Big Sunday happily welcomes you to Our Really Big Community Calendar.
We try to include all kinds of volunteering and helping opportunities for all kinds of interests, talents, passions, and ages! As you’ll see, these include volunteering opportunities (one-time and long-term) as well as the chance to support a nonprofit by attending fundraising events. Plus, of course, we include all of Big Sunday’s homegrown events, too! Whoever you are, and whatever you do, there is someone out there who could use your help.
If you have questions about our calendar, or would like to add a listing, please contact calendar@bigsunday.org or submit your event/opportunity via the button below.
A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a trained, dedicated and caring community volunteer, who is assigned to work one-on-one with a child in the foster care system. CASAs are sworn in by a dependency court judge to advocate for what is in the child’s best interest. With legal standing to fully investigate a child’s circumstances, CASAs make recommendations to the court regarding how the system and community can best serve and support the child. Our volunteers have the ability to broadly influence the life of a foster child by advocating across many important life issues, including permanent placement, health care, education, mental health and enrichment activities.
Our most significant accomplishments happen every day – when an overlooked opportunity is found, a service is secured or an adult connection is made that will help keep a child safe and give him or her an opportunity to succeed.
If you are searching for a rewarding experience and love working with and for animals, we invite you to join the OC Animal Care volunteer team. Volunteer opportunities are available seven days a week.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
VOLUNTEER POSITIONS
§ Dog Walker –
Volunteers walk and exercise shelter dogs that are available for adoption. Through exercise, dog walkers provide adoptable dogs' human contact, mental stimulation and basic command training.
§ Cat Socializer –
Volunteers socialize available shelter cats. Through socializing, volunteers improve the quality of their lives and better prepare them for adoption into loving homes.
§ Greeter –
Volunteers greet and offer assistance to the public at OC Animal Care's front gate. Greeters are a visitor's first contact with the shelter and through their warm greeting and courtesy may influence a person's decision to adopt from OC Animal Care.
§ Mobile Adoption/Special Events –
Volunteers assist staff in educating citizens about the services provided by OC Animal Care at local fairs, festivals and mobile adoption events.
§ Clerical Support –
Volunteers assist customer services staff by preparing adoption packets that offer insightful information to ease the transition of an adopted pet into a new environment.
§ Bather/Groomer –
Volunteers bathe and groom shelter dogs to create quality bonding time between themselves and the dogs and increase a dog's adoptability.
§ Foster Caretaker –
Volunteers provide temporary care to young, injured, abused or under-socialized animals. Volunteers return their foster animals when they are deemed suitable for adoption by OC Animal Care clinic staff. The volunteer is responsible for all expenses incurred while fostering.
VOLUNTEER SELECTION
OC Animal Care requires that all potential volunteers go through an extensive selection process. This process ensures that OC Animal Care is selecting volunteers that best fit the needs of the program and understand the unique environment in which they will work. The selection process may take up to two months. Please note that applicants will be selected based on the current needs of OC Animal Care.
Time Commitment
OC Animal Care requests that you commit to a minimum of eight hours per month for three months. This commitment ensures that the program will operate smoothly and that the maximum benefit is derived for the animals.
Training
OC Animal Care staff provide training to all volunteers. Volunteers are required to complete the training for each position in which they are selected to serve.
The Los Angeles Day Care Center provides day care services for low-income families around the garment, flower and produce districts. Volunteers are welcome to assist one or mutiple days to help with the various activities around the classroom, office and recess. Volunteers must complete the required Protect the Mission training and have their fingers prints done prior to working at this facility.
Must be 18 or older and have experience working with preschoolers to volunteer
The Los Angeles Day Care Center provides day care services for low-income families around the garment, flower and produce districts. Volunteers are welcome to assist one or mutiple days to help with the various activities around the classroom, office and recess. Volunteers must complete the required Protect the Mission training and have their fingers prints done prior to working at this facility.
Must be 18 or older and have experience working with preschoolers to volunteer
The Los Angeles Day Care Center provides day care services for low-income families around the garment, flower and produce districts. Volunteers are welcome to assist one or mutiple days to help with the various activities around the classroom, office and recess. Volunteers must complete the required Protect the Mission training and have their fingers prints done prior to working at this facility.
Must be 18 or older and have experience working with preschoolers to volunteer
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
VOLUNTEER COACHES (BASKETBALL, SOCCER & INDOOR FLAG FOOTBALL)
We are looking for energetic and enthusiastic volunteer coaches who are interested in teaching youth sports. Our program goal is to create a positive environment that promotes self-confidence and self-esteem through the experiences we provide. The program is dedicated to providing all youth with the highest quality of recreation and educational experiences for boys and girls ages 6 to 12 years-old.
This is a great place to gain experience working with children, improve communication and people skills. High school and college students can volunteer to receive service learning for their school.
VOLUNTEER TUTORS
Help keep kids on track in school! We need tutors for K-7 students in all subjects including writing skills, reading, math and science. All learning materials, both printed and digital, are provided. Tutoring hours are Monday–Friday, 3–7PM.
MONITORS AND GREETERS
Volunteers can work any time during operational hours. Volunteers will assist customer service attendants, walk around program areas, greet members, answer questions, and make sure child safety guidelines are being followed. The Salvation Army wants to provide a safe environment for our community.
INFORMATION DESK
Volunteers can work any time during operational hours. Volunteers will assist customers and guests by directing them to their class or answering questions.
SOCIAL SERVICES OFFICE
Volunteers will assist in various duties in our Social Services Office.
If you are searching for a rewarding experience and love working with and for animals, we invite you to join the OC Animal Care volunteer team. Volunteer opportunities are available seven days a week.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
VOLUNTEER POSITIONS
§ Dog Walker –
Volunteers walk and exercise shelter dogs that are available for adoption. Through exercise, dog walkers provide adoptable dogs' human contact, mental stimulation and basic command training.
§ Cat Socializer –
Volunteers socialize available shelter cats. Through socializing, volunteers improve the quality of their lives and better prepare them for adoption into loving homes.
§ Greeter –
Volunteers greet and offer assistance to the public at OC Animal Care's front gate. Greeters are a visitor's first contact with the shelter and through their warm greeting and courtesy may influence a person's decision to adopt from OC Animal Care.
§ Mobile Adoption/Special Events –
Volunteers assist staff in educating citizens about the services provided by OC Animal Care at local fairs, festivals and mobile adoption events.
§ Clerical Support –
Volunteers assist customer services staff by preparing adoption packets that offer insightful information to ease the transition of an adopted pet into a new environment.
§ Bather/Groomer –
Volunteers bathe and groom shelter dogs to create quality bonding time between themselves and the dogs and increase a dog's adoptability.
§ Foster Caretaker –
Volunteers provide temporary care to young, injured, abused or under-socialized animals. Volunteers return their foster animals when they are deemed suitable for adoption by OC Animal Care clinic staff. The volunteer is responsible for all expenses incurred while fostering.
VOLUNTEER SELECTION
OC Animal Care requires that all potential volunteers go through an extensive selection process. This process ensures that OC Animal Care is selecting volunteers that best fit the needs of the program and understand the unique environment in which they will work. The selection process may take up to two months. Please note that applicants will be selected based on the current needs of OC Animal Care.
Time Commitment
OC Animal Care requests that you commit to a minimum of eight hours per month for three months. This commitment ensures that the program will operate smoothly and that the maximum benefit is derived for the animals.
Training
OC Animal Care staff provide training to all volunteers. Volunteers are required to complete the training for each position in which they are selected to serve.
Please join us for our Outdoor Volunteer Day from 9am to 12pm at Alta Vicente Reserve! We will be working to remove invasive weeds which degrade important wildlife habitat and will be replacing them with native, drought tolerant plants!
Please meet us at the Alta Vicente trailhead next to St Paul's Lutheran Church at 31290 Palos Verdes Dr W, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. Please do not park in the church parking lot. Park on the street. Extra parking can be found in Golden Cove Shopping Center.
We will be working outdoors, so please wear closed-toed shoes, sun protection and be sure to bring drinking water and a snack. A reusable water bottle is recommended. Thank you for volunteering to conserve the Palos Verdes Peninsula!
HOW YOU CAN VOLUNTEER AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE
EVERY CHILD DESERVES A CONNECTION
Each year, our volunteers contribute 5000+ hours, accounting for almost 80% of our services. If you're interested in promoting peace in the lives of foster youth, join our community and bring your knowledge and compassion to those who will truly benefit. It's a truly rewarding experience!
Primarily our volunteers connect with youth on Saturdays from 9am – 1pm in an environment that focuses on creativity, education, life skills building, health and wellness. Under the guidance of our staff, volunteers are given the tools to work one-to-one with youth, developing strong bonds that leave a lasting impression.
HERE'S A QUICK REQUIREMENT CHECKLIST:
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- Be at least 18 years of age
- Contribute at least 8 hours a month [2 Saturdays per month] and commit to a minimum of one year of service
- Obtain Department of Justice clearance
- Attend both a new volunteer orientation and training
And here's some of the things you'll be doing:
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- Engage, mentor and provide leadership for youth in foster care, ages 4-18 years old
- Support our educational team in facilitating creative learning onsite and on field trips
- Create a consistent, nurturing community based environment
- Have fun making new friends with like-minded folks!
Second Chances Leadership Program was designed to build and develop the self-confidence, life and leadership skills of youth through interactive learning, in-class discussions, presentations, panels, workshops, and exploratory field-trips. Upon conclusion, participants will be able to demonstrate their understanding and knowledge of a leader’s core essentials through a service learning project, weekly homework and journaling assignments, discussions, presentations, and a culmination project.
Our youth will become ‘Ambassadors’ allowing them to become well versed in the theoretical and practical application of a leader’s core essentials and be capable of utilizing them within their home, school, and community. This allows them to personally develop through leadership programs and have access to tools and resources that not only helps such youth to apply to college, but also prepares them to succeed in life.
The Leadership Program consists of 5 modules that are 8 weeks in length. The modules expands our youth knowledge base by providing significant exposure to real-life work experiences, hands-on activities that challenge their decision making process, and intense cross-cultural volunteer projects both locally and abroad.
