January 2018  - Silicon Valley 
 
Donation Sorting at EPA Shop
EPAMade
 
Date/Time: First Saturday of the month, 9am - noon
 
Location: 900A Willow Rd., Menlo Park

EPAMade is a social enterprise that employs and trains single mothers from East Palo Alto to gain job and life skills needed for sustainable employment. We help empower single mothers through employment and job coaching. EPAMade is a social enterprise under LevMade, Inc., a tax exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit that incubates and launches social businesses to level the economic playing field. On the first Saturday of each month volunteers are needed to help sort donations at our thrift shop.

Ages: Families with children ages ten and older are welcome to volunteer
 
Time Commitment: Three hours
 
Contact: volunteer@epamade.com. To sign up for the Saturday Donation Sorting, email the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@epamade.com.  
www.epamade.com

 
 
Volunteer at the Tully Battlefields (Sunday Series)
City of San José
 
Date/Time: Sunday, January 7, 10am - 12:30pm
 
Location: Tully Community Battle Fields, 800 Tully Rd., San José

City parks always need a bit of volunteer help! Come join our new Sunday Series: park clean-up volunteer events on Sunday mornings. With 10 Council Districts in the City of San José, each week we will visit a different park in one of the 10 Council Districts. Come volunteer and experience all the unique and special parks we have in San José. All tools and supplies provided. Please wear closed-toe shoes and bring a filled water bottle.

Ages: All ages are welcome
 
Time Commitment: Two and one-half hours
 
Contact:  ParkVolunteer@sanjoseca.gov, 408.595.3483. No need to RSVP, simply show-up and help-out!
City of San José Calendar Page
 
 
South Bay Clean Creeks Coalition Team 222 Event
South Bay Clean Creeks Coalition
 
Date/Time: Saturday, January 13, 8:45 - 11am
 
Location: Guadalupe River at the Julian Street Bridge, 333 Julian Street, San José

Volunteers are needed to participate in a creek and trail cleanup. Please bring your own water container which we will fill for you. South Bay Clean Creeks Coalition supplies gloves, pick-up sticks and miscellaneous tools. Please wear long pants, a hat, sunscreen, and be ready to spend the morning in light to moderate work. We have work for all ages and physical ability levels.

Ages: Minimum age to volunteer is 13. Volunteers age 13 to 15 must have an adult present to participate.
 
Time Commitment: Two and one-quarter hours
 
Contact: Carol, 408.529.4460. Registration is available online.
www.sbcleancreeks.myevent.com
 
 
MLK Day Volunteer Event: School Garden Workday
Aspire East Palo Alto Charter School
 
Date/Time: Monday, January 15, 9am - noon
 
Location: 1286 Runnymede St., East Palo Alto

Come celebrate MLK Day and the National Day of Service by helping maintain our magical one-acre school garden. Join families and students in the East Palo Alto Charter School Garden for a morning of weeding, mulching, planting, turning compost, and starting seeds. The school's one-acre garden is a beautiful outdoor learning classroom full of vegetables, flowers and fruit trees. We appreciate your help maintaining the garden and getting it ready for 2018. Event will be cancelled if it rains.

Ages: All ages are welcome
 
Time Commitment: Three hours
 
Contact: Eron Truran, Eron.Truran@aspirepublicschools.org, 650.614.9100
www.aspirepublicschools.org
 
 
11th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Day of Service - Mitzvah Day
Oshman Family Jewish Community Center (OFJCC)
 
Date/Time: Monday, January 15, 8:30am - 4pm
 
Location: Variety of locations from the Peninsula to San José

Join hundreds of your neighbors for a community-wide day of "tikkun olam" ("repair of the world") as part of a National Day of Service to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This intergenerational event will feature a range of hands-on service projects; participants will work in small groups on projects addressing issues of poverty, hunger, housing and homelessness, aging, the environment, and more. Come on your own or with your family and friends! We look forward to working with you to promote Dr. King's legacy of tolerance, peace, and equality and increase our community's commitment to service and justice. This fun and inspirational day will leave you feeling accomplished and energized.
 
Ages: Everyone is welcome to participate. Volunteer projects are organized by age, please check the website for details. We ask that a parent accompany any volunteers under the age of 15. This event is open to families of all faiths or beliefs.
 
Time Commitment: Varies by activity, generally two to four hours
 
Contact: Pre-registration is required and space is limited at each service project. Registration is available online. For questions or more information contact Robin Vasilakos at rvasilakos@paloaltojcc.org, or 650.223.8791
paloaltojcc.org/mitzvah
 
 
2018 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Train & Events
The Northern California Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Foundation
 
Date/Time: Monday, January 15, 8:30 - 11am.
Train departs:
  • 9:45am: San José Diridon Station
  • 10:05am: Palo Alto Station
  • 10:22am: San Mateo Station
Location(s):
San José Diridon Station, 65 Cahill St., San José
Palo Alto Station, 95 University Ave., Palo Alto
San Mateo Station, 385 First Ave., San Mateo

Take the Caltrain Norcal MLK Celebration Train to the MLK2018 celebration events in San Francisco on Monday, January 15, and honor the life and legacy of Dr. King through exciting activities for all. This free commemorative service is a program of the Northern California Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Foundation, in partnership with Caltrain, and it signals the region's dedication to continue the service begun by the late Coretta Scott King.
 
Once there, celebrants will be able to immediately take part in the MLK2018 March/Parade or head directly to Yerba Buena Gardens to take part in a full day of festivities. For more information about the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, visit sfmlkday.org. All of the day's events are free and open to the public.
 
Ages: All ages are welcome
 
Time Commitment: Train ride is approximately two hours one-way, event times may vary.
 
Contact: For more information please contact info@sfmlkday.org. Reserve your complimentary commemorative tickets for departure from one of the above stations today, and pick up your tickets at your point of departure on Monday, January 15, one hour before travel. This Commemorative Ticket is valid for the "Celebration Train" and one southbound Caltrain trip on January 15, 2018 after 1pm. (See the Caltrain schedule to plan your southbound travel.)
 
 
Welch Park Cleanup
San José Project/District 8 Councilmember Sylvia Arenas
 
Date/Time: Saturday, January 20, 9 - 11am
 
Location: Welch Park, Kenesta Way, San José

Volunteers are needed to pick up litter, scrub down picnic tables, and clean graffiti at Welch Park. Our work will allow family, friends, and local community members to enjoy the beauty of the park, which has been neglected for some time. Please wear comfortable shoes and clothing that you don't mind getting dirty. San José Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to giving back to the city of San José. Through different service projects, we hope to create a sense of unity and togetherness, and to positively impact our community.
 
Ages: Everyone is welcome to participate
 
Time Commitment: Two hours
 
Contact: Patrick Wong, President, SJP, Patrick@sjproject.org, 408.838.4332
 
 
Help Feed the Hungry
Ecumenical Hunger Program (EHP Cares)
 
Date/Time:
  • Monday - Friday, 9:30am - 12:30pm and 1:30 - 4:30pm
  • Wednesdays, 9:30am - 12:30pm and 1:30 - 5:30pm
  • Third Saturday of every month 11am - 1pm
Location: Ecumenical Hunger Program, 2411 Pulgas Avenue, East Palo Alto

EHP Cares provides emergency food, clothing, household essentials, support programs, and referral services for families in need. Volunteers are needed to help sort and prepare food for emergency food boxes, help sort and hang gently used clothing and other items in our Community Closet warehouse. We also need help with computer input, phone calls, gardening, and special projects.

Ages: Ages six and older are welcome with an adult present. Teens can volunteer with parental consent. NOTE: Please email your volunteer request OR call to schedule volunteer dates and times.
 
Time Commitment: Three to four hour shifts. Volunteers may work full or partial shifts as needed.
 
Contact:  Volunteer Coordinator, 650.323.7781, Ext. 3000. Send volunteer requests to: outreach@ehpcares.org
www.ehpcares.org
 
 
Sunday Friends' Programs for Very Low-Income Families
Sunday Friends
 
Date/Time: Sundays - Shifts available between 10:30am and 5:30pm. There are some afterschool shifts on weekdays at our special store.
 
Location(s): 
  • Santee Elementary, 1313 Audubon Dr., San José, 2nd Sunday of every month
  • Meadows Elementary, 1250 Taper Ln., San José, 3rd Sunday of every month Lowell Elementary, 625 South 7th St., San José, 4th Sunday of every month
  • Sunday Friends Special Store, 730 Story Rd. Ste. 3, San José, open weekdays from 4 - 7pm
Volunteers are needed to work directly with children, and occasionally their parents, to facilitate service and learning projects. Projects include craft gift making, healthy food preparation, letter and essay writing, hands-on science projects, math and learning games, computer education, English as a Second Language classes, reading, book report writing, exercise class, parents' classes and more. Children and parents earn tickets for their participation which are redeemable for basic necessities in our special stores. Volunteers might also assist with the banking, store setup, or shopping.

Ages: Teens, adults, families and groups are all welcome. An adult must accompany children under age 14.
 
Time Commitment: No predetermined number of hours, but if you sign up to come to a program, you are expected to come.
 
Contact: Volunteers should begin by completing the New Volunteer Registration process. Please register to volunteer a couple of weeks in advance of the date. Contact Lilly, lillyp@sundayfriends.org, or volunteer@sundayfriends.org, with questions or call 408.217.9587
www.SundayFriends.org
 
 
Make Friends and Help Out at the Alzheimer's Activity Center
Respite and Research for Alzheimer's Disease
 
Date/Time: Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 6pm and Saturday from 9am to 5pm. We offer flexible scheduling throughout the week based on your needs and other commitments.
 
Location: 2380 Enborg Ln., San José

The mission of the Alzheimer's Activity Center is to enrich the lives of people affected by Alzheimer's and related conditions by providing safe, nurturing, intergenerational services and support. The Rosa Elena Childcare Center, a program of Respite and Research for Alzheimer's Disease, brings an intergenerational component to their programs. The Center provides ongoing volunteer opportunities on both weekdays and weekends. Volunteers at the Center work directly with clients, engaging in fun activities, games, crafts, and meaningful conversations.

Volunteers must fulfill the following requirements prior to their first placement:
  • Provide documentation of a negative TB test taken within the last year
  • Fill out a Volunteer Application packet 
  • Obtain a parental signature (if under the age of eighteen) or, if under the age of 15, be accompanied by an adult 
  • Attend a one hour orientation at the Alzheimer's Activity Center. There are no set dates for the orientations; contact the organization to find a date and time that works with your schedule.
Ages: Minimum age is 11 years old and anyone below the age of 15 would need to be accompanied by an adult. Both the children and their parents will need to attend the orientation, which can be done on the day of their first scheduled placement.  
 
Time Commitment: Varies
 
Contact: Jill Moore, jill@alzdaycare.org, 408.279.7515
 
 
Sheltering the Unhoused
Winter Faith Collaborative

Date/Time: January 15 through end of March 2018

Location: Multiple faith communities throughout San José and Santa Clara county offer temporary overnight/daytime shelter or a safe car park for those who sleep in their vehicles. You can volunteer at either one location or multiple locations depending on your preference and time.

The Winter Faith Collaborative is an interfaith movement that was formed to share ideas and advocate for the houseless community. The Collaborative has engaged over 100 faith communities across Santa Clara county with the collective aim to serve and shelter those in the houseless community who are living outdoors. Your willingness to volunteer is critical in this community effort to shelter the unhoused and save lives this winter!

Volunteers are needed to staff the temporary shelters and safe car parks, and perform services such as providing meals for the guests, and if possible stay to eat with the them. Part of our aim is to raise awareness of who those without homes actually are. By sharing a meal with guests, volunteers quickly realize that the guests are people just like themselves who have landed in this position due to situations such as loss of a job, poor health, domestic violence, or eviction due to rent increase. Misconceptions are broken down by talking with one another over a meal. Guests are screened and it is very safe for children to participate. We have found that families with children have enjoyed helping with meal preparation, serving guests, and eating and talking with the guests. And the guests appreciate the chance to be treated with dignity and care. We encourage you to give it a try! Each location has its own rules for volunteer eligibility, but there are multiple options for serving with children. Providing a home cooked meal is usually the most needed job that children can enjoy with their families and is very appreciated by the guests.

Ages: Varies by shelter. Adult supervision is required when children are present.

Time Commitment: Varies by position

Contact:  winterfaithcollaborative@gmail.com or 408.345.5351. Registration will be available online soon. Volunteer opportunities begin in mid-January and will be added throughout the spring. Please check sign-up page periodically.
www.faithcollaborative.wordpress.com/
 
 
Make No-Sew Blankets
Doing Good Together
 
Date/Time: Flexible
 
Location: Your home or community
 
Enjoy a cozy family kindness project for a cold month! Your children can help make these simple, fleece  blankets and provide comfort to a child in need. No sewing is required. Many local organizations would appreciate your donations of these easy-to-create fleece blankets. Check with hospitals, homeless shelters, care facilities, or police and fire stations to gauge interest. Or you can deliver them to your local chapter of  Project Linus or  Binky Patrol. These two groups will distribute them to organizations with the greatest need. Visit the Doing Good Together Make No-Sew Blankets Project page for blanket-making instructions and reflection questions.
 
Ages: Everyone can participate
 
Time Commitment: Varies
 
Contact: mail@doinggoodtogether.org
 
Resolve to make 2018 your year to stand for kindness!

Want to make kindness a priority? You're not alone! In fact, there are big-hearted families nationwide who've decided sharing acts of kindness and service should be a top priority in 2018. The Big-Hearted Families Membership Circle can help! Our big-hearted experts are at your service to provide inspiration, motivation, and advice. Plus there are members-only perks too. All for just $24.99 annually.

Get started by joining in conversation with like-minded people. Our Facebook Big-Hearted Conversation Group is now available (free of charge) to anyone who wants to start or continue their family kindness practice. Discuss your goals, challenges, and ideas with other big-hearted families. And enjoy the tips posted by our Big-Hearted Families™ Director, Sarah Aadland.
 

 

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This list was compiled by Doing Good Together™ (www.doinggoodtogether.org)
 When calling to volunteer for any of the opportunities listed above, please let the coordinator know you found it through this listing. You are encouraged to ask any questions you may have of the sponsoring organization before committing to a project.
Disclaimer: This list is provided as a service to families. Inclusion of organizations in this listing does not imply affiliation, endorsement or quality assurance on the part of Doing Good Together.™ Doing Good Together™ bears no responsibility whatsoever for the activities and actions of the listed organizations. 
                                                                            

                                                                                                     © 2018 Doing Good Together™