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Volunteer

Changing the world starts at home. Join us!

Interested in finding meaningful volunteer opportunities to support the youth and mission of A Place Called Home?

Thank you! We can’t wait to welcome you to the APCH family.

Volunteerism at APCH

Each year, more than 1,500 caring, committed volunteers partner with the APCH team to propel our mission and help deliver dynamic programs, services and resources for thousands of youth and families in our South Central community.

It takes everyone – individuals and groups, one-time and recurring volunteers – who joyfully and generously shares their time with APCH to help foster our safe, nurturing environment and bring our transformative programs in the arts, education and wellness to life.

We invite you to join us. Learn more below.

Have questions? Contact [email protected].

Volunteer Opportunities:

Whether you’re looking for an enriching way to connect individually with APCH, or you’re interested in an impactful experience for your group (company, family, school, social club, faith community and beyond), APCH has opportunities for you!

Ready to share time based on a schedule that is both convenient for you and provides essential support for APCH? Check out our one-time and recurring volunteer commitments below.

Please Note: While the majority of APCH volunteer opportunities are in person on our campus in South Central Los Angeles (2830 S. Central Ave., LA, CA 90011), some volunteer opportunities are available for virtual or remote participation.

ONE-TIME VOLUNTEER COMMITMENT

One-time volunteer commitments are opportunities for individuals or groups to support an APCH project, event or initiative.

Getting involved as a one-time volunteer is a great way for you or your group to become better acquainted with APCH while you contribute to the community in a fun and meaningful way. Just don’t be surprised if your one-time experience inspires you to make a return visit (or visits) and to explore more ways to get involved with APCH.

Opportunities for one-time volunteer commitments include:

    • community and holiday events
    • campus beautification and neighborhood cleanups
    • garden beautification projects
    • guest speaker presentations or workshop facilitation for youth and/or parents and caregivers enrolled in APCH programs
    • grocery and essential supply packing and distribution projects (APCH Family Resource Depot)
    • much more!

One-time volunteer schedule:

    • single day for the duration of a project, event or initiative
    • day and time vary by opportunity
    • available year round

Click here to view a full list of APCH’s available volunteer roles

RECURRING VOLUNTEER COMMITMENT

Recurring volunteer commitments are opportunities for individuals or groups to support an APCH program or department on a consistent basis throughout the course of a minimum of one APCH program semester.

Recurring engagements enable volunteers to forge impactful, long-term connections with APCH as they make an enduring contribution to our community and mission.

Opportunities for recurring volunteer commitments include:

    • classroom and instruction support for APCH programs
    • homework help and tutoring
    • project, administrative and back-office support for APCH programs and departments
    • kitchen, meal-prep and meal-service support
    • guest speaker or workshop series for youth and/or parents and caregivers enrolled in APCH programs
    • grocery and essential supply packing and distribution projects (APCH Family Resource Depot)
    • APCH Board of Directors membership
    • APCH Leadership Council membership
    • APCH L.I.F.E. Mentoring Program (see more below)
    • much more!

Please Note: Some recurring volunteer roles are also available as volunteer internships for students who are receiving school/class credit.

Recurring volunteer schedule:

    • consistent day or days on a weekly basis (or monthly basis in some cases) for a minimum duration of one APCH program semester – spring, summer or fall (approximately 3-4 months each)
    • APCH youth programs primarily take place after school Monday through Friday (between the hours of 3 PM and 6:30 PM) with limited specialty and advanced programming on Saturdays (between the hours of 9 AM and 3:30 PM)
    • available year round

Click here to view a full list of APCH’s current volunteer roles

L.I.F.E. MENTORING PROGRAM COMMITMENT

The APCH L.I.F.E. (Lead, Inspire, Foster, Empower) Mentoring Program provides the opportunity for individuals to serve as volunteer mentors for APCH youth members on a consistent basis for a minimum of one year.

L.I.F.E. Mentoring is a community-based program established in 2013 to match APCH youth members with caring, supportive, and meaningful one-to-one mentoring relationships. The L.I.F.E. Mentoring Program helps young people in South Central Los Angeles between the ages of 14-17 find guidance and support for personal and professional development, establish healthy relationships, and build positive habits that will last a lifetime.

L.I.F.E. Mentoring Program volunteer schedule

  • minimum weekly communication (video chat, phone call or text) with youth mentee 
  • twice monthly “outings” (in-person or virtual – see below for more) with youth mentee for a duration of 3-4 hours per outing (this equals a minimum monthly total of approximately 8 hours)
  • minimum monthly communication (video chat, phone call or e-communication) with APCH L.I.F.E. Mentoring Program staff for “match support” (an arena for the volunteer mentor to share updates about their youth mentee and receive support and guidance from APCH staff)
  • communication and outings are scheduled based on mutual availability of the volunteer mentor and youth mentee
  • new mentor/mentee matches are initiated in a cohort structure each APCH program semester (spring, summer or fall) and are paired for a minimum of one year (mentor matches are encouraged to continue in the L.I.F.E. Mentoring Program beyond one year depending on the youth mentee’s year in school)

Opportunities for mentor/mentee match outings:

  • experiences to enjoy the arts (outings to musicals, plays, concerts and more)
  • health and wellness activities (exploring new healthy habits, cooking or trying new foods, hiking and experiencing nature, learning to ride a bike or skateboard, and more)
  • education and vocational exploration (learning about higher education, post-secondary opportunities, career pathways, and job opportunities – through college tours, resume-building, mock interviews, and more)
  • civic and community engagement (volunteering at APCH or for our greater South Central community, or participating in a meaningful cause)
  • social and life skill development (learning to navigate new environments and situations; acquiring new knowledge; and strengthening skills such as communication, time management, and building healthy relationships)

Please Note: Volunteer mentor assumes all costs associated with match outings. APCH recommends planning outings that are free or low cost. APCH is able to provide matches with free tickets to unique opportunities such as sporting and entertainment events contingent upon availability.

Have questions or want to connect with the APCH L.I.F.E. Mentoring Program team?
Contact [email protected]

Volunteer Requirements:

ONE-TIME VOLUNTEERS

  • Age Requirement: minimum 10 years of age (volunteers younger than 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian)
  • Onboarding Requirements:
    • Required for ALL one-time volunteers:
      • for volunteers 18 and older: completion of and adherence to A Place Called Home’s Volunteer and Independent Contractor Release of Liability form
      • for volunteers younger than 18: completion (by a parent/guardian) of and adherence to A Place Called Home’s Volunteer and Independent Contractor Release of Liability form
    • Required for one-time volunteers who work directly with APCH youth members:
      • completion of and adherence to A Place Called Home’s Guidelines for Working with Children form 
      • individual volunteer or group volunteer lead(s) must participate in an informal phone, video or in-person interview (in some cases, multiple interviews) with APCH staff to help everyone become acquainted and to ensure a proposed volunteer placement is a good fit for both the individual and APCH
  • COVID-19 Requirements: adherence to practices and protocols outlined in APCH’s COVID-19 Safety Guidelines – see the APCH COVID-19 Safety Guidelines section of the linked document to learn more

RECURRING VOLUNTEERS

  • Age Requirement: minimum 16 years of age unless otherwise noted (volunteers younger than 18 must have written approval from a parent/guardian)
  • Time Commitment: commit to an agreed-upon weekly (or monthly in some cases) schedule (minimum 2 hours) for the duration of an APCH program semester – spring, summer or fall (approximately 3-4 months each)
  • Onboarding Requirements:
    • Volunteer Application: completion and submission of A Place Called Home’s Volunteer Application form
    • Interview: individual must participate in an informal phone, video or in-person interview (in some cases, multiple interviews) with APCH staff to help everyone become acquainted and to ensure a proposed volunteer placement is a good fit for both the individual and APCH
    • Placement: individual must be able to fill an available volunteer role, uphold the role’s responsibilities and adhere to the role’s schedule, OR be willing to wait until a volunteer role that is well-suited for the individual becomes available
      • Please Note: some volunteer roles require an individual to have a specific skill or knowledge set to carry out responsibilities necessary within the APCH program or department the role supports
      • Please Note: APCH fills volunteer roles on a first-come, first-served basis
    • Orientation/Training: Individual must attend an APCH volunteer welcome/orientation session, which includes a mandated reporter training and an APCH member engagement training
    • APCH Forms:
      • for volunteers 18 and older: completion of and adherence to A Place Called Home’s Volunteer and Independent Contractor Release of Liability form
      • for volunteers younger than 18: completion (by a parent/guardian) of and adherence to A Place Called Home’s Volunteer and Independent Contractor Release of Liability form
      • completion of and adherence to A Place Called Home’s Guidelines for Working with Children form
    • Background Check (only applicable for people who are 18 years or older): individual must complete a fingerprint-based background check administered by a live scan operator (this includes a fee of approximately $30)
      • Please Note: to begin the background check process, an individual must provide identification and an APCH-issued REQUEST FOR LIVE SCAN SERVICE form to the live scan operator

Please Note: Commitment, expectations and responsibilities vary for membership on the APCH Board of Directors (click here to learn more) and the APCH Leadership Council (click here to learn more)

L.I.F.E. MENTORING PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS

All requirements outlined above that are applicable to recurring volunteers are also applicable to volunteer mentors in the L.I.F.E. Mentoring Program. The L.I.F.E. Mentoring program also includes additional requirements that are unique to volunteer mentors. Please contact the APCH L.I.F.E. Mentoring team at [email protected] to learn more.

Ready to join us? Click below to get involved!

Questions? Contact the APCH Volunteer Team:

[email protected]
(323) 232-7653 Ext. 3256

Volunteer at APCH
Volunteer at APCH
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