Contra Costa County Directory of Volunteer Opportunities for Homeschooling Families
Volunteer in Contra Costa 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.
Contra Costa County Directory
of Volunteer Opportunities for Homeschooling Families
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 10:00 a.m. 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: 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: 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: Empowering women, families, and
youth through improved literacy and positive media.
Brief description of volunteer need: Star Teen Book Review Team, virtual
researchers, social networking volunteers, event volunteers, office assistants and
grant writers.
General area volunteer opportunity is located: East Bay
City where volunteer opportunity is located: Moraga
Fees required: none
Age requirements: Ages 10 and over, for office assistant, Star Teen Book
Review Team, and event volunteers. All volunteers must have reliable transportation
to and from Moraga or live in the Lamorinda area. For virtual volunteer opportunities,
volunteers may live anywhere as long as they have a computer and internet connection.
Contact Person: Cynthia Brian,
Founder/Executive Director Sujin Park Teen Chairperson
Phone Number: 925-376-7126
Category: Human Community
Brief description of Organization: Books for the Barrios (BftB) provides
American youths the opportunity to help their fellow classmates in the third world
break the cycle of illiteracy and poverty. Over 100,000 children have showed
compassion and love for their counterparts overseas. Over twelve million books and
educational items have been gathered, transported, and distributed to deprived and
war torn towns. Children do the work while volunteering and during a fieldtrip
experience where empowerment, education, and volunteerism are combined.
Brief description of volunteer need: Children and families sort and pack
the books that will provide a quality education to thousands of needy children.
Children are encouraged to write messages on the boxes to their fellow classmates
as well. This is a very powerful experience for volunteers of all ages, knowing
that you are making a difference and changing lives.
General area volunteer opportunity is located: East Bay
City where volunteer opportunity is located: Concord
Fees required: None, we encourage volunteers to bring in their unwanted
educational items to donate. A list of what is accepted and not accepted is on our
website. ($5 fee per child for field trips including groups of 20-40 children, this
involves interactive presentations, slide show, snack, and more. Please call well
in advance to schedule event.)
Age requirements: none
Contact Person: Nancy Harrington
Phone Number: 925-687-7701
Category: Human Community
Brief description of Organization: Friends of Pleasant Hill Creeks
is sponsored by Land for Urban Wildlife Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
The goal of the group is to help educate the public about the watershed and
creeks in the Pleasant Hill area, help clean-up and restore these creeks, and
to provide volunteer opportunities so that the public can become engaged in the
watershed, creeks, wildlife, and habitat that surrounds them.
Brief description of volunteer need: Our goal is to let volunteers
help with the tasks of cleaning up and restoring creeks in the Pleasant Hill
Area. We are especially interested in removing invasive plant species from
creeks. We have completed a creek side restoration with the help of county
coordinators and we are currently completing a GPS mapping of Ellinwood Creek.
We have volunteer work for most interests.
General area volunteer opportunity is located: Tri-Valley
City where volunteer opportunity is located: Pleasant Hill
Fees required: none
Age requirements: Volunteers should be able to work on their own or
in groups. Younger children can volunteer as long as a parent or guardian
volunteer with and supervise them.
Contact Person: Bill Feil
Phone Number: 925-586-9495
Category: Environment
Brief description of Organization: We work to maintain the trail
system throughout the Mount Diablo State Park. We have a wonderful, dedicated,
talented, and hard working group that you will fit right in with.
Brief description of volunteer need: We hike in all types of weather;
sometimes we'll cover up to five miles a day. We work with heavy tools, and
require the trail maintenance to be performed according to State Park guidelines.
Poison oak is abundant on many Mount Diablo trails, so we recommend that folks
who are very allergic to poison oak find other volunteer opportunities.
There are occasional special events at Mount Diablo State Park where kids are
welcome to make a difference at Mount Diablo although they may not be appropriate
for very young children. These include:
- Earth Day, third Saturday in April
- National Trails Day, first Saturday in June
- National Public Lands Day, last Saturday in September
- Sometimes we can arrange a volunteer activity for organized youth groups with enough lead-time.
General area volunteer opportunity is located: Tri-Valley
City where volunteer opportunity is located: on Mt. Diablo
Fees required: none
Age requirements: For teens who are capable of hiking up to five
miles a day, and would like to assist us, we ask that they be accompanied by
a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult party (teacher, scout leader,
etc).
Contact Person: Jeff Beach, Trails Coordinator
Phone Number: 925-837-6122
Category: Environment
Brief description of Organization: Middle and high school students
join together to make a difference in the community by planning and participating
in group volunteer projects. Committed students clean creeks, serve the hungry,
tutor children, and contribute in so many other ways. Members are the Volunteer
Center's youth voice in the community.
Brief description of volunteer need: Various one-time group
opportunities for middle school and high school students.
General area volunteer opportunity is located: Central Contra Costa
City where volunteer opportunity is located: Various Central Contra Costa County locations.
Fees required: none
Age requirements: Children aged 13 to 18 years old
Contact Person: Joan Tomasini, Program Director
Phone Number: 925-472-5773
Category: Human Community
Additional Environmental Volunteer Opportunties in Contra Costa County
Additional Animal Volunteer Opportunties in Alameda County
Additional Human Volunteer Opportunties in Alameda County
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