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.
Important: Click here for the Volunteer Hours Sheet. Students who wish to have their volunteer hours counted towards the President's Volunteer Service Award, a national recognition for community service, need to submit all their hours before March 20, 2025. More details on the Service Award can be found below.
Local Volunteer Opportunities
- Santa Cruz Volunteer Center (Huge Listing of Opportunities)
- Santa Cruz Public Library Volunteer
- Mountain Parks Foundation
- Henry Cowell Nature Store Volunteer
- Contact: [email protected]
- They ask for at least a 6-Month Commitment
- 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
- Schedule can be Found Here
- Adult required for every teenage volunteer.
- See schedule for forms, etc.
- Youth Action Network
- Contact: [email protected]
- More information can be found here
- Advocacy for youth well-being and empowerment. Lots of projects available.
- Queer Youth Task Force
- Contact: [email protected]
- Various Projects in the Community
- More Information can be found here
- Second Harvest Food Bank
- More Information can be found here
- Volunteer work will be in Watsonville
- 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
- Volunteer as a Camp Counselor
- Week-Long Commitment
- Opportunities from Sept. to June.
- More Information can be found here.
- Dignity Health Volunteer
- More information here
- Must be 16+ to Volunteer and must commit to 100+ hours of community service.
- Walnut Avenue Family & Women's Center (13+) - Early Childhood Education Program
Website: http://www.wafwc.org/volunteer/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:
| 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 |