Welcome to the Volunteer Center
South Bay-Harbor-Long Beach
Mobilizing People and Resources to Deliver Creative Solutions to Community Problems
The Volunteer Center, South Bay-Harbor-Long Beach was founded in 1963 by the Junior League of Long Beach in response to the needs of the community. For almost 50 years, we have referred almost a million volunteers to thousands of nonprofit agencies who maintain critical programs for those in need. The Volunteer Center acts as the clearinghouse for programs that continue to make a real difference in our community and promotes personal involvement as a part of the solution.
Our Programs
Volunteer Recruitment
The Volunteer Center recognizes the invaluable role volunteers play in our society. This is why the promotion of volunteerism serves as a major function of the Volunteer Center. Volunteers are recruited and referred to over 650 nonprofit organizations in our service area of 43 cities. More information…
Operation Teddy Bear
Operation Teddy Bear® provides 5,600 disadvantaged first-grade children in South Bay with backpacks filled with literacy items and, of course, a teddy bear. More Information…
Court Referral Community Service
This program allows misdemeanants the opportunity to volunteer in lieu of a fine/jail sentence. More Information…
Youth Programs
The Volunteer Center’s youth programs focus on empowering South Bay youth to promote positive social change through active citizenship and service learning. More Information…
Food For Kids
Food-For-Kids provides underprivileged elementary schoolchildren, who receive meals at school during the week, with food for the weekends. More Information…
Adopt-a-Family
Adopt-A-Family provides disadvantaged families with holiday gifts and food donated by members of the community. More Information…
Art to Go
Art to Go is an after-school art program for elementary schoolchildren taught by creative, enthusiastic community volunteers. More Information…
Corporate Volunteer Council
The CVC is an association of South Bay companies that meet bi-monthly to discuss employee volunteer programs and community projects. More Information…
Disaster Preparedness
Our Disaster Preparedness program prepares and coordinates nonprofits and spontaneous volunteers through planned Emergency Volunteer Centers (EVCs). More Information…
