HISP students must complete five community service hours each quarter during the school year. See About Community Service for more information.  Students are not available during the school day; therefore, only volunteer opportunities that occur after school hours, during evenings, or on weekends and holidays may be posted.

Listed below are Community Events as well as Ongoing Activities that qualify for community service credit. The list is not all encompassing, but serves as a source of potential opportunities for students. There are many other activities and events that students may wish to participate in to fulfill their requirements. Any questions regarding community service should be directed to your HISP social science teacher.

This page is updated often; check back periodically to learn more about newly posted opportunities.

Volunteer Coordinating Organizations

The following organizations compile and publicize numerous volunteer opportunities throughout the Sacramento area.

Hands On Sacramento—The Sacramento region's full-service volunteer action center and a committed advocate for innovative social change.

Volunteer Center of Sacramento—Ongoing and one-time volunteer opportunities in support of Sacramento area non-profit organizations. See the center’s Youth Volunteer Directory for a comprehensive list of nonprofit organizations that welcome youth as volunteers.

City of Sacramento—Short- and long-term volunteer opportunities at city-supported organizations and local government projects.

Community Events
(one-time or short-run events)

Ongoing Activities

Event: Land Park Volunteer Corps
Volunteer Duties: Install new plantings, conduct planer maintenance, clean fish ponds, weed, remove litter and debris, and other beautification tasks as needed.
Dates/Times: First Saturday of every non-winter month.
Sponsor: Land Park Community Association
Details: Meet in William Land Park behind Fairytale Town.
More Information: Contact Craig Powell, Lead Coordinator, 718-3030

Activity: St. John’s Shelter Program for Women and Children—support homeless women and children to advance from a point of crisis to a position of self-sufficiency.
Volunteer Duties: Prepare meals, provide clerical support, help with children’s activities (crafts, tutoring), transport donated food, sort clothing, deliver furniture and household items to clients.
Dates/Times: Contact sponsor (telephone number below).
Sponsor:  St. John’s Shelter
Prerequisites: Some activities require students to be 16 years of age and over.
More Information: (916) 453-1482

Activity: Harvest Sacramento—Pick fruit and vegetables from area trees, gardens, and small orchards for donation to Sacramento food banks.
Volunteer Duties: Walk neighborhoods and distribute flyers to identify trees and recruit homeowners with trees and gardens who wish to participate; pick fruit and vegetables (to be delivered to and distributed by area food banks)
Dates/Times: Multiple events in several locations (including Land Park, East Sacramento, Tahoe Park, Oak Park) and at various dates/times
Sponsor: Harvest Sacramento
Prerequisites: RSVP for each event by contacting the Food Access Coordinator below.
More Information: Randy Stannard, Food Access Coordinator
Soil Born Farms Urban Agriculture Project, (530) 204-8082

Activity: Fariytale Town Volun-Teen Program
Volunteer Duties: A wide variety of duties—from helping with events and performing computer tasks to assisting with animals or theater productions await the teen volunteer at this landmark children’s destination in Land Park.
Dates/Times: Contact sponsor for details.
Sponsor: Fairytale Town
Prerequisites: Teens between the ages of 13 and 18; must make a minimum commitment of three hours per week for three months.
More Information: Sharlene Lal, Education & Program Manager, (916) 808-7979

Activity: Crocker Art Museum Teen Action Team
Volunteer Duties: Create and plan art-focused activities for other teens at the Crocker Art Museum. A Teen Action Team is formed twice a year—July and January. However, if openings are available, students may join a team at any time during the year by filling out an application.
Dates/Times: Meets monthly; contact sponsor for details.
Sponsor: Crocker Art Museum
Prerequisites: Teens between the ages of 13 and 17; must fill out an application.
More Information: Emma Moore, (916) 808-1961

Activity: Mobile Food Program
Volunteer Duties: Distribute food to those in need at various locations throughout the Sacramento community
Dates/Times: Tuesdays 4:00-7:30 p.m.; or Saturdays 8:00-11:30 a.m.
Sponsor: Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services
Prerequisites: No drop-in volunteers; must reserve a volunteer slot in advance; completion of one hour of volunteer training; volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult
More Information: Catherine Thompson, Food Assistance Volunteer Coordinator,
(916) 456-1980

Activity: City of Sacramento’s Animal Care Services—Teen Volunteer Program
Volunteer Duties: Assist with special events, handling and exercising dogs and cats, pet grooming and bathing, office work, adoption clinics, and education.
Dates/Times: Times vary; the Teen Program has three opportunities for students to volunteer—Shelter Team (minimum 20-hour commitment); Shelter Partners (minimum 15-hour commitment); Shelter Friends (less than 15-hour commitment).
Sponsor: City of Sacramento’s Animal Care Services Division
Prerequisites: Completion of a 1-1/2 hour volunteer orientation offered the second Wednesday of every month from 6:00-7:30 p.m; volunteer application required (may be downloaded from above website); teens between ages of 13 and 17 must be accompanied by an adult when volunteering.
More Information: Claudia Schlachter, Volunteer Coordinator, (916) 808-8166