Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are an integral part of the city programs offered to local citizens. Without the donation of dedicated volunteer service, many activities now provided would not be available. Volunteer today. You must be 16 or older.

Administration

There are many advisory boards, commissions, and committees which provide specific input and expertise to City Council on various aspects of the city such as recreation and parks, finance, historic resources, mobile home parks, arts, etc. Application available online or call (714) 536-5553.

Community & Library Services Department

Huntington Beach Community & Library Services Volunteers make life better for Huntington Beach residents through a wide variety of activities, teaching classes, transporting seniors, delivering and serving meals, crafting, office support and more. In 2014 over 500 volunteers served over 56,300 volunteer hours, an in kind contribution to the City of Huntington Beach of 1.5 million dollars!

Scout Projects - Charlene Gomez at (714) 536-5434 or [email protected]
Art Center - Assist with mailings and support work for Art Center and other cultural affairs programs. Assist in raising private donations for the Art Center, including corporate, business, and individual sponsors, as well as fundraising events (714) 374-1650.
Historical Society/ Newland House Museum - Conduct docent tours of the historic Newland House; serve as greeter or assistant at special events; assist with membership program (714) 642-6839 or https://www.hbhistory.org/
Huntington Central Park Secret Garden - The garden is located behind Huntington Central Park Library. Working volunteers are needed. Please call (562) 760-0733 or https://hbtrees.org/central-park-secret-garden-2/
Huntington Dog Beach - The area designated for dogs on the city beach is between Goldenwest and Seapoint Streets. This is a very popular spot for visitors to enjoy the beach with their dogs. Help educate and maintain this beach. Call Friends of Dog Beach (714) 841-8644 or www.dogbeach.org
Senior Services - For volunteer opportunities at the Senior Center in Central Park and additional information, contact Caryn Kawamoto at (714) 374-1544 or [email protected]. Volunteer opportunities include:
- Home Delivered Meal Drivers – Morning program delivering meals to HB seniors.
- Office Support – Providing general information, facility tours to guests, and answering phones.
- Outlook – Fourth Thursday of the month to prepare the HBCOA newsletter (affixing mailing labels).
- Technology – Computer instruction, Tech coaching, smart phone instructors, and more.
- Transportation Drivers – Morning and afternoon shifts, driving HB seniors to appointments.
- Wellness Pavilion Fitness Center – Give gym tours, sign up new members, and answer phones.
- Huntington Beach Council on Aging (HBCOA) – The HBCOA is a non-profit partner looking for new volunteer board members.
Shipley Nature Center - Individuals or groups may participate in Work Day activities including weeding, planting, and other tasks. Work Days are held the second Saturday of the month from 9:00 am to 11:00 am www.shipleynature.org
Sister City Association - Become involved in cultural exchange with Huntington Beach sister cities - Anjo, Japan and Manly, NSW, Australia. Assist with youth exchange program, special events for visiting delegations, and fundraising events. Sister City Association
Youth Sports - Coaches are needed for boys and girls baseball, basketball, volleyball, and football teams on weekday afternoons and Saturdays. Volunteers will be LiveScan fingerprinted. Contact Eric Barraza [email protected]. Youth sports volunteer coaches must have a child or sibling on the team.
Adult Volunteers There are opportunities to assist with shelving, in the library Makerspace, helping patrons in the computer lab, and other projects. For questions about adult volunteer openings, contact [email protected]. You may also fill out an adult volunteer application and drop it off at any HBPL location.
Teen Volunteers - Teen volunteers work year round. The library needs teens to clean, straighten and shelve books, staff the computer coach desk, and assist with library programs. In the summer, the library has additional teen volunteer opportunities during the Summer Reading Program. (https://hbpl.libguides.com/teens/volunteer)
Adult Literacy Program This program is based at Central Library. Volunteers help adults improve their basic reading, writing, and speaking skills. After participants successfully complete a tutor training workshop, they are matched with adult learners for weekly two-hour tutoring sessions on a schedule to be determined by them (714) 375-5102.
Family Literacy Program This program is based at Oak View Branch Library and needs volunteers to help parents learn to understand, speak, read and write English. Volunteers help parents reach many goals like reading with children, communicating with teachers or improving job skills. Contact (714) 375-5116 for more information.
Friends of the Children's Library Joining the Friends of the Children's Library (FOTCL) provides a variety of ways to participate. This support group is dedicated to promoting children's interest in literature, reading and use of the library. They sponsor fun, educational and literary events for children.
Friends of the Library- This volunteer group coordinates and manages fundraising projects that are essential to the library's collection and programming. Please join them in supporting your library through general membership, The Friends Gift Shop, or Used Books Sales.
Genealogy - Help O.C. California Genealogical Society with family research.

Fire Department

Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) - Disaster preparedness for yourself, family and neighborhood. Free classes in First Aid, Search & Rescue, Sheltering, etc. (714) 536-5974.
CERT Volunteer Positions - FCC-licensed radio operators, certified disaster service workers, and speakers are needed to assist CERT (714) 536-5974.
Project SHIP (Senior Housing Inspection Program) - Take training to become safety inspectors at seniors' homes (714) 536-5419.

Police Department

Call (714) 536-5933 for any of the following programs:

Neighborhood Watch Board - Meet monthly to discuss programs or events they can assist with or organize. Serve as speakers at Block Meetings, and distribute crime prevention information at various events.
Neighborhood Watch Assembly - Assemble newsletters, prepare for mailing and distribution. Meets the 2nd Thursday at HBPD training room 8:00 to 11:30 am
Neighborhood Watch Speaker's Bureau - Speakers are needed to educate the community regarding crime prevention and conduct Neighborhood
Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) - Retired members of the community must be 55 or older, and complete an RSVP Academy. RSVP's must donate 24 hours monthly. This is a uniformed assignment where volunteers provide a variety of services. They conduct vacation residence checks; remove illegal signs; staff front desk and substations; conduct station tours; visit schools; fingerprinting of children; distribute crime prevention pamphlets; assist with clerical assignments; etc. and represent the Police Dept. at various events.
Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) - Apply for this program upon successful completion of the Citizen's Academy. Requirements include donating at least 60 hours of service annually by assisting at special community events and Police Substations; distribute Neighborhood Watch newsletters; clerical assignments; etc.
Human Relations Cultural Diversity - Assist in fundraising and special event activities to promote and celebrate diversity in the community (714) 536-5903.

Public Works Department

Adopt-A-Beach Program - Beach Maintenance Operations, along with a corporate sponsor, conduct two beach cleanups a year: Earth Day every April, and Coastal Cleanup Day every September. Help clean up the environment, recycle and learn how litter affects fish and wildlife (714) 536-5431.

2018 Coastal and Inner Coastal Clean-up Day Poster - Saturday, September 15, 2018 - 8:00 am to Noon

2018 Coastal and Inner Coastal Clean-up Day Contact Information and Maps - Two Locations

Pre-Register at www.coastkeeper.org/ccd

Bolsa Chica Conservancy

None of these events cost any money to attend, they are all free. Events take place at Bolsa Chica Conservancy, 3842 Warner Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92649, www.bolsachica.org. Email [email protected] with questions, or call our interpretive center (714) 846-1114.

Amigos De Bolsa Chica

Amigos de Bolsa Chica volunteers understand that we have a stake in the environmental health of our community. We come from all walks of life including retirees, teachers, engineers, scientists, photographers, artists and business owners. We work together to lift the concept of volunteerism to the level of true inspiration and celebration. Without the Amigos de Bolsa Chica, the wetlands and beach would have become an exclusive marina surrounded by waterfront homes. Since 1976 our volunteers have accomplished many things for Bolsa Chica.

Angelique Crest
Education Program Assistant
Amigos De Bolsa Chica
www.amigosdebolsachica.org

Bolsa Chica Land Trust

The Stewards meet twice each month - the first Sunday and third Saturday- to restore native habitat at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. We invite the community to join us at 9:00am (till noon). Meet at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve North Parking Lot (3842 Warner Ave., Huntington Beach, CA). We plant and water native plants, remove non-native plants, pick up trash and other maintenance tasks. Come on out and help us heal our local environment! Please "dress for mess" with long pants and closed toe shoes (like sneakers) and plenty of sunscreen. That's it! We will take care of you from there - we will give you plenty of instructions, tools and equipment, information about the ecosystem, and water and snacks. All are welcome, but please note we have very limited access for those with physical disabilities. Groups of 25 or more, we ask that you please call ahead to (714) 846-1001 or email [email protected] so we can provide extra equipment & snacks. Volunteer slips are available for school credit.

Form more information visit: http://bclandtrust.org/volunteer/