Calendar of Volunteer Events

Join the MiraCosta College Community and Discover the Power of Service!

"Let's come together to create a wave or generosity, citizen engagement, action from business and philanthropy, and support for communities and nonprofits around the world." - GivingTuesday Website

Download a digital volunteer booklet to record your hours of service. Students are encouraged to submit their volunteer hours to servicelearning@miracosta.edu so they can be entered into the database. By entering their hours into the volunteer database, students can be provided with a Service History Report that can be used for applying to scholarships, transfer applications, etc. To request a Service History Report, email servicelearning@miracosta.edu and include your name and SURF ID.

Help us get ready for Dia de los Muertos!

Below are two volunteer opportunities to learn about culture and history, and build community.

Altar Paper Flower Making Workshop (on-site project)

Monday, October 18, 2:00-5:00PM (Maximum of 40 volunteers)

Oceanside Campus, One Barnard Drive (meet at the Service Learning & Volunteer Center 3306). *Students must have clearance to be on campus/indoors.

Eva Sandoval is a San Diego mixed media artist whose community artwork spans over 25 years of experience. As a leader of a traditional Aztec dance group she holds cultural knowledge imparted to her by elders who uphold the most reverence for indigenous traditions.

Mini Altar Making Workshop (via zoom)

Friday, October 22, 10:00-11:30AM (Maximum of 30 Volunteers)

*Art supplies provided, must be picked up at 3306 on 10/20-10/21 outside of the Service Learning & Volunteer Center 9:00-4:30pm (next to Admissions and Records). Volunteers must provide their own box-- 11”x7.5”x5.5” (shoe box size)

Luis Murguia, local artist from Escondido, California, started making figurines out of clay at an early age. He later went on to make paper maché, life size figures of skeletons and small scale figurines for the Day of the Dead. As an artist he is passionate about art and teaches others how to make mini altars in a shoe size box, a way to remember loved ones who have passed but not forgotten.

MiraCosta Campus Food Insecurity Service Learning Project

This is a service opportunity designed specifically for service learning students, especially students enrolled in Nutrition, Health, Sociology, or Political Science courses. Students must commit to 15 service learning hours!

To earn service learning credit through this service project, students must complete the following 3 components:

1. Attend or watch the Service Learning Food Insecurity Seminar

Access the seminar zoom recording
Seminar Presenter Information

2. Sign-up for serve during 3 MiraCosta Drive-thru Farmer's Markets

3. Attend 1 on-site food insecurity service project with the service learning team at a local food bank OR help host a Virtual Food Drive to support one local community partner

Complete the Interest Form to be notified of project details when they become available

One-Time Volunteer Opportunities

**MiraCosta College Service Learning has aired on the side of caution and thus has temporarily suspended all face-to-face service opportunities. We anticipate resuming once the District gives the approval. (No driving is approved during COVID restrictions) All service learning must be done at pre-approved organizations. All persons participating in the service learning and volunteer site shall be deemed to have waived all claims against the District or the State of California for injury, accident, illness, death or other virtual liabilities occurring during participation. Any on-site service I participate in will be done at my own discretion. I agree that any accidents or infractions (moving violations) incurred while driving my own vehicle are the sole responsibility of myself. I will not hold MiraCosta College District, its employees and agents responsible for any such damage, injury or liabilities. Further, injuries and or illnesses occurring during or as the result of my participation in the service learning class should be covered in accordance with the premiums of the student insurance program as the secondary health insurance carrier.**

Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation is looking for on-site volunteers every Friday and Saturday night in October from 6:00pm-11:45pm. Every October, we partner with the Carlsbad Strawberry Field to host our Haunted Corn Maze! We need volunteers to dress up and scare guests! Costumes will be provided. If you volunteer for 4 nights, you will receive a free backpack! One of the backpacks will contain a coupon for $100!! (While supplies last). For every night that you volunteer, you will get one ticket to go through the maze for FREE! To sign-up to volunteer or to learn more, contact Emily Watts at emily.watts@aguahedionda.org or 760-804-1969.

Boys & Girls Club of Vista is in need of on-site volunteers! Good news, we need your help! Mira Costa students have the opportunity to assist the Boys & Girls Club of Vista's Athletic Department with our Boys Basketball Enrollment, 11/2/2021 from 6p-8p. You will assist with set-up, registration and clean-up for this event that will take place at our Main Site, 410 W. California Ave here in Vista, CA. We need your help, if you are interested, please reach out to Sierra Loredo at sierra@bgcvista.com or call Sierra at 760-295-5933. We hope to hear from you soon!

Cancer for College is having a Super Mega Holiday Jam Concert feat. The English Beat on Saturday, December 4 (7pm-11pm) at Music Box. All benefits of the tournament go to support Cancer for College. Cancer for College provides college scholarships and educational opportunities to cancer survivors. Looking for volunteers to support onsite staffing for the concert. Duties include guest check-in support, selling cool merchandise, and other onsite duties. Please contact Sarah Lindner at sarah@cancerforcollege.org or 760-599-5096 for any questions or to sign up as a volunteer.

*NEW* Encinitas Dia de Los Muertos is in need of volunteers! Presented by Encinitas Friends of the Arts, the Dia de Los Muertos event will include free fun for the whole family, including art-making workshops, opportunity drawings & giveaways, artist demos and more! The event will take place on Saturday, October 30 from 12-4pm at the Encinitas Community Center on 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024. For more information, email EncinitasArts@gmail.com or visit EncinitasArts.org. To view the event flyer, CLICK HERE. Sign-up to volunteer at the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfdZS6wEal9MKfGeKehFkvEeeNWIMxVHbVRMXk1PR5YuyrXSA/viewform

Ivey Ranch Park is seeking volunteers for their Ivey Ranch's 40th Anniversary Western Hoedown on Saturday, October 16th! The location is Ivey Ranch Park Equestrian Center, 110 Rancho Del Oro Drive, Oceanside, CA 92057. Guests attending our Western Hoedown will include seated dinner and bar, able-bodied and therapeutic riding demonstrations, raffle tickets, silent auction, hayrides, and a kid’s area with games. This is a huge fundraising event for Ivey Ranch. We are expecting over 300 guests and need the combined help of over 100 volunteers to ensure this event runs smoothly. The volunteer shifts we need help with are 2pm - 5pm and 5pm - 7pm. Volunteers will be assisting with registration/check-in, overseeing silent, auction items, monitoring food and dessert tables, selling raffle tickets, 5 monitoring VIP area, etc. Volunteers are welcome to sign up for both shifts. If you would like to volunteer with a friend, just make sure they also sign up. As an added bonus, all volunteers will receive free dinner. Community service hour confirmation letters will be provided upon request. Dress code: full-length jeans or pants, shirt, and closed-toed shoes or boots. Volunteer requirements: Ages 18+ and sign a Waiver of Liability. Parking specifics: Parking will either be onsite or on the overflow dirt lot. The day of parking will be in the overflow dirt lot. The overflow dirt lot is located directly across the street from Ivey Ranch on the corner of Rancho Del Oro Drive and Mission Avenue. To sign up for this event, please contact Cynthia Renteria (Volunteer Coordinator) at volunteer@iveyranch.com or 760-722-4839 ext. 405. To view the event flyer, CLICK HERE

*NEW* La Colonia Park Dia de Los Muertos Festival is in need of volunteers! There will be alters, live entertainment, food, contests, games, and more! Volunteers are needed for set-up, event monitoring, take down, and more. The festival is taking place on Sunday, October 24 from 10am-4pm at 715 Valley Ave, Solana Beach. Volunteers will be needed prior to 10am and after 4pm. For more information or to sign-up to volunteer, email lacoloniacommunity@gmail.com. To view the event flyer, CLICK HERE.

MiraCosta CARE Program is seeking on-site volunteers from 11:30am - 3:30pm on the following dates: 10/12/, 2021, 10/20/2021, 11/9/2021, 11/17/2021, 12/1/2021, & 12/14/2021. "MiraCosta College offers a free monthly food distribution at the MiraCosta College Main Oceanside Campus and Community Learner Center Campus. This is a campus-wide collaboration with the San Diego Food Bank and Feeding San Diego to provide access to FREE produce and dry goods. To access this service, students need their Spartan Pass (Student ID number) or SURF ID number. Volunteers are needed to set up, sort produce, bag produce, organize food items, and provide food to students. To learn more about this volunteer opportunity, contact Nicole Williams at care@miracosta.edu or 760-757-2121 ext. 2161. If you are interested in volunteering, please complete our volunteer form at https://forms.gle/Xm5iJ2MHGfaPaSj17

San Dieguito River Park is in need of on-site volunteers! Whether it’s within the rustic environs of the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead, on the trail or in one of our habitat restoration areas, you won't find a more rewarding place to share your love of nature and appreciation for our missions. We will cover various volunteer opportunities, review educational materials, and have hands on activities and tour the farmstead and nearby trails. Refreshments will be provided. This opportunity is on October 10th from 9am-12pm. For questions and to sign up, contact Leana Bulay at Leana@sdrp.org or call 760-716-1214.

On-going Volunteer Opportunities

Brother Benno's Foundation welcomes students to volunteer with their thrift shop located at 3955 Mission Avenue in Oceanside. Volunteers are needed to assist with multiple projects at the shop, including sorting donations, receiving donations, assisting customers, and cashiering. They also need assistance gathering donations and conducting fundraisers for necessary items. Please contact servicelearning@miracosta.edu for support on conducting a fundraiser or contact Helen Pasons at parsonsdavidt@outlook.com learn about other ways you can support Brother Benno's.

Community HousingWorks is offering virtual volunteer opportunities (shifts are generally Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday). Volunteers are needed between the hours of 3 pm-6 pm, with the average session lasting 1 hour. Study Stars is an Expanded Learning Program, serving Community HousingWorks resident youth in K-5th grade. Study Stars focuses on working collaboratively with adult volunteers, resident teen leaders, and community partners in providing academic support, community building, enrichment opportunities, and building school connections for our young residents. Within the Study Stars program, volunteers lead virtual activities like reading/games, storytelling, homework tutoring, and community-building activities. Volunteers can work one-on-one or with small groups of students to ensure the kids remain on task and prioritize effectively. Volunteers also have resources at hand to help youth look up information and problem solve various difficulties. This opportunity is 100% virtual. The following information is required in order to begin volunteering at CHW: Complete Volunteer Application online, Background Check & Sign Volunteer Forms, and the cost to get the basic live scan is $17-$25 (but once it is cleared, CHW will reimburse the cost you are able to submit for reimbursement once you begin your service). Connect with staff and schedule Virtual Training! To learn more email volunteer@chworks.org and to sign-up, go to https://chworks.org/volunteer

EcoLIFE Conservation is looking for volunteers to help plant and harvest produce for people in need at their solar powered ECO-Ranch every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30am-12:30pm. For more information, contact Chris Goering at cgoering@ecolifeconservation.org.

Fallbrook Food Pantry welcomes volunteers on Monday - Fridays from 8:30-12:30pm & 10:00-1:00pm, and Saturdays from 9:00-12:00pm to help sort and distribute. The last Wednesday of each month, FFP offers a special off-site produce distribution in the community. Volunteers are needed to assist at the distribution from 8:00-10:00am & 10:30-12:30pm at the pantry. FFP also needs volunteers during Senior Distribution days, the first is held the Wednesday of the third full week each month from 1:00-3:00pm and the fourth Monday of each month from 1:00-2:00pm. For more information, contact Jennifer Vetch at info@fallbrookfoodpantry.org or call (760) 728-7608.

Lived Experiences is seeking on-site volunteers each Monday of the month from 8am-10am/4pm-7pm to help. We need help picking fruit to helping us unload and distribute food. For more information, contact Oscar Ortega at oscarin@livedexperiences.org or 619-368-3790.

Operation HOPE-North County is currently seeking volunteers to assist with their children's programming. OHNC is a shelter for families with children and single women experiencing homelessness. Volunteers can help kids with homework, play games, lead arts & crafts, help manage the Front Desk, assist with facility maintenance, landscaping, provide a meal for the 40-60 residents, read a story with the little ones, sort clothing, or just sit, listen and be kind to our residents. Weekday shifts are primarily from 3pm–6pm and 6pm–9pm. Weekend shifts are 8am-12pm, 12pm-4pm, and 4pm-9pm. These are just some of our set opportunities, but we offer several flexible volunteer opportunities that cater to your availability, and you can even schedule your own shifts! Sign Up Here(https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/ap?AP=1114627114&OR=1).

Pride by the Beach is looking for volunteers to manage and develop media content to align with our vision of ending LGBTQ stigma. Contribute ideas and resources for the Pride 2022 event. We are especially looking for volunteers on Wednesday from 12pm - 7pm (any hours in between). Pride by the Beach is an annual family-friendly event. We will be meeting and phone banking in fall 2021. We have some virtual and in-person volunteer opportunities are available. To learn more or sign-up to volunteer, contact Lisa Nava at Lisa@pridebythebeach.org or 760-213-1267.

Solutions for Change is welcoming in-person volunteers! The following are two in-person volunteer opportunities being offered: Kid Zone Helpers (Ages 14+) Do you like to work with kids? On the first and third Thursday evening of every month, volunteers provide childcare for our residents’ children so that they can participate in mandatory programming meetings or recovery meetings. Volunteers must be 18 or older, or 14 and older if accompanied by a parent or adult advisor. Volunteers 16 years of age or older are not required to have a parent or adult advisor present with them during Kid Zone. *Background check required. Please plan to arrive 30 minutes early on your first day to receive a brief tour and review the Kid Zone rules. All Service Learning students are required to complete an application and short orientation. Solutions Farm (Ages 14+) Are you looking for an opportunity to transform lives while improving the environment? We have an exciting opportunity at the Farm to get your hands dirty, literally. Solutions Farms is creating a volunteer auxiliary and we want to add you. Help us help families through volunteering at Solutions Farms while learning about aquaponics, supporting our workforce, and hanging out with some amazing people. If you are you able bodied, demonstrate integrity,and love fish, lettuce, and ladybugs then we would love to talk to you. For more information, or to sign-up please email Angelina at asantoro@solutionsforchange.org. Check out their flyer by clicking here.

UURISE is seeking volunteers to assist with Office Admin Support, which includes filing, copying & scanning documents, and organizing physical files and creating ESPI binders. This is an in-person/on-site opportunity. We do not require a background check, but volunteers must complete the volunteer application and orientation. This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in Social Work, Pre-Law, Political Science, Human Development, and/or anyone who has a passion for Immigration Justice. To learn more, contact Gladys Guzman Guizar at gladys@uurise.org or (760) 477-7537. Apply to volunteer at http://uurise.org/volunteer-and-internships/

Additional Ways To Serve Your Community

Here are other ideas and ways to promote a culture of service. You can still be socially connected while staying physically distant from our community partners--be an advocate or speak up on behalf of your favorite non-profit during this difficult season we are all experiencing.

Share with us how you're giving back. Tag us at @mcc_servicelearning and use the hashtag #MiraCostaSpartansGiveback
Create a supply drive for one of the many MiraCosta Community Partners, take a look at the list of approved sites for ideas, or feel free to reach out to any of the Service Learning & Volunteer Center Staff.
We realize that as college students you might not be in a position to give financially, but your voice is just as important.
Highlight your favorite organization on your social media pages, and share their fundraising opportunities and remember that - no amount is too little and nonprofits need our support.
Write a positive online review to a local restaurant that is still open for curb side services or deliveries.
Combat loneliness by reaching out to a classmate, peer, neighbor, relative, seniors, or veterans.

Resources to seek service opportunities:

VolunteerMatch
Idealist
San Diego Food Bank is accepting volunteers on-site and in the community.
Botanical Community Development Initiatives
American Red Cross: Find out ways you can support or donate blood.
MiraCosta College English Language Institute: College students are needed to interact with international students. College students must be willing to carry conversations in English and encourage international students to practice their English. This is a perfect service opportunity for students wanting to learn about other cultures. For questions, contact Zakia Farouq at zfarouq@miracosta.edu or 760-622-8770.