Community Corner
As part of our ongoing collaboration with various partner communities, we are highlighting regional volunteer opportunities with organizations that may be near you!
San Diego:
- Friends of International Friendship Park & Border Church: Volunteers are needed at both the US and Mexico sides of the Friendship Garden! Be part of growing community, caring for the land, and sharing food together. If you have any questions or want more information, reach out to dan@friendshippark.org.
- 🌱 Wednesdays (U.S. side at the Tijuana River Valley Satellite Garden): Email Dan Watman at dan@friendshippark.org for details.
- 🌿 Wednesdays, Saturdays, & Sundays from 9 am – 12 pm (Mexico side): The garden is alive and growing; come be part of it. No experience needed, just show up.
Los Angeles:
- Eaton Fire Rebuilding: Led by the Home Repair Crisis Response Network (HCRN, which SSP partnered with in San Diego in 2025), the Cal-Nev UMC Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) group is seeking adult volunteers to assist in rebuilding efforts for Altadena homes that were lost in the 2025 Eaton Fire. Weeklong volunteer teams are requested for June 2026 and August through December 2026. This will be a multi-year effort continuing into 2027 and beyond. Teams of 12-15 are ideal. Learn more and find contact information here.
Bay Area:
- Santa Cruz Fire Recovery: In 2020, the CZU Lightning Complex Fire destroyed 911 homes, displacing fixed-income seniors and low-income families. Just as recovery began, severe winter storms in 2023 caused widespread damage. The Santa Cruz Long Term Recovery Group (SCCLTRG) was established and launched a volunteer program to address new home construction and repairs. Volunteers of all experience levels are welcome. Construction currently takes place from 8 am to 4 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday each week. Learn more and find contact information here.
Sacramento:
Many of SSP’s local partner organizations also benefit from regular or one-time volunteers! These include:
- Rancho Cordova Food Hub (Locker): A wide variety of volunteer roles and experiences are available five days a week, including translation services, food distribution, and food sorting/packing. Expect a fun, physically active work experience. Volunteers of any age are welcome, though children under 12 should be accompanied by an adult. Custom shifts are available for corporate and community groups on Mondays through Thursdays and some Saturdays. Contact Inez Shedd at Inez@ranchocordovafoodlocker.org for more details.
- Table Farm: Volunteer shifts tending to the Table Farm community garden are regularly hosted on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings. Contact gather@thetableumc.org to learn more.
- Food Not Bombs: Support free vegan meal distribution every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month at 1:30 pm on the corner of 10th & J.
- Nor Cal Resist: A wide range of volunteer opportunities are available, from community garden shifts and food distribution to brake light repair and letter writing. See upcoming events on their calendar.
Thank you, SSP community, for your passion for service. Together we are resilient!
Editor’s Note: The above is not an exhaustive list! If you have a regional volunteer opportunity to share, let us know.
SSP-led volunteer opportunities are available year-round in Sacramento, by request in San Diego and Santa Cruz, and for week-long immersions during the summer in Del Norte County and the Navajo Nation.