Volunteer Opportunities in Santa Monica

Youth Leadership and Community Service Opportunities
There is something out there for you!



City’s Volunteer Program
There are a variety of volunteer opportunities within the City which can be accessed through the City’s Volunteer Program. Our City is committed to community participation and engagement and volunteering in a program, for an event or as part of a City Board or Commission is a great way to get involved! Please contact the Volunteer Supervisor at (310) 458-8300 or volunteer@smgov.net.

Police Activities League
The Police Activities League has a year-round Older Teen Program and a Youth Directors Council for youth ages 14 to 17 years of age, although occasionally younger youth can participate. To participate in this program, teens must become a member of PAL, which is very easy – just complete a short application form. PAL also has many opportunities for community service and volunteer tutoring, even in the summer. PAL youth of all ages can also participate in the year-round Students Run L. A. program, in which youth train for and run in the Los Angeles Marathon. There are opportunities for older youth/teens to assist and work with younger children as well. Anyone interested should call Karen Humphrey at (310) 458-8988.

Community Aquatics Program
The City of Santa Monica Santa Monica Swim Center, located on the Santa Monica College Campus, has many opportunities for young people. There are actually paid jobs for youth as young as age 13 ½ years, generally spring through fall. Youth can become Student Workers, helping out in the locker room, or become Junior Lifeguards – and no experience needed! The Swim Center trains young people to be Junior Lifeguards and Student Workers. Call (310) 458-8700 and ask for Amy Cramer or Evelyn Lim.

City’s Homework Assistance Programs
During the school year, the City invites middle and high school students to help tutor elementary school youth after school and to help them with homework in one of our many Homework Assistance Programs in CREST and the Police Activities League, as well as at Virginia Avenue Park, when it reopens later this year. We have sites all over the City, so wherever you live or go to school in Santa Monica, you can find a Homework Assistance Program to get involved in. Also, teens are also invited, as part of the CREST Afterschool Program, to volunteer to teach an enrichment class to groups of children. This is a great opportunity for anyone who has special interests or hobbies to help small groups of younger children gain some new or fun skills and interests. For more information, contact Robin Davidson at (310) 458-8701.



Youth Sports Volunteer Coach Program
For those young people who have participated in the City’s Youth Sports Program, there are opportunities to volunteer as an assistant coach in our sports leagues during the school year. We have leagues at all elementary and middle schools. Volunteers work closely with one or two coaches and learn how to coach a team and promote positive sportsmanship in younger children. If this is something you are interested in doing, please call Luis Acosta or Eric Johnson at (310) 458-8540.

Sports Experience Camp – Counselor In Training (CIT)
The City has a great camp that runs summer, winter and spring breaks called Sports Experience. There are limited opportunities for young people to become Counselors-In-Training for this camp, which is held at John Adams Middle School. To be a CIT, you need not be an athlete. For more information, please call Luis Acosta or Eric Johnson at (310) 458-8540.

Santa Monica Library
The City of Santa Monica Library, through its Teen Services division, has a Teen Council that meets every other week, and serves as the Library’s youth leadership group. The Library also provides young people opportunities to tutor children in reading both in the summer and school year, and training is provided. The Library appreciates volunteers of all ages to help in the office with mailings, filing and other tasks and to help keep the library neat and organized. For more information, call the Volunteer Office of the Santa Monica Public Library at (310) 458-8646.

Other Opportunities
A few private non-profit agencies in Santa Monica encourage young people who want to be leaders to get involved in their organizations:
 The Santa Monica chapter of the American Red Cross, which can be reached at (310) 394-3773, encourages young people to get involved in their mentorship program, office work, community fairs and more.
 The Santa Monica Animal Shelter also has great opportunities for young animal lovers to get involved, and can be reached at (310) 458-8594.
 Heal the Bay may be appealing to young environmentally-minded volunteers. Tom Galassi, the volunteer coordinator, can be reached at (310) 453-0395.
 The Santa Monica based County Beach Junior Lifeguard Program offers training and opportunities for youth as young as 13 years of age. Call (310) 939-7214.
 The City’s Police Department runs a leadership Junior Police Academy for youth’ for more information call (310) 458-2222.



For more information on City of Santa Monica programs, resources and opportunities, please check the City’s website at www.smgov.net or call the City’s Human Services Division at (310) 458.8701 for more information and assistance.

Looking Within by Elisa

I am Mexican American
I am crazy and wild in the inside
I am shy and creative on the outside
I am a daughter of two great parents
I am a caring aunt and sister
I am athletic and musical
I am ready any obstacles in life
I am a wild bird flying through a storm
I am Elisa Aquino and I am proud


Elisa Aquino

Community: Powerful Girl Next Door by Miku

Name?

Desire Johnson


Age?

17


School?

Santa Monica High School


City you live in?

Santa Monica


What are your interests?

I love to read book and write poetry. Sometimes i enjoy painting and doing ceramics. I like to hag out wuth my friends and surround myself with good company. Music is a lrge part of my life because I can always find a song that discribes exactly how I'm feeling. I also like to spend my time volunteering at the Santa Monica Main Public Library.


What are your future goals?

I intensd to graduate high schoolc and head off to college. I would like to major in Child Psycology and possible minor in Dance or Medicine.I would like to have my career started by the time I want to settle dowm and haev a family.


What kinds of programs are you doing right now?

I am a current memeber of the Santa Monica Main Library Teen Counsil. I also attend DowBeat 720, Microphone Sessions, and Microphone Sessions at the Santa MOnica Boys&Girls Clud. I frequently visit Virginia Ave Park. I now am also the former intern for the Phildrens Planning Committee of Los Angeles via Spa5


How do you get involved in your community?

All of the programs listed above a volunteer factors.


Have you changed your life?

In the past two years I have changed my life quite a bit -- so that I would be able to ajust to life in Santa Monica.


What inspires you?

Other people's situations inspire me. I make sure to note how people deal with their issues and try to apply their methods when I run into the same problem. My family is an inspiration and I inspire myself because at the end if the day I know myself best.


As a young female what challenges do you think exist for you?

Just as all female will face in their lives -- image. Over these past years I have learned to cope with how people see me and realize their is really nothing I can do about that. So I just see myself as beautiful everyday and hope that others can do the same for themselves. Now that I am getting older I have to worry about competion I will face in the college and working world.


How do you deal with challenges?

MOstly I do meditation and self assertive mantras. Writing poetry helps alot. Also going to Open Mics helps me out.

By Miku Yoshida