Alameda County Directory of Volunteer Opportunities for Homeschooling Families
Volunteer in Volunteer in Alameda County
The organizations listed in this resource guide welcome kids and/or families as volunteers.
While there are well over 100 organizations listed we have
undoubtedly missed some great opportunities. If you know of any organizations that should
be added to this list or if you find broken links or incorrect information please
E-mail Diane Flynn Keith.
Special thanks to Melissa Grush of
Dry Creek Roots and Shoots, for compiling
this wonderful list of volunteer resources.
Alameda County Directory
of Volunteer Opportunities for Homeschooling Families
Brief description of Organization: The Food Bank annually makes more than 15 million
pounds of food available to more than 270 nonprofit organizations in Alameda County who in
turn distribute the food to more than 240,000 low-income clients. In addition, the Food Bank
is involved in advocacy, education and awareness efforts concerning hunger and nutrition in
our community.
Brief description of volunteer need:
- Organizing a Food Drive in your school/community.
- Sorting and boxing donated foods in our warehouse.
General area volunteer opportunity is located: East Bay
City where volunteer opportunity is located: Oakland (near the airport)
Fees required: None
Age requirements: No minimum age for organizing a Food Drive. For warehouse
volunteering, at least 10 years of age with at least one adult volunteer accompanying up
to five youth volunteers.
Contact Person: Charles Beyer, Volunteer Manager
Phone Number: 510-635-3663 ext. 308
Category: Human Community
Brief description of Organization: ACRCD works in Alameda County to help residents protect and
enhance natural resources through education and application of conservation practices. ACRCD "gets
conservation on the ground" through technical assistance to urban, suburban and rural landowners,
collaborating with other groups and agencies on conservation projects, and through conducting education
programs such as Watershed Adventures, Hands-On Conservation, and specialty workshops.
Brief description of volunteer need: The ACRCD's "Hands-On Conservation" program for
youth includes activities such as: identifying and removing invasive plants on creek banks and learning
how that helps protects the creek and the wildlife habitat there; conducting trash clean ups along creeks
and learning how trash can pollute our water bodies and impact wildlife; planting native plants and learning
how they improve habitat; "freeing" trees of the thick ropes of ivy that choke them; special
projects such as building bird nest boxes and water quality monitoring, and learning proper use of tools,
natural resource protection concepts and conservation methods and techniques. This is a "learn by
doing," hands-on program for Alameda County youth.
General area volunteer opportunity is located: East Bay and Tri-Valley
City where volunteer opportunity is located: Fremont, Union City, Castro Valley, Livermore, Sunol
Fees required: None
Age requirements: 14 and up without a parent; 10 and up with a parent
Contact Person: Amy Evans, Resource Conservationist
Phone Number: 925-371-0154 ext. 112
Category: Environment
Brief description of Organization: Providing free groceries to low-income
residents of the City of Alameda.
Brief description of volunteer need: Assist in gathering, sorting, and distributing
groceries in multiple programs. A special need for strong individuals to drive a commercial
van to local grocery stores or farmers markets to gather food donations on a weekly basis.
General area volunteer opportunity is located: East Bay
City where volunteer opportunity is located: Alameda
Fees required: None
Age requirements: 16 for volunteers
Contact Person: Paul Russell
Phone Number: 510-523-5850
Category: Human Community
Brief description of Organization: A 200 acre working farm that depictslife in the late 1800s.
Brief description of volunteer need: Volunteer docents are needed to dress
in historic costume and demonstrate farmchores for visiting schools and families.
General area volunteer opportunity is located: East Bay
City where volunteer opportunity is located: Fremont
Fees required: None
Age requirements: 15 years of age and up
Contact Person: Christina Garcia
Phone Number: 510-796-0199
Category: Environment
Brief description of Organization: A non-profit organization helping homeless canines and
felines find their forever homes and helping the community with their pets.
Brief description of volunteer need: There are many volunteer opportunities for Junior
Volunteers between the ages of 10 to 17 with their parents and volunteers. Working with the canines
and felines, special events, mobiles and more.
General area volunteer opportunity is located: East Bay
City where volunteer opportunity is located: Berkeley
Fees required: None
Age requirements: 10 years of age and up
Contact Person: Cindy Shelby
Phone Number: 510-845-7735 ext. 13
Category: Animals
Brief description of Organization: Space and Science Center
Brief description of volunteer need: Galaxy Explorers perform live
public science demonstrations, explain interactive exhibits, deliver mini
science workshops, outreach to community centers and work in our ever-so-popular
summer camps.
General area volunteer opportunity is located: East Bay
City where volunteer opportunity is located: Oakland
Fees required: None
Age requirements: 14 years of age and up
Contact Person: Lisa Hoover
Phone Number: 510-336-7329
Category: Human Community
Brief description of Organization: The Environmental Services
Division administers more than thirty garbage, recycling and storm water
programs for Fremont residents and businesses.
Brief description of volunteer need: Creek Cleanups, Storm Drain
Stenciling Program, California Coastal Cleanup Day (September), Festival
of the Arts (August), Concert in the Park (June-August), and Earth Day (April).
General area volunteer opportunity is located: East Bay
City where volunteer opportunity is located: Fremont
Fees required: None
Age requirements: 6 years of age and up
Contact Person: Val Blakely
Phone Number: 510-494-4577
Category: Environment
Brief description of Organization: EBRPD covers 100,000 acres of
parks, trails and open space in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, providing
a range of recreational and educational activities for public enjoyment.
Brief description of volunteer need: There are many year-round
volunteer and docent opportunities for you, your family,
or your school or civic group in the Regional Parks.
General area volunteer opportunity is located: East Bay, North
Bay, South Bay, Tri-Valley
City where volunteer opportunity is located: Most cities in Alameda
and Contra Costa Counties
Fees required: Fees are waived for volunteer work.
Age requirements: Varies depending on the volunteer activity.
Minimum age is 6 yrs.
Contact Person: Kathleen Fusek
Phone Number: 510-544-2515
Category: Environment
Brief description of Organization: We are an all-volunteer group
working hands on to protect and restore the creeks and watersheds of North
Berkeley, Albany, Kensington, and south El Cerrito and Richmond.
Brief description of volunteer need: We have monthly work parties
open to all at sites from Bay to hills. A "weekday weed warriors"
group meets Tuesdays at 10 am at varying sites. We will arrange work parties
for groups at your convenience. Work is generally removing invasives, planting
natives (fall and winter), erosion control, path improvement, and the like.
We can help with research projects and individuals seeking special projects
or service hours.
General area volunteer opportunity is located: East Bay
City where volunteer opportunity is located: North Berkeley, Albany,
Kensington, El Cerrito, Richmond
Fees required: None
Age requirements: None, however reasonable adult supervision for
young children is required.
Contact Person: Susan Schwartz
Phone Number: 510-848-9358
Category: Environment
Brief description of Organization: The Friends of Sausal Creek (FOSC),
a non-profit 501(c)(3) located in Oakland, is a grassroots, volunteer-based community
group founded in 1996 to promote awareness and enhancement of Sausal Creek and its
watershed. Our mission is to educate, inspire, and take action to restore, preserve,
and protect Sausal Creek, a moderate-size creek that runs year round from the Oakland
Hills to the San Francisco Bay. The 2,656-acre Sausal Creek watershed feeds directly
into the San Francisco Bay at Alameda Ship Canal in the Oakland Estuary.
Brief description of volunteer need: FOSC uses its staff time to help leverage
thousands of volunteer labor hours in restoration, creek protection, water quality monitoring,
aquatic insect monitoring, and revegetation activities. These activities have improved the
water quality of the creek, restored native plant communities, increased biodiversity, and
enhanced wildlife habitat in the watershed. Our weekly restoration activities make it possible
for anyone to participate, at their convenience, in a range of interesting watershed improvement
activities. We rely on grassroots action, diverse volunteer groups, and an active network of
partnerships with schools, community groups, local businesses, the City of Oakland, and other
public agencies to achieve our goals.
General area volunteer opportunity is located: East Bay
City where volunteer opportunity is located: Oakland
Fees required: None
Age requirements: None
Contact Person: Sara Marcellino, Executive Director
Phone Number: 510-501-FOSC
Category: Environment
Brief description of Organization: Golden Gate Audubon is dedicated to protecting
Bay Area birds, other wildlife, and their natural habitats. We conserve and restore wildlife
habitats, connect people of all ages and backgrounds with the natural world, and educate and
engage Bay Area residents in the protection of our shared, local environment.
Brief description of volunteer need: Habitat restoration, Bird Census, Monitor work,
Field trips, classes, Conservation committees, Environmental education, Outreach, Office assistance,
Policy and Advocacy
General area volunteer opportunity is located: East Bay and San Francisco
City where volunteer opportunity is located: San Francisco, Richmond, Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley
Fees required: Various class fees apply.
Age requirements: Depends on activity
Contact Person: Jennifer Robinson
Phone Number: 510-919-5873
Category: Animals
Brief description of Organization: We are a wetland ecology education center
specializing in salt marsh natural history. Students and the general public can attend
interpretive nature programs presented by staff naturalists and learn and be entertained
in the large Habitat Room. Discover a rich abundance and variety of life forms in the
salt marsh while hiking, bicycling or jogging among seven miles of trails. An exhibit
area and laboratory classroom offers students and visitors an informative, entertaining
and hands-on experience when learning about the ecology of the Bay Area. Our Resource
Center provides research materials on wetlands and issues of the Bay.
Brief description of volunteer need: We need help from youth volunteers to
help maintain our shark tank. Volunteers will learn about the parts of the large 300-gallon
aquarium and help a naturalist clean the tank and feed the animals. One Sunday each month
we also have "Weekend Weed Warriors" where students and families can help maintain
the diversity of plants along the shoreline by pulling non-native plants. We have several
special events each year including the 10K on the Bay and California Coastal Cleanup that
require the help of volunteers!
General area volunteer opportunity is located: East Bay
City where volunteer opportunity is located: Hayward
Fees required: None
Age requirements: All ages
Contact Person: Francis Mendoza
Phone Number: 510-670-7270
Category: Environment
Brief description of Organization: We are a non-profit, public interest corporation.
We are dedicated to the restoration, maintenance, and enhancement of Lake Merritt, the nation's
oldest wildlife refuse. Since December 1996 we have been removing 1,000 to 6,000 pounds of trash
from the lake each month under a contract with the City of Oakland. We also conduct education
about urban runoff, our biggest source of water pollution.
Brief description of volunteer need: We provide nets, trash bags, trash barrels and
gloves to remove trash from Lake Merritt. Regular clean ups are held every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.
and every Saturday at 10:00 a.m. We usually work until about 1:00 pm.
General area volunteer opportunity is located: East Bay
City where volunteer opportunity is located: At Lake Merritt (Oakland), 568 Bellevue
Avenue (in Lakeside Park). We are on the second floor of the boating Center - the first, big,
blue building on the right as you drive through the park.
Fees required: No fees are required. The City of Oakland collects a $3 parking fee
upon entering Lakeside park on weekends.
Age requirements: Ages 8 and over (Children, please bring an adult with you.)
Contact Person: Richard Bailey
Phone Number: 510-238-2290
Category: Environment
Brief description of Organization: LITA of CC is a 27 year old non profit agency,
active throughout Contra Costa county and dedicated to recruiting and supporting volunteers
who become regular weekly visitors to elder and disabled full time residents of convalescent
hospitals, and assisted living facilities. In addition to one on one Friendly Visitors, LITA
arranges visits for many Pet Visitors, Entertainer Volunteers, Scout and student groups and
moms with toddlers. LITA is non-sectarian and there is never a charge LITA volunteer service.
Brief description of volunteer need: Weekly one on one visitor to one special
LITA friend living in long-term care. Pet visits, crafts activities with senior residents,
music, poetry, drama, magic, and dance presentations, make a presentation about a volunteer
day you participated in, small group youth activities like cookie baking and holiday greeting
cared making together with seniors.
General area volunteer opportunity is located: El Cerrito, San Pablo, Pinole,
Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Concord, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga, Danville, San
Ramon, Pleasanton, Livermore and Antioch.
City where volunteer opportunity is located: At Lake Merritt (Oakland), 568 Bellevue
Avenue (in Lakeside Park). We are on the second floor of the boating Center - the first, big,
blue building on the right as you drive through the park.
Fees required: none
Age requirements: none; under 18 needs parent/guardian signature on the LITA info. application.
Contact Person: Victoria Ryan, Director
Phone Number: 925-212- 4573 (cell); 510-527-2055 (office)
Category: Environment
Brief description of Organization: Non-profit that involves families and schools
in understanding how science and math is part of their lives. Manages the Children's Natural
History Museum and Tule Ponds at Tyson Lagoon Wetland Center.
Brief description of volunteer need: Restoration of a 17-acre wetland site (Tule
Ponds) including native plants, butterfly meadow, and trail restoration. Every Saturday
from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Mainly for teenagers and older, but can schedule groups with
adult supervision (i.e scouts, religious organizations).
General area volunteer opportunity is located: East Bay
City where volunteer opportunity is located: Fremont
Fees required: none
Age requirements: Age 12 and older
Contact Person: Dr. Joyce Blueford
Phone Number: 510-790-6284
Category: Environment
Brief description of Organization: The Pleasanton Public Library is a department
of the City of Pleasanton. The Library's mission is to provide books, information and services
that promote lifelong learning and a love of reading. The Library has developed strong partnerships
with the community, including the school district, non-profit organizations and cultural community
groups.
Brief description of volunteer need: Volunteer tasks can include: shelving and straightening
picture books or paperbacks, act as game monitor, during the summer, become a Kid Power volunteer and
assist with the summer reading game.
General area volunteer opportunity is located: Tri-Valley
City where volunteer opportunity is located: Pleasanton
Fees required: none
Age requirements: Volunteers must be in middle school--grades 6-8.
Contact Person: Sandy Silva, Administrative Librarian & Children's Services Division Head
Additional Contact Person: E-mail Teresa Parham Phone: 925-931-3400 Ext. 8 for details.
Phone Number: 925-931-3412
Category: Human Community
Brief description of Organization: Save The Bay is the oldest and
largest organization working exclusively to protect, restore and celebrate San
Francisco Bay. As the Bay's leading champion since 1961, Save The Bay is committed
to making the Bay cleaner and healthier for people and wildlife.
Brief description of volunteer need: Save The Bay gives your family
the opportunity to help restore wetlands of San Francisco Bay! Our restoration
programs utilize community volunteers to plant native plants along the shoreline,
remove non-native weeds, collect native plant seeds, grow plants in our nurseries,
and help cleanup trash along the shoreline. These restoration activities improve
habitat for fish, birds, and other wildlife, and enhance our region's quality of
life. Our restoration programs can be a great learning experience for the whole
family. We welcome your children as long as you maintain control and responsibility
for them and their actions.
General area volunteer opportunity is located: East Bay, North Bay, Peninsula/South Bay
City where volunteer opportunity is located: Oakland, Hayward, Palo Alto,
Redwood City, and Mill Valley.
Fees required: No fee for land-based programs. For the Bair Island canoe
restoration program the price is $25 per person for Save The Bay members, $35 for
non-members.
Age requirements: None for land-based programs. For Bair Island canoe
restoration program the minimum age is 10 years old.
Contact Person: Sarah Lyons
Phone Number: 510-452-9261 ext. 119
Category: Environment
Brief description of Organization: A collaboration of the Hayward Area
Recreation and Park District, Hayward Unified School District, and the City of
Hayward.
Brief description of volunteer need: Committed students clean creeks,
serve the hungry, tutor children, and contribute in so many other ways. If you
are interested in working on a volunteer team, consider joining the Youth Action
Council, a group of middle and high school students who meet and take an active
role in their community and give a youth voice to volunteerism. The Council selects,
plans, promotes, and participates in volunteer projects (a minimum of 3 to 4
projects per month) benefiting a variety of nonprofits. Past student projects
have included sorting goods at the Food Bank, creating a haunted house for a
transitional shelter, painting vases for cancer patients, and serving lunch at
a homeless dining room. Students have supported over 30 agencies in the last
year, including Habitat for Humanity, Bay Area Rescue Mission, Meals On Wheels,
FamiliesFirst and Shelter, Inc. E-mailing to check for current listings.
General area volunteer opportunity is located: East Bay
City where volunteer opportunity is located: Hayward
Fees required: none
Age requirements: Limited opportunities for youth; a few opportunities
for children 12 and older.
Contact Person: Donna Fitzwater
Phone Number: 510-888-0102
Category: Human Community
Additional Environmental Volunteer Opportunties in Alameda County
Additional Animal Volunteer Opportunties in Alameda County
Additional Human Volunteer Opportunties in Alameda County
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