Tag Archives: teen volunteering

Free Music Tutoring – Musical Mentors

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Interested in music and want free tutoring? My high school has a weekly after school program on Thursdays from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm that offers music tutoring for elementary, middle, and high school students in the Capistrano Unified School District at no cost.

The goal of this student-led program is to inspire more students to keep practicing their instruments. Students are not required to have prior musical expertise, but they must bring their own instruments. Additionally, the students perform on a wide variety of band and orchestra instruments. Similarly, the mentors represent all instruments and grade levels. The students receive free lessons, grow closer to their mentor, and become more enthusiastic about music. As a result, the mentors build their confidence in their own teaching and playing skills while also gaining experience in mentoring. The mentors receive community service hours as an added incentive to participate in the program.

My brother volunteered as a musical mentor tutor for around four years and he passed the baton to me. Through this, I’ve learned how to teach and break down concepts for my students. Depending on the level of my students, I customize the lesson plans to meet their needs. This can include working on scales (fixing pitch and tone quality of the notes) and practicing how to count notes. Subsequently, I spend about an hour working with my students on songs that they need assistance with. Afterward, with thirty minutes remaining in the session, all students gather to practice rhythmic skills and prepare for our annual concert. At the end of the year, we host an annual concert that helps students become accustomed to playing in front of an audience while also providing parents with a chance to see what their children have learned.

Overall, the program helps our mentees develop a greater understanding and appreciation of music, increase their motivation to play their instruments, and work toward improving their musical skills. Musical Mentors is a beneficial and satisfying experience for parents, children, and mentors. I love teaching students, as I find it incredibly rewarding to connect one-on-one and expand their knowledge of music. I plan to continue mentoring for the rest of my high school career.

-Sophia B.

Empowering Kids with Disabilities to Ride: My Volunteering Journey

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During the summer of 2024, I volunteered at a camp where I had the opportunity to teach children with disabilities how to ride a bike on special bikes. The program was called “iCanBike” and I came across it through Lion’s Heart, a teen volunteering non-profit organization. I pursued two of my friends to volunteer at the week-long camp hosted by the nonprofit organization iCanShine, and all three of us loved every moment of it. 

We attended orientation where we learned how the specialized teaching bikes worked, the student that we were assigned to teach, and different strategies to keep our student focused on biking. 

At the beginning of the week-long camp, my student rode the specialized bike that iCanShine provided while I kept full control of the handle. I taught my student how to use his pedals and how to steer. My friends and I had split jobs to keep our student engaged, as they were in charge of keeping him motivated, while I was in control of our student’s safety (like keeping the bike from running into walls). 

Gradually, my student learned how to fully pedal the bike without my assistance. Using cues, I would tap my finger on his shoulder as a reminder to keep pedaling. As the camp came to an end, my student was able to bike on a two wheel bike instead of the specialized bikes and it was so amazing to see his growth!

Overall, this was an extremely rewarding experience. I got to connect with my student one-on-one and teach him the basics of how to ride a bike. I even made an impact on his family, as his mother was so excited to see her child ride a bike. Additionally, the smile on my student’s face when he realized that he was in control and riding the bike all on his own was invaluable. His mom even got him a bike of his own, showing how I’ve had an influence on his life. This volunteer project was important to me because I realized that I can help children with special needs to gain self confidence in their skills like bike riding. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would 100% do it again.

-Sophia B

The Best Ways to Volunteer in Orange County

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A new year has started again, and what better way to start off your new year than helping out in the community? There are many ways to volunteer in the community, and volunteering helps not only others but gives you important skills as well. Here are some local volunteer opportunities to try to start out the new year. 

1. The Mission Viejo Library

Some of the best opportunities to volunteer locally are at the Mission Viejo Library. The Library holds many events and activities around the community which are great to volunteer at. The Santa’s Workshop event each December is a great way to volunteer, as well as the Arbor Day program at the Oso Creek Trail. I would also recommend writing for the Teen Voice Blog. For the blog, you can write one or more blog posts a month, and you can get service hours for this as well! To learn more about volunteering at the Mission Viejo Library, visit here: https://www.cityofmissionviejo.org/departments/library/about/volunteer-opportunities-library  

2. Second Harvest Food Bank

Another great way to volunteer in the community is at the Second Harvest Food Bank. It’s a great way to give back to the community with programs including food drives that help people in need, especially those without a home or who are food insecure. You can help here by harvesting food from the food bank’s farms or helping in the food distribution center to package and move food and canned goods. To learn more about how to help, visit here: https://feedoc.org/get-involved/

3. Mission Viejo Activities Committee

Another way to volunteer locally is through the Mission Viejo Activities Committee, which plans many of the activities in the community each year. Some of my personal favorite activities to volunteer for are the 4th of July Street Fair, Santa’s Workshop, and holiday decorating around the city. The Activities Committee hosts activities and booths at many city events, so if you are looking to volunteer, visit here: https://mvactivities.com/volunteer-opportunities/ 

4. Mission Viejo Animal Services

One of my personal favorite organizations to volunteer for locally is the Mission Viejo Animal Services, and this is a great opportunity if you enjoy working with animals. To volunteer, you can assist with services at the animal shelter, including walking dogs and caring for other animals including cats and rabbits. To learn more about volunteering at the Mission Viejo Animal Shelter, visit here: https://www.cityofmissionviejo.org/departments/animal-services/volunteer-opportunities/volunteering-center 

5. Pacific Marine Mammal Center

If you are interested in learning more about the ocean and marine biology, the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach is a great volunteer opportunity for you, and there are a wide variety of ways to help here as well. Volunteers can care for animals, feed animals, and clean enclosures and pools. You can also volunteer as a marine science instructor to teach others about marine biology and assist with activities for visitors, making this overall a great and educational volunteer opportunity to participate in. To learn more about volunteering at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, visit here: https://www.pacificmmc.org/volunteer 

Overall, all of these opportunities are great ways to help and give back to the community. These are all great opportunities if you are interested in helping with activities, helping those in need, or helping to care for animals. I would recommend all of these opportunities to anyone interested in volunteering or getting involved in the community. 

Be Part of a Community Art Project and Earn Double Hours!

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Write a letter to someone who has demonstrated kindness! Scan the QR for more details or visit: https://www.cityofmissionviejo.org/departments/arts-culture/ordinary-voices-extraordinary-impact.

Letters can be turned in to the Ask Here desk at the library through February 21. Earn 2 hours per letter, up to 4 hours per person.

To see some of the local artist’s work, visit https://www.conceptzombie.com/artgallery

Volunteering at Santa’s Workshop

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Image result for mission viejo library santa's workshop

Each year in December, the Mission Viejo Activities Committee organizes and hosts Santa’s Workshop, an interactive experience for Mission Viejo families to come and enjoy the magic of the holiday season. Several nights a week, the outdoor area outside the Mission Viejo Library and City Hall transforms into a winter wonderland. I remember going there with my family years ago to play, take pictures with Santa Claus, and spend time with friends.

This year, I was able to go again, but this time as a volunteer. It was exciting to see the thrill on the kids’ faces coming in to spend some time with Santa and his friends, to engage in activities, and play in fake snow. For teens looking for volunteer opportunities, spending time at Santa’s Workshop is a fun and festive way to gain those hours.

There are different tasks from which to choose when volunteering. Volunteers can choose to help with the activity table where kids make their own elf hats out of paper or color their own Christmas trees.  Some volunteers sign up to be characters, such as a snowman or reindeer, who walk around taking pictures with attendees of all ages.  Volunteers can also sign up to be a character walker guiding Frosty or Rudolph around and helping them interact with kids.  My job was to be an elf, helping families lined up to take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus. It was rewarding to be able to introduce kids to Santa and see their smiling, happy faces and also to help take pictures as needed.

Overall, helping with Santa’s Workshop was an enjoyable way to get volunteer hours and spend time celebrating the holiday season. I would strongly recommend it to high school students in the Mission Viejo area.

Teen Volunteers Sought for Summer Reading Program

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Have fun and earn service hours!

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.

5 Reasons To Join MVAC [Mission Viejo Activities Committee]

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  1. It’s Fun!

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. 

  1. 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.

  1. 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. 

  1. 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.

  1. 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

Now recruiting for the Teen Advisory Board!

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Apply now to join the Teen Advisory Board!

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.

Applications are available here.

Contact me with any questions and return completed applications to ohoward@cityofmissionviejo.org