Your Contribution Makes a Difference, Donate Today with Ascencia.
Seven people die every day in Los Angeles County due to homelessness. Ascencia is working to prevent this tragedy by providing wrap-around care to their unhoused neighbors, helping them get housed, and stay housed. They rely heavily on their community to fund their life-saving services, including interim shelter, case management, mental health support, clinical services, housing retention services, and more. Their work results in a 97% housing retention rate. Consider a gift today to further their mission to lift people out of homelessness, one person, one family at a time.
More Than Just Soap: Provide Personal Care Kits to Help Local Children Thrive with Assistance League Los Angeles
Did you know that half of low-income families worry about meeting their children’s basic hygiene needs? Growing up in hygiene poverty can make it harder for children to succeed in school, increases their risk of preventable illnesses, and leaves them less prepared for the classroom. To help the children in their programs thrive, they provide each one with a personal care kit that includes conditioning shampoo, soap, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a hairbrush. You can support this effort by ordering items from their wishlist or shopping at your favorite store. Feel free to assemble the kits at home and drop them off at their office—or gather your group and join them to make the kits together. Every donation makes a meaningful difference!.
Beat Rising Costs, Help Low-Income Students Start the School Year Confident with Assistance League Los Angeles
According to Deloitte, the cost of school supplies has risen by nearly 24% over the past two years. For low-income families already stretched thin by rent, food, and healthcare expenses, purchasing back-to-school essentials can feel out of reach. With your support, they can help ensure every child in their programs starts the school year prepared and confident. Each school supply kit includes a notebook, pencil pouch, pencils, pens, an eraser, a sharpener, colored pencils, and a ruler—simple tools that make a big difference.
From Hardship to Hope: Empower Vulnerable Families with Your Gift with Assistance League Los Angeles
Dedicated to providing respect, compassion, and practical aid, this organization relies on the generosity of supporters to keep its front-line operations running. Financial gifts fuel an array of vital services designed to restore dignity and pave a clear path toward self-sufficiency. Together, donors and outreach teams are working to create a community where no individual or child is left invisible.
Are you a Dedicated Birder? Become a Volunteer Banders for MAPS @ Starr Ranch Bird Observatory with Audubon California: Starr Ranch Sanctuary
Dedicated birders who would like banding experience are invited to apply to become volunteer banders for a MAPS (Mapping Avian Productivity and Survivorship) station at the Starr Ranch Bird Observatory. MAPS is a growing network of hundreds of songbird banding stations in North America run by the Institute for Bird Populations (IBP). Long term banding data from MAPS stations help track changes in populations and migration patterns. In 2005, they became part of an international monitoring network that tracks birds in their wintering grounds, MoSI (Monitoreo de Sobrevivencia Invernal) with stations from Mexico to Columbia (and Starr Ranch!). Starr Ranch ornithologists offer beginning and advanced bird banding workshops every several years to train citizen scientists in songbird banding, ageing, and sexing.
Be a Citizen Scientist: Help Monitor Starr Ranch Songbirds with Audubon California: Starr Ranch Sanctuary
Besides bird banding, Starr Ranch manages other songbird monitoring projects that utilize volunteer citizen scientists who are trained by ornithologists. Monitoring usually targets rare species and habitats such as coastal sage scrub but they also use songbirds as indicators of restoration success and climate change. New monitoring projects help them make decisions on which invasive plant species they will work to control.
Join the Research: Long-Term Wildlife Monitoring at Starr Ranch with Audubon California: Starr Ranch Sanctuary
Currently Starr Ranch biologists train citizen science volunteers to help them monitor wildlife that serve as good indicators of habitat quality and help them decide which invasive species they will work to control. These are long term projects that will also aid in detection of shifts in wildlife populations that may be associated with a changing climate.
Defend the Lands: Join the South County Fire Watch Team with Audubon California: Starr Ranch Sanctuary
In partnership with the Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo and the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), Starr Ranch runs a volunteer fire watch. Each year since 2008 volunteers are trained in late summer by the OCFA to deter arson and report behaviors that could lead to fires and to detect fires quickly if they start. Volunteers work in pairs during Red Flag Warnings, periods of high winds and dry conditions, usually in the fall. Lookout locations are at the edges of south Orange County preserved land from Starr Ranch south to the Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo.
Become a Stream Bioassessment Volunteer, Help Protect the Creeks with Audubon California: Starr Ranch Sanctuary
Since 2003, Starr Ranch biologists have trained volunteers to use a standardized protocol to gather data on stream water quality and the impacts of urban run-off on the physical, chemical, and biological components of water quality in the creeks of Starr Ranch. Their results are sent to a statewide database. If you would like to volunteer with the annual stream bioassessment project, please contact Sandy DeSimone.
Join the Weed Warriors, Protect Habitats One Hand Tool at a Time with Audubon California: Starr Ranch Sanctuary
Starr Ranch “Weed Warriors” help them remove invasive plant species. Invasive species can alter habitats and can have negative effects on wildlife. All of their weed control is non-chemical, and done with hand tools. Currently volunteers help them with periwinkle, English ivy, and Smilo grass removal. If you would like to become a “weed warrior” at Starr Ranch, please contact Sandy DeSimone.
Support Aviva Family and Children’s Services
For 110 years, Aviva has provided services to meet critical needs for their clients and address the most pervasive issues in their communities. Their goals are ambitious. They are committed to improving children’s lives, strengthening families, enhancing their local communities, and creating a more equitable society. Their bold vision requires a large circle of donors and partners and they are deeply grateful for their essential support. As Aviva continues to optimize their resources and expand their capacity, they invite you to join them in fostering more stable, healthy, resilient, and happy lives for thousands of children and families.
Free Dog Kisses with Every Scoop: Volunteer for the Poop Patrol with Beagles and Buddies Sanctuary
Beagles and Buddies has around 100 dogs at any given time, and volunteers are always needed to help maintain clean and sanitary grounds. Daily yard cleanup and waste removal are essential to keeping the facility healthy, safe, and comfortable for all the rescue dogs.
Build, Fix, and Improve: Join the Beagles and Buddies Maintenance Crew with Beagles and Buddies Sanctuary
The sanctuary kennel facility is highly maintenance-intensive, and volunteers are needed to help with regular cleaning and physical repairs around the property. Individuals with skills in carpentry, painting, plastering, fencing, or electrical work can help maintain secure gates and clean living spaces for the animals.
Teach New Tricks, Help Rescue Pups Put Their Best Paw Forward with Beagles and Buddies Sanctuary
Volunteers are needed to spend time with the rescue dogs teaching basic commands and leash skills to improve their behavior and help them become more adoptable. Prior professional dog training experience is not required, as basic positive reinforcement techniques can help these dogs thrive.
Lend Your Medical Expertise, Become a Volunteer Veterinarian with Beagles and Buddies Sanctuary
The sanctuary is seeking a licensed veterinarian who can provide mobile, on-site veterinary care and routine checkups once or twice a month. Transporting multiple large groups of rescue dogs off-site for basic vaccinations and routine wellness care is a significant operational hardship for the small staff.
Round Up the Pack, Become a Doggie Wrangler Volunteer with Beagles and Buddies Sanctuary
Volunteers are needed to help socialize rescue dogs through regular walking, grooming, and companionship, which is especially vital for the shy or fearful dogs on-site. This role includes assisting with basic yard cleanup and is open to volunteers of all ages, though children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
The Comfort Crew, Volunteer for Kennel Cleaning and Care with Beagles and Buddies Sanctuary
Volunteers help maintain clean, comfortable indoor environments for the dogs by scrubbing dog houses, washing bedding, and sanitizing the living quarters. This hands-on role involves using hot water and basic cleaning supplies to manage the demanding daily upkeep of the kennel areas.
Help Sew and Tack Bedding Pads for Beagles and Buddies Sanctuary
Volunteers can help create soft, machine-washable sleeping pads for the kennel crates using donated blankets and comforters. The sanctuary provides the materials, and individuals help by cutting and tacking the fabrics together into durable, easily washable 2'x2' and 3'x3' sizes that dry quickly.
Leave Your Mark, Help Paint Signs for Beagles and Buddies with Beagles and Buddies Sanctuary
The sanctuary is looking for a volunteer sign painter to create clear, welcoming directional and informational signage for the main reception area and the outdoor exercise yards.
Help Rescue Dogs Get the Care They Need with Beagles and Buddies Sanctuary
On-call volunteer drivers and a logistics coordinator are needed to transport rescued dogs from high-kill local shelters or drive them to scheduled veterinary clinic appointments. Volunteers must have a reliable personal vehicle, a valid driver's license, and up-to-date auto insurance.
Featured Projects
Join Big Sunday for Relaxation and Community Care at Wellness Mondays
Big Sunday,
dom@bigsunday.org,
(323) 549-9944
If you're feeling like you could use a holiday – or a way to relax and recharge while meeting great, helpful folks -you're going to love Big Sunday's Wellness Mondays. Every Monday at 10 AM, we'll be hosting a different, fantastic sound bath here at Big Sunday HQ. Every Sound Bath is wonderful, designed to help you relax, recharge, and reconnect with yourself and others. They're all incredibly relaxing, totally free, and everyone is invited! We want everyone to be as comfortable as possible and suggest that you bring your own mat, cushion, pillow, blanket, eye cover, etc. – whatever you need to feel relaxed and cozy!
Create Mosaic Suns With Big Sunday at our Art Tuesdays
Big Sunday,
josh@bigsunday.org,
(323) 549-9944
Every Tuesday, volunteers join us at Big Sunday HQ to decorate mosaics in the shape of a sun. These beautiful works of art are then donated to schools, shelters, food banks – anywhere in need of a little more sunshine and warmth! This wonderful project is the brainchild of our old friend Cathy Weiss and led by Cathy and our own Big Sunday staff. You don’t need to be a brilliant artist to participate – just friendly and sincere. Just about everybody who’s worked on one tells us the mosaic suns are their favorite Big Sunday project!.
Join Big Sunday for our Accessible Wednesday at 10am Event
Big Sunday,
passion@bigsunday.org,
(323) 549-9944
A spin-off of our flagship weekly event TM@10, Accessible Wednesdays @ 10 (AW@10 for short) hosts volunteers every Wednesday to work on hands-on projects to help local nonprofits. The difference? The projects we do on Wednesdays are specially geared to be accessible to folks of all ability levels! Our guests of honor at each AW@10 are groups of volunteers with intellectual and developmental disabilities from some of our partner organizations like AbilityFirst, ETTA, PassAbility, Partners For Potential, and Arroyo Development Services. At Big Sunday, we firmly believe that everyone has something to give, and that everyone has fun helping others! Anyone and everyone is invited to join us for AW@10, whether it’s with a group or as an individual who wants to help out and hang out with some of the best volunteers in the business. From assembling goodie bags for unhoused people and their dogs to decorating pumpkins for underserved kids at Halloween, there’s always something fun going on at AW@10. This week we will be sorting cloths for donations.
Join Big Sunday for our Thursday Morning at 10am Events
Big Sunday,
nicolo@bigsunday.org,
(323) 549-9944
TM@10 (Thursday Morning @ 10) is not only one of our favorite programs, but it’s one of our most popular, too! Every Thursday morning from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM, volunteers gather at Big Sunday HQ to work on hands-on projects that help local nonprofits. We’ve assembled birthday gifts for folks in shelters, written letters to soldiers stationed overseas, packed backpacks for ex-gang members starting college, made fleece blankets for shelter kittens, and done about a thousand other fun and meaningful things. In classic Big Sunday fashion, it’s a great way for people to meet new people, work together, and enjoy some laughs while helping someone else. It’s no wonder we have so many regulars who come every single week! We’re regularly joined by groups like AbilityFirst, Partners For Potential, and of course the famous TM Ladies! Projects we’ve worked on have benefited organizations like Covenant House, Carlos Santa Ana Academy, PATH, Exceptional Children’s Foundation, Angelus Plaza, and countless others.
Join Big Sunday for our Food Pantry and Food Fridays @ 10am
Big Sunday,
madison@bigsunday.org,
(323) 549-9944
Big Sunday has given away mountains of food over many years, but now we’re going to make it a weekly event. Our Food Pantry will be open year ‘round and will contain both perishable and non-perishable food. We’re also introducing Food Fridays. Every Friday morning we’ll be open from 10-11:30 to sort and pack food. We’ll also distribute to nonprofits and schools from all over town who will distribute the food to hungry and grateful people in their communities. All ages are welcome. Groups, too! We need volunteers, collectors, donors and sponsors.