For years, Lakewood residents have heeded the call to help others. They show their concern for the community and neighbors by volunteering. There are many different opportunities to volunteer by reaching out and giving back to the community. This includes special opportunities for youth and seniors to get involved. Some volunteer opportunities are year round and some are seasonal.
The Volunteers in Action Program coordinates all Recreation and Community Services Department volunteer programs. Please call the volunteer office at the Burns Community Center for further information, 562-925-7512 or call the numbers below.
Below is a sampling many of the opportunities that are available:
Block Captains, Neighborhood Watch
562-866-9771, extension 2112
Volunteers link their neighborhoods to safety services and serve as a liaison with the City and Sheriff’s Department.
CERT Program—Community Emergency Response Team
562-866-9771, extension 2404
This free 20 hour training program is for volunteers wanting to assist following a major disaster.
Tutoring Program
562-866-9771, extension 2408 or contact your local park
Volunteer tutors are needed to help both children and teens with homework at several city facilities.
Youth Track Meet and Cross Country Meet
562-865-1717
These annual events showcase some of our local young athletes. Volunteers help with set up, judging, timing and scoring in various events.
Special Events
562-866-9771, extension 2408
Volunteers help with a variety of Special Events held throughout Lakewood.
Adaptive Recreation Programs
562-429-7472
Adaptive recreation is designed to provide equal recreation and leisure opportunities for people with special needs. Volunteers assist staff with supervision.
Special Olympics
562-429-7472
For our “Special” teens, we have a year round Special Olympics program. Volunteers help with coaching and general supervision.
Lakewood Youth Sports
562-866-9771, extension 2408
Volunteer coaches are needed to coach baseball, softball, flag football, volleytennis, and basketball programs.
Recreation Aid
562-866-9771, extension 2408
Volunteers assist the recreation staff with arts, crafts, sports, special events and general supervision.
Maintenance Aid and Special Projects
562-866-9771, extension 2426
Volunteers assist staff with general facility and ball diamond maintenance, as well as a variety of special projects.
Junior Lifeguard
562-866-9771, extension 2408
After completing the Junior Lifeguard class volunteers may assist with swim classes, locker room supervision, and special events. Volunteers receive aquatics training as well as training in CPR and First Aid.
Weingart Senior Center Volunteers
562-630-6141
Volunteers assist staff in a variety of areas including: working the information desk and light clerical duties; helping with a wide variety of special events; assisting with food distribution for the brown bag program twice a month; and helping with general facility maintenance.
Halloween Carnivals– Contact your local park
Free Carnivals are offered as eight Lakewood parks. Community volunteers staff game booths and haunted houses.
Project Shepherd
562-925-7512
This is a holiday food assistance program for Lakewood residents. Volunteers are needed to sort donations, pack boxes, assist with home deliveries, and help with paperwork.
Lakewood Volunteer Day
562-925-7512
On one Saturday, each April, volunteers are needed to assist with yard and outside home maintenance repair at homes of low income disabled residents.
Tax Assistance
562-630-6141
This program provides free assistance in preparing State and Federal Income Tax returns. Volunteers are trained in late January and then volunteer through April 15th.
Teen Volunteers
562-429-7472
Teens assist with a variety of programs and special events including the middle or high school Teen Board that meets weekly to plan projects.
Totally Friday Nights
562-429-7472
TFN is a series of young teen dance and party nights for middle school age students who live in Lakewood. Volunteers assist with event set up and supervision.
The following service clubs offer a variety of opportunities
Lakewood Jaycees
The Lakewood Jaycees provide leadership training through community service for adults 18-40. Jaycee sponsored events include the Miss Lakewood Pageant, the Teens in Lakewood Care (TLC) program, and a program that provides school clothes for needy students. For additional information, contact Caren Spilsbury at mailto:mcsglines@aol.com
Lakewood Lions Club
The Lakewood Lions Club is one of the oldest service clubs in Lakewood. The motto of the Lions is “We Serve.” The Lions club focuses on issues involving eyesight, whether it is refurbishing used glasses, providing eye exams for children who can’t afford it, or raising awareness. Also, Lions is active in high schools by sponsoring “Leo” clubs. For more information contact Bob Martin at 562-421-9640.
Rotary Club of Lakewood
The Rotary Club presents opportunities to do service for others. Rotary meets weekly for lunch and fellowship to plan various community service activities. The Rotary’s main focus in Lakewood is Project Shepherd during the month of December. For additional information: http://www.lakewoodrotary.org/.
Soroptimist International of Lakewood/Long Beach
Soroptimist International of Lakewood/Long Beach is a group of professional women who, through volunteer service and fundraising activities, work to improve the lives of women and girls. Primary beneficiaries of the club include Lakewood Meals on Wheels, Weingart-Lakewood YMCA and academic scholarships. For information on membership or club activities, contact Josette Utke 562-866 -3749
The following community groups serve the City of Lakewood and offer a variety of volunteer opportunities for adults and/or youth
Meals on Wheels
562-925-8747
Volunteers work approximately two hours a week. Duties include: making sandwiches and packing food, driving to participant’s home, or accompanying the driver and delivering the meal.
Human Services Association
562-925-9829 or 562-630-6210
Volunteers at the senior nutrition programs at Burns Center and Weingart Senior Center set-up tables, greet lunch goers, dish out food, and clean tables.
Pathways Volunteer Hospice
562-531-3031
Pathways Volunteer Hospice trains volunteers to serve as hospice companions, volunteer caregivers for the frail elderly, and grief support group facilitators.
Su Casa
562-303-1030
Volunteers receive 40 hours of training and then work with women who are victims of domestic violence.
Ombudsman program
562-925-2346
Volunteers are trained to protect the rights of residents in nursing homes and other facilities that serve seniors. They investigate resident complaints, explore issues, and assist in creating solutions.
OASIS—Older Adult Services and Information Systems
562-601-5010
Located in the basement of Macy’s, this program offers classes, enrichment programs, and health education for seniors. Volunteers are needed for teaching classes, general office work, and assisting with special events.
Little League, Bobby Sox, AYSO Soccer, Pop Warner
Call 562-866 -9771, extension 2408 for specific contact information.
Youth sports organizations need volunteers as coaches, and board members. Volunteers also assist with fundraising events and organization management.
YMCA
562-425-7431
Volunteers serve on the policy boards, as youth sports coaches, and at special events.
Boy Scouts
562-427-0911
Volunteers are trained to help in the office and serve as scout troop leaders.
Girl Scouts
562-421-8456, extension 200
Girl Scout volunteers lead troops, organize activities for girls, meet new friends, all while making a difference for today’s girls. Volunteer positions available include troop leaders, council volunteers, trainers, and board members.
Campfire
562-421-2725
Adult volunteers work with K-12 graders mentoring boys and girls who participate in activities, community service, camping, and home making.
Friends of the Lakewood Library
562-866-1777, extension 320
This organization benefits Lakewood’s libraries. Volunteers work in the bookstore, conduct twice-yearly book sales, and assist with other special events.
Sheriff’s Department
562-623-3500 ask for the Community Relations Deputy
Volunteers assist and support station personnel in a variety of areas such as detective bureau, traffic, front counter, and station tours.
School Volunteers
All schools use volunteers to assist in the office, in the classrooms, and for special events.
ABC Unified School District
562-926-5566
Bellflower Unified School District
562-866-9011
Long Beach Unified School District
562-997-8000
Paramount Unified School District
562-602-6000
