Helping Children

Helping Children

Chai Lifeline

Mentor a family with a seriously ill child

When: Hours vary
Where: Local Hospitals

Chai Lifeline is devoted to alleviating the burden of those facing medical challenge, offering over programs and services to help alleviate the many social, emotional and financial burdens of pediatric illness. Volunteers mentor families going through painful times with seriously ill children. 

West Coast Sohacheski Family Center:
e-mail: westcoast@chailifeline.org, phone: 310-274-6331, 877 374-6331
www.chailifeline.org, 9701 West Pico Blvd.Suite 120, Los Angeles, CA 90035

Jewish Big Brothers/Big Sisters

Active adults needed to become a mentor to a child or teen

When: twice monthly
Where: You pick the location

CLICK HERE FOR A TESTIMONIAL

If you enjoy children and/or pre-teens, feeling you could serve as a positive role model, consider becoming a 'Big' to a child from a single parent home or other situation where a mentor would be beneficial! Help create wonderful memories for you and your ‘Little!’

Contact: Rachel Fein, rfein@jbbbsla.org, 323-456-1157, visit them on the web: www.jbbbsla.org

JBBBS Camp Max Straus

Enjoy sports and art with less privileged children

When: Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. during the fall, winter & spring
Where: Camp Max Straus, Glendale
Volunteer Group: Ages 18+

While they’re making art or playing sport, you’re making a difference! Become a Sports or Arts Buddy to a less privileged child. Wonderful B'nai mitzvah project! Commitment requires 5-6 Sundays per year.

Contact: Liz Kimmelman, LKimmelman@jbbbsla.org, 323 456-2251, visit them on the web:www.jbbbsla.org

KOREH LA

Read with a child weekly and help improve their academics

When: one hour per week during the school year
Where: local elementary schools
Volunteer group: B'nai Mitzvah, teens, adult 

Read to an elementary school child 1 hour per week following a three hour training session will greatly increase their chance for academic success. Some of the children have been known to call our VBS volunteers Bubbie and Zadeh! You are sure to enjoy your reading sessions!

Next training scheduled: Sundays, 
January 8 & 14, 2013

Contact: Kaitlin Schluter  korehteam1@jewishla.org, 323-761-8157, visit them on the web:www.JewishLA.org
Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, 6505 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Operation School Bell

OSB provides more than 5,300 underserved elementary-age school children in LA Unified School District (LAUSD) with new school clothes and supplies, enhancing their self-esteem and chance to succeed.

When: Hours vary
Where: Local Elementary Schools

Assist less privileged school children select new clothing, shoes and backpacks from the OSB rolling service facility. Schedule varies throughout the year. Check calendar for upcoming dates at local schools. Some VBS volunteers so enjoy this project, they attend the City dates as well as Valley. Opportunities also available at Hollywood storage location weekday mornings throughout the year.

Contact: Diane Hilty dhilty1@juno.com, phone: 323-469-6017, visit them on the web:www.operationschoolbell.org

Vista del Mar: Jewish Foster Care

Become a foster parent

Where: Your home 

Many children living in foster care are unable to maintain their Jewish identity. Becoming a foster family or parent helps a child live in a Jewish environment, feeling secure while being able to continue religious practice.

Contact: Sha’ Givens 310-836-1223 x 286

West Valley Boys and Girls Club

Spend time or share your talents with less privileged youth

When: Weekday afternoons
Where: Canoga Park

Consider tutoring less privileged youth, play games or sports, and/or share your arts and crafts talents, helping empower them with these tools.

Contact: Rubin or Cathy: 818-610-1054, visit them on the web: www.wvbgc.org 

Operation School on Wheels

contact@schoolonwheels.org
(805) 641-1678
https://www.schoolonwheels.org/volunteer/
3150 N San Fernando Rd, Ste B
Los Angeles, CA 90065

The mission of School on Wheels is to enhance educational opportunities for homeless children from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Our goal is to shrink the gaps in their education and provide them with the highest level of education possible. Our program serves as a consistent support system to homeless students at a time of great stress and fear. We bring the message to our students that they are cared about and important.

Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA)

volunteer@casala.org
(323)859-2888
Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Court
201 Centre Plaza Drive, Suite 1100, Monterey Park
http://casala.org/volunteer/

A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a trained, dedicated and caring community volunteer, who is assigned to work one-on-one with a child in the foster care system. CASAs are sworn in by a dependency court judge to advocate for what is in the child’s best interest. With legal standing to fully investigate a child’s circumstances, CASAs make recommendations to the court regarding how the system and community can best serve and support the child. Our volunteers have the ability to broadly influence the life of a foster child by advocating across many important life issues, including permanent placement, health care, education, mental health and enrichment activities.