Center. Varying in age, they come from all walks of life-yet on a volunteer level, the share the same mission... to touch the lives of children and families in a positive way by giving of their personal time. If you are 16 or older, love science, feel comfortable working with the public and want to do something positive for yourself and your community, then consider volunteering at the California Science Center.

Department of Recreations & Parks
http://www.laparks.org/info/volunteers.htm
Volunteering for the City of Los Angeles, Department of Recreation and Parks is a great way to create community. You can join community groups, participate in recreation programs, and/or work in the parks maintaining the cities green spaces.

Habitat for Humanity 
http://www.habitat.org/
http://www.habitat.org/youthprograms/
Habitat is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian Housing Ministry. They seek to eliminate poverty and housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. To accomplish these goals, they invite people of all backgrounds, races and religions to be build houses together in partnership with families in need. Through volunteer labor and donations and materials. Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses alongside home owner families.

Heal the Bay
http://www.healthebay.org
310-451-1500, ext. 145
Environmental organization dedicated to making Southern California coastal waters and watersheds safe, healthy and clean for humans and marine life through research, education, community action and advocacy. Volunteer opportunities include beach cleanups, speaker's bureau, community outreach and Santa Monica Pier Aquarium.

Heritage Square Museum
http://www.heritagesquare.org/volunteering.htm
Heritage Square Museum relies heavily on our volunteer staff. The Museums's principal need is volunteers to help run the museum's weekend operations. Our greatest need right now are individuals who will be historical interpreters and tour guides for the museum's buildings. However, they have many other opportunities for you to volunteer your services to their non-profit organization. Volunteers also assist at special events and programs, with gardening, research, administrative services, and assisting in the Museum store.

La Brea Tar Pits
http://www.tarpits.org/education/volunteer.html
The Page Museum is located at the Rancho La Brea Tar Pits in the heart of Los Angeles. Rancho La Brea is one of the world's most famous fossil localities, recognized for having the largest and most diverse assemblage of extinct Ice Age plants and animals in the world.

Los Angeles Animal Services
http://www.laanimalservices.com/volunteer.htm
818-374-5878 or ani.volunteers@lacity.org
They are looking for volunteer who are committed, caring and responsible to truly make a difference in the lives of abandoned and homeless animals in their care. They need friendly, outgoing, and personable volunteers to assist the public and work with the staff in Animal Care Centers and at off-site adoption events.

Los Angeles Food Bank
http://www.lafoodbank.org/volunteer/information.aspx
When product is donated to the Food bank, it often needs to be sorted, cleaned and repackaged. They call it "gleaning." Volunteers are needed to assist with the gleaning process everyday. Their facility is available Monday through Saturday to individuals, groups or organizations of 100 volunteers or less to support this need. Their mission is to energize the community to get involved and support hunger relief and conduct hunger education and awareness campaigns, as well as advocate for public policies that alleviate hunger.

Los Angeles Mission
http://www.losangelesmission.org/serve/volunteer.aspx
Volunteers are vital to the heartbeat of the Los Angeles Mission. With the support of hundreds of volunteers, the Mission can significantly effect change in the lives of the destitute and homeless. By volunteering, you are part of the solution for homelessness and urban poverty. Be a part of something bigger than yourself - join the Los Angeles Mission and help bring hope and opportunity to destitute men, women and children of Los Angeles' Skid Row community.

Los Angeles Public Library
http://www.lapl.org/about/volunteer.html
Volunteering at the Los Angeles Public Library connects you with the world of literacy, cultural diversity, and learning. Rewarding opportunities exist at the Central Library and branch facilities. In all cases, excellent training is provided to ensure that your volunteer experience is both enjoyable and fruitful.

L.A. Works
http://www.laworks.com/AboutUs/index.php/getinvolved.html
From arts and crafts, walking dogs or singing to babies, this organization offers many opportunities in Los Angeles from one-day to long-term projects. Volunteers must first attend an orientation. Look for monthly projects on the website.

National Breast Cancer Foundation
http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/How-to-Help/Volunteer.aspx
To stay informed about breast cancer volunteer opportunities, please complete the form on our website. They will get back to you soon with a list of opportunities for volunteering in your area.

Pacific American Volunteer Association (PAVA)
www.pavausa.com
213-252-8290 or pavajr.usa@gmail.com
Is to the preserve the environment and encourage positive relationships with local communities. Environmental awareness and conservation is an urgent task that many communities wish to solve. By working together on projects that preserve and cleanse the earth, we will be able to narrow the gap between different communities and better understand each other. Their second goal is to expand volunteerism; not only to the Korean society but to each PAVA member in every community.

Reading to Kids
http://readingtokids.org/RSVP/VolRSVPConnect.php
Volunteers work the create enthusiasm with children and reading. Reading clubs meet the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. - noon.

Skirball Cultural Center
http://www.skirball.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=54&itemid=46
Skirball Cultural Center has established itself as one of the world's most dynamic Jewish cultural institutions, and among the most prominent cultural venues in the United States. Its mission is to explore the connections between four thousand years of Jewish heritage and the vitality of American democratic ideals. At the Visitors' Service desk in the central lobby, volunteers welcome and direct visitors,  inform them of membership opportunities and current program offered by the Skirball, and answer phones. They are currently in need of additional volunteers for Visitors' Service to work in three-hour shifts on alternate Saturdays and Sundays.

SOVA
http://www.jfsla.org/Page.aspx?pid=292
SOVA is a program of Jewish Family Services of Los Angeles, dedicated to alleviating hunger and poverty in the community through food  distribution and offering a wide range of supportive services. They serve men, women and children of all ages, ethnicities and religions. Volunteers are the heart of SOVA. To meet the needs of over 10,000 clients each month, they rely on a team of dedicated volunteers.

TreePeople
http://www.treepeople.org/volunteer
TreePeople is an environmental nonprofit that unites the power of trees, people and technology to grow a substantial future for Los Angeles. The health of the environment in Los Angeles impacts everyone in our city today and has long-term repercussions for our planet and future generations. Join their remarkable team of environmental stewards who are transforming a shared vision for a green Los Angeles into reality.

Union Rescue Mission
http://www.urm.org/get-involved/volunteer-center/
All ages are welcome to volunteer. You may help out seasonally or become a regular. The mission asks that regular volunteers help out at least eight hours a month. Volunteer activities vary with the season. Some work with children, guest services, sort clothes, help with activities, hand out and prepare food or clean. Job depends on when you can volunteer.