The Volunteer Center connects over 15,000 volunteers a year with fulfilling service opportunities in our community – while also managing 19 programs to meet community need. It’s no surprise that the center relies on volunteers to make it all happen!
The Volunteer Center is truly the hub for all-things volunteer… and they need your time, skills, and compassion to keep the wheel rolling! That’s why this month, we’re featuring the Top 10 Volunteer Opportunities at the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County.
Whether it’s lending a friendly small at the front desk, planning events, assisting with project management, or supporting one of our community service programs – your unique contributions will spark positive change. And you’ll get to spend time with an amazing team of staff, volunteers, and community leaders.
If connecting others with meaningful opportunities to serve the community sounds like something you’d like to be a part of – join the Volunteer Center! Let’s create a wave of community compassion and service that ripples across Santa Cruz County and beyond!
- Volunteer from Home for Seniors
County-wide, remote
Many seniors and people living with disabilities find it difficult to find transportation or go grocery shopping, and rely on volunteers to give rides to medical appointment, shop, and deliver groceries. As a dispatcher, you’ll match seniors’ needs with volunteer availability. This is an easy way to help local seniors from your own home!
- Volunteer Literacy Tutors Help Adults Learn English
County-wide, remote or in-person
The Literacy Program is looking for dedicated individuals to help community members learn English. With just 2-3 hours a week, you can help neighbors find a better job, be able to talk to their children’s teachers, and get help in an emergency. Volunteer tutors are trained and matched with adult students who have strong desires to learn the English language. No teaching or foreign language experience needed.
- Administrative & Front Office Volunteers
Santa Cruz Office – ongoing
Join the Volunteer Center team as a receptionist and support volunteers and program participants to create a welcoming environment. Friendly, organized volunteers are needed to assist the office manager with answering calls, greeting visitors, assisting with mailings and other administrative tasks, event planning, and more!
- Volunteer for Justice: Be a Friends Outside Peer Coach
Santa Cruz or Watsonville, 6-month commitment
Do you have a passion for social change and criminal justice? Are you an advocate for criminal offenders and ex-offenders? Do you believe in restoring justice, providing hope, and supporting change for those impacted by incarceration? We are looking for passionate, empathetic volunteers to be case managers and peer coaches for Friends Outside, a program that supports the incarcerated, their family members, and those recently released in Santa Cruz County.
- Adopt-a-Family Project Manager
Santa Cruz or remote – ongoing
The Adopt a Family program is seeking a project management expert to scale up this annual program that serves more than 500 families each year! You’ll work with our staff and a committee, which meets monthly, This role can accommodate remote participation via Zoom or phone, though in-person meetings at the Volunteer Center are also an option.
- Volunteer Content Creators
County-wide – ongoing
Learn new skills, expand your portfolio, and build your network as a volunteer content creator! You’ll work with our communications and marketing team to capture the impact of volunteerism across our county. This is a great opportunity for people interested in a career in communications or marketing, love attending events, and have video and photography skills. - Garden Group Volunteer
Santa Cruz – ongoing
Passionate about gardening, health, wellness and giving back to the community? We’re looking for someone special to support our weekly garden group at the Healthy Connections program for adults living with mental illnesses. The garden group meets every week for one hour, plus an additional 3 hours weekly is needed for garden maintenance. If you’ve got a green thumb and are passionate about supporting individuals with a mental health diagnosis,this role is for you!
- Help Isolated Seniors Get Groceries!
County-wide, ongoing
Are you a friendly, reliable, and safe driver that can give a few hours to help a senior or disabled person in need? Volunteer drivers are needed to grocery shop for seniors (55+) and disabled folks. Becoming a volunteer driver is a simple and fun way to build community, reduce isolation, and help all people in our community enjoy access to food. - Be a Transportation Hero for Seniors and Disabled Individuals
County-wide, ongoing
Are you a friendly, reliable, and safe driver that can give a few hours to help a senior or disabled person in need? Volunteer drivers are needed to provide round-trip transportation to medical appointments or to buy groceries. As a volunteer, your schedule is completely flexible; you drive when you have time and no regular commitment is required. - Nonprofit Steward
Work at Home Project, ongoing
Do you like to be in the know about what’s happening in our community? Nonprofit Stewards connect with local organizations to learn about their volunteer needs, and help connect them with volunteers. You’ll make phone calls, read nonprofit newsletters, and stay in-the-know to keep our volunteer opportunities lists up-to-date. For this role, you’ll need to use Gmail and Google Suite and have regular check-ins with our Volunteer Mobilization team.
If these opportunities don’t make your heart sing, the Volunteer Center will connect you with a volunteer role that does!
- Search the Volunteer Center database of ALL volunteer opportunities
- Register as a volunteer so you can be alerted as new opportunities become available.
The Volunteer Center also helps nonprofit organizations find volunteers to support their work. Register as an Organization and let us match your cause to volunteers who care.
ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER CENTER:
The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County (VCSCC) transforms lives and communities for good through volunteerism and community engagement. Since 1967, the VCSCC has been the hub for volunteers, nonprofits, businesses, and civic agencies – connecting with 500+ community partners and more than 15,000 volunteers to help make our community the best place on Earth. In addition to volunteer engagement and placement, VCSCC oversees 19 programs to support community need, seniors, families, youth, COVID response, disaster response, and government partners to make Santa Cruz County a happier, healthier place to live.
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