Join the MiraCosta College Community and Discover the Power of Service!
Download a digital volunteer booklet to record your hours of service. Students are encouraged to submit their volunteer hours to servicelearning@miracosta.edu so they can be entered into the service database. By entering their hours into the service database, students can be provided with a Service History Report that can be used for applying to scholarships, transfer applications, etc. To request a Service History Report, email servicelearning@miracosta.edu and include your name and SURF ID.
Words of Hope Service Project
Just Detention International is a health and human rights organization that seeks to end sexual abuse in all forms of detention. You can make a difference in the lives of incarcerated survivors of sexual abuse. Join JDI’s Words of Hope campaign today!
Every year through Words of Hope, the community sends holiday messages to people who have been sexually abused while in the government’s custody. These greetings mean the world to survivors, so many of whom feel alone and forgotten. Join the Service Learning & Volunteer Center to write holiday cards with hopeful messages for survivors.
Sign up to participate in this service project through this form to earn hours for service learning or the volunteer program!
How it works
For every 2 cards written, you can earn 1 hour of service; you are welcome to request multiple cards. Those who wish to participate in this service project must sign up through the form, and pick up their holiday greeting cards in-person at the Service Learning & Volunteer Center (Student Services Bldg 14, Room 14107, next to Campus Food Pantry) located on the MiraCosta College Oceanside Campus (1 Barnard Drive, Oceanside). We are open Monday-Thursday, 8AM-4:30PM, Friday 8-3pm.
Hunger and Homeless Awareness Service Project
Organization: North County Food Bank
Date: Saturday, November 23
Time: 2pm-4pm
Location: 3030 Enterprise Court, Suite A, Vista, CA, 92081
Name of Project: Food 4 Kids bagging
Description: Volunteers will bag food for our Food 4 Kids program, bag produce for neighborhood
distributions and the pantry, and/or sort donated canned food.
Do volunteers need to bring/wear any special equipment: Wear closed toe shoes; We will have snacks and water available! *Limited transportation
available, first come first service
MiraCosta CARE Program Volunteer Opportunities
- Thrift Shop: Free Clothing Distribution, Monday, November 18th from 1pm-4pm (clothing set-up) and/or Tuesday, November 19th from 8:30am-3pm (2 hour shift increments) on the Oceanside Campus.
- Turkey Distribution (Reserved for a select # of ASE, EOPS, and CLC students). Volunteer support will be needed on Thursday, November 21st from 1pm-5pm at OC Campus and CLC.
Fall 2024 Spartan Service Saturdays
November Spartan Service Saturday Project - 4 spots left
Organization: Community Resource Center
Date: Saturday, November 16th
Time: 1pm-3pm
Location: 650 2nd Street, Encinitas, CA 92024
Name of Project: Deep Clean/Stock our Food Pantry
- Sweep, clean windows, organize food shelves, check expiration dates on food, etc.
- Wear closed toe shoes and clothes they don't mind getting dirty; bring cleaning supplies if possible
Snow Goose Global Thanksgiving with Author Victor Villaseñor
Volunteers are invited to Ranchito Villaseñor to support the Annual Snow Goose Global Thanksgiving. This festival and potluck is a FREE community event; all are welcome to attend and enjoy!
Located: 1302 Stewart St. Oceanside, CA 92054
To sign up to volunteer, contact Linda Villaseñor at lindafvillasenor@gmail.com or 760.822.2296
Volunteer Dates
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 23
Volunteers needed: 9am-1pm; shifts available
Tasks: Set-up, check ground for safety, etc.
6 volunteers needed
Breakfast provided - Date: Sunday, Nov. 24
Volunteers needed: 8am-7pm; shifts available
Tasks: Set-up, welcome guests, post signs, food runners, etc.
12 volunteers needed
Breakfast and dinner provided - Date: Monday, Nov. 25
Volunteers needed: 9am-11am
Tasks: Clean-up, waste management, etc.
4 volunteers needed
Breakfast provided
One-Time Volunteer Opportunities
Adopt-A-Family Donation Processing and Drop-off Party: December 2024 - Adopt-A-Family is a holiday giving program designed to help low-income families who are Lifeline clients celebrate the holiday season by connecting them with local businesses, organizations, and individuals who "adopt" them. We are looking for volunteers who can help with receiving donations from donors and distributing donations to staff for delivery to clients. Feel free to sign up with friends and groups! (Shifts available throughout the week of December 4- December 7, with the biggest need on Saturday, December 7, 2024) (Vista, CA) Sign up here: https://nclifeline.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=546142
Fiesta Navideña at La Casita: December 2024 - La Casita after school program is an early intervention program for at-risk youth and provides services for (on average) 30 children ages 6 to 12 on a daily basis. The site allows for a safe space for children to go to when released from school. This year, Lifeline staff and volunteers will host a traditional, Mexican holiday family dinner for the children and their families. This is a nice way to celebrate the hard work of the kids and their loved ones by serving them a holiday meal, along with other festive activities. Volunteer: Come together to help set up the room, decorate the Christmas tree, lead arts and crafts, serve the holiday meal, and sit and mingle with the families. It will be a festive time for all, celebrating this holiday season. Sign up here: https://nclifeline.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=1010642
O’side Turkey Trot is seeking volunteers! There are two days for volunteer opportunities. One is on Wednesday, Nov 27 to help set up or check in runners. There will be different shifts that will have lunch provided. We also have volunteer opportunities on Thursday November 28th (race day) which will be helping at either the start or finish line. Remember to wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Will provide proof of volunteer hours and sign anything needed. To sign-up and to learn more about this opportunity, contact Lindsay Wells at volunteers@sandiegorunning.com or 206.708.9733
Poinsettia Elementary School is short on campus monitors to cover the recess and lunch periods as listed: 9:55-10:15am, 10:15-10:35am, 11:20am-12:05pm, 12:05-12:50pm. The volunteers will be outside on the blacktop and supervise students while they are having a snack and lunch then go play in the playground structure, blacktop and field. Volunteers must make sure students don't have "food fights" at the lunch tables, that they play safely on the playground structure and out in the field. We currently have 3 campus monitors, but we can always use another "pair of eyes". For questions and to sign up, contact Silvia Crowley at scrowley@carlsbadusd.net or 760.331.6595.
Ivey Ranch Park Association, located off Rancho Del Oro in Oceanside, is seeking volunteers for in-person service opportunities. We have opportunities available during the week and on weekends. Service Projects volunteers assist outdoors with painting, landscaping, gardening, small repairs etc. These one-time volunteer opportunities are ongoing and can be organized for large groups as well. For questions and to sign-up, contact Cythnia Renteria at volunteer@iveyranch.com or 760.722.4839.
Operation HOPE-North County is looking for volunteers to host a Dry goods food drive: This can be done as a group or individually. Date and times can be flexible, you will work within your community, friends and family to collect pasta, rice, beans, etc. to make a one-time drop off at Operation HOPE-North County. These opportunities are flexible and help us provide our community members with staple food items. We serve about 120 families every Wednesday. For questions, contact Kiana Sanchez at ksanchez@operationhopeshelter.org or 760.206.3470. To learn more about our organization, visit operationhopeshelter.org.
Seacrest Village Retirement Communities is looking for volunteers on flexible days between 9:30 am - 11:30 am and 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm! Volunteers are needed to assist staff with organizational projects, such as supply closets, activity supplies, etc. Volunteers will be working under the direction of staff. For more information and to sign-up, contact Sheryl Seltser (Volunteer Liaison) at sseltser@seacrestvillage.org or 760.632.3718. To learn about the organization, visit seacrestvillage.org.
Children’s Paradise is looking for volunteers to engage in activities and active supervision with children (infants, toddlers, preschool, or school-age) any time between Monday and Fridays within are hours of operation 6a-6p. Play all day! Required volunteer documents: application, tb test, and immunizations. Must also meet with Community & Workforce Development Manager for placement arrangement. To sign up, contact Jasmine Reaves at jreaves@childrensparadise.com or 619.399.9317. To learn more about the organization, visit childrensparadise.com.
Additional Ways To Serve Your Community
Here are other ideas and ways to promote a culture of service. You can still be socially connected while staying physically distant from our community partners--be an advocate or speak up on behalf of your favorite non-profit during this difficult season we are all experiencing.
- Share with us how you're giving back. Tag us at @mcc_servicelearning and use the hashtag #MiraCostaSpartansGiveback
- Create a supply drive for one of the many MiraCosta Community Partners, take a look at the list of approved sites for ideas, or feel free to reach out to any of the Service Learning & Volunteer Center Staff.
- Highlight your favorite organization on your social media pages, and share their fundraising opportunities and remember that - no amount is too little and nonprofits need our support.
Resources to seek service opportunities
- VolunteerMatch
- Idealist
- San Diego Food Bank is accepting volunteers on-site and in the community.
- Botanical Community Development Initiatives
- American Red Cross: Find out ways you can support or donate blood.
- MiraCosta College English Language Institute: College students are needed to interact with international students. College students must be willing to carry conversations in English and encourage international students to practice their English. This is a perfect service opportunity for students wanting to learn about other cultures. For questions, contact Zakia Farouq at zfarouq@miracosta.edu or 760-622-8770.
