Volunteer Opportunities

How can you help families in need?

Special Event – Help Us at Hallo-Wine on October 22, 2022!
Positions available: 75 – 90

Home Start’s 15th Annual Hallo-Wine Fall Festival to raise funds for our Domestic Violence Awareness Programs is almost here! We need your help to make this year’s festival better than ever. In addition to the fun games, live music, and tasty treats from local vendors, we are adding new elements and volunteer opportunities. Whether you’d like to help set up and then attend the event, or volunteer at the festival itself, we have lots of options for you!

To sign up for more information about Hallo-Wine volunteer opportunities, click here.

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VITA Volunteer Opportunities:

We are gearing up our VITA Program for the 2023 tax season! VITA provides free tax preparation and filing support to low-to-moderate income individuals and families across San Diego. Last year, our VITA team prepared more than 1,100 tax returns, yielding nearly $1.75 million in refunds for our clients. One hour of your volunteer time brings in more than $2,337 in refunds to families in need.

A commitment of 4 hours per week is required during tax season (January – April 2023). We have flexible scheduling including weekdays, evenings and weekends, as well as virtual and socially distanced options. All volunteers must complete required IRS & Home Start trainings & certifications (training begins in November 2022).

Volunteering for the VITA Program is an extremely rewarding opportunity, and no experience is necessary. We even have opportunities that don’t involve preparing taxes!

VITA Site Coordinator – Jacobs Center

Site Coordinators are experienced tax preparers who can help us manage the flow of clients during tax season. Our goal this year is to prepare over 2,000 returns. Site Coordinators set up client TaxSlayer accounts, do initial client intake, and provide support and quality review of federal and state tax returns prepared by a team of 3-4 Tax Preparers they oversee. This position is perfect for a retired accountant or similarly familiar with tax preparation.

VITA Tax Preparer – Jacobs Center & Remote

Tax Prepares provide accurate federal and state tax preparation services to clients in accordance with IRS guidelines based on information freely provided by clients. This position is great for anyone who is organized and pays attention to detail. No prior experience is required – we will train you!

VITA Greeters – Jacobs Center

Greeters welcome clients, help schedule client appointments, answer phones & respond to voicemails and assist with other administrative support. No tax preparation is involved – this position is great for someone who has a flexible schedule and wants to help support the Home Start mission. Bilingual Spanish speakers are preferred.

To sign up for more information about VITA volunteer opportunities, click here.

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Fiscal Assistant – Home Start Main Office
Positions available: 1-2

We are seeking focused, detail-oriented volunteers to support our Fiscal Department on a regularly scheduled basis. The volunteer will work with the Home Start Fiscal Department, including our CFO, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Account Coordinators, and Directors of Business and Finance to assist in day-to-day operations at this site. This position is a great opportunity to grow experience in finance and nonprofits. Financial and clerical experience is preferable.

To learn more about the Fiscal Assistant position, click here.

Administrative Support – Community Services for Families (CSF), CSF East Office
Positions available: 1

The Community Services for Families (CSF) Program promotes child safety, child well-being, and stable living environments for children through home-based parent education and case management services. Home Start’s program is expanding across the county. Support for 2-6 hours per weekly administrative support is necessary to help case managers be able to provide services to more clients and help with group-based parenting enrollments. Volunteers must have self-care in place for this position. This position is ideal for a student interested in exploring social work as a career, or a retired social worker that can commit to a regular, weekly schedule during business hours.

To learn more about the CSF Admin Assistant position, click here.

Property Revitalization Assistant – Home Start Main Office
Positions available: 1

Home Start is seeking an organized, dependable volunteer to help us design, coordinate, and implement projects through group volunteer events at Home Start owned housing properties. This volunteer would help identify property improvement opportunities for groups (e.g. painting, gardening), help solicit donations from local community partners, and assist with project design. This position is a great opportunity for someone interested in building restoration or similar outdoor work that wants to support Home Start’s mission to prevent child abuse and neglect. Knowledge/interest in gardening and home improvement is preferred.

To learn more about the Property Revitalization Assistant position, click here.

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Current Internship Opportunities

Home Start accepts applications for a limited number of Internship opportunities on a rolling basis depending on the needs and ability of our staff to meet school program supervision requirements. Students must be enrolled in an accredited degree program and receive course credit for the hours worked at Home Start to be eligible to apply.

See our current openings below. If these do not meet your program’s requirements, then Home Start is unable to accommodate your internship search at this time.

To apply, please email internships@home-start.org with your first and last name + the position name in the subject line. Please attach your resume, a cover letter, and a letter of recommendation that speaks to why you are the best candidate for this position. Home Start Internships are highly competitive. We strongly suggest you submit a complete application for consideration.

Rapid Re-Housing Internship
Degree Level: MSW only
Semester Starting: Fall 2022

Home Start Rapid Re-Housing programs quickly house clients experiencing homelessness to help them return to safe, secure permanent housing. As an intern, you will provide mobile supportive services to clients including moving assistance, rental assistance, and case management services.

To learn more about the Rapid Re-Housing MSW Internship, click here.

Macro Administration MSW Internship
Degree Level: MSW only
Semester Starting: Fall 2022+

Home Start currently serves nearly 18,000 clients in over 30 programs and 20 sites across San Diego county. As an intern, you will work closely with Executive Staff to review and evaluate current systems and create more efficient and standardized processes across and between programs, staff, and sites.

To learn more about the Macro Administration MSW Internship, click here.

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Group Volunteer Opportunities

Home Start offers a wide variety of options for group volunteers. We partner with corporate, community, faith-based, school, service, and other groups that want to support our mission. 

Examples of past group volunteer projects include assisting with Home Start events, facility improvement projects, distribution events, warehouse cleanups, hosting donation drives, and more.

If your group is interested in partnering with us, please email Volunteer Program Coordinator Manasi Watts at mwatts@home-start.org. 

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Board & Committee Opportunities

Join our Board of Directors or serve on a committee!

Home Start is always seeking compassionate leaders in the community to join our Board of Directors. If you are passionate about our mission to support families and protect children, contact us today! 

If you are interested and would like to learn more, please contact Mark Lagace, Director of Philanthropy: mlagace@home-start.org

 

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