Impact Makers – Building Skills for Life
Impact Makers – Building Skills for Life is a program to help youth gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. In this 12-week program (8 weeks for summer), participants learn about the issues facing our local community and the support resources that are in place to help address them. Through an immersive service-learning experience, youth have the opportunity to serve the community and empathize with the experiences of others. Together with the caring Impact Maker team and fellow peers, they uncover the tools needed to support both themselves and others.
(Subsidized transportation assistance may be available)
Participants attend weekly group sessions one day a week for 2.5 hours and then complete 2-3 additional hours/week of volunteer service at a service-learning placement site on an additional weekday.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
- Must be a resident of California and must live in the South Bay, Harbor, or Long Beach areas
- Must have been in high school student for the academic year
- Must be available to attend all weekly group sessions and service-learning commitments
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION!
Scholarship Program
Durfee Scholarship
The Durfee Family Scholarship was created to support young people in our community who are working hard to pursue higher education despite personal and financial obstacles.
Each year, the Volunteer Center awards $2,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors from the South Bay, Harbor, and Long Beach school districts who are college-bound and committed to making a difference in their communities.
Who should apply? Students who have been accepted into an accredited university, college, or technical school and can demonstrate a history of volunteerism, empathy, and service to others.
Deadline: May 15, 2026. Awardees notified by June 17, 2026.
Questions? Reach us at (310) 212-5009 or info@volcenter.org.
Teen Volunteer Opportunities
A list of local organizations offering volunteer opportunities for students is available below—click to access.
Organizations interested in hosting student volunteers are encouraged to reach out at programs@volcenter.org.
Youth Wellness Guide
We recognize that youth mental health is an urgent issue where care is needed most right now. Empathy is a gift we also need to give ourselves before we can help others. Click to access our Youth Wellness Guide.