Volunteers Make a Community

 Last Year, Volunteers contributed over 9,000 hours of service!

That equals at least $162,450.00* (DOVIA guidelines)

 

Volunteer Hours For 2009 so far = 8300 Hrs.

You Should Be Volunteering Here, too.

The Long Beach AIDS Foundation is a volunteer-based organization. Actually, volunteers are our number one asset and we simply couldn't do anything without volunteers.  That's how critical volunteers are to this Foundation.  Without volunteers we don't exist.

Volunteers are treated with respect and enjoy their experience. Volunteers have fun and their input and contribution to ideas in serving the community as always valued.  In fact, the majority of our core staff of volunteers have been with us for many years!  A lot can be said about volunteers who continue serving an organization year in and year out.

The Foundation operates programs like Project: Red Paint, World AIDS Day, Red Ribbon Gala & Casino Night, SpotU TV and events including the primary fundraising event AIDS Walk Long Beach.

Our Walk provides funding for beneficiary agencies totaling more than $ 2.4million dollars since 1989. With more than 27 years of AIDS in the United States, the Foundation, serves as a social change agent inspiring and empowering collaborative HIV/AIDS service organizations to embrace new strategic paradigms, create sustainable change in our communities, and reinvigorate innovation and passion in AIDS service organizations to stop new HIV infections in our goal make a real impact on the war on HIV.  You, too can be part of our mission.

Our Current Volunteer Opportunities

as posted on VolunteerMatch.org web site
 

Current Needs:

Pre-Event Planning Volunteers Needed: It takes thousands of volunteer hours just to plan all of our events and programs at the Foundation.  In fact, pre-planning volunteers are the most important team in getting the event to come together.  Some of these positions require a couple hours of training and many require meetings and a regular schedule. 

 

If you're unemployed this is a great opportunity to continue building your resume.  When employers begin hiring again, in the beginning they'll be picking the "cream of the crop" with community service.  A definite advantage over someone with similar qualifications, don't you think?

Training dates and times are listed as applicable. The following volunteer opportunities are available: Click on team for details on volunteer position description.

Download a Volunteer Application here. 

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Our biggest needs are volunteers in the 6 months proceeding each event with multiple events and programs overlapping.  While it does take a lot of preparation to plan, organize, develop marketing and advertising strategies, all volunteers are welcome.  Many future leaders in our community are mentored and developed through the Foundation.  Many have gone to lead other larger non-profits or joined boards of museums or other community-based non-profits.

Whether you prefer to chair a position, collate mailings, work on event planning, serve on an outreach panel, star on a web show, chat with participants on their goals, or looking for a challenging project tailored to your skills, there is a place for everyone at the Foundation office. Please take the time to fill out the online volunteer form so we can contact you and find your ideal activity.

Currently we are looking for volunteers for all pre-event activities the most critical part of all events we plan.  We also post on Volunteer Match, LA Works, Craigslist and many of President Obama's Serve America partner sites.

Volunteer Hours:
 Volunteer service hours are generally during office hours.  Most of our Outreach programs occur outside of regular business hours, including weekends.  Whether you can donate 4 hours or 8 hours, the office hours are 10AM to 6PM, Monday to Friday, July to January; and 10AM to 9PM February to June. 

You will also find us here on weekends including during Sundays for the web broadcasting of our SpotU TV shows.

Service Learning Hours

Volunteer service learning hours as required by the Long Beach Unified School District are occassionally available throughout the year.  Students who are seeking to earn the Gold Star for Service Learning Hours to volunteer at the Foundation are given higher priority over those seeking minimum hours needed to graduate. All students, however should inquired about volunteering.  

 

The Foundation is an active participant in the annual Volunteer Village program hosted by the Long Beach Non-Profit Partnership.  For 2009, Volunteer Village will be October 14, 2009 at the Long Beach City College, Liberal Arts Campus from Noon to 7:00PM

Group Volunteering
 Groups from organizations of all sizes and ages are welcome to participate in volunteer projects. Please call our office at (562) 987-5200 in advance so that we may find something just right for your group.  Volunteers under the age of 18 do require permission from their parents.

Court Ordered Community Service:

Court ordered community service is subject to court order by the judge.  If the court requires your community service for a required number of hours to be done by a court recognized non-profit, we suggest that you call the Volunteer Center who can make those arrangements. 

If the court allows your community service to be performed at any 501(c)3 non-profit agency, you may apply for community service hours at the Foundation.  The Foundation cannot make any guarantees that a position will be available.  The Foundation gives highest priority to community volunteers and volunteers with a skill set over those ordered by the courts to complete any community service.  Your understanding in this matter is appreciated.

Internships:
 Full or part-time internships are available. We tailor internships to the individual's skills and have positions related to public relations, outreach, event operations and volunteer organizing. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the community we serve and apply them toward your degree or research papers. The "Third Sector" is the third economic force in our U.S. economy.  Those seeking a career in Public Policy or Social Services are encouraged to apply their academic knowledge toward real-time, real-world experiences. For more information see the listings on our website or contact.

Let's Make Change Happen!