We live in a very busy time. I mean, between Snapchatting wacky selfies, Instagramming wildfire enhanced sunsets, Tweeting inspirational quotes and posting political rants on Facebook, it seems like there just aren’t enough hours in the day. Heck, we don’t even have the time to read articles before sharing them on Facebook anymore. (Admit it, you’ve done it. I know you have.) But if we just Pokemon Stop for a minute and look around, it turns out there are a lot of folks in need in our small village of Los Angeles. And you can help them. Whether you’ve got great syntax and want to exercise grammatic fascism on children, perform random acts of kindness, hug trees and horses, or help homeless women find their way … everyone can do good in LA.
Below are 10 ways to make a difference:
1. Throw a Party for Kids in Need
Remember how epic birthday parties were when you were a kid? (Bright Child and Rockreation, anyone?) For homeless and foster kids, birthdays often come and go unacknowledged. Cause for Celebration is working to change that. The nonprofit throws parties for disadvantaged kids, and you can help make them happen. So bust out that Cinderella or Iron Man costume and make a child’s birthday something to remember. Or, if working under the radar is more your thing, they always need help with party planning.
Volunteer Info: Volunteers fill out an application and complete a background check. Party planning volunteers must attend a one hour orientation. After shadowing a party, you can start signing up for future events.
Image courtesy of @cause4celebration
2. Helping Refugees
Think that the refugee crisis is just a far away ‘over there’ problem or a Tom Petty song from the 70s? Think again. Each year, thousands of people make their way to America in hopes of a fresh start. The International Rescue Committee helps provide housing, education, and healthcare/social/legal services to refugee families all over the world, including here in Los Angeles. You can help others realize the American Dream by teaching or assisting with citizenship classes, job placement, the relocation/naturalization process and more.
Volunteer Info: To become a volunteer, you first attend an info session, usually offered the first Friday of the month at the IRC Glendale office, fill out an application, pay $35 for a background check, and have an interview.
Image courtesy of @theirc
3. Reviving the Written Word
Just when you thought the written word had been reduced to 140 characters or less, in comes 826LA to remind us that kids can (and actually like to) write long-form. Through tutoring, workshops, school programs and field trips, 826LA challenges students to express themselves through independent thought and creative writing. Volunteer activities include leading writing workshops, illustrating student-written books and guiding kids through the storytelling process. Who knows, you may inspire the next Tina Fey or Ta-Nehisi Coates …
Volunteer Info: Volunteers attend a two-hour volunteering 101 orientation, offered weekly at 826LA’s Mar Vista and Echo Park offices, as well as complete a background check (approx $20).
Side note: 826LA also runs the Time Travel Mart stores in Mar Vista and Echo Park, where the kids’ projects are for sale and all proceeds go to 826LA programs.
Image courtesy of @826LA
4. Assisting Homeless Women
Did you know there are over 13,000 disenfranchised women in LA County? All hail the Skid Row-based Downtown Women's Center for their work in helping turn these ladies’ lives around. The Downtown Women’s Center provides housing units, a health center, and a day center that offers showers, meals and community support. From preparing meals to troubleshooting issues on site at the housing units and leading Saturday morning workshops, there are tons of volunteer opportunities for both individuals and groups hoping to lend a helping hand.
Volunteer Info: You can volunteer individually or bring your whole crew and make it a group effort! Most opportunities require a two-hour orientation (offered monthly, usually on a Wednesday or a Saturday) followed by a two-hour training.
Image courtesy of @dwcweb
5. Skills Based Volunteering
Got a good heart and some serious skills? This is for you. Whether you’re a fire juggler or a graphic designer, Catchafire matches professionals with specific nonprofits in need of your know-how. Whether it’s photography, accounting, strategy, tech help or virtually any other skillset (IKEA furniture assembling, hell yeah!), chances are, there’s an organization that is just waiting for you to put your powers to good use. Search openings based on cause or skill; commitments range from one hour phone calls to long-term projects and anything in between.
Volunteer Info: Create a Catchafire account (you can easily do so via LinkedIn), fill out an online application for the opportunity that interests you, and send over a resume. If it’s a match, the nonprofit will then get in touch with an assignment.
Image courtesy of LSA Family Health Services
6. Random Acts of Kindness
Remember this morning when no less than six cars cut you off on the 101 and then you realized you left your tuna sandwich for lunch on your kitchen counter at home? The most loving and constructive way to take the edge off is by getting involved with Random Acts. The nonprofit’s mission is simple: be a catalyst for positive change in the world, one random act at a time. They even fund random acts up to $499. So, start brainstorming some beautiful ideas. To get the creative juices flowing, how about throwing a picnic in the park for the homeless guy you see on the way to work every day? Or adding money to an expired meter to help a stranger avoid the LA parking ticket blues? Don’t want to go through the effort of filling out a form and waiting around for funding? No worries. You’ve already got the idea. Just go do good and watch how your life changes when you start spreading the love.
Volunteer Info: If you want to request funding, you’ll need to outline the plan of action. Fill out an act proposal form and proposed budget form (downloadable here).
Image courtesy of Random Acts of Kindness
7. Become a Tree Person
Their name may conjure up images of wacky hippie tree huggers, but make no mistake—TreePeople are local heroes when it comes to planting and caring for trees, rain harvesting/ renewing depleted landscapes and educating Los Angeles about preserving our environment. Tree People partners with schools, individuals and local communities throughout the LA area to leave a greener footprint and influence government agencies. Volunteers can care for trees and greenery in both urban and mountain areas by registering via their volunteer calendar. Additionally, volunteers help maintain Coldwater Canyon Park on Thursdays and one Saturday each month.
Volunteer Info: Generally, no orientation is required, but you do need to pre-register for volunteer activities on their site. Also, this is an ideal place for group volunteering. And, according to them, a healthy pick up scene.
Image courtesy of TreePeople
8. Love on Some Animals
Animal lovers, the possibilities are endless. Best Friends Animal Society and Dogs Without Borders are both excellent places where you can show some love to furry friends. Work in a kitten nursery, foster a pup or help with pet adoptions. If bigger animals are your thing, AHEAD With Horses, Inc is an equine therapy program for disabled and special needs kids. The kids do vaulting (that’s gymnastics on a moving horse), which may sound quite literally impossible for any human being. But through this process, the kids learn balance, muscle control and trust building while bonding with horses, instructors and volunteers. You can be a part of this experience by supervising to ensure the child is safe and comfortable, grooming horses and helping out with the grounds upkeep.
Volunteer Info: Ahead With Horses has a brief intro orientation every Saturday morning. Wear closed toed shoes and long pants. For Best Friends, fill out an create an online account to view volunteer opportunities. Most require a two hour orientation, which is offered on various days/times throughout the month. For Dogs Without Borders, fill out an online application and waiver before signing up for available positions.
Image courtesy of @gpiro
9. Love on Some Animals Some More
If Curious George is your spirit animal, look no further than the Los Angeles Zoo. Whether you want to help out with zoo events as a general volunteer, or go a little deeper and lead tours for visitors through their docent program, the LA Zoo has plenty of chances for you to get all Ranger Rick with your bad self. Sorry though, no amount of volunteer training is gonna let you into the gorilla or tiger habitats.
Volunteer Info: To be a General Volunteer, fill out an online application, don’t have tuberculosis, and get fingerprinted. Training is all on the job. For the Docent Program, fill out an online application. If you’re accepted, there’s a 23 week, weekly training program, offered on Tuesdays or Saturdays. The program begins every October.
Image courtesy of @ieguyy
10. Make a Senior Smile
Although you may love hanging out with your own Papa Seymour or Nana Shirley, some elderly folks don’t have any family or support in the sometimes not-so-golden golden years. Enter Senior Smiles. This organization pairs volunteers with a senior for weekly one-hour visits. Whether it’s a simple conversation, listening, playing games, or reading together, the experience is a win-win for you and Gladys. They also have programs where volunteers can bring their kids and pets!
Volunteer Info: A 90-minute training session is required for all new volunteers. These are offered most Wednesday’s and Saturday’s.
Image courtesy of Senior Smiles
Bonus Do-Good Round
Say it’s Saturday night and your crew realizes you’ve a wide open Sunday. LA Works has a very user-friendly volunteer calendar, ideal for last minute volunteering for individuals or groups. So, whether you want to collect food at farmers markets for various shelters, feed and groom rescued rabbits, or help run game nights for homeless kids, check it out and go do some good!
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Brian Roth likes to spend his days helping old ladies cross the street. When he isn't helping people, he's probably either throwing balls at them or dating them. Follow his escapades on Instagram/Twitter @brianjayroth.
Header Image courtesy of TreePeople
