Volunteer Resources
Join Us - Volunteer Today!
Volunteer Info Center - Log your hours here!
Do you want to make a real difference in your community? Volunteer at The Center! There are many ways to get involved.
Getting started is simple:
- Fill out the Volunteer Application Form
- Attend a volunteer orientation. Orientations are normally held twice every month. The volunteer coordinator will contact you within three working days of receiving your application with details on the next available orientation.
- Because of the sensitive nature of some of our work, The Center requires all volunteers to complete a fingerprint check before being placed. You will receive the necessary forms by email prior to the orientation. All prospective volunteers must complete the background check prior to attending the orientation.
- Start your good work as a Center volunteer!
The San Diego LGBT Community Center is committed to providing the highest quality service to our community and constituents. While The Center respects the right to privacy of all citizens, we also have a responsibility to make every attempt to provide the safest space possible for our youth, families, children, seniors, disabled and other more vulnerable members of our community. In light of this duty, regular volunteers are required to participate in fingerprint checks, in addition to a brief review of publically available criminal databases. Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us create a safe and comfortable space for all.
For more information about volunteering at The Center, contact the volunteer coordinator at volunteer@thecentersd.org or 619.692.2077 x202.
Volunteer Positions
AIDS Walk San Diego
AIDS Walk San Diego, held annually, is the largest one-day HIV/AIDS fundraiser in San Diego. This year AIDS Walk San Diego will be on Sunday, Sept. 30. Volunteers are needed from June to October every year to prepare for the Walk, helping with administrative tasks and outreach campaigns. Of course we also need a ton of help the day of the event, doing everything from working a water station to registration.
To register to volunteer with AIDS Walk San Diego, click here.
Dining Out for Life® San Diego
How often does volunteering involve, dining out? Don’t miss The Center’s fifth annual Dining Out for Life® San Diego! On Thursday, April 26, 2012, more than 100 restaurants, bars, coffee houses and nightclubs will donate a minimum of 25% of sales to The Center’s HIV/AIDS service and prevention programs. Like every fundraising event, this one is reliant upon an enormous number of volunteers. The most important of these volunteers are our restaurant Ambassadors. Ambassadors are assigned a five hour shift at a breakfast, lunch or dinner location and then invite everyone they know to dine at their location on April 26. Dine Out, Fight AIDS!
Administrative Support
Do you love to do data entry? Or maybe mailings are more your forte? If you like administrative work we certainly have a place for you! Volunteers are needed to assist and support staff members in a variety of office duties such as data entry, copy editing, phone calls, copying, letter writing, mailing preparation, word processing and filing. The Center also hosts a bulk mailing volunteer party once a month, complete with refreshments and good conversation. This is a great way for volunteers to help out The Center and make new friends!
David Bohnett Cyber Center
The Center is home to the David Bohnett Cyber Center, a cyber environment that offers community members free or low fee access to the Internet and computer skills training. Volunteers are needed as Cyber Lab Monitors and Cyber Center Instructors.
Workshop and Group Facilitator
The Center's discussion groups are the agency's oldest community service program. For more than 30 years, peer-led groups have provided an opportunity for LGBT community members to come out, increase their awareness of community culture and resources, and increase their social networks in a safe, LGBT affirmative environment. Volunteer facilitators function to help structure and facilitate the once-a-week, one-hour discussion groups. Experience with group facilitation or peer counseling is helpful, but not required.
Event Volunteers
The Center often holds special community and fundraising events that require additional volunteer assistance. Volunteers who might wish to participate in events such as the Gala, Nightmare on Normal Street, Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast, Hillcrest Youth Center dances and events, Annual Youth Prom and other smaller projects would enjoy this volunteer opportunity. Volunteers help by providing staffing and planning for the events.
Family Matters
The Mission of Family Matters is to promote and sustain the well-being of families in Southern California with one or more LGBT parents, as well as those considering parenthood. We hold educational workshops throughout the year as well as many fun social events such as the Big Family BBQ, The Children’s Garden at the Pride Festival and a Halloween Carnival. Volunteers are needed for administrative tasks, event set-up and break-down, staffing registration tables and event activities.
Front Desk Services
The front desk team is the first point of contact for many visitors, callers, clients and community members. Responsibilities of the front desk team include welcoming/greeting all visitors, clients and callers, and providing information, resources and referrals as requested or required. If you are a people-person and are able to commit to a set, weekly schedule (set monthly schedule for weekend shifts), then this is the job for you!
Hillcrest Youth Center
Volunteers make the work of HYC possible! Volunteer are needed to help as General Floaters, Group Facilitators, Tutors, Career Resource Helpers, Recreation Activities, and Outreach Volunteers. If you have experience working with youth, and want to make a big impact for the youth in our community, consider volunteering for the HYC.
Latin@ Services
The Latin@ Services Project has an office, meeting space and drop-in space located at The Center. The program offers support groups and social programming for LGBT Latin@ San Diegans in a safe, affirming environment. Bilingual volunteers are needed to help staff the Latin@ Center, offer referrals to clients, and with special events throughout the year.
Senior Services
The mission of the Senior Services Program is to provide the LGBT senior community access to important resources and referrals regarding health care, social services and community activities. Volunteers are needed for administrative tasks, event set-up and break-down, event moderating and group leadership, instruction, and resource gathering and organizing.
Volunteer Resources
This program is responsible for recruiting, orienting, training, placing and managing all volunteers. Volunteers are needed to help in the office, preparing for the volunteer orientations, doing data entry, mailing and filing. Volunteers are also always needed to represent The Center at community outreach and recruitment events.
Women’s Resource Center
The mission of the Women's Resource Center (WRC) is to create a safe space where LBT women will have access to important resources and referrals regarding health care, social services, and community activities. Volunteers are needed for administrative tasks, event set-up and break-down, event moderating and group leadership, concession sales, workshop instruction and WRC desk reception.
