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.

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

  • 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, sorting Thrift Boutique donations to providing tax assistance, and fundraising events 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!

qtq80-eo3fik

Upcoming Event Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer at Home Start’s Blue Ribbon Gala April 27th!

Our annual Blue Ribbon Gala at the US Grant Hotel is held in recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This fun event raises critical funds for Home Start programs to support vulnerable children and families, throughout the San Diego community.

Be part of the team that creates a magical springtime garden full of storytelling, music, food and fun. We have a range of opportunities before, during and after the event to fit your scheduel! Spots are filling up so sign up here 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.

URGENT NEED Fiscal Assistant –  Main Office
Positions available: 1-2

We are seeking focused, detail-oriented volunteers to support our Fiscal Department on a regularly scheduled basis. Volunteer will work with the Home Start Fiscal Department, including our CFO, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Account Coordinators, and Accounting Manager 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 strongly preferred. Volunteers must be able to commit to a regular, weekly schedule during business hours.

Learn more about the Fiscal Assistant position here.

URGENT NEED Community Services for Families (CSF) Administrative Support –  CSF East Office
Positions available: 1-2

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 was recently renewed and is being expanded across the county. 2-6 hours of weekly administrative support is needed to help case managers be able to provide services to more clients and help with group-based parenting enrollments. This position is ideal for a student interested in exploring social work as a career, or a retired social worker. Volunteers must be able to commit to a regular, weekly schedule during business hours. 

Learn more about the CSF Admin Support position here.

Admin Assistant – Main Office
Positions available: 1-2

Home Start is seeking an organized, dependable volunteer to provide administrative support. 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. 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.

Learn more about the Admin Assistant position here.

Admin Assistant – Central Housing Program Office
Positions available: 1-2

Home Start is seeking an organized, dependable volunteer to provide administrative support for our Central Housing Office. This volunteer will work directly with Home Start staff and will be supervised by Housing Program staff to provide assistance in day-to-day operations at this site. 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.

Learn more about the Central Housing Admin Assistant position here.

Housing Outreach Support – Housing East Office
Positions available: 1-2

Home Start is seeking an organized, dependable volunteer to provide administrative support to our East County Housing Office to help with intake assessments and screen clients. This volunteer will work directly with Home Start clients and staff and will be supervised by the Home Start Housing Program Staff to support day-to-day operations at this site. Duties include assisting with client intake and file management, data entry, assembly & distribution of hygiene and food kits, assisting with outreach clinics, etc. Spanish or Arabic bilingual is preferred but not required.

Learn more about the Housing Outreach Support position here.


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:
December to March
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:
Summer 2024+ 

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 2024+ 

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 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:
Summer 2024+

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, warehouse cleanups, 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.


 

Scroll to Top