Volunteer Opportunities

Home Start Offices Tidy Up Project: Saturday, January 28^th

Home Start has been selected as a project site for the San Diego National Association of Productivity and Organizing (SD NAPO) Go Project. Expert organizers will be helping us make the most efficient, effective, and functional use of our spaces at our Texas Street and Jacobs Center offices. We are thrilled to have this opportunity, but we can't do it alone! We need help moving, rearranging, and generally tidying up heavy things!

• • When: Saturday, January 28^th
  • Time Commitment: 2+ hour shifts available from 9am – 3pm
  • Extra Credit: We could also really use a truck or van that can do a dump run

Please email Manasi Watts at [email protected] or sign up here.

SAVE THE DATE: 2023 Blue Ribbon Gala Saturday, April 29^th  

 Home Start’s annual Blue Ribbon Gala is coming up soon! Stay tuned for more information.

Communities in Action (CinA) Administrative Assistant – Jacobs Center
Positions available: 1-2

Communities in Action staff help families move toward safety, empowerment and connection by providing tools and increasing options for self-determination, financial independence, and healthy choices. We urgently need an organized, dependable volunteer to provide administrative support for 5-10 hours each week during normal business hours. This volunteer will work directly with Home Start staff and will be supervised by the CinA Program Manager to provide assistance in day-to-day operations at this site. Must be bi-lingual in Spanish.

To learn more about the CinA Administrative Assistant position, click here.

Administrative & Event Support – Home Start Main Office
Positions available: 1-2

Home Start is seeking an organized, dependable volunteer to provide administrative support in our Main Office. This volunteer will work directly with Home Start staff and will be supervised by the Administrative Coordinator and/ or appropriate Program Coordinator to provide assistance in day-to-day operations at this site. The Administrative Assistant Volunteer will also help our Development and Event Manager with administrative support as we prepare for our biggest Fall event, Hallo-Wine, in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness month. This position is a great opportunity to grow experience in administration while supporting Home Start’s mission to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Administrative experience/knowledge is preferred.

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

Facilities Assistant – Home Start Main Office
Positions available: 1

Home Start is seeking an organized, dependable volunteer to help identify, coordinate and track property repair and improvement opportunities for vendors and groups (e.g. painting, gardening). 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 home improvement is preferred.

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

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VITA (Tax Assistance) Opportunities

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 $2,400 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 the required IRS & Home Start training & certifications.

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, Mission Valley & Remote

Tax Preparers 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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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 [email protected] 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.

Domestic Violence Program Internship
Degree Level: BA and MSW
Semester Starting: Summer 2023+ 

Home Start’s Domestic Violence Program provides flexible financial assistance relating to safety and housing security, assists with lease negotiations, and provides outreach and education services to community stakeholders. As an intern, you will provide mobile advocacy services and support to survivors of relationship violence, stalking, and sexual assault or abuse and their children. Successful candidates MUST feel comfortable working in the field directly with clients.

To learn more about the Domestic Violence Program BA or MSW Internship, click here.

Community Services for Families (CSF) Program Internship
Degree Level: BA / BSW (UNDERGRADUATE ONLY)
Semester Starting: Summer 2023+ 

The Community Services for Families (CSF) Program exists to promote child safety, child well-being and stable living environments for children through home-based parent education and case management services. As an intern, you will have exposure to cases and the day-to-day of providing services to this population and your support to our work to increase the stability, self-sufficiency and parenting skills of the families who receive our care. Successful candidates MUST feel comfortable working in the field directly with clients.

To learn more about the CSF Program BA / BSW Internship, click here.

Housing Outreach Program Internship
Degree Level: BA / BSW (UNDERGRADUATE ONLY)
Semester Starting: Summer 2023+ 

Home Start’s Housing Outreach Programs meet and engage with runaway and homeless youth across San Diego County, connecting them with resources and providing help to meet basic needs such as transportation to shelter, housing referrals, hygiene items, food and blankets. As an intern you will provide mobile supportive services to clients including moving assistance, rental assistance and case management services. Successful candidates MUST feel comfortable working in the field directly with homeless clients.

To learn more about the Housing Outreach Program BA / BSW Internship, click here.

Rapid Re-Housing Program Internship
Degree Level: BA / BSW (UNDERGRADUATE ONLY)
Semester Starting: Summer 2023+

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. Successful candidates MUST feel comfortable working in the field directly with homeless clients.

To learn more about the Rapid Re-Housing Program BA / BSW 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 [email protected].

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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: [email protected]

 

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