AIDS Services Foundation of Orange County
There are a wide range of volunteer opportunities with this organization. Volunteers are needed for AIDS awareness campaigns, clubs for children affected by HIV related issues, food pantry work and food delivery for homebound clients, holiday gift baskets, and assistance during their special events. To learn more visit www.ocasf.org or call 949-809-5700.
Armory – St. Vincent de Paul
St. Vincent de Paul opens two cold weather shelters from December 1 to March 31 in Santa Ana and inFullerton. Volunteers help to lay out the mats and blankets, set up for dinner and serve dinner. They also can help with clothing distribution. The hours are from 5 - 8 PM, seven days a week. Volunteers are always needed and those interested in being a regular volunteer can join a volunteer team. For more information, contact Carol or David at 714-288-5600.
Berryman Health Convalescent Hospital – East
Volunteers assist staff as they provideaged and infirm women and men with social, education, and exercise related activities. Berryman Health Center is in East Whittier and is now known as Whittier Hills Health Care Center. Contact Ligaya de Vera at 562-947-7817.
Bowers Kidseum
This children’s version of Bowers Museum needs volunteers for kid’s tutoring programs. Contact Ms. Genevieve Southgate at 714-480-1522.
The Boys and Girls Club
Various clubs throughout the area need volunteers to help young students with homework and sports.
| Santa Ana |
714-543-7212 |
| Fullerton |
714-871-1391 |
| Orange |
714-833-4950 ext. 8 |
| Theo Lacy Orange |
714-838-5223 ext. 100 |
| Cypress |
714-527-2697 |
Carnegie Junior High School Located in
Carson, volunteers assist teachers of visually impaired students with class assignments in a variety of subjects. They also serve yard duty and as student directional guides. Contact Rowena Canete at 310-830-1330.
Casa Youth Shelter – Los Alamitos Located in
Los Alamitos, this is a shelter for abused and troubled teens. Volunteer services in a variety of educational and social programs at the direction of the staff. Contact Gary Mendoza at 562-594-6825.
The Catholic WorkerIsaiah House is an emergency homeless shelter for families in
Santa Ana. The house currently prepares approximately 600 daily meals for 300 people. They also provide a place to stay, food, clothing, bathroom facilities, and spiritual nourishment to over 100 people daily. One third of the 100 people are under the age of 10.
Servite volunteers at the Worker every Thursday. We leave Servite at 2:45 PM and return at approximately 8 PM. Those interested in volunteering on a Thursday must pick up a permission slip from Campus Ministry and sign up on the list. CHOCChildren’s Hospital of Orange County needs volunteers to visit and work with children undergoing treatment for serious illnesses. The hospital, located in
Orange, is interested in committed volunteers. For more information, contact (714) 532-8673.
Corazón Corazón is a non-profit organization that has been serving the poor in the northern region of Baja California for over 25 years. Their project is called the
Familia Corazón program, and it is comprlsed of five major categories: construction (new housing, house remodel and repair, classrooms and community centers), education, medical assistance, work exchange, and family sponsorship (full and partial). Corazón also provides limited assistance during natural disaster emergencies. If you wish to volunteer your time they have a variety of volunteer opportunities both in the US and in Mexico. Contact Maria at 949-830-7494.
Discovery Science CenterLocated in Orange, this center has a summer camp and a technology center that are in need of volunteers. Contact Ms. Nancy Cast at 714-542-2823, ext. 5037.
The Early Literacy Program of Santa Ana
The Early Literacy Program of Santa Ana is an organization with a mission of helping children (ages 0-5) read early. Everyone is invited to help collect new and used books, and to read to children at special events and the Reach Out and Read Clinics. ELP also has the Book Doctor program where volunteers clean gently used books and restore them to "like brand new" quality. ELP volunteer opportunities include; collecting donated books, reading to children in waiting rooms of pediatric clinics, educating parents on early literacy as part of healthy development, distributing books and resources to children and families in the community and of course book doctor. For any volunteers who are interested please call in a few days to a week in advance to let us know when you are coming in. Contact (714) 285-2320 or email
gmartinez.elp@phfe.org to help.
Environmental Nature Center of Newport Beach
Needs volunteers for environmental maintenance and for their summer camp. Contact Mr. Bo Glover at 949-645-8489.
Extra Hands for A.L.S. (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
Needs volunteers to assist people with A.L.S. in their homes. Contact Ms. Kara Eastman at 949-362-2869.
Family’s Forward
Based in Irvine, this agency operates a food pantry and provides housing for its clients. They need volunteers to work in the afternoons once a week packing groceries, stocking shelves, serving food, or picking up and delivering furniture. 949-458-8664
FISH
Located in Newport Beach, Fish provides emergency services to the poor. Contact Ms. Judy Hernandez at (949) 645-8050.
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is a long established, non-profit organization that builds homes for the disenfranchised and marginalized. They have a local chapter in Santa Ana. Volunteer opportunities are wide and varied. Contact (714) 434-6200
HIS House
This homeless shelter is located in Placentia, and occasionally needs volunteers to help with childcare. If interested, please visit the shelter on Mondays at 6:30 PM or Saturdays at 10 AM and meet Diedra. There you will fill out an application. For directions and more information, call 714-999-5960.
Hoag Hospital
Located in Newport Beach, this hospital offers a junior volunteer program. Contact Julie Jacobsen at 949-675-6430.
Lake Forest Nursing Center
This nursing center provides the elderly with different levels of care. They are in need of volunteers for the ice cream parlor, in the medical records department, for room visits, evening activities and Saturday morning activities. Contact: Ms. Sharon Allman at 949-380-9380.
Loaves and Fishes
Every Saturday from 9:00am - 12 noon, the Loaves and Fishes program provides meals and other services for 700 needy men, women, and children at St. Joseph’s in Santa Ana. Volunteers are needed to help cook, play soccer and do arts and crafts with the children. They are located on the corner of Civic Center Drive and Lacy Streets. If interested, contact Maria Dzida before you go at 714-241-9016.
Mary’s Kitchen
This is a soup kitchen in Orange that serves food to the poor. 714-633-0444.
Mercy House
This is a transitional living shelter located in Santa Ana. Contact Mr. Michael Malsavon at 714-836-7188, ext. 114.
Miracle League of Orange County
Miracle League is an organized baseball league for children and adults with special needs.
New Vista ShelterLocated in
Fullerton, this shelter carries out a large holiday project from November 28 to December 12. It serves 800 families, including over 3,000 children. The shelter’s food distribution center is in need of volunteers to help with the distribution of toys, food, and clothing. If interested, call April Johnen at 714-738-0255.
Orange Coast Interfaith Shelter This shelter located in
Costa Mesa has programs that serve food to the poor and provide tutoring and mentoring programs for the youth. Contact Mr. Larry Tannenbaum at 949-631-7213.
Orangewood Children’s Home in Orange This home cares for abused children. Volunteers must be 16 years or older. For more information, contact Mr. Rick Bazant at 714-935-7687.
Regina HouseThis transitional center, located in
Santa Ana, cares for single mothers and their children, whose ages range from infancy to 10 years. Volunteers are needed to help the children with homework and other extracurricular activities while the mothers attend classes. Contact Ms. Katy MacGregor at 714-836-7188.
Rhapsody in GreenRhapsody in Green works to restore a touch of environmental green to the greater Los Angeles area. Its projects have included planting and maintaining trees, harvesting surplus fruit to feed the needy, and working to restore precious habitats. If interested, call 323-654-5821.
Ronald McDonald House Small groups needed to help cook meals or do basic housework for the families who are staying at the House while their children receive cancer treatment at
CHOC in Orange. If you’re interested, call for an orientation. 714-639-3600
RVL SCORE Spinal Cord Organization Located in
Torrance, volunteers assist paralyzed and disabled youth and adults with developmental life-skills tasks. Contact Ms. CyCy Lambert at 310-533-8179.
Salvation Army Hospitality HouseThis shelter is located in
Santa Ana and is in need of volunteers that can help with the cleaning, cooking, and working the front desk. If interested, contact Audry Taylor or James Taylor at 714-542-9576.
Serving People In Need (SPIN) This organization in
Costa Mesa serves food to the poor. Contact Ms. Sylvia Hererra at 714-751-1101.
Shanti OC Located in
Laguna Hills, this organization needs volunteers to assist in their work with individuals with HIV and AIDS. Contact Ms. Helen Mercurio at 949-452-0888.
Share Our Selves (SOS) This organization provides services to those in need in
Costa Mesa. Contact Ms. Barbara Pender at 949-515-7316.
Shelter for the HomelessLocated in
Midway City, this shelter is in need of volunteers from 6:30pm to 8:30pm to partake in children’s activities while parents attend classes. Activities include: tutoring, reading, and playing. If interested, contact Judy for more information at 714-897-3221
Sober Living Homes and Residential Rehabilitation Treatment ProgramsThere are many drug and alcohol treatment programs located in Orange County. If you are interested in volunteering at one, please see Ms. Upham or Mr. Fonte in Campus Ministry.
Special Camp for Special Kids This organization provides summer programs for special children. They are currently accepting applications for counselors. For more information, go to
www.specialcamp.org, or contact them at 949-661-0108.
St. Anne Catholic SchoolLocated in
Santa Ana, this school is in need of tutors. Contact Mr. O’Neil at 714-542-9328.
St. Anthony Catholic School – Long Beach Located in downtown
Long Beach, this school needs volunteers to assist staff and faculty with tutoring and mentoring of grade school students in English, mathematics, science, and religion. Contact Barbara Leary at 562-432-5946.
Tree People If you are interested in taking care of the environment and making sure southern California stays green, Tree People have a number of opportunities for you to volunteer your time. Call 818-753-4605.
YMCAOffers numerous programs throughout Southern California where volunteers can aid all ages of children. Go to
www.ymca.net to find a site near you.
YMCA New Horizons This YMCA in
Tustin provides recreational activity programs for the disabled. Contact Ms. Catherine Doezie at 714-838-0181, ext. 118.
