Opportunities From: VolunteerSLO.org

Stand Strong's 24-hour Crisis Line is staffed by volunteers after normal business hours.

Duties of this position include: carrying a cell phone to respond to incoming crisis calls after normal business hours or on weekends and holidays, actively listening to women and men in crisis, answering questions regarding Stand Strong's services, and connecting victims to the shelter when required.

Click here to apply online.

Please note: Volunteer opportunities involving client contact require completion of a state-mandated 40-hour training (the next one is in January, see below for dates). This in-depth training covers the dynamics of intimate partner violence, teaches crisis counseling skills, and introduces the new volunteer to the Women’s Shelter Program. Upon completion of the training, you receive certification as a Domestic Violence Peer Counselor.

A valid driver’s license and background check clearance are required to participate in this volunteer program.

For more details about this volunteer position, please call our Outreach and Volunteer Department at (805) 781-6401 x 225 or email mwhite@standstrongnow.org.

Forget about boring volunteer work and dive into the excitement of working at the Central Coast Aquarium! We’re currently seeking motivated and reliable volunteers to join our organization.

Are you interested in working behind-the-scenes at an aquarium?
Are you passionate about educating and inspiring others to appreciate the amazing life that exists in our oceans?

If so, then volunteer at the Central Coast Aquarium. Our volunteers are the heart of our organization, and we wouldn’t exist without them. Thanks to the help of a dedicated group of volunteers who assist in all areas of the center’s programs, we’re able to open our doors every day.

The Exploration Station is a non-profit public benefit facility where local families can enjoy revolving science exhibits and interactive displays designed to spark the imagination and creativity of the youth in our community.

We are looking for volunteers to help organize and facilitate weekly "Science Saturdays" for youth in our community. Our hope is for this to be a recurring opportunity for volunteers to engage visitors of all ages in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) based experiments and demos. 

Possible themes for these days can include, but are not limited to: Nano Days, The Science of Snow, Earth Day Science, etc.

We take in hundreds of volunteers in every year to help out around the ranch, help with our therapeutic petting zoo and therapeutic riding.  We exchange volunteer hours for free horseback riding lessons.

Creating Community Service learning opportunities for others is in itself a community service!  We need:

* Student ambassadors to make connections at other SLO County High schools to start their own CSIP programs

* Public speakers to share the value of community service

* Help in organizing school events

* Recruiters of non-profits to come to the High School fairs

* Help with social media and building our web catalogue of community service opportunities 

* Make a film about your high school's CSIP program

Much of this work can be done on your own time in your own home.  

Dana Adobe Cultural Center has some wonderful opportunities for High School students looking to become volunteers!

The Dana Adobe is a restored historic house and 130-acre property that provides the local community the chance to step back in time and learn about life in the California Rancho era. We also have an engaging nature education program and host many public events throughout the year.

If you love history...

If you have an interest in nature and outdoor education...

If you like planning and helping to host events...

If you need community service hours...

Contact us at the 929-5679 to learn how to get involved. 

*training is provided

The Child Development Resource Center of the Central Coast (CDRC) is a nonprofit organization and community program that provides educational and therapeutic programs focus on protecting children through our commitment to heal, support and strengthen families in need within San Luis Obispo County. CDRC welcomes you to visit and volunteer at our facility! The Center provides services to children 2 years through 5 years of age or until entry into kindergarten.

The best hours to observe/volunteer are between 7:30 -12:30am & 2:45-5:30pm

The following volunteer opportunities are available:
• Read to the children on a one-on-one basis or as a group
• Interact with children on the play yard, in the sandbox, or in the water tables
• Climb, run, or play outdoor games with the children
• Go on walks around the campus with the children & staff members
• Help to care for the animals in the center
• Help to care for a garden
• Disinfect and clean children’s equipment
• Help prep activities
• Be involved in everyday classroom activities

While volunteering, you can learn more about child development training and potential employment opportunities. Volunteers may choose to give a few hours of time each month, a few hours of time each day or may volunteer every week.

Check for ongoing frequent opportunities at http://centralcoastautismspectrumcenter.volunteerlocal.com

Most are ages 16 and up.  Looking for mature, social, energetic and outgoing people.  

Bike SLO County's Bike Valet (bike parking service) parks bikes year-round at every Thursday Farmers Market and we would love your help! 

If you've never done bike valet before, don't worry, it's easy! Riders give you their bikes, you give them a claim ticket, they give it back when they return and you give them their bike back. You can watch out short 1 minute video on youtube to see how it's done: https://youtu.be/xKnje5wCQPQ

Meet up at the corner of Morro and Higuera, in the street next to the Apple Store.

We have two shifts, an early shift and a late shift. 

Early Shift: 5:30 PM - 7:15 PM

Late Shift:  7:15 PM - 9:00 PM

Arroyo Grande Care Center is currently the only certified building in SLO county for the Music and Memory program.  Bringing personalized playlists to residents in an effort to help connect those with dementia and Alzheimer's with their former selves.

We are in need of people immediately, and long term, who would be willing to help run a used Ipod, and/or ITunes gift cards collection drive(s).  This can be done at your work, school, club, ect.  The more equipment we have, the more residents we can bring the program to and touch!

We will provide you with marketing tools to use.

More information about the program, and an inspirational short clip, can be found here: http://musicandmemory.org/

Thank you!

The Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers are a non-profit organization formed in 1995 to restore and preserve the Point San Luis Lighthouse. The Lighthouse is a Nationally registered historic site that was originally constructed in 1890. It is located at the northern end of San Luis Bay, past the town of Avila Beach. The Lighthouse is currently operational, with a blinking light every night. We have two trolley tours per week, plus three hiking tours. There is also the option to kayak to the station to see it. The Point San Luis Lighthouse was the beacon over San Luis Bay during the steamship era and into the more modern oil tanker era, allowing for a huge influx of people, goods, and general commerce to enter the region and help San Luis Obispo become the county seat.

We currently have many restoration projects in the works, landscaping, painting, fixing wooden floors. We have a need for someone with a love of theater to assist in writing scripts and movement for a live-history program we are starting. We have field trips for fourth grade students that we need volunteers for. There is a newly constructed archive room that needs to have archival paperwork sorted and filed, and we need assistance with documenting artifacts and cleaning them. We are also looking into new forms of social media to enhance our digital presence.

People who would be good volunteers should be interested in fields such as: history, restoration work, theater art/interpretation; assisting with field trips; cleaning artifacts; inventorying archival paperwork; assisting with social media accounts.

Volunteers generally needed Fri - Sun 12PM - 5PM

Bike Kitchen volunteers break down barriers to bicycle maintenance! Our goal is to greet everyone with a positive and friendly outlook to make them feel welcome.

Arroyo Grande Care Center is in search of very low cost/volunteer musicians to play for the residents.

This can be a regularly scheduled time, or a one time performance. Music is good for the soul and it is our desire to try and have one scheduled music performance a day!

In addition we would like individual musicians who would be willing to go room to room and play music for our residents who are bed bound. This is a very special position that is greatly needed. 

Arroyo Grande Care Center is currently the only certified building in SLO county for the Music and Memory program.  Bringing personalized playlists to residents in an effort to help connect those with dementia and Alzheimer's with their formers selves.

We are in need of people immediately, and long term, who would be willing to talk with our residents and help create individualized play lists for them using ITunes and IPod shuffles. As well as people who would be willing to come on a monthly basis to assist with changing/adding music to peoples playlists. 

More information about the program, and an inspirational short clip, can be found here: http://musicandmemory.org/

Helping with promotion of classes, programs and events. Assistant will work with Program Coordinator to implement strategies for marketing and advertising.

Hours are flexible

Help plan and implement fundraising events for The Wellness Kitchen. Assistant will work with Program Coordinator.

Hours are flexible

The Wellness Kitchen is seeking dishwashers. Day is flexible. Hours are flexible. Call the office to discuss 805-434-1800 or email.

Want to take your volunteer service to the next level? Serving on a board for a mission that you are passionate about is an impactful way to offer your time.

 DANA (Dana Adobe Nipomo Amigos) was founded in 1999, it is a local nonprofit dedicated to protecting, preserving, and providing public access to the 130 acre Dana Adobe Cultural Center, while sharing the stories of early California history/Rancho era, and inspiring stewardship of our natural and cultural resources. DANA is dedicated to community-based action, advocacy and education.

In the last 20 years, DANA has raised over 9 million dollars toward land acquisition, historic restoration and the development of the Dana Adobe Cultural Center, a 130-acre park, encompassing the historic home, a nature education facility/museum, trail system, and demonstration gardens.

Our current programs and events include:

Docent program: Docent-led guided tours of the historic

Dana Adobe Educational program: 1800 school children annually visit the Dana Adobe for hands-on - out of the classroom experiences. Free Family Campfires: Summer evening campfire program

Sunday Talk Series: Museum Lecture Series - open to the public

Summer Concert Fundraisers: Concerts at the Dana Adobe

Museum programs: Art exhibits, nature exhibits, cultural exhibits,

Community programs: Nature Festival, Heritage Day Festival, Taste of Nipomo, Ghost tours, monthly hands-on program.

Board Requirements: Board meetings are the first Tuesday of the month from 3:30 pm to approx 5:00 pm. Meetings are held in Nipomo. Board members are asked to commit to the following:

Join one board committee

Meet monthly

Make a financial donation of an amount that is significant to the member

Attend major events

Support fundraising efforts

Be committed to the vision and mission

If you would like to learn more about becoming a board member, please contact us at 929-5679.

We are seeking drivers to pick up meals at The Wellness Kitchen in Templeton and deliver them to The Cambria Connection on Wednesday afternoons between 2 and 3 PM. Mileage will be reimbursed.

Please call 927-1654 or email cambriaconnection1@gmail.com for details.

Thank you!

The Cambria Connection is seeking volunteers to assist our office staff. For more information email cambriaconnection1@gmail.com or call 805-927-1654.

The DANA Adobe Cultural Center wants YOU for the Docent Program!

We are looking for history lovers, educators, retired professionals, who wish to volunteer and share their passion for cultural heritage, and the protection of cultural and historical sites on the Central Coast. No previous background in history or education is required.

DANA volunteer docents fill a vital role in the museum by giving museum tours, supporting educational and museum programs, giving presentations at community centers and schools.

Docents attend a monthly meeting and training classes with master-docents.

Volunteers are an integral part of the interpretation of the natural and cultural resources of California State Parks and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Through educating the public, volunteers add a depth of understanding and appreciation for the area, as well as instill a sense of respect and stewardship for the protected areas on land and at sea.

Duties

Skills and Qualifications

Training

A three-day training session will be provided at the Coastal Discovery Center on May 13th, 20th, and 27th. 

If you are unavailable on those dates, you can set up additional individual or group sessions with the Docent Coordinator:

For more information, contact Robyn Chase

(805) 286-0856 or robyn.chase@parks.ca.gov

The Education Intern will be working in the education department of the Dunes Center. Their primary responsibilities will be to assist with the preparation, support and administration of the educational programs hosted by the Dunes Center. They will be responsible for leading sessions of the off-site afterschool and other educational programs that are hosted by the Dunes Center. Interns are also required to spend four to six hours weekly as a museum docent and or at Dunes Center Special Events. Examples include community walks and hikes. In the winter, interns will be teaching archaeology.

This part time service will enable both the Dunes Center to expand their programs and the intern to gain experiences that can be used for college or graduate school admissions, work experience and personal fulfillment.

The internship will last at least two quarters; for the first quarter you will shadow and assist a current education intern while teaching, and for the second quarter you will either teach on your own or have a new intern shadow you.

Volunteer Driver Description:

The American Cancer Society Road To Recovery program provides free rides for cancer patients to and from treatment. This program is made possible by volunteers who lend their time, personal vehicles, and compassion to patients who have no other way of getting to treatment.

Drivers must:

-              Own a safe and reliable vehicle

-              Be 18 to 84 years’ young

-              Have a current, valid driver’s license

-              Provide proof of automobile insurance

-              Have a good driving record

-              Be available weekdays

-              Complete an online volunteer training

If you have a few spare hours each month and want to help cancer patients get to the treatments they need, visit www.cancer.org/drive or call 1-800-227-2345.

Great for volunteers interested in:

Helpful Skills

Point of Contact:

www.cancer.org/drive

800-227-2345

What is a Point in Time Count?

A Point in Time count is a snapshot of how many people are counted as homeless in the County on a given day in the year, in 2017 this will be on January 30.  This data is used locally to identify service needs and gaps and also to help secure Federal HUD funding that helps provide needed homeless services in our County.  long with local homeless service providers, Applied Survey Research (ASR) will be conducting a county-wide survey and enumeration campaign to find and count the amount of unsheltered homeless people in SLO County.

How Can You Help?

Volunteers are needed the week of January 30 – February 3, 2017 to conduct surveys and count the number of homeless people who are unsheltered in each area of the County.  No experience is necessary and training will be provided.  If you are interested in being involved please sign up at the link above.

What is the Vulnerability Index/50 Now List Update?

The Vulnerability Index is a research validated survey tool used to determine which of our local homeless population is most at risk on the streets. This was used for the locally adopted 50 Now Project, which went into effect in August, 2014. Almost 300 surveys were conducted and a list of the top 50 highest scoring most vulnerable individuals was compiled.

The next round of surveying will occur January 31- February 3, 2017 and will attempt to capture those vulnerable, homeless that were not surveyed in the first round.  If you would like to take part in the valuable experience of interviewing the homeless people of SLO County out in the field please answer the questions at the following link and our Volunteer Coordinator will contact you.  No prior experience is necessary and training will be provided.

SIGN UP:  Here

If you enjoy working outdoors and/or with your hands - We need your help.  You might find yourself planting trees, splitting wood, painting doors, repairing decks or other construction projects at our wonderful camp.  We have the tools if you have the energy.

Our chef provides amazing meals for all of our groups.  We have a variety of needs from food prep to a chef who could put out a buffet for 30.  We provide meals for up to 100 guests who are attending our outdoor education/science camps, summer camps or renting our camp for the weekend events/retreats/etc.  Year round or seasonal opportunities.

We need someone, who loves computers and a challenge, to take on the project of selling some of our surplus items.  Please help us.

When rental groups are using our facility the host is available to ensure the needs of the group are being met.  This may include welcoming and providing an orientation about camp, checking the facilities to ensure they are ready for the groups and often is over a meal, so meals may be provided.  We also have a camp store, which sells a variety of items.  The store is open at scheduled times for the groups when they are at camp.  Times and days vary throughout the year.  It is a lot of fun and you meet wonderful people from all over the world.  Shifts are usually about two - four hours.

WHAR is in need of volunteer staff members both to handling animal duties and care, Tour and infomation guides, and Compound organization and construction. 

Do you love walking along the coast? Would you like to be a part of making our oceans healthier? We’re seeking volunteers for MPA Watch, a citizen science program in support of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) on the Central Coast. MPAs are similar to underwater parks in that they protect some of the most unique and richest coastal ecosystems the state has to offer. MPA Watch volunteers monitor human activity in and around MPAs to determine whether MPAs are being used as intended.

By walking along the coast in Montana de Oro, Point Buchon and Cambria, volunteers can combine their love of the ocean while collecting valuable scientific data. Volunteers should have reliable transportation and be over 18 years of age.

For more information about the program and how you can become a steward of your local MPA, visit our sign up sheet here: https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/TheOtterProject/VolunteerForm.html

Or, simply email volunteer@otterproject.org

Special Olympics San Luis Obispo County is in need of a EMT or nurse to be present at local tournaments. We will always have an ambulance on standby but we would like to have someone there to perform basic first aid. Listed below are the dates that we are in need with the location of the tournament.

April 11, 2015 Basketball tournament- San Luis Obispo High School 9am-4pm

May 1, 2015 Spring Regional Games- Cuesta College 9am-1:30pm (we have a doctor onsite that day but with 450 athletes, 600 volunteers, and family members you can image having more would be nice)

May 16, 2015 Golf tournament- Sea Pines golf resort 7:30am-1:30pm

May 30, 2015 Bocce Tournament- Meadow Park San Luis Obispo 9am-2:30pm

Are you interested in nature? Do you enjoy educating students? Lead a field trip for the Dunes Center! Docents take groups of students on a nature walk through Oso Flaco Lake. Along the way, you will play fun activities with students that open their eyes to the plants and animals that surround them. The field trips generally run from 9am-1pm during the week. Training is provided. Get involved today by contacting us at volunteer@dunescenter.org or (805)343-2455. For more information, see our website, www.dunescenter.org.

Since 1968 Community Counseling Center has been offering affordable, professional counseling for the economically disadvantaged with the aid of licensed and pre-licensed volunteer therapists. The agency has sites across San Luis Obispo County (SLO Headquarters, Paso Robles, Grover Beach, Cambria, Atascadero) and is always looking for new applicants. CCC is renowned as training institute for master's and doctoral level trainees and interns. Additionally, a strong network of licensed therapists buoys the program.  

At GRID Alternatives, we believe that a successful transition to clean, renewable energy needs to include everyone. We are working across the United States and in Nicaragua to make renewable energy technology and job training accessible to underserved communities.

GRID Alternatives is a 501(c)(3) certified non-profit organization that brings together community partners, volunteers and job trainees to implement solar power and energy efficiency for low-income families, providing energy cost savings, valuable hands-on experience, and a source of clean, local energy that benefits us all.

Each month GRID Central Coast installs solar for qualifying low-income homeowners in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo County. 

Interested in receiving free, hands-on solar job training? Join us on an install!