April 2011 is Harvard's Global Month of Service: "Harvard Serves" Volunteer Opportunities!
Click "read more" for April events times/info. Volunteer with one of our sponsored service opportunities in Southern California! Don't miss this chance to give back to your local community alongside fellow alumni.
Get Involved in Public Service - Register Now!
If you are interested in receiving more information about the "Harvard Serves" Global Month of Service, as well as updates and information about community service opportunities in the Southern California area, please join the community service interest group now!
For "Harvard Serves", our energetic local alumni have organized projects in 25 non-profit organizations throughout our region, offering a plethora of opportunities to volunteer during the month of April and beyond. Whatever your skill, and wherever your neighborhood, we've got a volunteer activity for you.
Please refer to the following list for an overview of participating organizations. To sign up for a volunteer opportunity, scroll down to the organization with which you'd like to volunteer, and click the "register" link to go to the registration page. Once you register, the event contact person will be in touch with further details.
For questions, contact Liz Ryan, LA Community Service Coordinator, at lryan.ryanworks@gmail.com, or 310-822-6042.
We hope that your participation with "Harvard Serves" leads to a rewarding and fun April of service!
Scroll down further to see volunteer opportunities by any of the following wonderful organizations:
826LA: West (Venice) and East (Echo Park)
Camp Del Corazon
Center for the Pacific Asian Family
Communities in Schools of Los Angeles West
For OC Kids Neurodevelopmental Center
Friends of the Los Angeles River
Global Education, Peru
Go Green
Harvard Tutors in the Schools
Haven Hills
Homeless Healthcare Los Angeles
Iridescent Learning
Kids Reading to Succeed, Pasadena
Knitting for Charity
LAX El Segundo Blue Butterfly Preserve
Levitt Pavilion-MacArthur Park
Los Angeles Audobon Society
Los Angeles County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Los Angeles Maritime Institute TopSail Youth Program
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
Minaret Academy
Minds Matter of Los Angeles
Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship
Peace4Kids
U.S. VETS - Inglewood
826LA: West (Venice) and East (Echo Park) register West or register East
When: After-school tutoring, M-Th, 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Contact: Warren Shaeffer, 617-899-1013 or warren.shaeffer@gmail.com
Drop-in tutoring, after-school workshops, in-school tutoring, support students ages 6 to 18 with their creative and expository writing skills. Hours, dates, depend on activity.
Camp Del Corazon register 4/16 ~ register 4/29
http://www.service.clubsandsigs.harvard.edu/article.html?aid=160
When: April 16, four-hour shifts from 4:30 PM - 12:00 AM, for gala event. April 29, voluntary shifts from 10 AM - 12:00 AM, for golf tournament and dinner.
Contact: Warren Nagler at 310-200-3038 or warren.nagler@gmail.com
This summer camp is located on Catalina Island, California, for children that have been diagnosed with heart disease and are under the care of pediatric cardiologists. We need volunteers to assist in our upcoming gala fundraiser and golf tournament, and those who would be interested in attending either event. Volunteers are also needed for the camp’s summer programs, three five-day sessions..
Center for the Pacific Asian Family register
www.nurturingchange.org
When: Dates per consultation of volunteers and coordinator
Contact: Peggy Nguyen at 310-617-7436 or Peggynguyen@hotmail.com
Range of community outreach activities – raise awareness of the issue of sexual assault.
Communities in Schools of Los Angeles West register 4/2 ~ register 4/9
http://www.service.clubsandsigs.harvard.edu/article.html?aid=163
When: Saturday, April 2nd and/or Saturday, April 9th, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Contact: Favian Lopez at (562) 896-1708 or favianlopez@gmail.com
Volunteers will develop, organize and renovate a classroom space to become a college access center. Task will include organizing the center with library space, computer terminals, and renovating the room by thoroughly cleaning it, painting the walls, and carpeting a portion of the floor. The ability to set up computer terminals is desirable.
For OC Kids Neurodevelopmental Center register
www.forockids.org/
When: Monday, April 25, 2011. Arrive for tour and orientation at 5 pm. Family Autism Nite is scheduled from 5:30-7:30 pm. [desired # volunteers , up to 10]
Contact: Joseph H. Donnelly, MD, at 949-836-1089 or donnelly@uci.edu
Volunteers will be placed throughout the “pretend city” to serve as resources to the children and families visiting the various areas. Examples:
o Reader to read brief stories to children with possibility of bring stories to life with the help of costumed participants acting out story.
o Nutritionist or healthy food chef would be in the grocery store to discuss purchasing foods to create healthy meals.
o Architect or engineer would be in the construction area where home construction in an ongoing activity.
o Physician or nurse or health educator would be in the medical office.
o Urban planning expert would be in the amphitheatre where “pretend city planners” meet.
Friends of the Los Angeles River register
http://folar.org/
When: Saturday, April 30, 9 AM - 12 noon
Contact: Alex Ward at 310-339-2464 or lxward@gmail.com
The 22nd Annual La Gran Limpieza: The Great Los Angeles River Cleanup offers 14 locations from the valley to downtown to the ocean where volunteers pull tons of trash from the Los Angeles River. Choosing one site for your group to work at together might be fun for members. Or they may attend any site as an individual near their residence. If you attend one site as a team, we will list you as a community partner on our website, linking to your site, and we will reserve space for you.
Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes, clothes for getting dirty, and sun protection. Optional: work gloves and a personal water bottle. Water and snacks are provided. Giveaways will be presented to volunteers in thanks. Community service certificates may be earned by youth.
Global Education, Peru register
www.globaled.us
When: Dates per consultation of volunteers and coordinator
Contact: Ethel Seminario-Laczko at 626-429-3138 or etheledu@yahoo.com
Write fundraising proposals, develop website, develop curricula, solicit book donations to establish children's libraries, California incorporation.
Go Green register
When: Sunday, April 10, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Contact: Thania St. John at 818-784-1874 or VRMother@aol.com
Join the SOS Go Green Club Inc. for the second year of Harvard Serves on April 10th. from 9:30-12:30 at the LA River Site between Coldwater Canyon and Fulton in Studio City for an informative talk on native plants, the history of the LA River and a morning of seeding, mulching and planting with The Village Gardeners. Refreshments and work gloves will be provided.
As part of the SOS Go Green Clubs Inc. "It Makes A Village" project, we will be working to beautify our own village while learning about how the Go Green Club provides supplies to help make small rural villages throughout the world self -sustaining rather than being dependant on a constant flow of donated supplies.
For more information on the SOS Go Green Club and the "It Makes A Village" project visit: www.sosgogreenclubs.org
and for information on The Village Gardeners LA River Project visit: www.thevillagegardeners.org
Harvard Tutors in the Schools register
When: Dates per consultation of volunteers and coordinator
Where: 32nd St. USC Magnet School, 840 32nd St., Los Angeles
Contact: Priscilla Heim at 310-472-4478 or priheim@verizon.net
Tutoring children K-12 in all subjects.
Haven Hills register
www.havenhills.org/
When: Because of the nature of the services Haven Hills provides to domestic violence victims, confidentiality and safety are crucial aspects of the work. There is no one particular date that we require for service opportunity. Rather, it can be ongoing for the month of April (or even longer).
Contact: Ivy Panlilio at 818-887-7481 x12 (work) or 213-880-9925 (cell) or ipanlilio@havenhills.org
It would be great if volunteers can donate or collect donations from their family/friends for the clients of Haven Hills. Haven Hills primarily serves individuals and families who are low-income or poverty-level who reside at our crisis shelter and transitional shelter. The majority of our clients rely on public benefits. Providing clients with supplementary food and household items such as canned foods, dried foods, other non-perishable foods, baby food, diapers, toiletries, etc. is a tremendous way to assist families to get through the month on what they receive in public benefits. Call for information on non-confidential administrative building located in Canoga Park.
Homeless Healthcare Los Angeles register
http://www.hhcla.org/
When: Friday, April 29, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Where: 2230 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057
Contact: Michael Lehrer at 323-664-4747 or Michael@lehrerarchitects.com
Volunteers will be working at our skid row site distributing food and hygiene items to homeless participants, and will assist in the daily art/yoga/social activities planned for the day.
Iridescent Learning register
http://iridescentlearning.org/
When: Starting Wednesday, April 6th, 6:30 - 8 PM, then by agreement each Monday evening in April plus Thursday, April 28th
Contact: Luz M. Rivas at 323.203.5772 or Luz@IridescentLearning.org
We partner high-school girls with university and professional women in computer science and technology over a period of 9 weeks. The girls learn the basics of programming and develop phone apps using App Inventor (a Scratch-based, visual programming language). They also learn about entrepreneurship and marketing and pitch their idea to a panel of VCs at the end of the 9 weeks. Iridescent is looking for volunteers to participate in planning committees during the month of April for the Technovation Challenge Pitch Night that will take place Thursday, April 28th.
Kids Reading to Succeed, Pasadena register
http://www.kidsreadingtosucceed.org/
When: Generally 1st Saturdays of each month unless there’s a holiday, then, 2nd Saturday. April 2, May 7, June 4 (dark for July and August), 8:45 - 11:00 AM.
Contact: Gloria Gonzalez at gloriaramosg@gmail.com
Literacy program serving low-income children in the first through sixth grades. Students are encouraged to read aloud and discuss their reading material verbally and in writing with their volunteers. Following the reading hour, the students work on a special themed project (in areas such as financial literacy, science, nutrition, and the law) which tests their reading comprehension and analytical skills. KRS also brings in special guest speakers such as government officials, scientists, chefs, lawyers, and journalists, among others, to demonstrate, first-hand, how literacy and education go hand-in-hand to help one succeed.
Knitting for Charity register
When: Saturday, April 9th 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Contact: Thania St. John at 818-784-1874 or VRMother@aol.com
Learn how to knit and crochet squares that will be pieced together to make blankets for those in need. It's a fun afternoon, no matter what your skill level. We work with several organizations including Warm Up America, Project Linus, and Soweto Comfort Club.
At the home of Thania St. John. Address provided upon registration
LAX El Segundo Blue Butterfly Preserve register
When: Saturday, April 23rd 9:30 AM -4:30 PM; Half-days (1p – 5p) every 4th Saturday through September
Contact: Peggy Nguyen at 310-617-7436 or Peggynguyen@hotmail.com
The project involves weeding out unwanted plants from the trail which is easier than most weeding projects because the sand is so loose. Please join us this beautiful spring day as we enjoy fresh ocean breezes, a spectacular view of the ocean, and good company joining hands to help the environment.
Levitt Pavilion-MacArthur Park register
www.levittpavilionlosangeles.org
When: Meetings via email, and one night/month for 2-3 hours.
Contact: Liz Ryan at 310-822-6042 or lryan.ryanworks@gmail.com
Seek volunteer organizational help for upcoming events. Outreach into the Latino community, attendance at free community concerts, donations of tickets or experiences for silent auction are also sought. We create “community through music” in one of the most densely populated and underserved areas of Los Angeles.
L.A. County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure register
www.komenlacounty.org
When: 7 days a week, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Contact: Angela M. Sousa, Esq. at 310-650-0293 or ang.sousa@yahoo.com
Volunteers will work closely with the Director of Mission Programs to raise awareness about breast cancer early detection and treatment, as well as inform the community about our programs. We will work with volunteers one-on-one to match them to projects that will best utilize their skills and expertise.
Los Angeles Audubon Society register
http://www.losangelesaudubon.org/
When: Saturday, April 16, 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Contact: Stacy Cohen at 323-375-4673 or stacycohen89@post.harvard.edu
Join us for some fun in the sun to celebrate EARTH DAY 2011! Harvardwood Helps is collaborating with the Los Angeles Audubon Society on the California State Parks Foundation’s Habitat Restoration Project at the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook.?? The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook is a stunning new urban park set on a 511 ft. peak from which visitors can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the entire Los Angeles Basin, the Pacific Ocean and surrounding mountains. This once-drilled and exploited land is now a California State Park and has become a symbol of restoration, conservation and hope, with hiking trails, a nature center, a serious set of workout stairs and a picnic area.??In celebration of Earth Day, we will plant native plants such as ceanothus, hummingbird sage, white sage and California fuchsia to surround a new, large oak tree. We will also be removing invasive non-native plants from hillside slopes, and re-vegetating them with native plants that will help stabilize the soil and prevent erosion and slope failure during heavy rains. Bring friends and family! BRING YOUR KIDS! You are guaranteed to have a blast and make a real difference right here in your own city!
Los Angeles Maritime Institute TopSail Youth Program register
http://www.lamitopsail.org/
When: April 16, 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM and April 23, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Contact: Chris Richard at 310-929-7223 or chris@chrisrichard.org
Men and women of all ages and physical ability are invited to learn the skills needed to operate LAMI's fleet of tall ships and deliver the TopSail Youth Program message to underprivileged kids in our community.
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank register
www.lafoodbank.org
When: 7 days a week, 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Contact: Eva Plaza at 626-399-0409 or plaza@theplazalawgroup.com
Food donations serving nearly one million individuals in LA County. Either open or break down boxes, stock goods for packaging, assemble the individual boxes or carry the finished packages onto pallets. It's pretty tough work with a decent amount of reaching, bending, and lifting..
Minaret Academy register
www.minaretacademy.net/
When: Monday through Friday (during school days), 60-90 minutes on a school day, either mid-morning or after 2 PM.
Where: Minaret Academy,1220 North State College Boulevard, Anaheim, CA 92806
Contact: Shezad Rokerya at 310 734 1499 or sr@interlinkcompany.com
Volunteers will speak to students in grades 3-5 about how Harvard impacted their professional life and prepared them for their current profession.
Minds Matter of Los Angeles register
www.mindsmatterla.org/
When: Saturday, April 16th, 11 am to 1 pm (ongoing opportunities available as well)
Where: USC campus in downtown LA
Contact: Leanne Pyott Huebner at (310) 721-6228 or lpyott@yahoo.com
Minds Matter of Los Angeles helps academically achieving, low income high school students transform their educational outcomes through mentoring, a rigorous Saturday curriculum, and assistance in attending top competitive college summer programs. Seeking mock interviewers for high school sophomores. We will simulate a real job or college interviews and you will be asked to give feedback and advice to the students. Help us take this afternoon to prepare our students for this critical life skill. There are many other ongoing volunteer opportunities as well, depending on your interests and time availability.
Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship register
www.nfte.com/
When: Times vary but occur during the school day (8am-3:30pm) and last between 45-90 minutes.
Where: Various schools throughout Greater Los Angeles
Contact: Maritess Plewnarz at 310-405-3212 or maritess.plewnarz@nfte.com
The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship helps young people from low-income communities think like entrepreneurs so that they can take control of their own futures. Professionals from the business community play a critical role in all of NFTE’s programs. Three types of opportunities are offered:
1. Business Plan Coaching (1-2 hours/session) - Volunteers mentor students who are preparing business plans for competition. Business plan coaches will be matched up with a classroom and ideally work with students over 3 sessions.
2. Business Plan Judge (1-2 hours/session) - During the business plan competition, students compete for "seed capital" by presenting their business plans to a panel of judges. Judges observe, question and rate each on a scale from 1-10 in various categories.
3. Guest Speaker (1 hour) - Guest speaker topics can include goal setting, organization/time management, business etiquette, marketing/advertising, investing/banking, business plans, sales, customer service, technology, communication skills, etc. Potential points of discussion also include tackling adversity getting started in business, overcoming obstacles in life, and how you chose your area of business
Peace4Kids register
When: Saturdays, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
What: Sports and enrichment activities program, mentoring program.
Where: Watts / Willowbrook Boys & Girls Club, 1339 East 120th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90059
Contact: Liz Ryan at 310-822-6042 or lryan.ryanworks@gmail.com
Provides programs and services for over 200 foster and at-risk youth ages 5-24 in the South LA neighborhoods of Watts, Willowbrook, and Compton. Seek volunteers with legal, accounting, printing, public relations, or other professional skills, and mentors with big hearts.
U.S. VETS - Inglewood register
www.usvetsinc.org
When: Dates per consultation of volunteers and coordinator
Contact: Myer J. Sankary, Esq. at 818-231-2965 or myerj@sankary.com
U.S. VETS provides housing and supportive services to veterans. Volunteers needed for legal assistance with tickets, expungements, divorce, child custody, child support, back taxes, preparing simple wills and medical directive/living wills, assistance using free online filing programs (Turbotax and Calfile).