Big Brothers of Orange County

Big Brothers Big Sisters matches children ages 6 through 18 with mentors in professionally supported one-to-one relationships. They have programs in communities across the country - including yours.

Boys Hope Girls Hope

Helping academically capable and motivated children-in-need to meet their full potential and become men and women for others by providing value-centered, family-like homes, opportunities and education through college.

California Heart Connection

California Heart Connection is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) organization which supports those born with heart defects. Based in Irvine, it is the only support network of its kind in California. They offer free services to those with heart defects including an online support group, events, and important resources and information. They also provide Teddy Bears to children undergoing heart surgery.

Fish for Life
Spreading the Love One Boat at a Time

Fish for Life is a non profit organization located in Southern California with a charter to enhance the lives of special needs individuals by inviting selected groups to enjoy a complimentary half day fishing trip on the sea.

To sign up your child with special needs for a future Fish for Life trip, please visit their website. Volunteer and sponsor opportunities also available.

Glennwood Housing
Laguna Beach
A unique group housing concept in Laguna Beach designed to provide local, safe and affordable housing for young adults with special needs.

The Glennwood Housing Foundation was founded by a group of hopeful individuals who have children or friends with physical and developmental disabilities. The dream of GHF is to create safe and affordable housing for young adults with special needs in South Orange County.

HBIC - Help for Brain Injured Children

H.B.I.C., a non-profit organization has operated continuously since 1967 and is vitally concerned with the physical and environmental condition of the neurologically impaired child and young adults. Seeking to remedy these conditions, H.B.I.C. assists in the medical rehabilitation and educational processes with the most appropriate programs available. H.B.I.C. realizes not every person is going to make it to " normalcy" but without exception, those who receive therapy in its entirety do show improvement.

Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund

On May 18, 2004, a small group of concerned Marine Corps spouses founded the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund to provide financial grants and other assistance to the Marines, sailors, and families of those injured serving our nation. The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund has had over 1,100 cases and given more than $1.9 million in grants to our wounded heroes and their families.

Let's Say Thanks

This is a great way for individuals across the country to recognize U.S. troops stationed overseas. By submitting a message through this site you have the opportunity to send a free personalized postcard greeting to deployed servicemen and women. The postcards, depicting patriotic scenes and hometown images, were selected from a pool of entries from children across the country.

Lighthouse

Providing physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual support to special needs teenagers and young adults. All charitable endeavors of this nonprofit public benefit corporation are performed by a volunteer Board of Directors and volunteer leaders.

The Marine Corps - Law Enforcement Foundation

Scholarship funds for children of Marines and Law Enforcement. Through the continuous support of their donors, they have distributed aid with a value of more than $24,000,000.00 to eligible children.

Musical Mentors
Located in San Juan Capistrano
Providing underprivileged kids with a chance for greatness!

Musical Mentors is and educational outreach program created for underprivileged children. Their goal is to provide these kids with a true chance for greatness through music education and effective mentors.

Orange County Rescue Mission
Serving the least, the last and the lost of Orange County

The Orange County Rescue Mission serves the homeless by providing services such as residential housing for up to two years, medical and dental care, meals, job training, case management, substance abuse treatment, parent training, anger management training, mental health care assessment and treatment, housing assistance and placement, and life skills training

Rotary District 5320 of Southern California

Information on Orange County Rotary Clubs with links to individual websites in each city with a club. This worldwide organization of business and professional leaders provide humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. Rotary club membership represents a cross-section of the community's business and professional men and women.

South Coast Children's Society, Inc.

Founded in 1984, SCCS provides shelter, care, therapy, and support services for abused, neglected and underprivileged children, youth and their families. South Coast Children's Society is a registered 501(c3) nonprofit organization currently serving Orange and San Bernardino Counties with family crisis intervention and prevention services, shelter, care and treatment for abused, neglected, and abandoned children between the ages of 10 and 18, housing and support services for struggling young people, aged 18 to 25, and intensive services for families with complex emotional, behavioral or mental health needs.

Stand Up for Kids

The mission of STANDUP FOR KIDS is to help homeless and street kids. They do this, every day, in cities across America. This is carried out through their volunteers who go to the streets in order to find, stabilize and otherwise help homeless and street kids improve their lives.

Wishland

A California 501 C 3 non-profit foundation that provides support and services for critically ill children and their families. Located just a few blocks south of the Disneyland Resort, Wishland is the only program of its kind on the entire West Coast! Wishland is all about creating laughter, and inspiring hope for families that are dealing with one of the most difficult challenges imaginable. Having a terminally ill or critically ill child.

Operation of Hope

This not-for-profit medical foundation was started in 1989 to perform facial surgeries on poor children around the world.

Founded 19 years ago by retired ear, nose and throat physician Dr. Clawson, the team has worked hard to impact the lives of over 1,900 children.

Calvary Chapel Capo Beach

"Seeking God's guidance to become the church Jesus would produce". Outreach programs include monthly trips to Casa De La Esperanza Orphanage and Music To Make A Difference - this was created at Capo Beach Calvary Chapel, to supply children of all ages, that are in any way abused, orphaned, handicapped, special education or just unable to afford the opportunity to own a musical instrument, with a free instrument of their choice.

Lighthouse

The specific purpose of the Lighthouse is to provide physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual support to special needs teenagers and young adults. All charitable endeavors are performed by a volunteer Board of Directors and volunteer leaders.

All Green Electonics Recycling

Offering free Electronics Recycling Events in your Orange County.

All Green's network of processing centers and partners is conveniently distributed throughout North America. Hazardous e-waste never ends up in landfills and is never exported to developing nations for dumping.

Beach Cleanups
Seal Beach

Held from 9 am to Noon, third Saturday of every month (check schedule on their website)

Community event where 'all are welcome'. They provide parking passes, garbage bags and protective gloves

LOCATION:
15 1st Street
(corner of Ocean & 1st)
Seal Beach

INFORMATION:
(562) 884-6764

Earth 911

Informative site with information on learning to consume responsibly, how to compost, finding recycling centers near you and finding local environmental events and organizations in your neighborhood.

Users can type in their zip code, and the material they want to recycle and receive a list of specific recycling centers nearby.

Surfrider Foundation

The Surfrider Foundation is a grassroots, non-profit, environmental organization that works to protect our oceans, waves, and beaches. Founded in 1984, Surfrider Foundation's most important coastal environmental work is carried out by Surfrider Foundation's 60 chapters located along the East, West, Gulf, Puerto Rican, and Hawaiian coasts.

There are all kinds of volunteer activities to do, from beach cleanups to water testing to educational presentations to writing newsletters to attending city council meetings to many other things.

Donna O'Neill Land Conservancy

A steward for a wilderness reserve located in the coastal foothills of Southern California. Their mission is to protect the rich natural and cultural resources of the San Mateo Watershed by providing opportunities for environmental education, biological research, and sensitive recreational access to the 1200-acre Donna O'Neill Land Conservancy in Orange County, California.

They provide a range of programs from nature walks to astronomy nights along with voluteer 'cleanup' days.

Able To Change Recovery
Offering residential, partial, and intensive outpatient programs

Able To Change Recovery is an Orange County alcohol rehab and drug treatment center specializing in substance abuse, alcoholism, dual-diagnosis and addiction recovery.

With locations in Lake Forest, Capo-Beach and San Juan Capistrano, this modern medical-model treatment center is licensed and certified, CARF Accredited, and is dedicated to providing the highest quality and most cost-effective chemical dependency treatment to those suffering from drug addiction, alcoholism, and related mental illnesses.

Celebrate Recovery

Recovery process launched by Saddleback Church 15 years ago. This program was started to help those struggling with hurts, habits and hang-ups using the Eight Recovery Principles based on the Beatitudes.

The Crossing Church Care and Recovery Ministries

The Care and Recovery ministries at The Crossing offer numerous opportunities for serving and getting connected and we would love to have you as part of our team. Our Care ministry is all about offering help, hope, and healing for those struggling with life's difficulties. Our Recovery program is called Lifelines and is a safe place for those on the journey of recovery to meet and grow in Christ.

2115 Newport Blvd.
Costa Mesa, CA 92627

Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous

12 Step fellowship based on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Many adult and teen members were overweight, some by as much as 200 pounds. Others were dangerously underweight or controlled their eating to the point of obsession through under-eating, bulimia or exercising. Today, many lead fulfilling lives without abusing food.

Methamphetamine Abuse

The following websites provide links and information about Methamphetamine abuse, addiction recovery, warning signs, & other infornation.

NotMeth.com
MethKills.com

Orange County Adult Children Of Alcoholics

Interactive site features video, audio, articles and links to meetings, chat rooms and message boards for Adult Children of Alcoholics and those that grew up in abusive and dysfunctional homes.

Orange County Alcoholics Anonymous
Includes A.A. Meeting directory for Oange County, CA

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover form alcoholism.

Orange County Cocaine Anonymous - Includes Meeting directory for Oange County, CA

Cocaine Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from their addiction. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using cocaine and all other mind-altering substances. There are no dues or fees for membership; we are fully self-supporting through our own contributions.

South Coast Area of Narcotics Anonymous

Narcotics Anonymous is an international, community-based association of recovering drug addicts with more than 30,000 weekly meetings in 108 countries. The South Coast Area of Narcotics Anonymous serves Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, Rancho Santa Margarita, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, Capistrano Beach and San Clemente, CA. Regularly scheduled meetings are hel within these cities.

Orange County California Area of Narcotics Anonymous

Narcotics Anonymous is an international, community-based association of recovering drug addicts with more than 30,000 weekly meetings in 108 countries. The Orange County Area of Narcotics Anonymous serves Buena Park, La Habra, Brea, Fullerton, Los Alamitos, Cypress, Yorba Linda, Placentia, Anaheim, Stanton, Garden Grove, Westminster, Orange, Santa Ana, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Tustin, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Irvine. They hold regularly scheduled meetings within these cities.

American Red Cross of Orange County

Volunteers are the heart and soul of the American Red Cross. There are many volunteer roles within the different departments of the Orange County Chapter.

Big Brothers of Orange County
Just 4 hours a month can change a young person's life!

Requirements to be a Big Brother or Big Sister - Age 18 or older (unless applying for High School Bigs program), an Orange County resident for at least 1 month, employed at currrent job for at least one month, be willing to commit at least one year to the program and you must have drivers license/proof of car insurance.

C.A.R.E. Capistrano Animal Rescue Effort

CARE is a local all-volunteer non-profit charitable organization that formed in August 2000 to rescue the adoptable stray and homeless dogs and cats picked up by the Orange County Animal Control in San Juan Capistrano and find them new homes.

CARE has urgent need for "caring" foster parents to get their kittens & cats ready for their new "furever" homes. All supplies such as food, litter, etc., are provided by CARE.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Orange County, Inc

CASA is a nonprofit agency that recruits, trains and supports volunteers from the community to serve as mentors and advocates for abused children in Orange County's foster care system. We have over 200 children on our waiting list who could use the caring and support of a Mentor-Advocate, but we need to find more volunteers to match with them.

Guide Dogs for the Blind

Guide Dogs for the Blind provides enhanced mobility to qualified individuals through partnership with dogs whose unique skills are developed and nurtured by dedicated volunteers and a professional staff.

Volunteer opportunities inlcude:
Become a breeding stock custodian
Raise and socialize a Guide Dog puppy
Become a campus volunteer
Enroll in their Speakers Bureau.

The Joyful Child Foundation

The Joyful Child is dedicated to protecting our nation's children from sexual abuse and abduction through programs that unite and uplift communities. Join the national movement to stop crimes against children and sign up for your neighborhood's FREE Samantha's PRIDE Web Program website and intranet system....because awareness and communication are our greatest weapons against child predators.

The Joyful Child Foundation is also looking for volunteers to assist in its Child Watch programs, after school programs, and organizational management.

Pacific Marine Mammal Center

A non-profit, volunteer organization and education center. They rescue, rehabilitate, and release sick and injured seals and sea lions. Programs include a guided tour of the animal care facility and exhibit room, a slide presentation and observation of the animals.

20612 Laguna Canyon Road Laguna Beach 92651
(949) 494-3050 phone

Shipley Nature Center
Opened in 1974, the Shipley Nature Center is an 18-acre fenced natural area within Huntington Beach Central Park, CA.

Donations of time, skills and services are appreciated. Shipley Nature Center has volunteer opportunities for the following activities: Docent, Host, Gardener, Fundraiser & Restoration Days event.

Surfrider Foundation

The Surfrider Foundation is a grassroots, non-profit, environmental organization that works to protect our oceans, waves, and beaches. Founded in 1984, Surfrider Foundation's most important coastal environmental work is carried out by Surfrider Foundation's 60 chapters located along the East, West, Gulf, Puerto Rican, and Hawaiian coasts.

There are all kinds of volunteer activities to do, from beach cleanups to water testing to educational presentations to writing newsletters to attending city council meetings to many other things.

YMCA of Orange County
Building Strong Kids, Strong Families & Strong Communities

At the Y, strengthening community is our cause. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y serves Orange County through six (6) Health & Wellness centers and over 50 Afterschool Program centers. YMCA programs celebrate and honor common values of respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring by infusing character development into the foundation and practice of all our programs; from youth sports and group exercise classes to parent/child programs and community services- Y programs build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. The YMCA of Orange County is a nonprofit, charitable organization that serves the entire community. Donations support our scholarship program and Our Promise - To strive to keep programs open for all.

VolunteerMatch

Dedicated to helping everyone find a great place to volunteer. VolunteerMatch is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help everyone find a great place to volunteer, and offering a variety of online services to support a community of nonprofit, volunteer and business leaders committed to civic engagement. Interested volunteers can enter their ZIP code on the VolunteerMatch home page to quickly find local volunteer opportunities posted by nonprofit organizations throughout the United States.