Become a Community Ally at Union Station Homeless Services
The purpose of our Community Allies Program is to support their neighbors as they transition into housing. By fostering one-on-one relationships and social networks, they hope to combat isolation to support wellness and housing stability. This year, despite the challenges of the pandemic, Community Allies continued to change lives. The program kept residents in their supportive housing programs connected in small in-person groups and virtually. Activities included book club, picnics in the park, yoga, and more. Volunteers must be at least 25 years old; Complete program orientation and training (and supplemental trainings); Complete a LiveScan State and Federal background check; Provide proof of COVID-19 Vaccination; Commit to the program for 12 months; Meet with your participant at least twice a month; Have reliable personal transportation or access to public transportation; Have a computer and internet access to log volunteer hours and complete Session notes; Have not received services or participated in a USHS program in the past year. Visit: https://unionstationhs.org/help/volunteer/volunteer-mentor-program/
Pack and Donate Care Packages to Imagine LA
The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly increased families’ needs for non-perishable food, basic necessities, cleaning supplies, technology, family fun activities, and more. Bring some joy & relief to families by assembling a care package or purchasing supplies in bulk, and coordinating delivery with Imagine LA staff. Here’s what’s most needed right now: COVID-safe PPE (wet wipes, hand sanitizer, face masks) ▪ Cleaning supplies (sponges, multipurpose cleaner, paper towels) ▪ Hygiene supplies (toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, soap) ▪ Non-perishable food (canned food, pasta, rice, beans, cereal) ▪ Family fun activities (board games, playing cards, puzzles, bubbles, crafting materials, coloring books/supplies, headphones) ▪ A personal note from your family. This is a great family activity to teach generosity and philanthropy with children! Visit: https://www.imaginela.org/in-kind-donations
Make a Difference with Teen Challenge of Southern California
Want to make a positive impact in the lives of students? One of the most rewarding ways many people have told Teen Challenge of Southern California that they contribute to Teen Challenge is to volunteer. They have a variety of possibilities if you’re interested in giving some of your time. But be careful, once you spend time around the students, you’ll be hooked! There are numerous centers all over Southern California! Visit: https://www.teenchallenge.org/volunteer/
Get Involved with Imagine LA Through Volunteering
There are numerous ways to start volunteering at Imagine LA! Volunteer Mentors serve as friends, partners, and companions for parents and youth (age 5 & older) who have experienced homelessness (and are now housed) on their individual and family journeys. General volunteers lend a hand through event volunteering, in-kind donation drives, community connections, and more. Community partners leverage their unique strengths and positions to advance all our goals. Consider volunteering today! Visit: https://www.imaginela.org/volunteer
Volunteer to Make a Difference at Boys & Girls Club of Hollywood
When you volunteer at a Boys & Girls Club, you can make a difference in the lives of youth and give back to your community. Within the first few minutes of walking into a Club, you know you’re in a special place. Filled with the sounds and energy of spirited children and friendly, caring professionals, the Club is a fun and hopeful environment. Whether you help with homework, coach a game, or teach an art project, you’ll have the opportunity to build healthy relationships with young people eager for adult guidance, and have a positive impact on their lives. In turn, you will find that spending time with these young people has a positive impact on you as well. Visit: https://bgca.org/get-involved/volunteer
Consider Donating to the Watts Labor Community Action Committee
Most people have heard of WLCAC because it’s where they, their parents, or grandparents had their first job. As people in the world’s third largest economy experience poverty and homelessness, they work everyday to help people and families thrive. That started in the 60’s when their founder helped lower the federal working age to allow youth in Watts to earn a living during the summer after the fateful 1965 Watts Rebellion. Every day for the past 58 years, whether through grassroots community organizing or funded programs, WLCAC helps provide free support for: Family stability, Employment, Housing and Homelessness prevention, Seniors, Farming, Youth Development, and Cultural Enrichment. Please consider donating to support their mission! Visit: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LGVJS6JY2XBFJ
Consider Donating to World Impact
At World Impact, they know that many church leaders struggle to sustain ministry impact and grow healthy churches in urban neighborhoods because they do not have the training they need. They know this because we’ve been in your shoes for five decades.Their training is designed for the urban context and empowers leaders to build healthy churches in communities of diversity and poverty. When urban church leaders are empowered to own and lead their own ministries, individuals, families, and neighborhoods flourish. Please consider supporting their cause! Visit: https://www.worldimpact.org/donation/
Featured Projects
Relax and Make Art at Big Sunday’s Sun Days on Tuesdays
Big Sunday,
joshua@bigsunday.org,
(323) 549-9944
Come decorate Mosaic Suns with us! For the past few months, people enjoyed joining us to make beautiful, cheerful and unique mosaic suns to brighten up nonprofits around town. These cool projects are the brainchild of our old friend Cathy Weiss and will be led by Cathy and our own Big Sunday staff, Josh. We can use your help! You don’t need to be artistic – just sincere. Visit: https://bigsunday.org/get-involved/tuesdayartdays/
Make A Difference at Big Sunday’s AW@10 Event
Big Sunday,
jake@bigsunday.org,
(323) 549-9944
We’d love to have you join us for our Accessible Wednesday morning program, AW@10! Previously held biweekly as “2W@10,” these special events are held from 10:00am – 11:30am each Wednesday where we do fun activities to help local nonprofits. And what’s extra special about these Wednesday events? Our guests of honor are wonderful and fun volunteers with some developmental challenges who want to give back and help others, in groups and as individuals. The accessible activities we’ll do on Wednesdays are specifically designed with these guests in mind, so that everyone can participate and have fun volunteering – because we believe very strongly that absolutely everyone has something to give. People of ALL ability levels are invited to join us on Wednesdays! All we ask is that you show up ready to be part of a community of helpful people! Visit: https://bigsunday.org/get-involved/aw10/
Make A Difference at Big Sunday’s TM@10 Event
Big Sunday,
nicolo@bigsunday.org,
(323) 549-9944
TM@10 (Thursday Morning @ 10) is not only one of our favorite programs, but it’s one of our most popular, too! We meet every Thursday morning, from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM. And we host hands-on projects to help local nonprofits. At TM@10 we’ve assembled birthday gifts for folks in shelters; written letters to soldiers stationed overseas; packed backpacks for ex-gang members starting college; made quilts for preemies; and about 1000 other things. Even better – and in classic Big Sunday fashion – it’s a great way for people to meet new people, work together, and enjoy some laughs while helping someone else. Visit: https://bigsunday.org/get-involved/tm10/
Stuff Thanksgiving Meal Kits with Big Sunday
Big Sunday,
nicolo@bigsunday.org,
(323) 549-9944
Each year we collect and pack big bags full of Thanksgiving dinner for thousands of people! We need folks to donate food, as well as pack everythingup and distribute it. And yes, everyone is invited to join together for a community breakfast, too! A true festival of gratitude. We also need folks to lead food collections in their community! And this year’s event will be back at the amazing Baldwin Elementary School! Visit: https://bigsunday.org/get-involved/thanksgiving2023/