Organizations

A listing of community service opportunities available via non-profit and other organizations in the Greater Sacramento area.

International Service Learning – International

As a socially responsible international educational NGO, ISL enlists medical and educational volunteer teams for the provision of services to under-served populations in Central and South America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Africa.

ISL provides educational opportunities for students from over a hundred universities in several countries, primarily from the United States.  It is the goal of ISL to partner student and professional teams from developed countries with service opportunities in developing countries.   This is accomplished by offering educational opportunities on a contractual basis to both educational institutions and individual students. The resulting financial resources are used to fund teams serving in various countries.  In so doing, ISL  provides annual employment for over a hundred individuals in developing countries.  These jobs range from full-time employment to part-time contracts.  We employ medical professionals and providers of services such as transportation, translation, guides and logistics (food, housing, etc.).

TO APPLY: View their website http://www.islonline.org/schedule/

MORE INFO: Visit islonline.org

Hands4Hope Youth — Sacramento & El Dorado Hills

MISSION: Hands4Hope is a youth driven, outreach organization based in El Dorado Hills, designed to create opportunities for youth to identify areas of need in their communities where they can make a difference and have a positive impact.

The organization, which is made up of students from Kindergarten through 12^th grade, launched its first event in March 2008 with a community Easter Egg Hunt. Most of the youth involved reside in El Dorado Hills, however, the organization is quickly growing, gaining volunteers from throughout both Sacramento and El Dorado Counties. The organization currently has more than 750 youth members and several public school partners to assist with outreach efforts.

As an organization, Hands4Hope aspires to become known as a resource for others to come to for assistance or to drive a project. Hands4Hope’s goal is for its’ annual community programs, such as the Toiletries and Warm & Fuzzy Drives, to become well-known, anticipated, and more successful each year. The organization wants youth to join Hands4Hope because of what it stands for and because members also have fun doing what they do. We want to work hand-in-hand with other organizations to build stronger programs for our communities and create programs that fill the gaps. We want to be in a financial position to be able to create quality programs & events, to recognize and reward youth for their efforts, and to do team building events that build stronger bonds within the group. We would also like to eventually be able to sponsor a child or two for sports programs. The near-term focus will be working with schools, getting more of them involved in programs that create awareness and compassion for others. The primary objective of this agency is to show youth that they can make a difference no matter how old they are.

TO APPLY: Visit their website at http://www.hands4hopeyouth.org/get-involved/register-to-volunteer/

MORE INFO: Visit http://www.hands4hopeyouth.org

Youth Crisis Line — Sacramento

Volunteer Crisis Counselors for the California Youth Crisis Line are needed. Counselors will Listen to California’s youth and families in need and provide resource referrals for struggles with suicide, depression, family dynamics, runaway youth and youth homelessness. This would be an especially relevant experience for any prehealth students who are interested in psychiatry or pediatrics—but also a great community service opportunity for anyone who is interested in helping our youth.

No experience is necessary; training will be provided. Because weekday, late evening and weekend shifts are available, this is a great opportunity for those who are busy with classes, work and other commitments. There will be an opportunity for lots of networking, continuing education, internship and community service.

TO APPLY: Application is available for download at www.youthcrisisline.org

MORE INFO: Please call (916) 340-0505 or email cycl@calyouth.org

WEAVE: Women Escaping a Violent Environment

“Domestic violence is the number one cause of emergency room visits by women.”

Mission Statement

To decrease victim trauma and promote recovery through effective counseling and advocacy programs in Sacramento County; to decrease the incidence of sexual assault and domestic violence; and to challenge and dispel societal myths which condone and perpetuate violence against women regionally, statewide and nationally.

WEAVE Services

WEAVE provides services to survivors of domestic violence and their families as well as survivors of sexual assault in Sacramento County. WEAVE offers a vast array of crisis intervention, advocacy and counseling programs.

Volunteer Services

Non-direct Services programs are the supportive activities instrumental in the success of WEAVE.

Opportunities Include:

• General Clerical Support – Including Computer Work & Data Entry,
• Interpreter Services,
• Special Events – Including Blues in the Park, Black & White Gala, Awareness Month Activities, etc.
• Work in our Retail Outlets Weave Thrift and Weave Works.

Requirements

You must complete an application and attend a one-time orientation.

2003 Volunteer Orientation Schedule in WEAVE Conference Room (6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m):

• October 7, 21;
• November 4, 18;
• December 2, 1.

Contact

Hank, Volunteer Coordinator at WEAVE
Phone: (916) 319-4914
E-mail:vol_coord@weaveinc.orgThis e-mail address is protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is WEAVE telephone number and contact name in case I should want to get a hold of them?

A: Telephone (916) 319-4914. Volunteer coordinator, newly appointed, is Hank. Website: www.weaveinc.org.

Q: Can men volunteer?

A: Absolutely! Both sexes may participate in any or all WEAVE events including one on one counseling if they wish to do it. I don’t know if this rule has been recently amended, but as we stand today there are no limitations in this regard.

Q: How often do I need to volunteer? Do I need to volunteer on a regular basis?

A: Your involvement is totally up to you. Of course consistency is appreciated, but not required. Plus, some of the events occur over a one to two day period so in this case consistency would not be necessary.

Q: What if I’m only available on weekends?

A: WEAVE is open on Saturdays on a limited basis and do need volunteers to help. Also, there are certain events, Charity Ball for example, that occur on a Saturday. In future, other events will take place on a Saturday giving you the opportunity to help.

Q: Do I need to fill out an application even if I’m only helping with a one-day event like Charity Ball?

A: Yes. Any person affiliated as a WEAVE volunteer is required to fill out an application, (it is matter of legalities and taxes). For those of you who haven’t completed an application you may fill one out as late as the day of the event. However, if you want to be involved in some of the non-direct services WEAVE offers it is highly recommended you complete an application soon.

Q: Will AMSA members only be allowed to volunteer for non-direct program?

A: Yes. In order to participate in some of the direct services you must be specially certified. If you are interested in gaining certification you may get in contact with WEAVE at any time to find out those details.

Q: What is non-direct involvement?

A: It involves certain programs that are “instrumental to WEAVE’s success” including:

• General Clerical Support,
• Special Events,
• Special/Outside Projects,
• WEAVE thrift store,
• WEAVE works store.