Volunteer Opportunities

How can you help families in need?

Home Start is in the community working to strengthen families every day. You can change the life of a child and help stop the cycle of abuse and neglect through a variety of volunteer opportunities. ALL Home Start volunteer opportunities are on-site, IN PERSON. We do NOT offer any remote volunteer options at this time.

We have several types of one-time and on-going volunteer options at Home Start, including:

  • Board & Committee opportunities.
  • One-time, occasional, and ongoing volunteer opportunities for individuals across a wide variety of projects and interests, from admin help to garden projects, providing tax assistance to event support.
  • Opportunities for groups to help with annual events, outreach, beautification, and more.
  • Internships for BA, MSW & Psy.D. students currently enrolled in accredited 2- or 4- year college or graduate level programs receiving course credit.
  • Some court-ordered volunteer service.

Home Start values dedicated and reliable volunteers across our organization! Please read below for current needs or email our Volunteer Coordinator Manasi Watts at mwatts@home-start.org  to find the right volunteer opportunity for you!

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Upcoming Event Volunteer Opportunities

URGENT: Help Staff our Bright Futures Candles Booth at the Adams Avenue Street Fair!

Bright Futures Candle display

The 42nd annual Adams Avenue Street Fair is Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22, 2024.

Help us showcase our handpoured Bright Futures Candles at Southern California’s largest free two-day festival! Located in San Diego’s Normal Heights neighborhood, Adams Avenue businesses like Home Start's Social Enterprise Programs, our Thrift Boutique and Bright Futures Candles, are proud sponsors of this event that has expanded to 10 blocks.

Volunteers will work in pairs to staff shifts from 10am - 2pm OR 2pm - 6pm on Saturday and Sunday. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to support Home Start's mission and participate one of the best FREE events held in San Diego County! In addition to the fantastic music schedule, the fair features carnival rides, beer gardens, festival foods, and 300 exhibitors with unique offerings.

Sign up with family member or friend and enjoy the fair before or after your shift! Download and complete our Intake Form today! Send completed forms and questions to Volunteer Program Coordinator Manasi Watts.

 

Hallo-Wine Sign Ups are OPEN!

Hallo-Wine Logo

Our annual Hallo-Wine Food & Wine festival held in recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month will be held on Saturday, October 19th. We offer volunteer shifts throughout the day to accommodate your schedule before, during, and after the event. We will also have in office volunteer opportunities to help with event preparations and post-event breakdown. Interested in helping out? Find out more about volunteer options here. Sign up for your spot today!


Current Individual Volunteer Opportunities

Our current volunteer openings for individuals are listed below. If you would like to apply or learn more about any of these positions, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Manasi Watts at mwatts@home-start.org with the position title in the subject line.

Communities in Action (CinA) Tax Preparation Support –  CinA Jacobs Center Office
Positions available: 1

We are seeking an organized, dependable volunteer to provide tax preparation support to our Communities in Action Program. This volunteer will work directly with Home Start clients and staff and will be supervised by the Communities in Action Program Manager to aid in preparing state and federal tax returns. This position is a great opportunity to grow experience in tax return preparation while supporting Home Start’s mission to prevent child abuse and neglect. Spanish preferred.

Contact Volunteer Program Coordinator Manasi Watts for more information.

Special Events Assistant – Main Office

Positions Available: 1

Home Start’s annual Hallo-Wine Food and Wine festival is coming on up Saturday, October 19th! We are immediately seeking an organized, dependable volunteer to help us prepare for this exciting event and provide administrative support as needed. This volunteer will work directly with Home Start staff and will be supervised by the Development and Volunteer Program Staff to aid in day-to-day event planning, coordination, operational and administrative support necessary to make this event a success. Ideally this would be a regular, weekly position for someone with a flexible schedule that has a passion for event planning. This position is a great opportunity to grow experience in areas of development, philanthropy, event planning, and administration, while supporting Home Start’s mission to prevent child abuse and neglect. Availabilty to help all day on October 19th is requiredAdministrative experience / knowledge is preferred. 

Please contact Volunteer Program Coordinator Manasi Watts for more information.


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 1 page cover letter outlining why you're interested in interning at Home Start specifically;
  • a letter of recommendation that speaks to why you are the best candidate for this position;
  • a completed Intern Intake Form;
  • and a completed Intern Questionnaire.

Home Start Internships are highly competitive. You MUST submit a complete application for consideration.

Behavioral Health Program Internship
Degree Level: Masters & Doctoral (GRADUATE ONLY)
Applications/Interviews: CURRENTLY CLOSED
Internship Commitment:
August to June/July

Under licensed clinical supervision, provides office-, home-, and school-based mental health therapy and case management services to children, teens, and  families who have been victims of child abuse and neglect. Other treatment  types may include group and individual therapy with adults and couples in our outpatient clinic. At least one evening 3-6:30p is required. Successful candidates MUST feel comfortable working in the field directly with clients.

To learn more about the Behavioral Health Graduate Student Internship, click here.

Domestic Violence Program Internship
Degree Level: BA / BSW + MSW
Semester Starting: CURRENTLY CLOSED

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:
CURRENTLY CLOSED

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:
Fall 2024+

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:
CURRENTLY CLOSED

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.


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, hygiene and food kit assembly events, hosting donation drives, and more.

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


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 at mlagace@home-start.org.


 

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