Events · Volunteering
Two hours, then a real job.
First Tuesday of the month, 6 to 8 p.m., Hawthorne. You will leave knowing exactly what you are signing up for, including the boring parts.
- When
- 1st Tuesday
- Time
- 6:00–8:00
- Where
- Hawthorne
- Next step
- Background check
Orientation is not a recruitment pitch. It is two hours of what the work actually is, what it is not, and what we will ask of you. About one in five people who attend decide not to volunteer, which we consider a success rather than a loss.
What we cover
- The program, the ratios, and why the ratio rule is the most important policy we have.
- Boundaries: what you can and cannot do with a kid, including rides, gifts, and social media.
- Mandated reporting, in plain language, with a real scenario.
- The specific jobs we actually need, and which one fits you.
- The background check, the paperwork, and the timeline.
What we need
| Role | Commitment | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Bench helper | 2 hrs/week | Assist a program lead, set up materials, coach a step |
| Salon assistant | 3 hrs/week | Shampoo, cleanup, front desk. No license needed |
| Van driver | 2 shifts/month | Drive a route. Clean record, training provided |
| Saturday lab host | 1 Saturday/month | Run a station, welcome families |
| Event crew | Varies | Setup, cleanup, judging, the bike giveaway |
| Kitchen help | 3 hrs/week | Prep, plate, wash. Food handler card required (we pay) |
What we do not need
We do not need volunteers to supervise kids alone, drive kids without training, do our fundraising, or invent programming. We also do not need a volunteer who is only available for a photo opportunity, which has happened and which we now say out loud at orientation.
The volunteers who last are the ones who pick one boring job and do it every week. The ones who want to be inspiring usually last about three weeks.
Volunteer
First Tuesday, 6–8 p.m., Hawthorne. Two hours, a background check, and a real job.