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Current Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities

The City of Sacramento and its non-profit partners have a wide variety of volunteer opportunities for youth and adults.   These include on-going as well as short-term activities.  For further information contact Mary Lynn Perry, Volunteer Coordinator at (916) 808-8317 or mperry@cityofsacramento.org.

 

Featured Opportunity:

 

George Sim Community Center – Volunteers are needed to assist during the weekday in the new computer lab.  Volunteers will teach others the basics of navigating their way around the computer.  The George Sim Community Center has a brand new computer lab in a beautiful new building, located at 6207 Logan Street, Sacramento 95824.  The community center is open Tuesday through Friday from 12 noon to 8 pm.  Teens are welcome to volunteer.   Please contact Viancia Roberson at (916) 808-3761 or by email:  vroberson@cityofsacramento.org. 

 

Current on-going volunteer opportunities are listed below in alphabetical order by program or department name.

 4 th R - This after-school program for K-6 welcomes volunteers to teach arts and crafts, music, dramatic skits, cheerleading or sports activities.   Volunteers also share their knowledge of science, especially biology, through experiments and projects.   Volunteers need to be 16 or older.   Adults and college students studying recreation or teaching are especially welcomed.   To volunteer, call Candace Sinetos at (916) 808-6174 or email: csinetos@cityofsacramento.org.

50 Plus Wellness - Love to walk, but prefer to walk with others and not alone?   This program is looking for volunteers to commit to leading walks in their neighborhood for about an hour at least one day per week, generally at 9 am. Leaders are expected to motivate the group, and check up on group members who are missing.   Training is provided.   Call Kim Metcalf at (916) 808-1593 or email: kmetcalf@cityofsacramento.org

Access Leisure: Access Leisure Teen Program is an after-school social and recreational program for youth ages 13-22 who have special needs.   Volunteers interact with teens in small groups or work one-on- one with a teen participant.   Volunteers help to prepare and set up recreational activities, lead indoor/outdoor games, arts & crafts, help prepare and serve snack, assist with homework and play board and computer games.   Volunteers receive supervision and support from staff, and are invited to participate in training sessions.   Volunteers should be in high school or above and available between 3:00-6:00 p.m. during the weekday.   For more information, contact Jenny Yarrow at (916) 808-6017 or the Teen Program at (916) 808-6085.   Access Leisure also offers Social Programs, Special Events, Trips and Sports for Adults and Teens with special needs.   Weekday and weekend schedules are available for volunteers who are high school seniors and up.   Please contact Phil Sinclair for more information at (916) 808-6045.

Animal Care Services  -Volunteers assist with special events, handling and exercising dogs, pet grooming and bathing, office work, adoption clinics, education and other pet services.  Volunteer orientations are offered monthly. For information and to reserve your space at the next orientation contact Claudia Schlachter at (916) 808-8166 or email: cschlachter@cityofsacramento.org.

Cover the Kids, Sacramento’s Children’s Health Initiative – Volunteers are needed on an on-going basis to assist with client follow-up phone calls.  The purpose is to help collect data on children who are enrolled in a health program and those who are not.  This data will allow the project to assist families by providing them access to various health programs.  Volunteers are also needed to assist with various jobs at one-day events to reach families with uninsured children.  Parents will be enrolling their children in affordable health coverage programs and learning about health services by attending a short class.  Volunteers will assist at these events by facilitating children’s activities, childcare, staffing a registration table or an information table, and making copies for families.  Events will be scheduled periodically at different locations.  For more information and to volunteer, please contact Mary Corum at (916) 808-3810 or email:  mcorum@cityofsacramento.org.

Crocker Art Museum - The museum has opportunities for volunteers to assist with administrative tasks, train to present tours, help in the museum store, assist with special events, concerts and educational programs, maintain the Gerald Hansen Library and provide information about the museum through community outreach activities.   For further information, contact Hannah Goin at (916) 808-6730 or email: hgoin@cityofsacramento.org. 

Discovery Museum – The Discovery Museum Science and Space Center is located at 3615 Auburn Blvd, Sacramento, CA  95821. The Discovery Museum Science & Space Center is a non-profit teaching and learning center.  The Discovery Museum features Sacramento's only public planetarium as well as rotating science exhibits, an animal hall, a natural park setting, and the Challenger Learning Center. More than 60,000 school children and more than 28,000 members of the public visit the Discovery Museum every year, and receive - for many of them - their first introduction to the world of science and its many opportunities. Volunteers are needed for a wide variety of positions to assist with the daily operations of the museum. Some of the volunteer opportunities are: School Program Assistant, Challenger Flight Assistant, Office Assistant,

Museum Store Assistant, Special Events Personnel, Weekend Activities Assistant, and much more! Youth beginning at age 16 may volunteer with parental or guardian consent.  Group volunteering and individual internships in various areas are available.  Please note:  fingerprinting may be required.  For more information please call the Volunteer Coordinator, Janice Wagaman, at (916) 575-3943 or email:  volunteers@thediscovery.org.

Ethel Hart Senior Center -Volunteers are needed to serve as Computer Instructors for older adults in basic computer functions and programs. Various schedules available and most classes are 1 ½ hours in length and meet weekly for 8 sessions. The volunteer Instructor and Coach may teach up to six students in our computer lab. Our classes are held Monday through Friday between 9:30 am and 5 pm. There are some curricula available in 2-session or 4-session workshops. Volunteers use a curriculum designed specifically for the older learner by SeniorNet, a worldwide organization dedicated to computer literacy for older adults. To find out more, please contact Linda Hoschler at (916) 808-5462 or lhoschler@cityofsacramento.org.

Fairytale Town - Volunteering helps children in our community grow their imaginations. While every visit to Fairytale Town is magical for a child, that magic takes work "behind the scenes" to happen. Individuals and service clubs are an invaluable part of the magic, with thousands of volunteer hours logged each year. Fairytale Town relies upon its volunteers to help with the success of its programs. If you are thirteen years of age or older and are interested in volunteering at Fairytale Town please download the Volunteer Introduction Packet and read its contents completely. For questions or more information, contact Sharlene Lal, Education & Program Manager at (916) 808-7979 or volunteers@fairytaletown.org. Happy Volunteering!  The link for the Information Packet is http://www.fairytaletown.org/join/volunteer.

Golf - Capital City Golf has volunteer Golf Marshal/First Tee Greeter opportunities available at these City golf course locations: Bartley Cavanaugh, Bing Maloney and Haggin Oaks.  Volunteers provide the exceptional public golf experience through the Capital City Golf pace of play program.  Benefits of volunteering include enhancing the quality of life for the Sacramento golfing community and providing an opportunity to give back to the game of golf.  If you, or someone you know, are interested in volunteering as a Golf Marshal/First Tee Greeter, please contact Mike Kerton at (916) 808-6316 or email: mkerton@cityofsacramento.org.  Join our winning team in the fight against slow play!

Old Sacramento Living History Program -   Volunteers are needed to serve as costumed historical characters from the Gold Rush Era to the Civil War and to participate in programs and activities in Old Sacramento.  In-costume support is also needed for audience, help with children's activities and to help relieve other re-enactors for breaks.   Training is provided as well as assistance with costuming.   Other volunteers are welcomed to provide behind-the-scenes support doing research, videotaping events, grant-writing, teaching and other activities.  Groups can assist with set-up and take-down at special events.   Most events and training take place evenings and weekends.   For further information, contact Janessa West at: (916) 808-4980 or e-mail jwest@cityofsacramento.org.

Pannell/Meadowview Community Center– Craft Leaders Needed! The beautiful Pannell/Meadowview Community Center located at 2450 Meadowview Road, has wonderful senior programs and a very active group.  But they are missing one thing, arts and crafts volunteers who are willing to share their skills and be teachers and leaders for their craft circles.  The staff is looking for crafty volunteers in these areas:  knitting and/or crocheting,  basic scrapbooking and sewing.  If you have time to lead a craft group twice a month or more, please contact Laura Bjornsen (916) 808-7753 or email:  lbjornsen@cityofsacramento.org


Parks - Volunteers are invited to help with various stewardship activities in city parks, trails, and natural areas. Activities vary by season, and training and tools will be provided, so no prior experience is needed, only the desire to help. Opportunities are available in all neighborhoods, and many activities are great for large groups, families, or youth groups with adult supervisors. Volunteers should wear closed toed shoes and are encouraged to bring a pair of work gloves. One day or short-term service activities are also available. To help or for more information, please contact Julie Mier at (916) 808-2285 or email: jmier@cityofsacramento.org

Sacramento Archives and Museum Collection Center - Volunteers are needed with computer skills to provide data entry, web site maintenance and to scan photos.   Volunteers need to be at least 18 and able to work a 4-hour shift during the weekday once a week.   A commitment of 6 months is requested.   For further information, contact Pat Johnson at (916) 808-7072. (Thank you for your response. This opportunity is currently full.)

Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau - Lots of Community and Special Events are scheduled through the year. Some are very family oriented; many can use groups or clubs to assist. Typical duties include meeting and greeting, registration, stage monitor, information booth, set up and tear down, and runner/floater. There are four large events: Bridge-to-Bridge Waterfront Festival in July, Gold Rush Days over Labor Day weekend, Grape Escape Wine Tasting in October, and the New Year’s Eve Sky Concert. For family-oriented events youth 12-15 may volunteer if accompanied by a parent/guardian. For some events volunteers will need to be 18 or older. Volunteers are also needed throughout the duration of the California State Fair to volunteer at the Sacramento County Exhibit Booth. Duties include interacting with fair-goers, answering questions about the greater Sacramento area, as well as informing them about the exhibit. Training is provided. Volunteers work 3-4 hour shifts and in return get free admission in to the fair! The Old Sacramento Visitors’ Center is also looking for volunteers who enjoy sharing their knowledge of the city with visitors. Volunteers who enjoy people are needed during the weekdays for shifts from 9 am to 4pm and Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm. A commitment of 4 hours per week is requested. For further information, contact Sheri Graciano at (916) 808-7715 or sgraciano@cityofsacramento.org

Sacramento Fire Department - The Sacramento Fire Department is seeking volunteers interested in contributing their time and talent to their Fire Department and community by joining its Fire Corps. Fire Corps Volunteers assist the Fire Department in non-emergency activities which allow first responders to focus efforts on being prepared for and respond to the most critical, life-threatening situations. Activities available are assigned based on abilities and personal time commitment and include: assisting at safety fairs and community events, assisting clerical support, presenting safety material to groups, developing and translating literature, assisting with safety campaigns, writing newsletter articles, maintaining and inventorying equipment or supplies, and much more! A commitment of at least 8 hours per month over 1 year is requested. Applicants should be at least 18 years old and must complete a pre-employment application and pass a U.S. Dept. of Justice criminal background and fingerprint check. For additional information please contact Michelle Basurto at 916-808-1357 or email mbasurto@sfd.cityofsacramento.org.

Sacramento Fire Department - CERT - The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) promotes a partnering effort between emergency services and the people that they serve.   The goal is for emergency personnel to train members of neighborhoods, community organizations, or workplaces in basic response skills. CERT members are then integrated into the emergency response capability for their area.   CERT members can assist others in times of emergency or disaster by applying the basic response and organizational skills that they have learned during training.   These skills can help save and sustain lives following a disaster until help arrives. For more information and to sign up, call Pat Burritt at (916) 747-7202 or William White at (916) 216-0327. For more information about the CERT program, visit:  http://www.sacramentocert.net/

Sacramento City Fire Reserves - The Reserves consist of more than 50 volunteers who train and work with the Sacramento City Fire department. They provide valuable resources to our community and are dispatched to multiple alarm fires, Level 3 Haz-Mat incidents and other emergencies whenever additional resources are required.   The Reserves provide supplemental staffing, food, drinks and EMS standby at the scene of emergencies.   They also have a role in decontamination at hazardous materials incidents.   To learn more about training to be a volunteer with the Sacramento City Fire Reserves, contact Jonathan Williams at (916) 808-1617. For more information about the reserves go to:  http://www.firereserves.org/

Sacramento Historic City Cemetery - The Historic City Cemetery offers a variety of opportunities to share your skills in gardening, photography, public relations, acting, fundraising, research and more.  Please see the opportunities below for more information or contact Sharon Patrician at (916) 455-8166.

  • ADOPT A PLOT - Volunteers with some gardening skills are needed to beautify gravesites which have been abandoned over time.  Interested persons should be self-starters and able to work without supervision.  Time required per year:  50 Hours.  Duration:  Long Term.  Contact Sharon at (916) 455-8166 or email patricianone@att.net.
  • PHOTOGRAPHERS - Photographers with digital cameras are needed for a long-term headstone photography project at the Sacramento Historic City Cemetery.  Persons must be able to follow simple directions and work on their own with periodic meetings with the manager of the project.  Time required:  Flexible.  Duration:  Long Term. Contact Sharon at (916) 455-8166 or email patricianone@att.net. 
  • BRICK MASONS - Persons with brick repair experience are required to repair or rebuild plot surrounds.  Materials and wheelbarrows for mixing mortar will be provided, but interested persons should have their own tools.  Individuals are expected to work with City staff for initial direction and then be able to work on their own.  Time required:  Flexible.  Duration:  Long Term.  Contact Sharon at (916) 455-8166 or email patricianone@att.net.
  • ACTORS - Persons with acting experience and a keen interest in old Sacramento history are needed for special fund-raising events at the Sacramento Historic City Cemetery.  Events are generally held in the evening, and actors in period costume do re-enactments of events affecting persons buried in the cemetery.  Time Required:  4-5 hours per event.  Duration:  Short Term.  Contact Lynda at (916) 804- 1446 or email SayLynda@aol.com.
  • PUBLICITY RESEARCH - A person interested in media is needed to help the publicity coordinator for the Old City Cemetery Committee.  Such an individual must be willing to take direction and perform any other tasks involved with tours and events.  This may meet internship requirements for a Communications degree.  Time Required:  10 hours per month.  Duration;  Long Term.  Contact Sharon at (916) 455-8166 or email patricianone@att.net.
  • TOUR DOCENTS - Persons with a keen interest in historical research and a desire to lead history tours in the Sacramento Historic City Cemetery are urged to contact Sharon at (916) 455-8166 or email patricianone@att.net.  Some training is required under the guidance of the Tour Coordinator, but individuals are encouraged to research persons buried in the cemetery for interesting stories.  Time Required:  5-10 hours per month (research additional).  Duration:  Long Term.
  • GRANT RESEARCHERS & WRITERS - Persons with grant writing and research experience are needed to help the Old City Cemetery Committee explore grant opportunities for a historic cemetery and to assist with the writing of applicable applications.  Time Required:  Flexible   Duration:  Long Term.  Contact Sharon at (916) 455-8166 or email patricianone@att.net. 
  • FUND RAISING - Persons with experience raising money for non-profits are encouraged to apply with the Old City Cemetery Committee to work with volunteers with ideas but little experience.  Events in the cemetery are generally involved with history or gardening, but new ideas are welcome.  Time Required:  Flexible  Duration:  Long or Short Term.  Contact Sharon at (916) 455-8166 or email patricianone@att.net.

Sacramento History Museum-The Sacramento History Museum is located in Old Sacramento at 101 I Street. The museum needs volunteers to help run weekend activities for families visiting the museum. Ideal for students who need to fulfill volunteer hours, weekend activities include make-and-take crafts, projects, and hands-on activities. Youth 12 years and older may volunteer, however, a chaperone is required for volunteers younger than 14. The museum is also seeking adult volunteers for our docent training program. Aspiring docents will be provided training to lead school programs, museum tours, and become gallery leads. Specifically the museum is looking for adults available during the week, mornings and early afternoons who are interested in Sacramento’s history. Special events are held throughout the year and range from an Oktoberfest to our annual Gold Rush Days event. Volunteers are required for a variety of tasks including, but not limited to: gold panning, historical re-enactors, raffle assistants, greeters, and museum hosts. For more information please contact: Janessa West, 808-4980 or jwest@cityofsacramento.org

Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission - Art volunteers are needed to provide tours of Sacramento's Downtown Public Art Collection to schools and community groups.   Volunteers need to be at least 18 years old and have transportation to public art sites.   Availability during the weekday is preferred, but not required.  Contact the Arts Commission at (916) 808-3992 or contact Dixie Laws at (916) 386-8240 or email: Dixie@dixielaws.com.

Sacramento Police Department -VIPS-Volunteers in Police (Patrol) Service -

The Sacramento Police Department is proud to present the Volunteers In Patrol Program. VIPS work hard volunteering their time towards the betterment of their police department and the community they live in. Examples of services they provide include, assisting at various community/police sponsored events, neighborhood patrol in a SPD PT Cruiser, and involvement in the Bicycle Rodeo and Helmet Safety Program. A commitment of service pays in dividends of pride and experience from working in the field with Sacramento"s finest. Applicants must complete a standard department pre-employment application before they can be considered for the assignment. Weekday and weekend shifts available.  Call (916) 808-0839 today to talk with a VIPS Coordinator to find out how to get started in this rewarding position.

Sacramento Public Library - Sacramento Public Library welcomes volunteers at 26 library sites in the City and County! The Library actively seeks energetic, interested volunteers and offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities. Volunteer today! Email to volunteer@saclibrary.org or call the Library at (916) 264-2920 or toll free at 1-800-209-4627.

Some of the volunteer opportunities are:

CENTRAL LIBRARY DOCENT PROGRAM. Be a docent for the Central Library, 828 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814! Docents will greet people as they enter the library, help them to find their way around, guide them from floor to floor and make sure that the customers who come in are welcomed and informed. Available hours are: Tuesday through Friday noon to 2 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

HELPING CUSTOMERS! The volunteers for this task need to be outgoing and enthusiastic about the library. Volunteers are asked to help customers learn how to use some of the great new tools – like self-check machines! -- that have changed the face of libraries. Some training is required and volunteers are asked to donate two hours a week.

WHERE'S IT GONNA GO? This is the task that is often considered "most needed" by libraries. Getting books and other materials back on shelves is one of the most important tasks in the library. It is physical (get in those cardio workouts!) but also gives an opportunity to have an "up front and personal" look at books -- and the inner workings of libraries. Some training is required in the Dewey Decimal system and in shelving techniques. Volunteers are asked to donate about two hours a week.

ICK! MAKING THE BOOKS LOOK GOOD! As you can imagine, books and other materials that are so heavily used are in much need of mending -- or even just getting new covers on them. Most libraries consider this a very high priority task for volunteers. Volunteers are taught to do mending by library staff. Training generally takes a short time but is on going as mending can be different for differing types of materials. Volunteers are commonly asked to make a time commitment of two or more hours each week.

CUT AND PASTE -- THE PERFECT CRAFT. This is a job that may be weekly or less often. As libraries provide programs for the public, they often have volunteers assist. The volunteers may help to sign people up for programs, they may help on the program day to seat people or maintain order with children, they may help performers. Additionally, program helpers may help to prepare for children's programs by helping to prepare craft activities and helping on the day of the event. Time commitment varies widely. This position is not always available.

YOU SAID THERE WERE HOW MANY NUMBERS AFTER THE DOT? Typing those pesky labels to go on book spines, helping to maintain records... Volunteers are needed to perform light clerical duties and sometimes a bit of statistical tracking. Training for these duties varies widely dependent on the task and the time commitment from volunteers can vary as widely as the duties.

COME BE OUR FRIEND! Some of the Library's best friends are Friends! Additional volunteer opportunities are available through Sacramento Public Library Friends of the Library. The Friends of the Library are one of the main supports for activities and supplemental materials for the Library. They have a huge annual book sale as well as small sales throughout the year and are always in search of volunteers. Additionally, you might want to join your local Friends of the Library group -- each library has an Affiliate Friends of the Library group, which raises funds for a particular library. Training is dependent on the job as is the time commitment.

Sacramento START - (Students Today Achieving Results Tomorrow) Learning Today...Leading Tomorrow. Sacramento START is an after school program and is located on school campuses where 50% or more of the children receive free or reduced lunch. START has volunteer opportunities existing for individuals on a short or long-term basis. Volunteers will be able to work with small groups of children through homework assistance, recreational and enrichment activities. Volunteer assignments include START Pal, Enrichment Specialist, Special Events Assistant, Inspirational Speaker, Homework Helper, Cluster Assistant, Yard Duty Assistant, Site Director Assistant, Reading Buddy, Community Outreach Assistant, and START Office Assistant. For additional information call the Volunteer Coordinator at: (916) 808-6156 or email: volunteersacstart@hotmail.com

Sacramento Zoo -Volunteers are needed to work with keeper staff cleaning, feeding and maintaining the animal exhibits.  Volunteers must be 18 or older.  Many opportunities are also available to assist with special events and gardening projects.  Call Valorie Schneider at (916) 808-7444 for information. Volunteer Educators (Docents) are trained on an annual basis.  The classes begin again each January and end in March.  Classes are on Saturdays and include a mini-course in biology, practice with effective teaching methods and behind-the-scenes tours.    Volunteers for this program need to be 18.  Please contact Ann Geiger at (916) 808-8816 to learn more. Roots and Shoots Summer Teen Program – Volunteers should be 15-19 years old.  Assist instructors with weeklong camp classes for children.  Duties include crafts, games, enrichment activities, scavenger hunts, face painting, an overnight camp-out and more.  To become part of this volunteer team, call Amanda Castenada at (916) 808-7714. School-year teen volunteer program applications can be found on-line at www.saczoo.com at the end of the summer.

Triple R -This program provides respite for caregivers, recreation for seniors with memory loss and resources for families.   Volunteers are needed to visit with the clients and provide companionship.   Entertainers such as pianists and crafters are asked   to share their talents.   Volunteers are also needed to assist with a walking program and should be able to walk with a client or push a wheelchair. For information contact Stephanie Wilson at (916) 808-1591 or swilson@cityofsacramento.org

Water Conservation - Volunteers are needed to stuff brochures related to water conservation.   This project can be done at the Water Conservation office as a group and works well for youth groups and families.   Volunteers are also needed to assist with home water conservation audits, accompanying staff on appointments.   Volunteers for this duty should be at least 18. Contact Carol Tao at 808-5618 or email: ctao@cityofsacramento.org. Thank you for your generous support this opportunity is currently at capacity.