Mission Viejo Library seeks energetic teen volunteers ages 13-17 to help with all aspects of the Summer Reading Program. The annual Summer Reading Program is a library tradition that instills a lifelong love of learning by encouraging children to read and participate in events over the summer.
The 2024 program begins on June 15 and runs through July 31. Teens interested in welcoming families, explaining the program, enrolling participants, and awarding prizes can sign up now. Shifts are 2-3 hours and volunteers must attend a one-time orientation on Zoom.
Applications are available here and at the children’s and “ask here” desks at the library. For more information, email ohoward@cityofmissionviejo.org.
The Oso Fit 5K Fun Run and Community Health Fair is an annual event in Mission Viejo and focuses on promoting health and wellness. This event is hosted by the City of Mission Viejo and the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce. There is a 5K as well as a kids’ quarter and half mile run. If you walk around the free Community Health Fair, there are more than 100 health and wellness organizations offering giveaways, handouts and free health screenings. All of the runs are along the scenic Oso Creek Trail. The fire department had little firefighter hats that they were handing out to the kids. There was music, and different food vendors who had lots to offer as well. I was there hosting a craft table with the Mission Viejo Activities Committee and got to see witness all the joy that was at this event.
Why I loved it, and why you should go next year:
There are so many cool vendors that have super fun games, crafts, and more.
It is a wonderful all-inclusive experience for the whole family to join in on.
This event supports and gives back to local charities (which we all want).
The medal has the Oso Fit bear mascot on it.
As a Mission Viejo Activities Committee volunteer, this event is great because you get a lot of hours for helping the community with activities and crafts.
You can find pictures of this awesome event on Instagram @mvactivities and at this hashtag: #osofit5k
As the famous French proverb goes, “We never know the worth of water until the well runs dry.”
In the 21st century, there is not a single thing that we take more for granted than a sip of water. After all, it’s always there for us: we take our flasks with us to school or work, enjoy cups upon cups while at home, and if we ever get thirsty during the night, a soothing glass of water is only a kitchen’s walk away.
Scientists say that humans are 70% water, but water is 100% essential to human life. But if water is so essential, then why is it so hard to come by in some areas? The reality is that clean, drinkable water is still a luxury to many, especially in the continent of Africa. For you it is just a kitchen’s walk away, but for many it is an arduous, several mile long journey.
Many children have forgone their education due to a lack of access to clean water, which has resulted in them falling ill and being bedridden while they should be at school. This perpetuates a cycle of sickness and poverty that actively works against sustainable development across the globe, stagnating the progress of these third-world nations. And while we may like to think that this issue does not affect us, that we live too far-removed from the most underprivileged countries that we cannot be gripped by the issue of clean water insecurity, I would like to remind you that over 2 million Americans do not have access to clean drinking water. This number, when averaged out with the rest of the world, amounts to 1 in 4 people not having the basic right to quench their thirst and nurture their bodies as every human should.
Water is further essential in that it grants people dignity, allowing them to be clean and present their best themselves in a dignified manner. I refuse to live in a world where something as simple as water can stand in the way of people’s futures, which is why we must take action to provide clean, drinkable, accessible water to every person on this planet. Every mother and son, every father and daughter, every grandparent and grandchild, every professor and student, every aspiring engineer and passion-driven child who dreams of a future that is not crippled by a lack of water needs our help to give them the opportunity of life they deserve. It is time to make waves in the lives of countless people, and it is time to give them the water that they deserve. -Forrest F.
The events MVAC hosts not only bring joy to the community, but also create lasting memories for you! Each meeting, every event has left me joyous and I have walked out with a smile on my face. It is so cool seeing the behind the scenes of the events that this city has and is a great way to get involved, no matter the age! There is something for everyone! Everyone who helps out enjoys being there, you will enjoy being there. The welcoming atmosphere, the supportive members, and everyone’s eagerness to get involved feels like a reward every time. I can assure you that there is not a single moment where I have not enjoyed being there, participating, and helping out.
You gain such valuable experiences!
As a MVAC member, there are endless opportunities for event-planning, volunteering, communication, and leadership that you are able to learn from. The hands-on involvement has improved my organizational skills and communication, all while getting the opportunity to give back to the community. The experiences you gain here empower you to excel in any future endeavors. You truly learn so much from each event, whether it’s seeing all the behind-the-scenes planning or seeing the importance of communication. The effort that goes on behind each event gave me true appreciation for all the events we host and I’m confident that you will see it too! From all the events I have volunteered at, MVAC is truly like no other.
You have an influence in decision making.
Whether you are a new or returning member, MVAC has always valued the opinions and suggestions of its members. Each monthly meeting is collaborative and engaging as they ask for feedback and opinions of each event. If you are looking to get involved, this is the place for you! I remember being mind-blown at my first meeting about how engaging the members are. You truly can make an impact here. It’s not a place you go and volunteer once at. There will always be more opportunities going on all year round.
MVAC has an incredibly supportive environment!
MVAC is full of exceptional people with all sorts of different experiences. When you walk into a meeting, you can immediately feel the warmth and welcoming energy that radiates from the room. Whether you are a new or returning member, you will feel the appreciation they have for all of their members. Each and every member cares about each other and by being in a room with like-minded individuals, you are bound to grow! When I first joined MVAC, I remember volunteering for the 4th of July Event where I met countless people, and the connections that I made was a driving factor in my decision to be so involved. Everyone wants you to be your best, everyone wants you to feel welcome. It is the perfect place to volunteer and meet new people.
You can give back to the community.
Like I mentioned previously, MVAC allows you to truly make an impact. Immediately, you have the opportunity to become an active participant in the community. Whether it’s helping organize or participate in various events and programs, you feel the impact you make. You feel the appreciation. The gratitude you get from volunteering is truly like no other. Out of every event I have volunteered at, MVAC Events have always left me with a warm feeling in my heart. The opportunities are endless. Once you start, you won’t ever look back. Whether it’s the Spring Boutique, 4th of July Street Faire, Santa’s Arrival, or other event, there is nothing more rewarding than helping your community.
Now that you’ve heard a little about my experience in MVAC, I truly hope you consider joining MVAC and hope to see you there! Here is the link to join! https://mvactivities.com/join-mvac
The Teen Advisory Board is a group that meets once a month during the school year and works with the Teen Services Librarian to develop programs and services for the community.
Open to teens in grades 9 through 12, the recruitment process involves submitting an application and being interviewed by current TAB members. Teens will have the opportunity to create their own programs and take on leadership roles.
Meetings are the second Wednesday of each month from 6-7 pm. TAB members will be requited to complete 5 hours of volunteering per year with TAB.
Summer Reading Program Volunteer – this volunteer program is offered by the Mission Viejo Library for teens aged 13-17. The Summer Reading Program is an annual library tradition that allows children to be part of a program that upholds the importance of reading. This year’s program will occur from June 15 through July 31 and volunteers will accommodate families by explaining the rules and process, enroll participants with the use of provided laptops, and award certain prizes according to the participant’s age.
2. Team NEGU – this is organized by Jessie Rees Foundation whose mission is to “Help every kid fighting cancer to Never Ever Give Up!” Team NEGU allows individuals from any age to volunteer through different ways. One of them is the JoyFactory, which allows volunteers to make cozy blankets, write care cards, stuff JoyJars that are given to the children fighting cancer, and more. Another one is the JoyDrive wherein volunteers will choose from Team NEGU’s hospital-approved list of new toys and collect as many as they can together with friends, classmates, or co-workers. Another one of out many is doing Care Cards wherein volunteers will be provided a document that they can print and color with the use of their creativity. After coloring and designing the cards, volunteers can mail them to the foundation, and they will be sent out to the strong kids fighting cancer.
Summer break has always been something we look forward to. 2 months of break after a whole school year is granted to students for not only relaxation but also a time to come across and experience different opportunities to learn and develop social skills and abilities. Various experiences can happen through family vacations, simple trips to the park, or while carrying out commitments of paid or unpaid activities.
One of the many things you can do this summer is try to get a job if you think you are ready and if you are in the right age to do so. Having a job can always be beneficial in terms of earning your own money to save it up for personal or education purposes or use it to spend on things and activities you want to do. Additionally, it can also be a nice way to develop new skills while being able to have real-world experience and start to build up your credentials at a young age.
Another thing you can do is volunteering at any type of program, event, or organization available. You can always search up available volunteer events near you and those that are within your interest like at an animal shelter, or even at events that you have not tried before in order to expand your experiences. It is always great to be able to give back to our community in any way we can.
Furthermore, students can also choose to take summer classes if they are able and willing to. You can take a class that interests you or a class that you are required to complete to get ahead of your credits. Although, just be aware that classes during summer are more fast paced. For instance, if you are a high school student and you take a class at a community college, classes are mostly only 8 weeks.
Overall, despite these suggestions to have a productive summer, do not forget to relax and have fun during this time of the year because it is only 2 months and it can happen pretty fast. Personally, during last year’s (2022) summer, I was doing these three things all at the same time as I was working for a part-time job at a fast food place, I was also volunteering at the Mission Viejo Library, and I was taking a summer class at a community college. But I was still able to successfully complete all of them, while trying to watch any show and going out during my free time. Always believe in yourself and do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone!
Volunteering helps the community and is a great opportunity for teens to reach out and gain some leadership experience. For incoming freshmen in high school, it is the perfect time to start the first step in becoming involved in your local community and set yourself up for the opportunity to gain leadership experience. For incoming freshmen, I recommend attending your school’s club rush. Every school has different clubs with different unique opportunities. There are some common service-based clubs that most schools have that you should be on the lookout for.
Key Club International is a student-led volunteer club that has a large community across the nation that is linked together through social media and division-held events. For those in the SoCal area, the key clubs come together to attend the Fall Rally at Six Flags and decorate a float at the Rose Bowl Parade. Key Club has its own student board with positions like Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, President, Historian, and more that are great chances to gain leadership experience.
Another amazing club is the Red Cross Club. The members of this club serve under the internationally recognized American Red Cross. All service events serve under the universal goal of humanitarian help. This organization gives the chance to become involved in and lead blood drives and much more.
Besides becoming involved in clubs on campus, the internet is a great source for finding very interesting and unique service opportunities. Search for local events that are looking for volunteers or create your own event based on a personal passion. One of the best parts of volunteering is that you can focus on certain communities or groups that you feel passionate about. Get in touch with different organizations and find out what you can do or present your own ideas!
Also one of my favorite and most rewarding volunteer experiences comes from returning to my old elementary and middle school. Find different events that you may have attended when you were younger and volunteer at them! This could be a science fair or orientation. Either way, get back in touch with your old school and see if there are any upcoming events that you could return back to your old school days to help out.
The universal idea is to find a way of volunteering that is interesting and exciting to you. If you love music, find music-based service events. If you love reading, get in contact with the local library. Regardless, when you are starting your high school experience try to find your passion and use it to find a club or organization that interests you and allows you to give back to the community.
Even though many more volunteer organizations are opening up as we approach the close of lockdowns across the country, volunteering from home can still be convenient for many of us looking to make a difference from the comfort of our own homes. Whether you’re looking to help out because you love animals, or just want service hours for school or approaching college applications, there are opportunities galore. Below, you can find a few opportunities for volunteering from home for animal lovers!
1.eBird
eBird is run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and is based around tracking avian data around the country, to better support threatened bird populations. Even if you’re a first-time bird watcher, the lab offers tons of incredible resources to make the experience fun and rewarding! Plus, you’d be contributing your data to the largest citizen-run data science project in the country. You can find them at https://ebird.org/home. (Full disclosure- I myself have not volunteered with this particular project, so I won’t be able to field any questions about it. Apologies!)
2. Comfort for Critters
Comfort for Critters is an organization that focuses on providing comfort and care for abused animals in pounds and shelters across the country. If you can sow, knit, or crochet, you can help out by making blankets for the animals- if not, they have easy-to-follow tie blanket patterns on their website as well. When you’re done, you can mail the blankets to a shelter near you (they have a list of participating shelters on their website). You can also make or color cards for shelter employees and volunteers! Their website is https://www.comfortforcritters.org/volunteer-resources
3. Humane Society
The Humane Society has tons of in-person and virtual volunteer opportunities for older teens! The most popular position is a phone or text bank volunteer- if you choose this, please be sure that you’d be comfortable talking to strangers. Although the choices are a little bit limited, you can rest assured that you will have a real impact through your work with the Humane Society! Find them at https://www.humanesociety.org/volunteer.
Mission Viejo Library Teen Voice 