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Counseling Pages » Volunteer Opportunities at SLVHS

Volunteer Opportunities at SLVHS

There are many ways to volunteer out in the community. Below is a list of some common volunteer locations, though come see Charlotte in the counseling office if you are looking for more. 
 
How to Record Your Volunteer Hours
 
Step One: Create an Inner View Account by starting here. This account is just for students to create. Parents & Community Members can see our schools volunteer page here. Accounts are just for students though.
 
Step Two: After creating your account, you can add hours by clicking the purple, big circle button that has a + in the middle. 
  • Every volunteer hour entry is going to ask for a picture. This can be a picture from you volunteering at the event or at the event,  it could be the logo of the organization, a random selfie, etc.
 
Step Three - After submitting your hours, they'll then be approved. If there are any issues, you will be contacted.
 
Important: All hours must be turned in by April 15th to be considered for Awards for that school year. No exceptions, this is a date set by the organization.
 
Through your Inner View profile you can search for volunteer opportunities, track your progress to awards, see your Volunteer Resume  and more.
 
Resources:
 
Volunteering is not a graduation requirement at SLVHS, but doing so allows you to gain skills and experience that prepare you for future careers and life in general. 
 
Why should students enter their hours in Inner View
  • We want to be sure students that volunteer are recognized for their service. By entering their hours in Inner View, this creates a volunteer log that students can access at any time and goes with them after high school.
  • Hours earned between June 1st and April 15th are considered for awards that will be given at Department and Senior Award Ceremonies. Students can track their progress for these awards through their profile.
  • As hours are recorded, a volunteer resume begins to be built that can be used Senior Year as a reference for college applications, resume and your Senior Capstone.
  • Hours must be turned in before April 15th to be counted for awards. I have no control over this deadline as it's set by the national organization.
 
What about Volunteer Hours I completed in Previous Years?
  • You can enter any hours completed previously to add to your Volunteer Resume. If you turned in volunteer service forms to Charlotte, she can scan and email these to you, just email to request this.
 
I'm part of a Community Organization that wants to post Opportunities, how do I sign up?
  • If you're a community organization wishing to post opportunities, just email me and I'll send you the information.
 
 
Local Volunteer Opportunities 
 
 
 
  • Santa Cruz County Parks Department
    • Contact: [email protected].
    • Wide variety of volunteer projects including trail cleaning, office work, after school programs. Contact if you are interested.
  • Mountain Community Resource Center
  • Save Our Shores Beach Clean Ups
  • Youth Action Network
  • Queer Youth Task Force
  • Second Harvest Food Bank
  • Santa Cruz Roller Derby
    • Contact:[email protected]
    • Short-term projects, in need of students that are good at videography, graphic design. 
    • Also those interested in officiating or helping with maintenance.

  • Jacob's Heart
    • Contact: [email protected]
    • Remote Volunteering Available in helping with making cards and decorating grocery bags.
    • On-Site Volunteering is in Watsonville

  • Seymour Marine Discovery Center
    • Information can be found here
    • In addition to making an impact on our community, volunteers enjoy many benefits including learning about marine science in the Monterey Bay and current research from experts.
 
  • Valley Churches United
    • Call (831) 336-8258 to see about current opportunities to volunteer
 
  • YMCA Camp Campbell
  • Dignity Health Volunteer
  • Walnut Avenue Family & Women's Center (13+) - Early Childhood Education Program
    Notes: You need to stop into their office to pick up a parental consent form and instructions on the application process for minors. The volunteer positions open to minors are in our Early Childhood Education (ECE) program. Minors do not attend the general volunteer orientation.

  • Happy Hollow ZooTeen Program
    • Information can be found here.
    • This program has limited availability, but definitely apply if you are interested.
    • The ZooTeen Program is for teens who are interested in pursuing a career involving zookeeping, zoo education, veterinary care, conservation biology or other related field. ZooTeens work closely with our education and animal care teams. They conduct meet- and- greets and animal care routines, and they assist camp counselors with summer camp programs. Additional volunteer opportunities are available throughout the school year.
President's Volunteer Service Award
 
Given by the White House, students whom complete a specific number of volunteer hours during a year can be recognized for this award. The period of when hours are counted is April to March and it is the students responsibility to submit their hours before the March deadline.
 
Required Hours
 
Below is a listing of the required amount of hours for each award, keep in mind that depending on the students age (in March), this has a huge factor in how many hours are required:
 
Hours Required to Earn Awards in Each Age Group
Age Group Bronze Silver Gold
Teens (11–15) 50–74 hours 75–99 hours 100+ hours
Young Adults (16–25) 100–174 hours 175–249 hours 250+ hours