Older Adults
Aging & Independence Services
Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
Volunteers, age 50+, engage in community activities and give back to the community in significant ways. They receive assistance to find the volunteer activity that best meets their goals in volunteering. Volunteer positions are available throughout the County in many areas, such as museums, parks, law enforcement and human services.
Volunteer Coordinator:
Armida Martinez
(858)
505-6448
armida.martinez@sdcounty.ca.gov
More on volunteering with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
Long Term Care Ombudsman
The Long Term Care Ombudsman program advocates for residents in Long Term Care Facilities, such as nursing homes, as well as investigates abuse in other licensed facilities. An Ombudsman listens to concerns, provides information and assistance when requested and will investigate and resolve complaints related to care or personal rights. Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the county.
Volunteer Coordinator:
Sunita Upchurch
(858)
505-6322
Sunita.Upchurch@sdcounty.ca.gov
Department of Animal Services
Our volunteers care for more than 25,000 thousands of cats, dogs, livestock and exotic animals every year. These are animals that have been abandoned, hurt, lost or neglected. They deserve the high level of care we give them. We can do that, in part, thanks to our dedicated volunteers.
Volunteer Coordinator:
Rachael Borrelli
(760) 966-3237
DAS-Suggestions@sdcounty.ca.gov
Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk
Providing customer service in the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk marriage room at the downtown location.
Volunteer Coordinator:
Rowena Reno
(619) 685-2400
rowena.reno@sdcounty.ca.gov
Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
The Clerk of the Board department is looking for volunteers to assist with taking passport photos. Your job will be to take photos of customers that are applying for a passport, ensuring their photo meets the requirements of the Department of State. The department is looking for someone to assist during busy customer periods from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., particularly on Thursdays and Fridays.
Volunteer Coordinator:
Marylyn Gines
(619)
531-5700
marylyn.gines@sdcounty.ca.gov
UC Cooperative Extension
4-H / Master Gardener Programs
Do you enjoy interacting, teaching and mentoring the future movers, shakers and leaders of tomorrow? If the answer is yes, becoming a 4-H adult volunteer and club leader may be for you. 4-H isn’t about cookies and cows anymore - youth can study and learn about science literacy, veterinary science, citizenship, public speaking, photography and foods and nutrition to name just a few. Through hands-on learning and positive youth-adult partnerships youth acquire knowledge and develop life skills that enable them to find and focus their energy into their passions while also giving back to the community.
Do you enjoy all things home horticulture-related? Do you like learning about how to care for plants, distinguishing good bugs from bad bugs and extending that knowledge to the community? If the answer is yes, the Master Gardener program may be for you. Applications for new Master Gardener participants are given out every two years. Call our Master Gardener hotline - 858–822-6910 for more information.
Volunteer Contact:
Lori Renstrom
(858) 822-7717
llrenstrom@ucanr.edu
Health & Human Services
HHSA Child Welfare Services – A.B. and Jessie Polinsky Children’s Center
Polinsky emergency shelter volunteers provide special attention and activities for the children at PCC. This may include helping children up to 18 years of age with homework, gardening, art projects, sports, and social activities.
Volunteer Coordinator:
Linda Gonzales
(858)
874-1058
linda.gonzales2@sdcounty.ca.gov
More on volunteering with the Polinsky Center
HHSA Central & South Regions
Volunteer opportunities in public health, community health promotions, and family resource centers.
Volunteer Coordinator:
Da’Shaun Payne
(619)
338-2720
dashaun.payne@sdcounty.ca.gov
HHSA North Coastal & North Inland Regions
The Health and Human Services Agency provides a broad range of health and social services, promoting wellness, self-sufficiency, and a better quality of life for all individuals and families in San Diego County. Regional internship (volunteer) opportunities in North County are available with the following programs: Child Welfare Services, Family Resource Center, Public Health Center, Community Health Promotion.
Volunteer Coordinator:
Library
Volunteers perform a variety of duties, including, but not limited to: presenting and assisting with branch events, tutoring adult literacy learners, reading to children, helping students with homework, leading book discussion groups, etc.
Volunteer Coordinator:
Renuka Pottathil
(858)
694-2429
renuka.pottathil@sdcounty.ca.gov
Office of the Public Defender
Legal Internships and Post Bar Clerkships
Internships are, for the most part, un-paid positions; however, the experience volunteers receive is priceless. There are many funding resources available for students interested in public interest internships including Federal Work Study, Public Interest Work Study, Public Interest Law Foundation Grants, and other grants or fellowships offered by law schools and private foundations.
The Post Bar Clerkship affords a select group of students the opportunity to experience the demanding yet highly rewarding practice of a public defender. Our nationally recognized program is designed to give students not just an understanding of the criminal justice system, but hands-on experience with trial advocacy and representing misdemeanor clients.
Parks & Recreation
Our award-winning park system features 154 facilities across 56,000 acres of land, including parks, camping parks, sports parks, community and teen centers, open-space preserves, nature centers, and historic sites. Some 380 miles of trails take visitors through multiple climates and habitats - from the coast to the desert and the valleys to the mountains.
That is a lot of outside! To maintain, operate, and enjoy these incredible locations, we engage local community members who volunteer their time so everyone can experience “the upside of outside” throughout San Diego County!
Volunteer Coordinator:
Tony Richardson
ParksVolunteer@sdcounty.ca.gov
Probation
Volunteers in Probation (VIP)
Volunteers in Probation (VIP) provides volunteer opportunities for people who recognize the value of public service for their community. VIPs serve in a variety of capacities including: case aides; staff assistants; instructors and tutors, admin assistant
Volunteer Coordinator:
Veronica Velez
(858)
514-3123
veronica.velez@sdcounty.ca.gov
Registrar of Voters
In San Diego County, 7,000 to 8,000 poll workers are needed. We are looked upon to excel in our assigned duties and execute with precision. For volunteer poll workers, this means making a commitment to attend a 2-hour training, actively listen to instructors, read and understand instructive materials, practice, practice, practice and work in concert with fellow volunteers on the day of the event. Poll workers give their valuable time by working at community polling places on Election Day so their fellow citizens can exercise their voting rights.
Volunteer Coordinator:
Vanessa Perez
(858)
505-7221
vanessa.perez3@sdcounty.ca.gov
Sheriff's Department
San Diego Sheriff Volunteer Program
The San Diego Sheriff's Department depends on many volunteers to provide programs and services to our communities. These volunteers work with deputies and civilian staff to provide public safety.
For more information, please email:
VolunteerServices@sdsheriff.org
