HandsOn San Diego

You can directly support members of the military and their families by volunteering in the STEP warehouse. The STEP warehouse is a storefront of new and gently used items donated by the Southern California community. The warehouse is open to all eligible clients to browse and take what they need: clothes, bedding, home goods, and critical baby items - diapers, wipes, car seats (new), etc. The warehouse is designed to support their mission of building financial self-sufficiency and reducing financial hardship by increasing financial literacy, and alleviate some monthly expenses. Volunteers will be taking inventory of items in the warehouse, sorting new donations, and may be asked to help with cleaning. You'll be helping military families easily find the items they need most. Project Requirements & Important Notes Attire: Comfortable clothing you don't mind getting dirty, dress in layers. Bring: Reusable water bottle. Physical Ability: Volunteers should be comfortable with bending, standing, and able to lift up to 20 lbs. About Support the Enlisted Project (STEP) STEP assists junior active duty enlisted members and recently discharged enlisted Veterans and their families in Southern California facing financial crisis achieve long-term financial self-sufficiency through counseling, education and grants to alleviate critical near term obligations.​

3/24/20 2:00 PM + more

Worlds Alive receives a number of books from generous supporters to be used either in their community programs or given away to underprivileged students and their families at their annual book giveaway events. Volunteers are needed to help sort the books in their book donation room. Volunteers will be ensuring that the donated books they received are in good condition, are appropriate content for their students and families, and that they are placed onto the correct shelves (ex. age level). Project Requirements & Important Notes Attire: Comfortable closed-toe shoes are recommended Physical Ability: Ability to lift an occasional box of books and be on your feet for a couple hours. Their office is on the 2nd floor of a building without elevator access. About Words Alive Words Alive provides essential literacy services to underserved students and families. Their mission is to open opportunities for life success by inspiring a commitment to reading.

2/26/20 10:00 AM

Activities will depend on what is happening at the farm seasonally and include prepping garden beds, harvesting produce, weeding, trimming shrubs, planting seeds, mulching, sorting seeds, watering plants, and installing irrigation. There are often build projects as well such as building garden beds, seedling tables, shaded awnings, creating community spaces, and much more. This is a great opportunity to be at the forefront of a locally grown, organic food movement that provides for food-insecure members of our community. Project Requirements & Important Notes Attire: Be prepared to work outside. You must wear closed toe shoes. Dress in layers in weather appropriate attire that can get dirty. Bring: Water bottle with plenty of water - there is no drinking fountain on site. They will supply gloves, tools, sunscreen, and materials, but feel free to bring your own favorite tools or gloves as long as you understand you are responsible for keeping track of them. Physical Ability: They have a variety of activities for all skills and abilities. Please notify Bianca (volunteer@plantspeoplecommunity.org) if you may have specific needs and would like to make sure there are projects you can engage in. Waiver: Every volunteer is required to sign a waiver. Anyone under 18 must have waiver signed by a parent/legal guardian. Please also sign waivers for very young children attending with parents. Sign waiver here. ​Weather: Light rain will not cancel event. In the case of inclement weather, volunteers will be alerted via e-mail. About Botanical Community Development Initiatives Botanical Community Development Initiatives (BCDI) is working to improve lives by connect plants, people, and community. Community Roots Farm is a project of BCDI and is 1-acre urban farm located in an Oceanside neighborhood and grows food with community, for community. The sustainably-grown produce is served in meals to children in local state-funded preschools that are located in low socioeconomic neighborhoods where access to fresh food is lacking.

2/26/20 10:00 AM + more

As a volunteer, you'll support older adults in making healthy eating decisions and have the opportunity to interact with older adults and hear their stories. College Avenue is proud to offer bi-monthly farmer's market to its older adult members to give them easier access to fresh produce. Volunteers are needed to help receive the delivery of produce from the Hand Up Youth Food Pantry at JFS, set up the display using burlap and wooden boxes, distribute the fresh produce and re-fill bins as needed. The College Avenue Social Wellness Center is one of two thriving JFS older adult centers. Hundreds of participants enjoy daily meals, exercise classes, art classes, games, cultural programs, and live entertainment. This is a home away from home for many older adults. Physical Requirements & Important Notes Physical Ability: Ability to stand for the duration of the project and can lift bins that are 25-35 pounds. Attire: Closed-toe shoes are required. If weather permits, this project will take place outside. Bring: Sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses is recommended. About Jewish Family Service of San Diego Jewish Family Service is a client-centered, impact-driven organization working to build a stronger, healthier, more resilient San Diego. Since 1918, Jewish Family Service of San Diego has been a trusted community resource for individuals and families in times of need.

2/26/20 11:45 AM + more

Be a mentor to 1-4 teen/young adults with special needs, such as autism, while they learn to play music. Volunteer mentors provide encouragement, model expected group behaviors, give compliments, give directions, and help their mentees build friendships and practice social skills. Mentors are important because they help the students with special needs gain social skills (e.g. learning how to make eye contact, have a conversation, have self control, etc.) that are essential to living a meaningful life in their community. No matter your level of musical experience, you'll have a great time shaking a shaker, playing a drum, signing along and much more. Before and after the group, volunteers assist with set up (unloading musical equipment, setting up chairs, music stands, music books, etc.), process with the volunteer team after (complete a journal entry about experience and rate mentee responses), and tear down (load equipment). Project Requirements & Important Notes Physical Ability: Ability to lift and move musical equipment, chairs, etc. (They are able to accommodate weight restrictions) Note: We need volunteers with a great attitude, who are patient and comfortable working with their mentees one-on-one. About Banding Together Founded in 2009, Banding Together’s mission is to bring music opportunities to individuals with special needs in our community. This is accomplished through key objectives that include providing: music therapy scholarships, free Jam Session programs, mentorships, and instruments.

2/26/20 6:00 PM + more

Volunteers in Porchlight Community Services' pantry will help with unloading, sorting, and organizing food after it's delivered. Porchlight Community Services rescues food from going to waste and offers healthy options for low-income families with strict food restrictions and allergies that are not usually available at food pantries. Project Requirements & Important Notes Attire: Closed-toe shoes and clothes that you don't mind getting dirty. Physical Requirements: Bending, lifting, carry up to 20lbs. Restroom access is only available via stairs. About Porchlight Community Services The mission of the Porchlight Cooperative is to relieve hunger, eliminate waste and increase the self-sufficiency of individuals.

2/27/20 11:00 AM + more

Be a mentor to 1-4 teen/young adults with special needs, such as autism, while they learn to play music. Volunteer mentors provide encouragement, model expected group behaviors, give compliments, give directions, and help their mentees build friendships and practice social skills. Mentors are important because they help the students with special needs gain social skills (e.g. learning how to make eye contact, have a conversation, have self control, etc.) that are essential to living a meaningful life in their community. No matter your level of musical experience, you'll have a great time shaking a shaker, playing a drum, signing along and much more. Before and after the group, volunteers assist with set up (unloading musical equipment, setting up chairs, music stands, music books, etc.), process with the volunteer team after (complete a journal entry about experience and rate mentee responses), and tear down (load equipment). Project Requirements & Important Notes Physical Ability: Ability to lift and move musical equipment, chairs, etc. (They are able to accommodate weight restrictions) Note: We need volunteers with a great attitude, who are patient and comfortable working with their mentees one-on-one. About Banding Together Founded in 2009, Banding Together’s mission is to bring music opportunities to individuals with special needs in our community. This is accomplished through key objectives that include providing: music therapy scholarships, free Jam Session programs, mentorships, and instruments.

2/27/20 6:00 PM + more

Offered for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the Our Place Wellness Program expands on offerings of adaptive yoga, fitness and Zumba classes to include music & art therapies and nutrition training. All classes are led by certified professionals. As a volunteer, you will assist these instructors to ensure all students are having a fun and safe time! We need volunteers with a great attitude, who are patient and comfortable working with their students one-on-one. Project Requirements & Important Notes Attire: Wear workout friendly attire with closed-toe shoes. Bring: Reusable water bottle. About The Arc of San Diego The Arc of San Diego supports and empowers people with disabilities to achieve their life goals.

2/29/20 8:30 AM + more

Offered for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the Our Place Wellness Program expands on offerings of adaptive yoga, fitness and Zumba classes to include music & art therapies and nutrition training. All classes are led by certified professionals. As a volunteer, you will assist these instructors to ensure all students are having a fun and safe time! We need volunteers with a great attitude, who are patient and comfortable working with their students one-on-one. Project Requirements & Important Notes Attire: Wear workout friendly attire with closed-toe shoes. Bring: Reusable water bottle. About The Arc of San Diego The Arc of San Diego supports and empowers people with disabilities to achieve their life goals.

2/29/20 8:30 AM + more

Volunteers sort, organize, shelve, and box used books for distribution to other non-profit groups. You'll unload and organize books from large containers on palettes onto book shelves in the warehouse (organized by category, e.g., fiction, how-to, mystery) or into packing boxes, as directed (for delivery to a particular group, e.g., elementary school or prison). The San Diego Book Project organizes and stocks the shelves on the Fourth Saturday of month; and teachers and organizations come to collect free books on the First Saturday of month. This project uses a lot of boxes to ship and deliver books. If you have sturdy, empty boxes (not too large as books get heavy), please bring to donate. Smaller boxes are also useful for the teachers and organizations who collect books. Project Requirements & Important Notes Attire: This is a dusty old warehouse – please wear old, comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. You may prefer to dress in layers, as the warehouse can be chilly, but then you get hot as work continues. The books are dusty -- some volunteers wear gloves and masks. We provide hand-sanitizer to clean your hands. Bring: Feel free to bring water, snacks, hand wipes, gloves, face mask, change for parking meters and a tote bag, if you find books you want to take home. There is no secure place to store purses, so please leave valuables locked in trunk of your car. Physical Ability: This project requires constant bending and lifting as volunteers sort paperback and hardcover books and place them into boxes and onto book shelves. The warehouse is not wheelchair accessible. About the San Diego Book Project The San Diego Book Project's mission is to promote literacy. They provide books to people who need them but may not have sufficient resources to buy them. They believe owning books provides ready access to reading and is a critical step toward reading proficiency.

4/25/20 9:00 AM + more

Make your extra day this year count by joining us for a unique Day of Service project hosted by HandsOn San Diego for the San Diego Archaeological Center! History buffs will love experiencing the ins and outs of the museum while helping preserve San Diego's past, present, and future. Volunteers will be split into groups, helping with: planting native plants, weeding, painting, building benches, restoring the Center's main sign, and more. Most volunteers will be at outdoor projects. These projects will help restore native plants and wildlife that may have been lost due to fires in the area. It will also help continue the educational mission that the Archaeological center has in the community, support local schools that involve local archaeology and anthropology, and promote awareness of the San Pasqual Historic Battlefield. Project Requirements & Important Notes Attire: Closed toe shoes, pants, clothes that can get dirty, a hat (optional) Bring: Reusable water bottle, snacks, and sunscreen. A pizza lunch will be provided with options for vegetarians. Feel free to bring your own lunch if you have other dietary restrictions, we will have coolers available. Physical Requirements: For outdoor projects, volunteers must be able to bend over, able to lift up to 15 lbs, for outside projects able to withstand outdoor heat and standing for long period of time. Accomodations can be made for volunteers participating in indoor projects, just notify the Volunteer Leader. San Diego Archaeological Center The San Diego Archaeological Center is a curation facility and museum located near the San Diego Safari Park where visitors can learn the story of how people have lived in San Diego County for the past 10,000 years. In addition to its role as a museum, the Center serves as an education and research facility and is the only local organization dedicated to the collection, study, curation and exhibition of San Diego County’s archaeological artifacts.

2/29/20 9:30 AM

Help serve the 150 or so men, women, and children living in the building in a year-long recovery program. You will be serving food, not cooking, or cleaning up. Volunteers serve hot meals, salad, bread, and dessert. The residents at the San Diego Rescue Mission are participating in 12-month long programs to transform their lives and work toward self-sufficiency. Project Requirements & Important Information Attire: Dress in pants, no sleeveless outfits and closed toe shoes are a must! Tying up long hair is recommended, volunteers will be provided with a hairnet. Religious Observance: Any prayer or religious observance during the project is optional, volunteers are welcome to opt out. Note: Photos of clients are not allowed. The San Diego Rescue Mission cannot accept donations of home baked treats/outside food. This project may end early depending on the number of residents who attend the meal service. About the San Diego Rescue Mission San Diego Rescue Mission is a non-profit homeless shelter and recovery center serving thousands of homeless, hungry, and low income men, women, and children in San Diego since 1955.

4/5/20 3:45 PM + more

Help combat hunger among our homeless neighbors! Father Joe’s Villages staff and volunteers offer more than 1 million meals each year in their dining rooms and the Franklin Antonio Public Lunch Line. Come join Father Joe’s Villages kitchen crew as they help prepare and serve meals to our neighbors living on the streets of our community. Volunteers will be in the kitchen preparing food, setting up the salad bar, serving food 'cafeteria style' and helping in the dining area. As a result, neighbors can focus less on hunger and more on building a brighter future. Project Requirements & Important Notes ​First Time Volunteers: Please print and sign the following documents: Volunteer Agreement Food Handler Teach and Test Parent Authorization Form (for minors only)​ Registration with Father Joe's Villages: ALL volunteers must be signed up with HandsOn San Diego AND the Father Joe's VolunteerHub site for each shift they attend. If a person is not registered, they will be died entrance to volunteer. Please follow these steps before the project date: Go to the landing page for HandsOn SD on the Father Joe's VolunteerHub site. Create an account. No join code is needed, click "continue" Complete your application Click "Sign Up" for the same shift date you signed up for with HandsOn SD ​Attire: No tank tops, shorts, or open-toe shoes are allowed. If you do not follow this dress code you will not be able to volunteer. ​Physical Requirements: Must be able to lift up to 30 lbs. Must be able to stand for at least two hours About Father Joe's Villages As San Diego’s largest homeless services provider, Father Joe’s Villages offers a wide variety of housing and services at several locations. They provide housing, rental assistance, healthcare, food, clothing, education, job training, mental health, addiction treatment and child development in an internationally modeled “one-stop-shop” approach.

3/21/20 10:15 AM + more

The ReStore offers many volunteer opportunities for individuals who are able to help in a variety of roles and for any length of time. Duties include sorting donations, organizing inventory, stocking shelves, helping customers, light construction, or finding creative ways to use donated products. They'll find the task that is perfect for you! You will be given a brief orientation, tour and tasks/projects to work on. Please arrive on time. You are welcome to work past your shift if you are able and willing to do so. Project Requirements & Important Notes Signing up: ALL VOLUNTEERS will also need to sign up through San Diego Habitat’s online system in addition to the HandsOn system. This helps them track volunteer hours to report for grants and also allows them to track their waivers. To do this, go to http://vhub.at/handsonsd. Court-Ordered Volunteers: San Diego Habitat for Humanity accepts, on a limited basis, volunteers who are required by a court to complete community service hours. They cannot accept volunteers who have a past or current conviction of a violent or menacing nature, conviction of an offense of a sexual nature, or conviction of theft or burglary. Minors: Volunteers aged 14-17 must have a San Diego Habitat waiver signed by a parent/guardian. Volunteers aged 14-15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of the volunteer shift. Bring: Plenty of water and a sack lunch or snacks. About San Diego Habitat for Humanity The San Diego Habitat for Humanity ReStores are home improvement discount stores with a simple premise: by selling new and gently used donated goods, we can fund the construction of new Habitat homes in San Diego County.

3/3/20 10:00 AM + more

Be a mentor to 1-4 teen/young adults with special needs, such as autism, while they sing and play music. Volunteer mentors provide encouragement, model expected group behaviors, give compliments, give directions, and help their mentees build friendships and practice social skills. Mentors are important because they help the students with special needs gain social skills (e.g. learning how to make eye contact, have a conversation, have self control, etc.) that are essential to living a meaningful life in their community. No matter your level of musical experience, you'll have a great time shaking a shaker, playing a drum, signing along and much more. Before and after the group, volunteers assist with set up (unloading musical equipment, setting up chairs, music stands, music books, etc.), process with the volunteer team after (complete a journal entry about experience and rate mentee responses), and tear down (load equipment). No musical experience is required and all equipment is provided. Project Requirements & Important Notes Attire: Casual ​Physical Ability: Ability to lift and move musical equipment, chairs, etc. (They are able to accommodate weight restrictions) Note: We need volunteers with a great attitude, who are patient and comfortable working with their mentees one-on-one. About Banding Together Founded in 2009, Banding Together’s mission is to bring music opportunities to individuals with special needs in our community. This is accomplished through key objectives that include providing: music therapy scholarships, free Jam Session programs, mentorships, and instruments.

3/4/20 6:00 PM + more

Words Alive is looking for volunteers to help prepare craft materials for their Family Literacy program in spring. The Family Literacy program supports low-income and under-served families by providing tips and tricks to make reading a fun, family activity while highlighting the importance of early literacy development. As part of the program participants read a new book each week and then complete an activity or craft relating to the book they just read. To ensure families can complete the activities in a timely manner we need volunteers to help prepare the crafts and activities beforehand. Volunteer duties include cutting out pictures, gluing papers together, sorting pre-cut images, tying yarn, packing paper bags, etc. for the over 350 families we expect to serve this year. Crafts are a key component for each workshop session. Project Requirements & Important Notes Attire: Wearing comfortable clothing is recommended. The office gets chilly so bringing a sweater is recommended. Physical Ability: Volunteers should be comfortable using scissors and be able to go up stairs as the building does not have an elevator. About Words Alive Words Alive provides essential literacy services to underserved students and families. Their mission is to open opportunities for life success by inspiring a commitment to reading.

3/5/20 10:00 AM + more

Help run the Solana Center's Food Cycle Program, turning food waste into a high-quality soil supplement, and closing the loop of organic waste! Volunteers help process and tabulate incoming organic material, maintain compost piles, and prep buckets to be returned to program members for more collection. This project is great for those that are not sensitive to the "ick" factor and want to get VERY hands on with waste reduction! The Food Cycle Program is a co-op where San Diego County residents and small businesses preserve their organic waste using the Bokashi method and then deliver it to Solana Center to be turned into a nutritious soil amendment that is distributed back into the community. This process reduces tons of waste sent to the landfill, reduces methane pollution, and creates a healthy soil supplement for San Diego gardens! Project Requirements & Important Notes Attire: Wear closed-toe shoes and clothing that can get VERY dirty. Physical Ability: This activity can be quite physically intensive and pretty messy! Must be able to wield a pitchfork, push a wheel borrow, and lift buckets of up to 30 lbs. Some accommodations can be made, please ask. About the Solana Center for Environmental Innovation ​Solana Center for Environmental Innovation is a San Diego-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that focuses on Zero Waste, composting, and water conservation. They mobilize the local community through innovative outreach and provide consulting services to businesses and jurisdictions in order to address the region’s most pressing environmental issues and enact impactful change.

3/10/20 9:00 AM + more

Looking for a unique volunteer opportunity? You can help improve habitat for wildlife at Mission Valley Preserve, a 52-acre wildlife preserve right in San Diego! Volunteers will help to remove non-native plant species, creating a healthy environment for the plants and animals that call our river home. This is the perfect opportunity to learn more about river ecology and witness a physical transformation of the landscape, which translates into improving our environment and the health of our River! Volunteer tasks include chopping, hauling, digging, trimming, and more. They are especially seeking volunteers with QAC/QAL herbicide application certification. All tools and supplies are provided. PROJECT REQUIREMENTS & IMPORTANT NOTES Attire: Volunteers must wear closed-toe shoes (No sandals, Tom's or other flats. You must wear sturdy tennis or hiking shoes.) and long pants. Dress in clothes that can get dirty. Wearing long sleeves and a hat is highly recommended. Bring: Sun protection and water to drink. They will not have water on site. Location: Exact meeting location at the Mission Valley Preserve (North or South side of the River) will change depending on the needs that week. Exact address and location information are sent out within 1 business day of your sign-up. If you don't receive the location email, check your spam folder then contact the Opportunity Leader. Waiver: All volunteers must complete a waiver to participate in activities with the San Diego River Park Foundation. To save time at check-in, you may download and bring the completed waiver with you: Adult Waiver or Under 18 Waiver ​ Physical​ Ability: Volunteers should be comfortable with hiking short distances, including navigating through dense vegetation and ducking under it. No experience necessary and all supplies will be provided. Weather: Light rain will not cancel the project. In the event of cancellation, volunteers will be notified via email. ​ ​Note: There is no restroom or water fountain on site, please plan accordingly. ​ ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO RIVER PARK FOUNDATION The San Diego River Park Foundation is dedicated to improving the health of the San Diego River and creating a better quality of life for our community through the creation of a 52 mile river-long park system. Their programs, projects, and events are designed to connect people to our historic San Diego River and empower the community to steward and celebrate it.

3/14/20 9:00 AM + more

Join HandsOn San Diego for our first ever wine edition of VolunBEERS at Koi Zen Cellars on Wednesday March 18th to give back to San Diego's volunteer community! Attendees will participate in a 'VolunBEERS Project' which is a simple handmade craft that will benefit another local nonprofit while also supporting HandsOn San Diego in connecting more volunteers with more nonprofits in our area. This time we will be making spring-themed place mats to add some color and cheer to the Serving Seniors dining room. Serving Seniors' mission is to help seniors in poverty live healthy and fulfilling lives. We ask for a $10 minimum donation per person at the door to pay for materials. We also offer a Drink Deal for $20 which includes your materials donation and 1 glass of wine, and snacks. Use the form at the bottom of this page to donate online before the event to ensure smoother check-in (optional). This is open to the public - bring your friends! Project Requirements & Important Notes ​Membership: If you would not like access to the service projects on our calendar and would just like to attend the project, you can sign up as a Community Member during registration. Court-Ordered: This event is not a court-ordered allowed project. Court-ordered volunteers cannot sign up for this project and will not have their hours verified if they do attend. About HandsOn San Diego HandsOn San Diego is an online platform that connects volunteers to opportunities around their communities that match both their interests and schedules. We partner with local nonprofits, schools, and parks to identify meaningful group volunteer projects that have easy registration and requires no training!

3/18/20 6:00 PM

Volunteers are needed to assist with ranch maintenance. Volunteers comfortable working with horses and other livestock, can clean corrals and pens. Other projects include tree trimming, weeding, raking up hay, painting, and assisting with simple repair and maintenance projects. A clean, safe ranch environment is critical to the health of their horses and other livestock. Your time and efforts will help ensure the highest quality of care for their ranch residents. Project Requirements & Important Notes Attire: Closed-toe shoes, long pants, clothes that can get dirty, and a hat is recommended. One size fits most gloves will be available to borrow but feel free to bring your own. Bring: Sunscreen, snacks, and a reusable water bottle. ​Physical Ability: Being able to work outside in hot or cold weather, depending on the season. Projects involve walking, pushing a wheelbarrow, raking and using a shovel. Most tasks involve bending and repetitive motions. While volunteers will be able to work at their own pace, the work is moderately physical. ​Location: This project is located about 45 minutes east of downtown San Diego and parking is located on an unpaved road. ​Weather: This project may be canceled at last minute if rain makes the area unsafe for volunteer work. Volunteers will be notified by email or phone. Note: Please do not bring guests or pets with you to the ranch. Horses of Tir Na Nog is a non-smoking facility. About Horses of Tir Na Nog Horses of Tir Na Nog's goal is to create a safe haven for horses that have few options remaining, thereby ensuring them a better quality of life. At Horses of Tir Na Nog, they help build connections between people and horses in the San Diego community, increasing awareness about responsible horse ownership and care through education.

3/21/20 9:00 AM + more

Enjoy the canyon as you remove weeds, do a little watering and pruning! While removing invasive species, you can learn all about San Diego's native plants and ecosystem. This is great project for kids to get hands-on and learn about their own backyard! With your help, we can help keep San Diego thriving and beautiful. During the rainy season (Oct – April) you will get your hands dirty and plant native species! Come spring time, you can enjoy the satisfaction of watching your efforts grow and blossom. One of the most important environmental needs in San Diego is protection and revitalization of its fragile ecosystem. Southern California hosts some of the most fascinating species of plants and animals in the nation! Project Requirements & Important Notes Attire: You MUST wear closed-toe shoes and clothes you don't mind getting dirty. Bring: A reusable water bottle, a hat, and work gloves (if you can) Waiver: For Minors, please print and sign the City of San Diego Minor Waiver​ About City of San Diego Parks and Recreation The mission of the City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department is to provide healthy, sustainable, and enriching environments for all. Their vision is to connect all to the City’s diverse world class park system.

3/21/20 9:00 AM + more

Join Olivia Canyon neighbors, community volunteers, and San Diego Canyonlands for this stewardship event in the canyon as part of their restoration efforts. Help them create a healthy habitat for wildlife and a safe place for recreation in the City Heights community of San Diego. Volunteers will care for native plants, remove invasive plants, and remove trash and debris from restoration areas. We want to ensure that our canyons in San Diego will remain a place where people and wildlife are healthy and safe. Project Requirements & Important Notes Attire: Wear sturdy shoes or boots (closed-toe shoes are required), comfortable clothes you don't mind getting dirty (long pants), and a hat for sun protection. Bring: Water bottle and sunscreen. Tools and gloves are provided. Waiver: Volunteers under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign a youth waiver to participate in their events. Physcial Requirements: These events are flexible, but we ask that volunteers are comfortable with hiking short distances, bending, and physically removing weeds with hands and tools. Weather: They rarely cancel due to weather. If necessary, the event will be canceled morning of the project. Note: There are no bathrooms on site. About San Diego Canyonlands San Diego Canyonlands' mission is to promote, protect and restore the natural habitats in San Diego County's canyons and creeks. They do this by fostering education and ongoing community involvement in stewardship and advocacy, and by collaborating with other organizations.

3/21/20 9:00 AM + more

The Solana Center's resident worms help them teach San Diegans about the beauty of Vermicomposting (composting with worms). They act as a demonstration site and nursery for raising and distributing worms to homes around the County. Help care for these amazing compost critters and promote sustainability in our community! Volunteers help care for their worm nursery and demonstration site by separating worms from worm castings, feeding worms, and building new worm beds. This activity is great for kids! Project Requirements & Important Notes Attire: Closed-toe shoes and clothes that can get dirty. ​Physical Ability: Not afraid of worms! Accommodations can be made for all other physical needs, just let the leader know. ​Weather: Not canceled for light rain. If heavy storms are in forecast you will be notified of cancellation by email and phone the night before (by 5pm). For not predicted heavy storms, cancellations will be notified ASAP. About the Solana Center for Environmental Innovation ​Solana Center for Environmental Innovation is a San Diego-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that focuses on Zero Waste, composting, and water conservation. They mobilize the local community through innovative outreach and provide consulting services to businesses and jurisdictions in order to address the region’s most pressing environmental issues and enact impactful change.

3/21/20 10:00 AM + more

Calling all volunteers with an interest in our River and a passion for the environment! Once a year, volunteer teams use a smart phone app to document to document invasive plant species along the San Diego River. This point-in-time data allows us to measure the health of the riparian ecosystem and plan our cleanup strategies for the next year. This is a wonderful hands-on opportunity and a great way to make a difference for the future of the river and surrounding area. Project Requirements & Important Notes Attire: Closed-toe shoes are required (sandals and flip-flops are not allowed). Wear clothes that can get dirty. Bring: Plenty of water and sun protection. All tools and supplies are provided. Physical Requirements: Volunteers should be comfortable with hiking short distances, including going up and down embankments and ducking around and under vegetation. Waiver: All volunteers must complete a waiver to participate in activities with the San Diego River Park Foundation. To save time at check-in, you may download and bring the completed waiver with you: Adult Waiver or Under 18 Waiver ​ Weather: Light rain will not cancel the project. In the event of cancellation, volunteers will be notified via email. About The San Diego River Park Foundation The San Diego River Park Foundation is dedicated to improving the health of the San Diego River and creating a better quality of life for our community through the creation of a 52 mile river-long park system. Their programs, projects, and events are designed to connect people to our historic San Diego River and empower the community to steward and celebrate it.

3/28/20 9:00 AM + more

Come join us for the morning session of the Afterschool Tennis Field Day! Players will include our Afterschool Tennis participants. Volunteers encourage the players and ensure they rotate smoothly from court to court while they participate in a variety of drills and games. Tennis knowledge is helpful but is not required. The children are elementary and middle school ages (for the most part). All levels of players will be participating, from beginners to more advanced in their age range. Come out and encourage these young players. Schedule for the School Year: Oct 26 - ½ Day Camp Dec 14 - Singles Tournament Feb 22 - Doubles Tournament April 25 - World Team Tennis May 23 - Field Day Project Requirements & Important Notes Attire: Wear comfortable athletic attire such as shorts or a warmup suit. Dress in layers depending on the season. Must wear athletic shoes appropriate for tennis courts. Bring: A reusable water bottle, sunscreen, and a hat. Court-Ordered Volunteers: Due to site policy, this organization does not accommodate court-mandated volunteers. ​Note: Volunteers do not need to bring tennis rackets. About Youth Tennis San Diego Youth Tennis San Diego is a nonprofit (501)(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to promote the educational, physical, and social development of all youth through organized tennis and educational activities. Their community programs encourage youth participation, personal integrity, leadership, and competitive spirit in a friendly environment that builds responsible citizens.

4/25/20 8:45 AM