Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County
Transforming our community and ourselves through volunteerism.
When people are connected to causes they care about and given the right tools and support, everything changes for good. Real connections power personal happiness, strong families, healthy businesses, and vibrant communities.
At the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County, our mission is simple: to transform our community through volunteerism and empower everyone to be the difference. We know that when people are connected to causes they care about, and given the right tools and support, everything improves. These connections fuel personal happiness, strong families, healthy businesses, and a vibrant community.
The Volunteer Center is the hub where these connections happen. It’s where people like you—everyday heroes—come together to create positive change. Just look at the difference volunteers, donors, and partners make when we connect for good, for the greater good!
Volunteering: Good for the Community—and for You!
Volunteering provides essential support to those in need, raises awareness about important causes and issues, and strengthens the fabric of our community. But the benefits go beyond that—they extend to you, the volunteer. The right volunteer opportunity can help you make new friends, build professional connections, learn new skills, and improve your mental and physical health. Volunteering can reduce stress, fight depression, keep your mind active, and give you a sense of purpose.
While more involvement can bring even greater rewards, volunteering doesn’t have to require a long-term commitment or a large time investment. Even small acts of giving can make a big difference for those in need and enhance your own well-being.
Financials
Programs
Adopt-A-Family
Each year the Volunteer Center partners with 32 local non-profits and social service agencies to meet the needs of local families struggling to make ends meet. Our partners provide us with a short bio about each family and a list of the items that each family member requests.
All of these families are struggling with special circumstances such as homelessness, displaced by natural disasters or floods, parents in recovery, parents or children with disabilities, victims of violent crime, families facing serious health challenges, or other hardships.
Adopt-a-Family Volunteers then set to work connecting families with donors who shop for them for the holidays. Requests include basic necessities like sheets, towels, or shoes along with special gift requests for the children.
Adopters provide families with holiday packages that include food gift certificates, clothing items, a gift for each child, and household items like blankets, towels, or sheets. Adopters will deliver these items to our warehouse during the designated drop-off days in December.
Literacy Program
Nearly every day someone reaches out to the Literacy Program to ask about learning English. Some want to get a job, advance their career, or to be able to talk with their child’s teacher. Our goal is to connect these motivated adults with a volunteer tutor.
Tutors impart more than English. They provide a wealth of information about how life works in Santa Cruz County. They may assist students in gaining the basic skills to go shopping, engage socially, navigate the local landscape, or they may provide insight about work norms. In addition, our tutors provide the basic training for students to further their education and to obtain citizenship.
Volunteering + Events
Friends of Pogonip
Volunteer to clean up Pogonip removing trash from trails.
Please wear hiking boots or sturdy shoes, layers for warm or cold weather and sunscreen. Volunteers will do lots of walking on the trails and some volunteers may use a wheelbarrow to remove larger items.
We meet at the gate at the end of Golf Club Drive at 10AM on the 3rd Wednesday of the month.
Volunteer and help us leave nature cleaner than we found it!
Literacy Program Orientation
Join the Literacy Program for a free 40-minute online orientation to learn more about becoming a tutor to a motivated adult learner. No teaching or foreign language skills are necessary, just a desire to be of service. We provide training and match you with the right student. Orientations will be held via Zoom. RSVP below & we will follow up with further instructions.
In Santa Cruz County, nearly 23% of households struggle with basic English literacy.
You can make a difference by becoming a volunteer literacy tutor! Tutoring is a deeply rewarding opportunity that helps individuals gain new skills, empowers families, and strengthens our community.