Get Involved

Want to volunteer at a great organization, but don’t know where to go? Feeling like you don’t know where to start? Never fear!

This short list features just a few of the hundreds of agencies with which you can volunteer your time for community service or for Service-Learning course credit. Pick one that suits your interests and personality – you’ll be donating your time here, so it’s important that the organization you choose is a good fit for you.

Stone Soup of Fresno: One of the most outstanding nonprofits in the nation! The project focuses on children in the El Dorado Park Neighborhood just west of campus. Voluneers are needed for educational, recreational, health, medical, and other services. Call 224-7613.

Sanctuary Youth Shelter: Offers a variety of innovative gang/drug prevention programs including outreach, tutoring, mentoring, recreation, performing arts, and education. There is a large variety of volunteer opportunities through this agency. Call Joe Martinez at 498-8543, extension 103.

Every Neighborhood Partnership: This program matches volunteers with schools throughout Fresno Unified. Volunteer in a classroom with a child or participate in their various Saturday sports programs. Contact Artie Padilla at 326-5100. Website: http://everyneighborhood.org.

Reading and Beyond: Work with 1st-3rd graders with low academic skills to help them improve their education achievement. Volunteers are needed to act as tutors, recreation leaders, and for office support and marketing. Call 226-4672. Website: www.readingandbeyond.org.

Boys and Girls Club of Fresno: With several locations around Fresno and Clovis, Boys and Girls Clubs offer many different opportunities. Call 266-3117.

STAR Tutoring Program: Tutoring program close to campus. Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 2:00 to 3:30. Materials and training are provided for you. Call 435-2690.

Community Food Bank: Numerous activities for students. Marketing projects, food drives, internships, etc. Call Leslie Gacad to volunteer at 237-3663. Website: www.communityfoodbank.net.

Central California Blood Center: Save a life, donate blood! Also, help promote on-campus and community blood drives, public relations work and more. 224-2900, extension 3017. Website:www.donateblood.org.

Housing Opportunities through Education (HOPE): This organization builds housing for low-income working families. Volunteers needed to help with home construction, public relations, volunteer recruitment, fundraising, and more. Call 224-9052. Website: http://hope.atinet.org.

Bulldog Pantry: A student-operated emergency food pantry. Assist with picking up food from Community Food Bank, packing grocery bags for clients, and food distribution on Saturday mornings. Call 224-9051 or email TheBulldogPantry@gmail.com.

Junior Achievement: The region’s largest and fastest-growing organization dedicated to educating young people about business, economics, and free enterprise. Flexible schedule and service is performed in the classroom. Call 224-1046. Website: www.jaba.org.

I Can Junior Triathlon Club: A program for children where fundamental life principles are taught and encouraged throuhg the sport of triathlon. Volunteers are needed to assist with coaching, web development, grant writing, and more. Contact Todd Waldner at 905-9473. Website: www.icantriclub.com.

RiverTree Friends: A group dedicated to the maintenance of the San Joaquin River Watershed. They primarily perform restoration, river cleanups, and some educational programs. There are no paid staff members, so volunteers are essentail to every aspect of the program. Call Richard Sloan at 284-5476. Website: www.rivertreevolunteers.org.

Fresno Citizen Corps – Public Safety Volunteer Opportunities: Work with local public safety agencies to help bring a sense of pride to our community. To request an application, or for more information on any of the following, visit www.fresnocitizencorps.com.

• Fresno Police: Citizens on Patrol, Caplains, Domestic Violence Advocates, Neighborhood Watch
• Fresno Police Activities League: Builds positive relationships between young people and members of the police department
• Fresno Fire Department: Volunteers to help with a broad range of areas including education and outreach programs.

Catholic Charaties: Offers a wide range of services to the community. Work with refugees, homeless individuals, in the food pantry, at the thrift store, or other social service programs. Call 237-0851.

San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust: This nonprofit is dedicated to preserving the San Joaquin River. Volunteers are needed for habitat restoration, trail and river maintenance, education programs, exotic species removal, and various office projects. Call 248-8480.

 

Don’t want to leave campus? No problem! Here is a list of on-campus volunteer opportunities:

 

On-Campus Opportunities:

The Richter Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning: Assisting with a variety of special projects that engage other students in service activities. Call Chris Fiorentino at 278-7079 or email him at chrisf@csufresno.edu.

Services for Students with Disabilities: Volunteer note-takers, readers for books on tape and on-campus transportation assistants for disabled students. Contact Pat Blore or Lorna Saiz at 278-2811.

Early Education Center: Work with campus daycare and educational programs. Call 278-0225.

USU Productions: Working on a variety of special events including concerts, shows, lectures, conferences, and more. Call 278-2741.

Still not finding anything that suits your fancy? Come on into the Richter Center and we’ll help point you in the right direction, or you can visit www.1-800-volunteer.org for more opportunities.