Stepping Forward Together

Empathy is the gift that lasts a lifetime

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At the Volunteer Center, we touch hearts and open minds through the endless potential of empathy. By focusing our efforts and interactions on the practice of empathy, we change the way people live and connect. The result is that our community becomes more resilient on the inside and more giving on the outside.

For nearly 60 years, we have worked alongside community members to mobilize quickly where care is needed most.

Empathy and resilience are our tools. Volunteerism is our delivery method. Joining us means engaging with Empathy in Action – programs and experiences that prioritize social and emotional wellness; service-learning; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and that impart essential life and well-being skills to youth and adults alike.

What’s New 

VC HEART TO HEART GALA INVITATION 2023 2 scaled

Buy Tickets Now
60th Diamond Anniversary
Heart to Heart Gala

Please join us on Friday April 28
 from 6:30pm - 10:30pm
 at Michael's Tuscany Room in San Pedro, CA for our Heart-to-Heart fundraising event  in celebration of 60 Years of Service!
Click the image above to Buy Tickets

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Durfee Family Scholarship Apply Now!

Five $2,000 scholarships will be awarded to university or college-bound students in South Bay, Harbor & Long Beach school districts. Apply by May 19, 2023.

TeenTalk

Youth Wellness Guide

It's a tough time, browse these valuable tools for families to be sure you know how to help those who are struggling.

eReport

Monthly eReports

Read about all the ways our volunteers are helping local families.

Get Involved Today

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Court-Referred Community Members

Our court-referred community members conduct service as an alternative sentence, experiencing personal transformation through service-learning. We administer the Court-Referred Community Service (CRCS) program by matching volunteers with the most suitable nonprofit organizations by location and subject matter. The CRCS program accommodates participants’ family, employment, and educational obligations. We also schedule community members for empathy-building experiences such as the Hospital and Morgue (HAM) program and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Victim Impact Panels.

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Youth and Teens

More than ever, it’s a challenging time to be a teen. Our youth need to experience empathy for and from their community – and for themselves. Our programs and experiences for teens offer meaningful opportunities to connect with peers, learn about community needs and serve others. In addition, our programs focus on helping teens maintain a sense of wellbeing by expressing feelings, practicing life skills and overcoming challenges. All of our programs and scholarships are designed to empower and engage youth while touching their hearts and opening their minds.

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Empathy in Action Events

Through our programs, including Food for Kids and Operation Teddy Bear, we empower and build connections between community members in the spirit of service. We now host families and professional organizations for team-building experiences at the Volunteer Center facility, ideally suited for people of all ages and backgrounds including school groups, faith communities, small and large business teams. Participants engage in learning and empathy experiences, including hands-on volunteer activities. These events help local groups, donors, and volunteers to more fully understand the needs of their fellow citizens.

JOIN US
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Donation Drives

Our donors help us create an umbrella of care around community members experiencing immediate hardship and distress. For example, volunteer-organized donation drives that fill the cupboards for our Food for Kids program meet a basic need for children, providing meals to low-income and unhoused families. We encourage community and business groups to organize their own distribution and collection events, showing Empathy in Action. We provide guidance and tips on creating a successful drive.

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Ongoing Volunteer Roles

We deliver empathy and resilience through volunteerism, and your involvement makes our continuous cycle of care possible. Step forward into one of these immediate opportunities:

Help Us When You Shop

Individual donors can make an impactful empathetic gesture toward our community simply by shopping. Configure your accounts to share community and matching rewards with us. At Ralph’s and Food for Less, simply visit your online account and select the Community Rewards tab, where you can search for and add “Volunteer Center South Bay.”

Our Valued Sponsors

Without these generous organizations, we would not be able to provide the umbrella of care that our programs, volunteers, and community members create together.

Stay connected.
Together we can touch hearts and open minds.
SUBSCRIBE TODAY

If you have any questions regarding community service, community labor, HAM, and/or MADD, you may contact us via email at vcprogramsinfo@gmail.com, call or visit one of our offices listed below.

Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4pm

Bellflower Office
(Open M-W-F 8:30am to 4pm)
9849 Flower St., #B
Bellflower, CA 90706
562-866-2666

Long Beach Office
1407 East 4th Street
Long Beach, CA 90802
562-590-8844

LA Airport/So. LA Office
11701 So. La Cienega Blvd.,
Room 570F
Los Angeles, CA 90045
310-643-5004

Torrance Office
1230 Cravens Ave.
Torrance, CA 90501
310-212-7997

Inglewood Office - Closed
Please contact our LA Airport Office
11701 So. La Cienega Blvd.
Room 570F
Los Angeles, CA 90045
310-643-5004

Stay Connected!

It’s the best way to learn more about the Volunteer Center and stay up-to-date with opportunities and events. Make sure you’re also following us on FacebookInstagram, Twitter and LinkedIn!

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