Updated for 2024
Whether your high school student has a passion to change the world or is trying to accumulate volunteer hours to satisfy a school requirement, volunteering is a wonderful way to build a sense of community and empathy. Fortunately, there are many ways to help — some of which include virtual volunteer opportunities. Check out our list of volunteer opportunities for high school students.
Please contact any organization that you’re considering and confirm all the details before signing your child up.
Most schools have a form that needs to be filled out to show proof of the volunteer hours, so make sure you have that ready, and confirm with the organization that they can and will provide that proof upon completion.
Virtual Volunteer Opportunities for High School Students
Meaningful Teens
Virtual Online One-To-One Tutoring
Meaningful Teens was founded in April 2020, originally to “provide immigrants with literacy services during the pandemic.” Soon the program “expanded to include refugees, low-income housing families, and indigenous students.” Volunteers are high school and college students. There are several on-going programs looking for additional volunteers. Details are available online.
Voice of Calling
19431 Business Ctr. Dr., Northridge, CA 91324
Voice of Calling is a “nonprofit organization of young computer scientists established in 2018 to help those who are in need of computer science education.” Voice of Calling provides “online and offline education about computer software and hardware for those who have little access to computer education.” Check the website for more details as well as application information.
Bored of Boredom
Bored of Boredom is a “student-run organization committed to providing free educational enrichment to all.” High school and college students provide free group classes to students of all ages, from Pre-K to 12th grade, as well as free individual tutoring and after-school homework help. Their mission is to “bring education to everyone, especially those who have historically been excluded from enrichment opportunities,” including students who are neurodiverse and English-language learners. Details and sign-up information are available online.
Learn To Be Virtual Tutor
High school students (as well as college students, retirees, and working professionals) can sign up with Learn To Be and serve as an online, one-on-one tutor for students from underserved communities. Tutors work with the same student each week, and tutors can select which subject they offer assistance in, whether it be math, science, reading, or writing. Check the website for details to find out how to sign up and become matched with your student. (Volunteer tutors must be at least 14 years old and enrolled in high school.)
In-Person Volunteer Opportunities for High School Students
Alexandria House
426 S. Alexandria Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90020
Alexandria House is a transitional residence for women and women with children. High school volunteers can get involved in several different ways. The Top Chef Program is Alexandria House’s cooking volunteer program, where volunteers prepare and serve dinner for current residents. Additionally, volunteers are needed to assist students (grades K-5) during the after school program as well as during winter and summer camp programs. Details are available online.
Baby2Baby
5830 W. Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
Volunteers are invited to help out at Baby2Baby individually or with a group, such as a family. Families (ages 7+) help out at the L.A. headquarters for a two-hour session Monday through Friday. Individual volunteer opportunities are also available, with opportunities posted on the website. Volunteers over the age of 13 do not need to be accompanied by an adult. Additional information is available online.
Friends of Ballona Wetlands
211 Culver Blvd. Suite N, Playa del Rey, CA 90293
Multiple volunteer opportunities are available through the Friends of Ballona Wetlands. Help is always needed at restoration and cleanup events which includes planting native trees and shrubs, picking up trash, and removing non-native vegetation. (“80% of the debris on our beaches start out as urban trash and street littler.”) Most volunteer work is geared towards adults and kids ages 10+. Details are available online.
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
3720 Stephen M. White Dr., San Pedro, CA 90731
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium has several ways for teens to get involved. The Aquarium hosts a monthly beach cleanup on the first Saturday of each month, from 9:00 am to 10:30 am. This is an all-ages event. On the second Saturday of each month, volunteers are needed to help clean up and maintain the native garden. Ongoing volunteer opportunities are also a possibility including serving as an Education Volunteer (16 years and older) and assisting with Office/Clerical assignments. Details are available online.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
8700 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048
Teen volunteers (ages 14-17) at Cedars Sinai have the opportunity to interact with patients and healthcare staff and get an up-close, firsthand look at how a large medical center works. Volunteers may select either clinical (involving patient care) or clerical (administrative tasks) roles. Requirements are available online.
FoodCycle LA
6636 Selma Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028
All you need to get started to volunteer for FoodCycle LA is “a car and a little bit of time.” This organization partners with Careit, “a third party provider that smartly pairs food donations with volunteers and recipients that feed hungry people.” This program ensures no food is wasted and excess food is delivered to those who most need it. Minors can still volunteer as long as they’re also volunteering with someone over 18.
Los Angeles Public Library
Many branches of the Los Angeles Public Library System welcome teen volunteers. Volunteers may assist in a number of tasks including helping librarians orangish displays, work on special projects, arrange the teen area, and more. Each branch may have different volunteer needs, so not all volunteer opportunities are available at all branches.
My Friend’s House Foundation
1244 E. 7th St., Los Angeles, CA 90021
“My Friend’s House Foundation is a non-profit human service organization whose mission is to provide life-sustaining staples that include food, clothing, toiletries, and encouragement to those experiencing homelessness and economically disadvantaged, regardless of race, color, creed, or religious belief.” A variety of volunteer options are available and more information can be found online.
Meaningful Teens, Meaningful Gardens
Did you know that you can sprout a seed garden in less than an hour without any garden space and soil? Did you know you can harvest this garden in two weeks? Meaningful Gardens is doing this today with many classrooms and affordable housing communities. Meaningful Garden’s goal is to “begin to eradicate food insecurity, conserve water, and look to the future to provide enough food for our growing populations.” The organization works to achieve this goal by “first starting to teach students how to sprout seeds and then begin planting using a hydroponic gardening system, ultimately then hoping to build a community garden” in areas of need. Details are available online.
Best Buddies
Best Buddies offers “one-to-one friendship, integrated employment, and leadership development programs for individuals with and without intellectual disabilities.” There are several ways to get involved; check the website for details on how to get started.
Heal the Bay Beach Cleanups & More
Each year, Heal the Bay sees thousands of volunteers picking up trash at our beaches. Monthly Nothin’ But Sand cleanups are scheduled, though capacity is limited so be sure to sign up in a timely manner. “Volunteers learn more about ocean pollution and how to make an impact.”
Meals on Wheels West Los Angeles
343 S. Church Lane, Los Angeles, CA 90049
Meals on Wheels West Los Angeles welcomes student volunteers (high school and college) and is happy to complete any necessary paperwork documenting volunteer hours. Students can assist in the office and/or be paired with one of the regular drivers or with a parent to help deliver food to clients.
Great Food Program
St. James Episcopal Church
3903 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90010
There are several weekly volunteer opportunities available through St. James Episcopal Church. Volunteers are need to help with the Soup Kitchen (on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays), the Food Pantry (Thursdays), and the Thursday Cookfest. Check the website for details.
La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
5801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
Students with an interest in history, fossils, and the Ice Age might find their ideal volunteer role at the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. Interpretive volunteers interact with museum visitors, helping to bring the Ice Age to life. Behind-the-Scenes volunteers help with ongoing research in the Fossil Lab and at Project 23.
The Midnight Mission
601 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles, CA 90014
A variety of volunteer opportunities are available with The Midnight Mission. The Midnight Mission was founded in 1914 and continues to serve as a homeless shelter and homeless services provider. Volunteer opportunities include sorting clothing, making food boxes and hygiene kits, tutoring, serving meals, and more. Details are available online.
Wags and Walks
2236 Federal Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90064
Wags and Walks is a dedicated community of dog lovers working to reduce euthanasia in local shelters and increase awareness of rescue dogs being wonderful pets. Volunteers in the Wags Club, “walk, feed, and play with pups while they patiently wait to be adopted.” As a family-friendly rescue, Wags & Walks encourages volunteers of all ages. “We are always in need of loving, passionate volunteers to help save more dogs. Whatever your interests or skill set, we have a volunteer opportunity for you!”
Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
5333 Zoo Dr., Los Angeles, CA
High school students of at least 15 years of age can serve as volunteers at our LA Zoo. “If you have a love for our natural world, an interest in spending time with visitors of all ages, and are able to complete the required training, we invite you to join this dedicated team.” Several volunteer opportunities are available including serving as a General Volunteer and being a Docent Volunteer. All the details can be found online.
Both Online and In-person Volunteering for High School Students
Big Sunday
4351 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90029
Big Sunday is a wonderful resource with lots of ways for volunteers to get involved and make a difference in their communities. In fact, Big Sunday believes everyone, at every age, can help make a positive difference. Check their website for volunteer opportunities, including some that occur each week, some that occur annually, and some that you can do from home.
L.A. Works
Multiple locations
“Each year, L.A. Works mobilizes tens of thousands of Angelenos to support nonprofits that are addressing critical community issues.” Volunteer opportunities are all contained on this one site, and can be searched by using different filters. Virtual and in-person volunteer options are available, as are volunteer opportunities based on different concerns — environmental, food insecurity, and education. Check the website to get started.
Habitat for Humanity Youth Programs
Habitat for Humanity offers several ways for youth to get involved, including Campus Chapters. Campus Chapters are “student-led, student-initiated organizations on a high school or college campus that partners with the local Habitat for Humanity to fulfill the four functions of a campus chapter.” Check the website for details to find out if your school already has a Campus Chapter or details on how to start one. And, be sure to read about all the different ways you can help, both in-person and virtually.
Kitty Bungalow
2032 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90062
Kitty Bungalow depends on its volunteers to “help us improve the lives of over 1,500 cats and kittens per year.” Students can volunteer by providing their homes temporarily and serving as “foster mamas and papas.” Additionally, volunteers are needed to assist the medical team, create content for social media, assist with data entry, and more. Applications are available online. (Keep in mind – volunteers ages 12-17 must have an accompanying adult with them at all times.)
P.A.T.H. — People Assisting the Homeless
Region Contact Info: (323) 644-2200
There are many ways for teens to get involved and help P.A.T.H. including group opportunities as well as individual opportunities. Individual opportunities include kitchen support, donation drives, creating “Welcome Home Kits for families,” and more. Check the website for further details.
Project Giving Kids
Check out Project Giving Kids to discover a wide-range of volunteer opportunities. Project Giving Kids works by connecting youth to “meaningful and age-appropriate service to help those in need while cultivating empathy and lifelong community leadership.” Students can search the online database to find a cause they feel passionately about and learn about ways to volunteer in that area.
Volunteer Match
Volunteer Match is an extensive database with a very large listing of volunteer opportunities, including virtual volunteer opportunities. If your teen has a particular field they feel passionately about, this may be the site that helps them find a related volunteer opportunity.
Youth Service America
“YSA activates young people, ages 5-25, to find their voice, take action, and acquire powerful civic and 21st Century skills as they solve problems facing their communities.” Volunteers may get involved with National Days of Service, ServiceVote campaigns, and more. Details are available online.
Shatterproof
Shatterproof is a national nonprofit dedicated to ending the addiction crisis in the US. This organization offers volunteer opportunities for students in LA when they host their annual Los Angeles Shatterproof walk at Grand Park – this year on November 4th. Shatterproof aims to build a future where our healthcare system, and our society, treats addiction with science and compassion – the way we do with any other chronic illness – so those touched by this disease don’t experience shame or stigma.
Their mission is “To provide premier quality, individualized, evidence based behavioral health treatment to all people no matter what stage of recovery or illness they happen to find themselves… And to provide that treatment in environments that are mentally, physically and spiritually enriching.”
Wendy Kennar is a mother, writer, and former teacher who has lived her entire life in the same Los Angeles zip code. You can read more from Wendy at her website WendyKennar.com where she writes about books, boys, and bodies (living with an invisible disability).
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