Sacramento Volunteer Opportunties

Not many of us can find free time in our lives, but when we do have some time to ourselves, it is nice to spend that time giving back to others. If you are looking for ways to get involved in the Sacramento community, we have a list of a bunch of local organizations that are aiming to do good for Sacramento and people.

Sacramento CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) believes that each child has the right to a home where loving people care about them. Some kids unfortunately end up in foster care where it is up to a judge to determine the child’s future. When you volunteer for CASA you will receive training on how to be that child’s advocate in court as well as the in the child welfare system. The volunteer gets to know the child, then speaks up for the child in juvenile court and tries to help the child understand the frightening and confusing child welfare and legal systems. This organization is a great way to get involved and make a positive difference in a child’s life.

Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services offers a wide range of ways to get involved. They have many volunteer roles that need to be filled. They will surely have a volunteer opportunity to fit your passion. They have roles such as working in the community garden, sorting and passing out food, ESL teachers, school tutors, classroom assistants or language translators. This organization needs a ton of volunteers and is a great way to support the Sacramento community. You will have to participate in a volunteer orientation in order to learn more about the non-profit and your role as a volunteer.

The Sacramento Tree Foundation is a very special place to spend your time if you are an outdoor and tree enthusiast. The organization’s mission is “Building healthy, livable communities in the Sacramento region by growing the best urban forest in the nation”. Tree care and tree planting usually takes place in the rainy months in Sacramento, but there are tons of volunteer opportunities all year long. In the winter season, they plant local trees and shrubs at various restoration sites around Sacramento. Year around you can participate in “Mulching Parties” where you will mulch local trees, young and old. Another year around volunteer option is the “Site Care Program” where volunteers take care of the restoration sites themselves, which includes removing tree tubing, installing or replacing irrigation systems among other activities. Volunteers can be as young as 6 years old, so this is a great volunteer opportunity for the whole family.

Sacramento Loaves and Fishes is next up on the list as a top place to volunteer to spend your time. It was founded in 1983 to feed the hungry and to shelter the homeless. It is a private charity that does not receive government funding for the services they provide the community. The have programs such as Sister Nora’s Place, which offers long term help for mentally ill women. Mustard Seed School provides a free private, education for kids aged 3-15 and assistance for them as they enter the area public schools. Their Dining Room is open every day and provides a hot meal at noon to nearly 1000 people in need a day. They also provide free emergency animal services and kenneling for people while they are accessing Loaves and Fishes services. Every Thursday they provide a volunteer training where you will learn about their organization and understand how you can get involved with their programs. Don’t have time to volunteer consistently? No problem. You can get involved by checking out their “Needs” list where you can find items that they are requesting through donation. There are so many great ways to get involved in this organization.

No matter how you are looking to get involved, there is an organization out there for you.