Volunteer
Volunteer at UC Santa Cruz
There are several great volunteer opportunities on campus. From roles at the Farm & Garden to supporting the Long Marine Lab, and much more.
| Organization | Description | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Alumni Volunteer Network | With a commitment as small as two hours, you can make a lasting impact. Join us in strengthening the UCSC community—your time and talents make a difference! | 831 459-3444 |
| Arboretum | Volunteer opportunities include leading guided tours, helping in the library, serving on various committees, helping weekly with Collection Care and Weeding groups | 831 502-2998 |
| Committee on Emeriti Relations | Senate service is your opportunity to affect decisions that shape our campus and the larger UC system, such as research opportunities (Edward A. Dickson Emeriti Professorship), retirement and benefit packages, and retirement readiness. | 831 459-2259 |
| Community Connections | Volunteer opportunities include serving on various committees, fundraising, and more. | |
| Emeriti Association | Founded in 1979, the Emeriti Association aims to foster an atmosphere of collegiality among Emeriti by providing socially and intellectually stimulating programs. | 831 502-8202 |
| Friends of the Cowell Lime Works Historic District | Friends of this group have the opportunity to volunteer on exciting restoration projects or to be a docent for historic district tours. | |
| Friends of the Dickens Project | Volunteers can help with a myriad of events revolving around the Dickens Universe. | |
| Friends of the Farm & Garden | Volunteer opportunities include helping with community events, working at the Farm or Alan Chadwick Garden, taking part in our docent program, helping with the Harvest Festival and other activities. | 831 459-3240 |
| Friends of the Library | The Friends of the Library are advocates for enriching the University Library and strengthening it as a vital center for scholarly life at the University of California, Santa Cruz. | |
| Legislative Advocacy Network | Working with UC governmental relations professionals and faculty and staff, the Office of Institutional Advocacy mobilizes advocates to support legislative activities in Sacramento. | 831 459-3938 |
| Retirees Association | Volunteer roles are available with the association, and association members serve the University as advocates, ambassadors, and volunteers. | 831 502-8202 |
| Seymour Marine Discovery Center | Volunteers with the Seymour Center lead tours and lessons for school groups, care for a live-animal collection, and support day-to-day operations and education programs. | 831 459-3800 |
| Smith Society | Volunteers contribute their ideas, energy, and skills to support students further. Volunteer as a mentor to local students and foster youth. |
Do you have a volunteer opportunity to add to the list?
Contact the Retiree & Emeriti Center, rec@ucsc.edu
Volunteer in the local Santa Cruz Community
Do you enjoy live performances? Consider becoming an usher at Shakespeare Santa Cruz! Would you rather spend time supporting underrepresented youth in the community? Give ‘Youth NOW’ a try. Perhaps leading walks to watch elephant seals at Año Nuevo is more your style. There are many great volunteer roles in our local community, the only hard part is trying to pick which one to experience next.
| Organization | Phone Number | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Año Nuevo | 650 879-2032 | parks.ca.gov/anonuevo |
| Big Basin | 831 338-8883 | parks.ca.gov |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters | 831 464-8691 | santacruzmentor.org |
| CASA of Santa Cruz County | 831 761-2956 | casaofsantacruz.org |
| Davenport Resource Service Center | 831 425-8115 | cabinc.org |
| Divine Equine Assisted Therapy Center | 831 296-4321 | divineequinetherapy.org |
| Habitat for Humanity | 831 469-4663 | habitat.org |
| Henry Cowell | 831 355-7707 | parks.ca.gov |
| Homeless Services Center | 831 458-6020 | santacruzhsc.org |
| I-You Venture | 831 459-8917 ext. 205 | fsa-cc.org/i-you-venture |
| Japanese Cultural Fair | 831 462-4589 | jcfsantacruz.org |
| Mercy Housing | 831 421-9062 | mercyhousing.org |
| The Otter Project | 831 646-8837 | otterproject.org |
| Rancho Del Oso | 831 427-2288 | ranchodeloso.org/volunteer |
| Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter | 831 454 7200 | scanimalshelter.org/become_a_volunteer |
| Santa Cruz Shakespeare | 831 460-6396 | santacruzshakespeare.org/volunteer |
| Sprout Up | 408 202-7453 | sproutup.org |
| Survivors Healing Center | 831 423-7601 | fsa-cc.org |
| Sustainable Systems Research Foundation (SSRF) | 831 588-7625 | sustainablesystemsfoundation.org |
| UnChained | 831 334-2704 | livingunchained.org |
| Walnut Avenue Women’s Center | 831 426-3062 ext. 211 | wawc.org |
| Wilder Ranch State Park | 831 426-0505 | thatsmypark.org/wilderrachstatepark |
| Youth N.O.W. Student Center | 831 254-4990 | youthnowcenter.org |