Volunteer

Thank you for your interest in becoming a CHW volunteer!

Volunteer with us

Have a lasting impact on our residents by volunteering at one of our communities

We offer volunteer opportunities for individuals, families, and businesses at CHW communities in San Diego County and Los Angeles County. Share your passion and skills today. Individual volunteers can help with tutoring, food distribution, and community leadership. If your organization is looking for a group volunteer opportunity, our monthly family nights throughout San Diego County are a great way to get involved! Can’t volunteer, but want to give back? We gladly accept in-kind donations that support our programs.

Complete Volunteer Application

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities

Study Stars Expanded Learning Program 

  • Tutor CHW’s Study Stars program virtually for K-8th grade youth to improve elementary school literacy. Volunteers support homework help, read-alouds, and arts enrichment activities. 
  • Shifts are generally Monday through Thursday between the hours of 9 am to 6 pm, with the average session lasting 35-45minutes.

Community Volunteer Leaders 

  • Requires consistent after-school schedule and minimum three-month commitment. Supports building after-school program capacity, starting and closing the program, increasing service days, and monitoring computer lab access. 
  • Shifts are generally Monday through Friday between the hours of 2:30pm-7:00pm.

Canvassers and Volunteer Recruiters  

  • Work on your own flexible schedule to help us recruit volunteers, post to social media/blogs, and distribute flyers in your community. Email your resume to volunteer@chworks.org for more information. 

Health & Wellness Volunteers  

  • Volunteers help sort, set-up, distribute and monitor food distributions to CHW residents using safe food handling best practices in Poway, San Diego, North Park and National City. 
  • Shifts are generally Monday through Friday between the hours of 10:30am-3:00pm.

One-Time Volunteer Opportunities 

  • Group- or Organization-Led Family Night 
  • If your organization is looking for a group volunteer opportunity, our monthly family nights throughout San Diego County are a great way to get involved! Please contact us to sign up. 

Can’t Volunteer, But Want to Give Back?

We gladly accept in-kind donations that support our programs. You can host a book drive or donate school supplies, snacks or other items to our Community Centers.

Questions about volunteering with us? Please contact our volunteer coordinator at volunteer@chworks.org or use the contact form on the Contact Us page to submit a question. 

Volunteer Training Checklist

Thank you for showing interest in volunteering at Community HousingWorks! Below is a short checklist all applicants should complete in order to become a volunteer.

  • New Volunteers: Please complete steps 1-7 below.
  • Continuing volunteers or volunteers with a background check completed, please only complete steps 3-7.

1.) Please complete the volunteer application online first.

2.) Background Check (Non-CHW Residents and Community Volunteer Leaders ONLY):

  • If you’re 18+ years old, you will need to complete this Live Scan form. You only need to fill out the middle portion of the form, not including the “Misc. No BIL” and “Misc. Number” sections. Once completed, print and bring to a LiveScan location. You will have to pay $17-$25 to get the basic live scan, but once it is cleared, CHW will reimburse the cost.
  • If you're under 18 years old, you will need to complete one recommendation form & submit a Parent Consent Form (for volunteers 15-17 years old). Please send a copy of the parent consent to volunteer@chworks.org.
  • Here is the Live Scan Form (18+). Complete the middle section (From “name of applicant” to “social security number”) of the form and take it to the live scan appointment with your ID.
  • All Community Volunteer Leaders (CVLs) must take the CHW background check.

3.) Read the Volunteer Handbook.

4.) EXPANDED LEARNING PROGRAM TRAINING: Please review the Study Stars program manual and discuss with your on-site coordinator.

5.) Virtual Volunteer Orientation: You will be contacted with dates and times once we have these scheduled.

  • Volunteers are needed to help students complete homework, and their required online learning modules as designated by the schedule at each of our centers virtually.
  • Volunteers will receive further information on their particular role at their first shift during orientation.

6.) Volunteer Training Quiz: Take the quiz after reviewing the Volunteer Handbook and Video below. Volunteer Training Quiz

7.) AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM TRAINING: Please review the program manual and discuss with your on-site coordinator.

  • Volunteers are needed to help students complete homework, community activities, and their required online learning modules as designated by the schedule at each of our centers.
  • Volunteers will receive further information on their particular location at their first shift, the handbook is intended to provide general information.