Individual Volunteer Opportunities are for people who want to volunteer by themselves or with one or two friends.

Get started by downloading the Individual Volunteer Application here.

You can reach Volunteer Coordinator Vanessa Wai via email at Volunteer@DWCweb.org or by calling (213)680-0600, ext 207.

Orientation & Training

Orientation

Volunteer Orientation is a crash course on all of the important information needed to be a successful volunteer, and it will familiarize you with the Downtown Women's Center programs, policies, and volunteer opportunities.  Leave with your first assignment in hand!

Next Orientation dates:

Thursday, January 14, 2010, 6:30-9pm, RSVP by January 11th

*We are at capacity and can no longer RSVP volunteers for this date. *

 

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010, 6:30pm-9pm, RSVP by January 29th

Saturday, March 6th, 2010, 9am-11am, RSVP by March 1st

Contact Volunteer Coordinator Vanessa at Volunteer@DWCweb.org or call (213) 680-0600 to sign up!

Training

Volunteer Training is a thought provoking and discussion based workshop that educates volunteers on the root causes of homelessness, current events impacting homeless women, healthy boundaries, active listening, sisterhood, and how to make an impact in your community.  It is encouraged for all volunteers and required for some volunteer jobs. 

Volunteers are encouraged to attend the Orientation prior to coming to Training. 

Next Training date: Saturday, March 6th, 2010, 9am-11am, RSVP by March 1st

Contact Volunteer Coordinator Vanessa at Volunteer@DWCweb.org  

or call (213) 680-0600 to sign up!

>return to top

Volunteer Opportunities

Make and Serve Meals

Moonlight Cooking Club  Perfect for busy working folk. No regular commitment required...drop in and out as you are able.  We provide the recipe and guidance in cooking for a crowd, and by bringing some of the needed ingredients, you’ll help defray the Center’s food costs and provide the Ladies here with a fresh and healthy meal. Send Vanessa your email address and she will email you twice monthly bulletins about the Moonlight Cooking Club.  Time: Meets approximately every other week on a weeknight (Monday thru Thursday) from 6:30-8:30pm.

Serve a Meal  Come and help us serve a meal!  Volunteer Orientation is required for regular participation.

Bring us a Meal or Snack  Prepare a meal or snack in your home or community and bring it down to the Center to help provide our Ladies with delicious and nutritious food!

>return to top

Build Community

Birthday Guild  The Birthday Guild is an opportunity for volunteers to give DWC Residents a unique and special birthday celebration!  Perfect for volunteers who like to pick out gifts, make connections, decorate & plan parties, make cakes, and show people they’re important.  Get your loved ones involved by inviting them to join in or donate to the celebration here at DWC on your birth month!  Volunteer Orientation is required.

Holiday Help  Coordinate a party, sponsor a celebration, or sign up to help decorate, cook, dance, or sing! Have a favorite holiday?  Contact Vanessa to find out our plans!

>return to top

·       

Advocate for Homeless Women

Public Outreach Team  This team of volunteers works closely with the Development and Volunteer Program Staff to give tours, staff tabling events, and represent DWC at community functions. This is a great opportunity for people who enjoy public speaking to bring resources to DWC, while educating yourself and others on homelessness and women’s issues.   Volunteer Orientation is required.

Take a Tour  A great way to familiarize yourself with DWC, talk to the staff one on one, and get your questions answered! Drop in to the Day Center during Open Hours (Monday - Friday 6 am - 4 pm and weekends from 8 am to 2 pm) and ask for a tour, or call first to arrange a tour for a group.  

Coordinate a Drive  Canned goods, used women’s clothing, new gifts for women’s birthdays, travel-size toiletries, full size sheets, and many other items are always needed.  Coordinate a drive at your school, office, place of worship, or neighborhood.  Wish lists and publicity materials are available upon request, or view our updated DWC Wish List!  

Health Kit Assembly  Gather supplies and assemble health kits from your home to be given out to participants in our health workshops and services!  Suggested travel-sized supplies include hand-sanitizers, vitamins, band-aids, bacitracin ointment, and cotton swabs.

>return to top

Fundraise for DWC

Mailing Parties  DWC prepares all fundraising mailers in the Residence, with the hands of Day Center participants, residents, staff, and volunteers. This grassroots effort saves over $8000 each year! Contribute stamps or snacks to offset mailing costs and provide manpower to stuff, seal, label, and stamp up to 5000 envelopes in an evening alongside participants. Parties are held approximately six times per year. Visit our Calendar for upcoming dates.  

Committees  Volunteers interested in a long-term opportunity that requires professional expertise are encouraged to apply for one of the Development Department’s Board Committees: the Gala Committee (January – October annually), or the Capital Campaign Committee.

37 Ways to Raise $1000  DWC provides a terrific list of 37 Ways to Raise $1000 (with tons of fun ideas) and guidance. Many options will suit your taste no matter what your age and resources. Here’s an example: Pledge $17/month for 6 months and get 9 friends to do the same. You can make this request over the phone, in person, or via a hand-written card. Here’s another one: A girls’ night option! Host a Salon Party on a Sunday afternoon for a group of friends. Give each other pedicures, facials, massages, and hairstyling. Then ask each friend to contribute $25 for the Day at the Spa. There are 35 more fantastic ways for a motivated volunteer with excellent leadership and enthusiasm to raise money.

To get involved in Volunteer Fundraising at DWC, contact Molly Moen, Senior Director of Development & Finance, at MollyM@DWCweb.org or

(213) 680-0600.

>return to top

Work Directly with DWC Participants

Learning Center Assistant  Extend Learning Center hours by working during a time it is not normally open!  Volunteer Training is required.   

Teach a Class or Workshop  Teach knitting, sewing, bridge, chess, art, drama, music or any other class that you believe would be of interest to women. Volunteer Training is required.

Use your imagination when it comes to volunteering.  If there is a project you are interested in that is not listed, just give us a call at (213) 680-0600.

>return to top