Christian Service
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Main Guidelines when choosing a site to do service: Service for your Religion requirement should be done at a non-profit (excepting hospitals) that:
Service Opportunities: This is a "smattering" of the opportunities that one can find in our community to do service. Follow the main guidelines (see above) and you will be fine.
Please keep in mind that supervision usually cannot be provided by the site staff. Adult supervision should be provided by a responsible adult who is in charge of any group of students at all times, both for the safety and well-being of the clients as well as the students.
Coordinator of Christian Service:
Mrs. Margaret Dzida
phone: 949-766-6000, ext. 1514
email: hanleym@smhs.org
United Way - Orange County: this is an excellent web-resource for local service opportunies. Agencies are listed alphabetically or by category (ex. the elderly). Each listing provides contact information, a description of the variety of service opportunities available and age limitations/expected skills.
Another great, general resource is:
Aegis Assisted Living needs volunteers to work with the elderly.
Apria de Sol in Mission Viejo provides care for the elderly.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County: would love to have student volunteers assist them in the many programs they provide to help mentor boys and girls in making healthy life choices. Be a Big Brother/Big Sister!
Birth Choice Health Clinic: assists women in making heathy choices concerning pregnancy, supporting mother and child in their journey. Students can be trained to do peer education under the clinic sponsored club "Teen Integrity". For more information:
Bowers Kidseum of the Bowers Museum needs volunteers for kid's tutoring programs. You must be 16 years of age and be willing to volunteer 60 hours each year. Volunteering opportunities are available after school, weekends and during summer.
The Boys and Girls Club ot Capistrano Valley has 2 locations that need volunteers. Volunteers are needed for an after school Read-A-Loud Program and to help young students with their homework. They need sports volunteers also. Go to their web site to download a volunteer application.
Boys Town California: There are 5 residential sites in Trabuco Canyon for siblings, infants and families. Volunteers under the age of 18 need to be accompanied by a parent. For more information, please contact Christina Garkovich at the number provided. Check out the website!
County of Orange Adopt-A-Park Volunteer Program: find out how you can assist in making our parks a better, sustainable environment for all of us to enjoy.
Richard & Donna O'Neill Land Conservancy Program: Located in San Juan Capistrano, this parcel of wilderness needs volunteers every second Saturday of the month to weed and clear brush. Lunch is provided. See information below:
Conservancy programs are open to the general public, groups, & members.
Pre-registration required for all programs.
Contact us to obtain registration instructions or arrange a special group outing.
Please arrive promptly!
The Conservancy is surrounded by private land; we must lock the gate behind us.
Come Prepared!
No sandals or flip-flops.
Wear closed-toe shoes—sneakers, light hiking boots, or walking shoes.
For protection against scratchy plants & small biting critters such as ticks, wear long-pants; light colors are best.
For daytime walks and hikes, wear hat and sunscreen and carry something to drink.
Trail Clearing and Weeding
Spend a few hours in beautiful surroundings with a dedicated crew helping make Conservancy trails accessible to our visitors. Protect food plants for native wildlife by eliminating weeds, those pesky botanical invaders. A few hours of your time each month can make a big difference! Drinks and sandwiches provided. (LEVEL: Moderate. BRING: Water.)
949-489-9778 or staff@rmvreserve.org
Hospital Volunteer Programs: CHOC Hospital in Mission Viejo and Orange accepts volunteers. (You must be 16 years old, although training can begin at 15 1/2) Please check their web page for specifics.
St. Joseph's Hospital in Orange also accepts volunteers.
Discovery Science Center: needs volunteers to help run simple science demonstrations that coincide with their current exhibits, as well as assist and direct guests through the center located in Santa Ana. If you hope to be a teacher one day this is a great way to volunteer. You do not need to have a math or science background to get involved. Bring your smile and a love for helping young students learn. Age requirement:15
Environmental Nature Center of Newport Beach needs volunteers for environmental maintenance and for their summer camp.
Earth Resources Foundation: their mission is to preserve, conserve and restore the Earth to a healthy and sustainable state through education. Specifically with youth, ERF's goal is to assist them in
determining their environmental issues and provide the resources for them to identify the solutions. For more information:
Families Forward, an Irvine based agency, exists to help families in need achieve and maintain self-sufficiency through housing, education, counseling and other support services. Serving families for over 23 years, Families Forward provides groceries to over 120 families every month through their food pantry. Volunteers work in the pantry and during various events throughout the year. For volunteer opportunities:
Flagship Healthcare Center of Newport Beach provides care for the elderly.
The Fountains at Sea Bluffs, is looking for individuals who would like to assist their residents in sharpening their computer skills.
Friendship Shelter of Laguna Beach: Provides a home for 29 residents, assisting them in rebuilding their lives. Friendship Shelter has a number of opportunities for different types of volunteers, including "guest-chefs".
J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center (also known as Fran Joswick Therapeutic Riding Center) in San Juan Capistrano needs volunteers to help groom and tack the horses for the rider or lead the horse during a lesson
Kids Konnected is a peer organization for kids who have lost a parent to cancer or who have a parent with cancer. For more
Mission Viejo YMCA needs volunteers for their Karate for All program. The program helps children with special needs engage in martial arts. Martial Arts experience is not necessary. Volunteers are needed to help on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Rancho Santa Margarita Library needs volunteers for craft preparation. Pease record these hours as INDIRECT unless you are working directly with the children during storyhour.
Laguna Club for Kids -T.L.C. in Laguna Beach needs volunteers to provide childcare.
Laguna Shanti: needs volunteers to assist in their work with individuals with HIV/AIDS, helping prepare meals and do awareness training with peers and community.
Lake Forest Nursing Center provides the elderly with different levels of care.
Palm Terrace in Laguna Hills gives care to the elderly.
Mary's Kitchen in Orange provides food and services to the homeless. Open M-Sat. 9am - 3pm
Mercy House is a transitional living shelter in Santa Ana. Hours are M-Sat. 9am - 3pm
Modjeska Ranch Rescue: Assist in the care of and finding homes for neglected animals.
Orange Coast Interfaith Shelter in Costa Mesa has programs to feed the poor and provide tutoring and mentoring programs for the young.
Orangewood Children's Home in Orange cares for abused children. To volunteer there you must be 16 years or older &have a copy of your TB shot.
ReCreation Summer Camp you will be working with campers with developmental disabilities. An orientation is required.
The Ronald McDonald House is looking for small groups to come and help cook a meal 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 are interested in going for an orientation, the office is open 7 days a week from 9am to 9pm.
We also have a Ronald McDonald Club on campus, if you wish to get involved.
Serving People in Need (SPIN) of Costa Mesa serves food to the poor. They would like volunteers to work with them from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. delivering food.
Share Our Selves (SOS) provides services to those in need in the area of Costa Mesa.
Silverado Senior Living of San Juan Capistrano needs volunteers to work with people dealing with Alzheimer’s. It is an incredible site…there are dogs, birds, children of the staff…warm, loving and professional. They train you and work with you so that you can have a good experience as you offer companionship to one of the residents.
Someone Cares Soup Kitchen is located at 720 W. 19th Street in Costa Mesa. Please call in advance for shift times and respect their dress code: close toed shoes, no tank tops, and long hair needs to be pulled back. You can volunteer afterschool during the week and on Saturdays.
South Coast Literacy Council is looking for volunteers willing to teach Spanish-speaking individuals to read in English. There is a required 5-day training course (not difficult). You will be trained to tutor individuals with little or no English skills. You do not have to be bi-lingual to qualify. Tutoring takes place at a variety of places, including Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, San Juan, Irvine, Aliso Viejo, San Clemente and Costa Mesa.
Special Camp for Special Kids is accepting applications for counselors for their summer programs. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to do their service over the summer and work with special kids in a local setting (San Juan Capistrano).
Special Olympics of Orange County: runs a number of events in South Orange County throughout the year for athletes with special needs, including our own SMCHS Special Olympics. You can coach, cheer or assist in so many different ways.
Special Sitters: is an agency associated with Camp Fire USA, providing trained sitters for families who have children with special needs.
St. Joseph’s Hospital accepts volunteers from 14 to 90 years of age. A minimum commitment of 75 hours per year is required. (That is about 4 hours per week). Weekend shifts are available, as well as afternoon shifts. There is a volunteer screening process and orientation.
St. Vincent De Paul is looking for volunteers to work in their program, "Friends Outside." The program provides clothing, support groups, employment assistance, mediation services and mentoring to the families of those serving jail sentences and the formally incarcerated. Students would help clean, catalogue and deliver clothing to the families.
Sunrise Assisted Living of Mission Viejo needs volunteers. They are located near Marguerite and Oso.
Starr Ranch Sanctuary is an Audubon preserve adjacent to the Cleveland National Forest.Starr Ranch runs volunteer programs for all age levels that both teaches and promotes wildlife and environmental conservation. They provide 1-2 hour walks, 1/2 day inservice opportunities and camping coupled with education and hands-on field work. They also have the "Weed Warrior" program if you like working outdoors. Dont' forget your sunscreen. They are located at 100 Bell Canyon Road in Trabucco Canyon.
The Surfrider Foundation is a grassroots, non-profit, environmental organization that works to protect our oceans, waves, and beaches through Conservation, Activism, Research and Education (C.A.R.E.) Volunteer with a local chapter to help with monthly beach clean-ups. They will email you the location of monthly beach clean-ups.
Teen Connections “Friendly Visitor Program” is part of the Council on Aging-Orange County’s programs assisting the aged who are living in long term care facilities.
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Think Together needs volunteers to work with students after school doing tutoring and helping with homework. They need you to commit to a 2-hour shift. Areas served are: Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, Orange, and Tustin
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Contact Malia Eves 714-543-3807 ext 8108
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Toby's House: "embraces pregnant women in crisis, providing a safe, supportive home for them and their young children." Female volunteers can babysit and assist in the work inside the shelter while male volunteers can work in the garden, thrift shop and outside support jobs. TB clearance and background check needed.
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949-661-4408
Women Helping Women of Costa Mesa assists women to become self-supporting. Volunteers would work in the "Clothes Closet" organizing working wardrobes for clients. They also need someone to tutor women in computer skills. They are open during the day and in the afternoons on weekdays and on Saturday from 9 a.m. -1 p.m.
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Contact Volunteer Education Manager Flora 949-631-2333 ext 364
Working Wardrobes, a non-profit agency that provides training and clothing for those who are entering the job market needs volunteers to work in their new store "The Hanger" in Laguna Niguel. WW teaches life skills and career development to emancipated teens, women survivors of domestic abuse and adults in crisis. They also sponsor "Cinderellas for Life" which is a prom dress drive for low income families. For info call: 714-210-2460
We have a Working Wardrobes club and if you'd like to help run a clothing drive, please see the Activities Office.
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Contact 949-425-9900
The South County YMCA offers numerous programs throughout the south county region.
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www.ymcaoc.org >Ways to give > How to Volunteer > Volunteering today.
