________________________________________________________
How Does Volunteering Benefit High School Students?
-> Volunteering teaches important life skills.
Helps teens learn responsibility.
-> Being a volunteer is great preparation for a future career (and looks good on a resume).
One of the very best reasons to volunteer is to explore interests and ideas for a future career. They can also list their volunteer work on their resume when they are ready to begin working a paid job in the future.
-> Volunteering allows high school students to give back to society.
Students can learn what it means to care for others and provide a service for someone who is in need, so they can give back to the community and put aside their own needs.
-> Students take with them important values as they emerge as adults.
This world can only be a better place if more students experience the joy of performing volunteer work. Being able to take care of other people less fortunate, serving to meet the needs of others and sacrificing their own time goes a lot further than one would think. As adults they will have developed the skills to become more mature and responsible then their peers, as a result they will become more successful adults.
Overall, volunteering as high school students can be a rewarding and positive experience. This is one great experience that will last a lifetime for the youngest generation!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Opportunities in Los Angeles
VOLUNTEER CENTERS
L.A Community Action Network
They offer nationwide volunteer opportunities, including organizations offering relief from the terrorist attacks. For local opportunities, either call or go to their Website, click on the volunteer button and follow instructions. It’ll prompt you to enter your zip code. The search engine pulls up opportunities from a five to 60 mile radius from your home. If you call them, they send you a newsletter for free. The newsletter has ideas about places to volunteer.
Contact information: 8709 La Tijera Los Angeles, CA 90045(818) 895-7380
L.A WorksRiver Center and Gardens
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. Some activities are geared only to adults, so be sure to ask if it’s teen-friendly.
Contact information: 570 W. Ave. 26, Ste. 400 Los Angeles, CA 90065(323) 224-6510
Volunteer of America
National nonprofit organization with volunteer opportunities in programs for children, developmentally disabled, families, emergency services, homelessness, and more.
Contact information: 3600 Wilshire Blvd. Ste. 1500 Los Angeles, CA 90010(213) 389-1500
HOSPITALS
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Volunteer Services Department
Within the Volunteer Services Department, they have a Teen Volunteer program. It’s for youth aged 14-18. Shifts are set up in two to four hours of service once a week from early morning to early evening and weekends.
Contact information: 8700 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90048(310) 423-3277 Ask to speak with the Volunteer Department.
Centinela Hospital Medical Center
Teens 14 and older must go through an application process, take a tuberculosis test and attend an orientation before they can start volunteering. A dress code is required for volunteers. Tattoos must be covered and no face, lip, nose or tongue jewelry allowed.
Contact information: 555 E. Hardy St. Inglewood, CA 90301(310) 673-4660. Ask for the Volunteer Services Department
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Teens 15 and older can volunteer here after completing a three-hour orientation. Only those 18 and older can have direct contact with the patients. Teens younger than 18 can still help out by greeting patients and their families at the front desk and doing clerical work. The hospital asks for a minimum of a six month commitment plus 100 hours of service. Teens work a minimum of two to four hours a week, depending on the department and can choose their schedule. After service is completed, the hospital will write a letter to give students either high school or college credit.
Contact information: 4650 W. Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA(323) 669-2371
UCLA Medical Center Volunteer Office
Teens 15 and older can volunteer in a variety of ways such as escorting patients, helping with clerical work, in the gift shop, or in another department with an opening. The program requires four hours of volunteering a week for a total of 80 hours of service. Teens can divide their four weekly hours to fit their schedules if they need to.
Contact information: 10833 Le Conte Ave. Room 12-217CHS Los Angeles, CA 90095 (310) 794-4735. Ask to speak with Hannah Fairchild, student coordinator.
HUNGER AND PEOPLE
American Red Cross
Ask for Monica Armstrong in the Dept. of Volunteering. Teens 14 and older can join a youth group and get involved. They meet every other Monday from 6-9 p.m.
Contact information: 2770 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90057(818) 376-1724
Food on Foot
This is a nonprofit organization that needs volunteers on Saturdays at 3:30 in Venice and Sundays at 3:30 p.m. in Hollywood. Volunteers will distribute clothing and food to the homeless and poor. Teens must be interviewed before volunteering.
Contact information: 1625 N. Schrader Hollywood, CA 90028(310) 442-0088
Salvation Army of Southern California
Hours and dates vary with each opportunity. There are many chances to volunteer here whether you’re assisting children with homework, sorting cans in a food pantry or teaching computer classes.
Union Rescue Mission
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.
Contact information: 545 S. San Pedro St. Los Angeles, CA 90013 (213) 347-6300, ext. 1148
LITERACY AND BOOKS
County of Los Angeles Public Library
There’s no age limit and no experience required for teens interested in volunteering at the library. Volunteers are needed at all branches. All minors must submit written parental approval. Time commitments vary with each task. Teens can shelve books, create displays, tell stories, show films, write publicity and more. The library has 67 different locations that need volunteers. You can help out with programs for the homebound, reading to young children or other literacy services. Call them for further information or apply online.
Contact information: 7400 E. Imperial Hwy. Downey, CA 90242 (562) 940-8559, ask for Carol [email protected]
Reading to Kids
Volunteers work to create enthusiasm with children and reading. Reading clubs meet the second Saturday each month from 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. Contact information: 3540 Wilshire Blvd. Ste. 424 Los Angeles, Ca 90010-2348 (213) 338-0008 [email protected]