** UCI Retirees Association **

The UCI Retiree Association Board is looking for a few volunteers to help rank applications for a new Retiree of the Year Award, to be given in conjunction with Staff Assembly’s Excellence in Leadership Awards. Please contact Judi Franz (jmfranz@uci.edu) to express your interest in helping us launch this new program.

Assistance League of Irvine

Assistance League of Irvine is a 100% volunteer, nonprofit organization comprised of multi-talented people working together to fulfill a mission. It offers many opportunities for involvement at different levels to improve the lives of those in need through innovative and targeted philanthropic programs . Volunteering for Assistance League means doing something for yourself as well as for others and it can give you the tools to actively change things in your community. Community volunteers lend a hand in the Thrift and Gift Shop, as well as with many outreach programs and services.  Serving within your own community offers you the opportunity to develop long-lasting friendships and to discover a never-ending capacity for generosity. Click here for more information.

City of Irvine Senior Services

Interested in giving back to your community? Volunteering for Irvine Senior Services is a great way to get involved.  Join a Volunteer Informational meeting to discover the benefits of working at one of the City’s senior centers such as the Trabuco Road Center, the Lakeview Center or the Rancho Center.  The meetings, held the third Wednesday of each month from 5 to 6 p.m., provide information on current openings and the variety of volunteer opportunities available in programs like the Irvine Meals on Wheels, Support Services and in various activities such as Fitness Center attendants, as well as in places like the Rose Garden Café.  Most volunteer hours take place weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.; however, some weekend and evening hours are available.  Click here for more information.

Irvine Ranch Conservancy Native Seed Farm

World-class nature experiences abound on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.  Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, moonlit nature walks, wildlife viewing, habitat restoration and many more activities are conducted regularly under the leadership of trained Docents, Trail Guides, Land Stewards and other volunteers.  If you love nature and enjoy helping others discover its beauty, Irvine Ranch Conservancy and other partners offer the ultimate outdoor volunteer opportunities throughout the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.  Volunteers for the Native Seed Farm help with the restoration of sensitive habitats.  Fire-watch volunteers walk the perimeters of high-risk areas and report suspicious or dangerous behaviors to reduce wildland fires.   Become an ambassador of the land and play an important role in introducing visitors of all ages and backgrounds to the beauty and special nature of these Natural Landmarks.  Click here for more information.

OC Families Forward

Families Forward relies on community volunteers to reach vulnerable families.  Last year, more than 2000 volunteers contributed 21,000 service hours to change the lives of families in need. Most volunteer hours take place during weekdays, but there are opportunities for weekends and evenings, especially during holidays.  Volunteers are regularly needed in the computer lab, food pantry, and in general home maintenance.  Seasonal volunteers are needed for annual service projects such as back-to-school programs, Thanksgiving baskets, and  the annual Adopt-a-family.  Special event volunteers help with activities like community food drives, the community resource fair, the annual sale event and toy drives.  Volunteer orientations take place weekly based on new volunteer interest.  Click here for more information.

OLLI – Osher Lifelong Learning Initiative

Enrich your member experience!  Volunteers are the difference makers in our community, lending their time and talents so OLLI at UCI can offer a meaningful educational and social experience for all its members!  To learn more about volunteering, please email the OLLI office at olli@uci.edu or call us at 949-451-1403.

StandUp For Kids

Launched in 2003, the StandUp for Kids—Orange County Chapter operates four core programs:  Street Outreach, Outreach Centers, Mentoring and Apartment Support.  All programs have the goal of leading homeless youth to self-sufficiency and preventing at-risk youth from gang involvement.  In 2017, over 350 youth were helped; 105 were housed, 182 youth and young adults were mentored, more than 2500 meals were delivered and over 3000 instances of support were provided to children and teens. The current goal is to keep expenses well below the industry average while increasing support through activities like the STEM program in Anaheim that teaches youth to love math and science, the expansion of street outreach to more cities like Huntington Beach and Costa Mesa, and fundraising to provide more emergency.  Click here for more information.

School on Wheels

Tutoring homeless students in a group or 1:1 environment for an hour a week can make a difference to them!  Click here for more information.

UCI Health / Medical Center

Community adult volunteers are trained to provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere for patients and visitors at UCI Health.  Volunteers work collaboratively with hospital and medical staff to help maintain UCI’s commitment to always providing the highest quality of personalized care and service. Volunteers typically begin in the Volunteer Office in order to become acquainted with the medical center where, after 35 hours of service, every effort is made to assign you to the department or position of your choice.  Total time commitment is a minimum of 3 hours per week. The most important requirement is simply to have a friendly, customer-focused attitude. Good communication skills and a willingness to serve and give back to your community define a successful volunteer.  Click here for more information.