Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County

Volunteers are the heart and soul of Grey Bears. Volunteers are needed to help on the Brown Bag program: assembling bags of fresh produce for seniors on Thursday and Friday mornings between 7:30am and 9am. Before volunteering we ask that you attend an orientation. We hold an orientation every Thursday at 1pm in the main office of Grey Bears. We also always need drivers to deliver bags of groceries to distribution sites and to homebound seniors (and we’ll reimburse your gas mileage!). The Grey Bears Brown Bag Program is one of the most efficient and successful food distribution programs in the United States. Volunteers glean the fields, help collect donated food from local stores and supermarkets, assemble bags of food in our warehouse and deliver it to a network of sites and medically homebound seniors throughout Santa Cruz County every week. This year, through our produce recovery program, Grey Bears will distribute 2.6 million pounds of fresh, nutritious food to 4,200 Santa Cruz County seniors. Get Involved...Select the Red "Express Interest" button below **This is a Referral Opportunity, which means it is run directly by one of our nonprofit partners. Once you express interest, someone from the partner organization should follow up with you shortly to discuss confirming you as a volunteer for this opportunity.

Santa Cruz, CA

4/25/19 7:30 AM +more

Volunteers are responsible for helping families pick out items from our Food Pantry and Clothing Closet. Whether they are explaining the benefits of kale or helping find the right shoe size, volunteers will be a vital help to our families. Shift Days, Times, and the Expected Time Commitment: Starting on February 9th, 2018, our pantry will be open every Thursday from 9:30 am to 11:30 am. Volunteers that speak Spanish are especially needed. Get Involved...Select the Red "Express Interest" button below Or Call: (831) 319-4571​ **This is a Referral Opportunity, which means it is run directly by one of our nonprofit partners. Once you express interest, someone from the partner organization should follow up with you shortly to discuss confirming you as a volunteer for this opportunity.

Watsonville, CA

4/25/19 9:30 AM +more

The Homeless Garden Project provides job training, transitional employment and support services to people who are experiencing homelessness. HGP's vibrant education and volunteer program for the broad community blends formal, experiential and service-learning. The programs take place in our 3-acre organic farm and related enterprises. On the farm you will meet the crew, learn more about the farm, and join that day's activities which may include: weeding, harvest, planting, building compost and more. Projects are weather dependent and defined by the day's priorities. We often can't tell you exactly what project you'll be working on in advance. Thursdays & Fridays: Arrive at 10am, join our crew for morning stretch and delegation of tasks for the day. Saturdays & Sundays: Arrive any time, join our weekend farm staff and volunteers in a variety of farm tasks.

Santa Cruz, CA

4/25/19 10:00 AM +more

Grey Bears improves the health and well being of seniors through food distribution, volunteerism and community participation. Volunteers are essential to the success of Grey Bear's programs! Volunteer opportunities include packing food for the Brown Bag Delivery program, cooking lunch, ringing up sales at the thrift store, sorting recycling, assisting in the office, selling books online, facility maintenance and more! Before volunteering we ask that you attend an orientation. We hold an orientation every Thursday at 1pm in the main office of Grey Bears At the orientation you can sign up for the project that fits your interests.

Santa Cruz, CA

4/25/19 1:00 PM +more

Join us at Evergreen cemetery for a few hours of work maintianing and restoring this historical site. We meet every Friday from 9:30 to 12:30. There are projects for all abilities. Lunch is provided at noon.

Santa Cruz, CA

4/26/19 9:30 AM +more

Help visitors with hands-on art projects! Every week there's a new project! Events are typically Saturdays from 10 am to 1:30 pm; Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm and Fridays from 4:30 pm to 8 pm Upcoming events include: Book Binding, Succulent Planting, Growing Justice, Slime Night, First Friday, Everything Emoji, Fort-Making and Glow in the Dark Yoga. Lead family-friendly activities that get folks moving and inspire creativity. Think fort building, bubble making, dance parties, and more! Learn new skills, make new friends, and leave a lasting impact on your community. Training will be provided at the event. You can sign up for a specific shift -- and learn more about all the upcoming events at the Museum of Art and History Eventbrite page here: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/volunteers-at-the-santa-cruz-museum-of-art-amp-history-14444764478 Get more information about volunteering for this project and others at the Museum of Art and History...Select the Red Express Interest button below **This is a Referral Opportunity, which means it is run directly by one of our nonprofit partners. Once you express interest, someone from the partner organization should follow up with you shortly to discuss confirming you as a volunteer for this opportunity.

Santa Cruz, CA

4/26/19 4:30 PM +more

Please come join us on April 27th at 9:00 a.m. for Spring Community Work Day, followed by lunch by our fabulous food crew. There will be live music for those who simply want to enjoy being on the farm. You can: Paint our new shed. Build a goat pen. Plant native plants into the riparian area along creek. Install weed mat in the raised bed area. Dig holes and plant aromatic herbs alongside of greenhouse. Remove non-native species from our riparian zone and plant native plants. Build two compost areas with adaptations to make it easier for our farmers with disabilities to sift compost. Put up fencing and bird netting for new digs for our 25 laying hens. Stay until 1:00 p.m. for music, a delicious l Please contact loletta.ho@commonrootsfarm.org for more information or if you have questions. You will receive an email reminder and notice of cancellation due to weather. *Minors must be accompanied with adult. **Only Trained Service Animals can be allowed on the farm. Please sign up here: https://signup.com/go/OBfvOpC

Santa Cruz, CA

4/27/19 9:00 AM

Restoration Saturday We invite you to participate in this family-friendly outdoor volunteering activity helping to restore wetland habitat. Volunteer work includes planting native plants, removing exotic invasive plants, and helping in our native plant greenhouse. Afterwards, we will go for a guided nature walk. The restoration group meets at the Fitz Wetlands Education Resource Center located at the top of the Pajaro Valley High School campus (500 Harkins Slough Rd) at 9 a.m. Please bring water, and wear layered work clothes, sturdy shoes and a sun hat. We will provide tools, gloves, and a snack. Please Note: organized groups of over 15 people or more should make sure to contact Mary K. with advance notice to ensure adequate supplies and tools Get Involved...Sign Up for This Opportunity or email the Project Coordinator for more info.

Watsonville, CA

4/27/19 9:00 AM +more

Join us for our annual Spring Festival celebration, Saturday April 27th from 11am-2pm. This event welcomes our preschool families and friends in our community. We are looking for volunteers to help make this event fun and successful! Would you like to help as a face painter, bubble station monitor, ice cream maker, petting zoo monitor or one of our other fun activities? Volunteers should arrive no later than 10:00am for orientation and placement. The event ends at 2pm and volunteers are needed to help with clean-up from 2-3pm as well as with the event. Click on "Express Interest" below if you are interested in helping out or use the "email" button to contact the coordinator! **Please note this project is managed by one of our nonprofit partners. Once you express interest, someone from the partner organization should follow up with you shortly to discuss confirming you as a volunteer for this opportunity.

Santa Cruz, CA

4/27/19 10:00 AM

Hello Future Friends, We are looking for weekend hosts at our Friends Downtown Santa Cruz Library bookstore. If you would like to host you will learn to use a square system to receive payments as well as manage a small bookstore while you are here. Shifts available: Saturdays 10am to 1pm Saturdays 1pm to 4pm Sundays 1pm to 4pm If you want to speak directly please email mary@fscpl.org

Santa Cruz, CA

4/27/19 10:00 AM +more

This is a very special place we haven't been back to for several years. We will be working on non-native, Genista monspessulana, French broom. The habitat is a mixed evergreen/redwood forest area, along with coastal prairies, oak woodland, and a little chaparral thrown in for good measure. There are trails and fire roads through the property. Directions below; please note they are a little tricky, and we will be meeting along the roadside of our work site. Directions to Gray Whale Ranch: To get to this location, take Hwy One North (on Mission Street) through Santa Cruz to Bay Avenue. Make a right on Bay Avenue till the entrance of UCSC at High Street and Bay. Do not go on the campus. At this intersection of High Street and Bay Avenue, make a left turn on to High which becomes Empire Grade at this point. Our work site is located about 4-plus miles up Empire Grade from the intersection with Bay and High. Just pass Twin Gates (meadow), start looking for my car -- a silver hatchback Honda Civic on the right and park on the shoulder.

Felton, CA

4/27/19 10:00 AM

Our farm is a place where people of all abilities can learn new skills, strengthen their social networks, and contribute valued products to our local economy. We offer horticulture and farm skills training, internships to people with developmental disabilities, environmental and gardening education, and micro-enterprise opportunities on a roughly four-acre urban, organic farm in Santa Cruz, CA. Volunteers are involved in every aspect of our operations. Sign up now to join us on a Tuesday morning. Every week we tackle new aspects of our expanding farm. A few things before you come out to the farm: We highly recommend a hat and a water bottle Everyone is required to sign a liability waiver Most areas of our farm are accessible by wheelchair and a walker. If you have any mobility concerns and would like more information, please reach out Only trained service animals are allowed on the farm All volunteer roles positions will receive an orientation to the farm the first 30-45 minutes of their first time at the farm and must sign a waiver prior to participating in volunteering.

Santa Cruz, CA

4/30/19 10:00 AM +more

Create an exciting experience at the biggest stop along the Santa Cruz First Friday Art Tour. Bring three floors of free exhibitions (including a brand new one), an art activity, and musical performance to life as MAH volunteer. Tour and food included. Art Activity Helper | 4:30 - 7 pm OR 6:30 - 10 pm Celebrate Dia de los Muertos by helping to lead a sugar skull decorating and tissue paper flower making art activity. Sugar skulls are an integral part of Day of the Dead and honor those who've passed away. Help families connect with their histories and loved ones as an Art Activity Helper. Art Ambassador | 4:30 - 7 pm OR 6:30 - 10 pm Welcome visitors into three floors of free exhibition space. From a new photography exhibition surrounding themes of displacement and immigration to a kaleidoscopic installation of queer and feminist art, you'll bring new life to dynamic spaces. Answer visitors' quesetions and ask a few yourself. No experience necessary! We'll make sure you've got all the info you need for a great experience. Sign up directly for the shift you want on the Santa Cruz MAH Eventbright page here: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/volunteers-at-the-santa-cruz-museum-of-art-amp-history-14444764478 Get Involved...Select the Red "Express Interest" button below **This is a Referral Opportunity, which means it is run directly by one of our nonprofit partners. Once you express interest, someone from the partner organization should follow up with you shortly to discuss confirming you as a volunteer for this opportunity.

Santa Cruz, CA

5/3/19 4:30 PM +more

The California State Parks Foundation Park Champions program is currently seeking volunteers to help maintain and beautify Henry Cowell State Park. Work will focus on making improvements to Campgrounds, picnic areas and general maintenance of the park. Please join us by registering link below. Snacks and lunch are provided! Some of the events will have free camping. Please look for details on the California State Parks Foundation website. You must register for this work day by visiting our website at www.calparks.org/volunteer Check out all the other work days we are doing throughout the state.

Felton, CA

5/4/19 9:00 AM +more

Join the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History to keep our Garden Learning Center thriving! We have worked hard to transform our surrounding grounds from a creekside jungle of invasive ivy, blackberry, and mattress wire vine into a pollinator and California native plant haven -- and there is always more work to be done! As a garden volunteer, you will help us with watering, weeding, pruning and replanting. You will also learn about sustainable gardening practices and California Native plants! All ages are welcome; children under 14 require adult supervision. Tools and gloves will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own if you have some. We will garden in light rain, but will cancel in the case of a downpour. Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes, and bring gloves (if you have them), a reusable water bottle, and sun protection. Gardening gloves, tools, and water will be provided. Get Involved...Select the Red Express Interest button below **This is a Referral Opportunity, which means it is run directly by one of our nonprofit partners. You can also contact the coordinator directly by using the "email" link below or by visiting the program website at the top of this posting.

Santa Cruz, CA

5/4/19 10:00 AM +more

Help keep Shakespeare alive and well in Santa Cruz! We are getting the outdoor theater in the Grove ready for the coming summer season. We meet on Saturdays from 10am to 3pm in May and June. Preparation for the Grove outdoor theater site requires no special experience. Related skills and tasks include: raking, weeding and doing general debris collection plumbing electrical tree work earth work carpentry, and use of specialized tools We provide tools, and there is a restroom on site. Dress comfortably, wear sunscreen and bring gloves and water or snack. Come join us! For more information, contact Santa Cruz Shakespeare at the volunteer page Santa Cruz Shakespeare Volunteer **Volunteers who serve for 10 or more hours will receive 2 free tickets to a show.

Santa Cruz, CA

5/4/19 10:00 AM +more

Young Volunteers are Needed to Tutor Seniors in Technology Help seniors navigate in the digital age and stay connected with their community with their personal electronic devices. From e-mail to iPads, our seniors need your help and with the community center's recent upgrade to Windows 7 your assistance will be more important than ever! This opportunity is open to youth ages 11-18. The next Senior Tech Days from 12pm to 3pm are scheduled for: January 5th and 19th, 2019 February 2nd and 16th March 2nd and 16th April 6th and 20th May 4th and 18th June 1st All Senior Tech Days are held on Saturdays from 12pm-3pm at the Louden Nelson Community Center. Sign Up by clicking on the red box below. We will confirm your attendance one week prior to the project day.

Santa Cruz, CA

5/4/19 12:00 PM +more

Snapshot Day is May 4, 2018! On the first Saturday in May each year hundreds of volunteers join the Coastal Watershed Council and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary staff to take a “snapshot” of the health of rivers and streams flowing into the Sanctuary. This favorite event draws people of all ages from all over California’s Central Coast to collect scientifically valid water quality data and to learn more about their local watersheds.The valuable data collected by Snapshot Day volunteers is used to drive action for clean water. Data from field measurements and lab analysis are collected and analyzed to determine the biggest threats to water quality and best management practices to address them. Together with local experts and our partners in government, CWC uses that data to drive improvements in our stormwater infrastructure and also manage erosion and stormwater runoff which are threats to clean water. **All volunteers are required to attend a training** Go to the Coastal Watershed website to sign up for a training: https://coastal-watershed.org/san-lorenzo-river/our-approach/community-science/snapshot-day/

Santa Cruz, CA

5/4/19 12:00 PM

Your job is to greet and orient volunteers, have them sign in on the waiver sheets and then direct them to their job sites and their team leaders. This job is crucial for getting all the awesome volunteers where they are needed when they are needed! Shifts: 6am-9:30am, 9am-12pm Location: 2300 Delaware Ave, Santa Cruz, California 95060

Santa Cruz, CA

5/11/19 6:00 AM +more

Help with this amazing race by helping setup the main festivities area! We will be needing help to tables, booths, games and more! Shift: 6am-7am

Santa Cruz, CA

5/11/19 6:00 AM

Your job is to get the signage installed before people arrive on the day of the race. All the supplies for attaching the signs will be in your kit. You will have a map of the area where the signs are designated by number and type. Each volunteer will be responsible for a designated sign posting. Shift: 6-8:30am Location: 2300 Delaware Ave, Santa Cruz, California 95060

Santa Cruz, CA

5/11/19 6:00 AM

Your job is to welcome people to the Human Race and check their pledge sheets or waiver forms to make sure they are complete so they can register quickly. This job is truly essential to making sure that everyone gets in, gets their waivers signed and is able to be at the start line in time for the walkathon and fun run to begin! Shift: 7:30-10:30 Location: 2300 Delaware Ave, Santa Cruz, California 95060

Santa Cruz, CA

5/11/19 7:15 AM

Your job is to welcome people to the Human Race and check their pledge sheets to make sure they are complete so registration moves quickly. Our goal is to register over 2,000 people in 90 minutes! This is a fast paced job - your shift will fly by! Shifts: 7:30-10am, 9:30-11am Location: 2300 Delaware Ave, Santa Cruz, California 95060

Santa Cruz, CA

5/11/19 7:15 AM

Your job is to serve people breakfast! This is a buffet style - so volunteers will need to keep trays full of the provided breakfast foods while participants serve themselves. Volunteers will also be needed at the coffee table to keep it tidy and replenish as needed. Shift: 7:30-10:30am Location: 2300 Delaware Ave, Santa Cruz, California 95060

Santa Cruz, CA

5/11/19 7:30 AM

Your job is to make the Walkathon fun for participants and to take care of their needs for fluids, snacks, restrooms and safety during the event...and Have Fun Too! 2000 walkers and runners will walk by your station! You will also be responsible for keeping things organized and for breaking down the station if you work the second shift. Shifts: 8am-10am, 9:30am-11:15am Location: meet at 2300 Delaware Ave, Santa Cruz, California 95060 to sign in, then shuttle to 1 of 3 water stations (@ 2240 West Cliff Dr., @ West Cliff Dr. & David Way, @ the lighthouse).

Santa Cruz, CA

5/11/19 8:00 AM

our job is to make sure the 2,000 walkers, runners, and rollers are safe and stay away from traffic hazards on event day. Volunteers will work in teams at road crossings and various strategic locations on the route. Parking Guides will direct traffic and keep the parking areas safe for walkers. You will direct traffic to alternate parking lots if parking areas are filled (you will be supplied a map of all the parking options). Crossing Guards will help people safely cross at the crosswalks and roadways and funnel people to keep the ongoing and incoming people on separate sides of the walkway to avoid collisions. Shift: 8:30 am - 11:30 am Location: Meet at 2300 Delaware Ave, Santa Cruz, California 95060

Santa Cruz, CA

5/11/19 8:30 AM

Are you passionate about keeping BEAUTIFUL West Cliff clean? Join the janitorial and recycle team on May 12th to support the largest community fundraiser in Santa Cruz County! Duties will include: knowing the locations of trash and recycle bins on the event day, monitoring the garbage cans (emptying and relining as necessary), checking the toilets for paper needs, and answering participants questions when needed. Shifts: 8:30am-10:30am, 10am-12pm Location: meet at 2300 Delaware Ave, Santa Cruz, California 95060 to sign in, potential to shuttle to another area along the course

Santa Cruz, CA

5/11/19 8:30 AM +more

Photographers are needed to take pictures of the race and photo booths at the Human Race! Come capture the joy that this amazing race brings to everyone within Santa Cruz! If you have your own camera equipment and would like to support this awesome race, then sign up below!

Santa Cruz, CA

5/11/19 8:30 AM

Your job is to cheer people as they finish the Human Race and make them feel special whether they ran, walked or got off the shuttle. Provide them with water and a snack. Point out where the lunch is and that there are agency tables to visit. Let them know they are all champions who helped raised money for the community! Shifts: 9am-10:30am, 10am-11:30am Location: 2300 Delaware Ave, Santa Cruz, California 95060

Santa Cruz, CA

5/11/19 9:00 AM +more

Make a difference in the lower San Lorenzo River ecosystem by volunteering with a Coastal Watershed Council’s River Health Day. During the December River Health Day, we will be planting native plants along the banks of the San Lorenzo River to improve biodiversity and habitat complexity in the river ecosystem. This event will take place on the east bank of the San Lorenzo River upstream of the Broadway Avenue Bridge. We will meet at the Santa Cruz Riverwalk adjacent to Mimi De Marta Dog Park on 119 Broadway Santa Cruz. We highly recommend walking or biking to the event as there is limited parking in the area. Gloves and tools provided. Wear sturdy shoes and layers. We recommend that all volunteers dress in comfortable gardening clothes, include long pants, socks and sturdy shoes. Bring sun protection and a reusable water bottle. Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Call (831) 464 9200 with any questions before the event. Location: We will be on the riverwalk in Downtown Santa Cruz. Sign up here: https://coastal-watershed.org/event/river-health-day-22/ This River Health Day is about a 2.5 hour event that starts at 9:30 am and goes until 12:00 pm, but we encourage people to commit to however long they desire! Whether you would like to stay for half an hour, an hour, or even a little more than two hours, we are happy to see you out there! Learn more and sign up: https://coastal-watershed.org/event/river-health-day-22/

Santa Cruz, CA

5/11/19 9:30 AM +more