Finding Volunteer Opportunities
There are numerous ways to find local volunteer opportunities, and we've included some information below to help you with your search. Thank you for your interest in serving our community!
Please note: The links on this page are from external sources and are provided for informational convenience purposes only. It does not constitute the Volunteer Center’s endorsement or approval, and the external parties are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.
Did you know that performing acts of kindness is good for your mental and physical health? Among the many benefits, practicing kindness:
- Minimizes stress and improves depression
- Boosts happiness - for both sides!
- Reduces blood pressure and improves heart health
- Contributes to our sense of community and belonging - important protective factors! - which are key contributors to a healthy, longer life
It also encourages empathy, which something we teach local youth and families through our new, all-encompassing program, Engaging Hearts and Minds.
Learn more about the health benefits of kindness from this CNN article and from the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, where you can also find more resources on practicing kindness!
Volunteer Opportunity Search Databases
Click any of the three images below to visit peer organizations' websites and use their volunteer opportunity databases to search for service opportunities.
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Volunteer Information for Local Organizations
Refer to the chart below to learn more about the volunteer opportunities at these local organizations. Click the links at the right to find more detailed volunteer information on each organization's website.
Please Note: The chart below was developed prior to the pandemic, so the three volunteer opportunity search databases above may be the better option in trying to find volunteer opportunities right now.
Organization | Location(s) | Area(s) of Focus | Minimum Age to Volunteer | More Information |
1736 Family Crisis Center | Torrance and Wilmington | Family Services | 18 | Info for Prospective Volunteers |
Beach Cities Health District | Redondo Beach | Family Services, Health | 14 | Info for Prospective Volunteers |
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium | San Pedro | Animals, Environment | None | Info for Prospective Volunteers |
The Children's Clinic | Long Beach | Family Services, Health | 16 | Info for Prospective Volunteers |
Food Finders | Lakewood | Food Insecurity | 7 with an adult | Info for Prospective Volunteers |
Friendship Foundation | Redondo Beach | Youth With Special Needs | 8 | Info for Prospective Volunteers |
James Armstrong Theatre | Torrance | Arts and Culture | 15 | Info for Prospective Volunteers |
Los Angeles Maritime Institute | San Pedro | Maritime, Youth Development | 13 | Info for Prospective Volunteers |
Madrona Marsh | Torrance | Environment | 14 | Info for Prospective Volunteers |
Museum of Latin American Art | Long Beach | Arts & Culture | 13 | Info for Prospective Volunteers |
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy | Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills Estates, San Pedro | Environment | None | Info for Prospective Volunteers |
Our Village | Redondo Beach and Long Beach | Youth With Special Needs | 4 | Info for Prospective Volunteers |
Rancho Los Cerritos | Long Beach | History and Culture | 13 | Info for Prospective Volunteers |
Richstone Family Center | Hawthorne, Torrance, Inglewood | Family Services | None | Info for Prospective Volunteers |
Ride to Fly | Rancho Palos Verdes | Animals, Youth With Special Needs | 14 | Info for Prospective Volunteers |
South Bay Literacy Council | Gardena, Hawthorne, Lomita, Torrance, Wilmington | Education | 18 | Info for Prospective Volunteers |
South Bay Village | Torrance | Senior Services | None | Info for Prospective Volunteers Click on "Forms" for the Volunteer Application. |
Switzer Learning Center | Torrance | Education, Youth With Special Needs | 18 | Info for Prospective Volunteers |
Toberman Neighborhood Center | San Pedro | Family Services | 16 | Info for Prospective Volunteers |
Torrance Art Museum | Torrance | Arts and Culture | 18 | Info for Prospective Volunteers |
Volunteer Action for Aging | Various | Senior Services | 18 | Info for Prospective Volunteers |
The Western Museum of Flight | Torrance | History and Culture | 13 | Info for Prospective Volunteers |