BECOME VOLUNTEER
Volunteer as a tutor, mentor, participate in events.
Volunteer
To increase public awareness of the crisis many families and youth in Los Angeles County are currently facing in foster care. We do this through activities including advocacy work as well as at events where attendees can stop by and learn more at our lawn table.
To improve the quality of lives of children and youth in foster care, homeless, incarcerated or under the supervision of probation through the provision of direct services to the children or to the agencies serving them.
To improve the quality of the lives of children and young people in foster care, homeless, incarcerated or under the supervision of probation through system changes.
"My families need food." The Adopt a Child Advocate Caseworker (ACAC) Program recently heard from our "adopted" DCFS caseworker Nirvana Castenada, who said, "My families need food." We are busy putting together emergency bags of groceries. If you would like to help, we are gratefully accepting grocery store gift cards. The most conveniently located stores for these families include, Target, Ralphs, Food4Less, Vons, Stater Bros, Walmart, and Superior. We welcome gift cards in any denomination.
Thank you for your assistance to our families.
Volunteers are still needed to provide all the children in the Foster Care Project's Birthday Club a gift on their birthday. Our mission is simple: to provide a birthday present to every foster child referred to us by the Pasadena Department of Children and Family Services. We have expanded the Birthday Club to include youth transitioning out of foster care, so the age range is from age one to 21. As a volunteer, you will be matched to a child who has an upcoming birthday (suggested gift cost is $25-$40). Once assigned to a foster child or youth, you will be asked to provide the same child or youth a birthday gift every year until he or she is no longer in foster care.
Gifts may be dropped off in Pasadena or mailed in.
Learning Works Charter School is seeking volunteers to support staff and students. Based on the belief that all students deserve and can earn a high school diploma. Learning Works provides a fresh start to middle and high school students who have dropped out of school, are credit deficient, or struggling with discipline challenges at school or in the community.
Educators: If you have experience as a teacher or an interest in tutoring, please consider sharing your time in this supportive educational program.
Mentors: Becoming a mentor requires no special training; just bring yourself, your interests, and a listening ear. Getting to know a caring adult outside of school and family can broaden the world for a youth who has struggled in the traditional school setting.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Los Angeles matches volunteers with foster children and youth--from newborn to age 21--on a one-on-one basis, providing tailored advocacy and support for each child. These trained CASA volunteers help connect youth with crucial services such as educational resources, assistance with transitioning to independence, and homelessness prevention. By becoming an advocate, you can have a profound impact on helping foster youth navigate their challenges and achieve their potential. Time commitment averages approximately 3 hours per week.