U nrecovered from the riots, still in...

U nrecovered from the riots, still in economic recession and coping with slashed government services, Southern California has an ongoing need for helping hands at nonprofit agencies that provide care--for children, for the elderly, for the sick, for the needy and for the environment and the arts.

The following list emphasizes volunteer opportunities for retired people who would like to explore new fields and are available to serve charities on weekdays. Younger volunteers are also welcome.

We couldn’t include every agency that seeks volunteers, so if you don’t find any listed in your neighborhood or area of interest, call city or county volunteer agencies.

Work With Youth

* Neighborhood Youth Assn.’s Linking Lifetimes Program in West Los Angeles is seeking mature men and women to work with children ages 12 to 14. Volunteers provide friendship and guidance; orientation and training is provided. Information: (310) 390-6641.

* Junior Achievement of Southern California Inc. needs people to share their business expertise with junior and senior high school students. The activity-based classes are during school hours. Volunteers receive training, lesson plans and classroom materials. A commitment to conduct at least 12 one-hour sessions is requested. Information: Lisa Daggett, (213) 957-1818.

* People are needed to answer telephones and help with clerical work at the Alliance for Children’s Rights, a nonprofit agency providing free legal service to low-income children in Los Angeles. Morning or afternoon shifts are available. Information: (213) 368-6010.

* Surrogate grandparents provide companionship to children through the Family Friends Project. Information: Terry Shajirat, San Fernando Valley, (818) 761-3447; Laura Torjesen, Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley, (818) 397-3001; Darlene Basch, Los Angeles and West Los Angeles, (310) 825-9647.

* The Child Advocates Office of the Superior Court needs volunteers to look out for the interests of children in foster care. Advocates are assigned by judges to assess the circumstances of children and make recommendations to the court. Advocates must have some flexibility in their weekday schedule for the five-day mandatory training session, occasional court hearings and other case assignment duties. Information: (213) 526-6666.

* Homeless Youth, a program of the youth services department of Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Community Services, receives survival resources and help in getting kids off the streets from Street Outreach volunteers. The work includes AIDS education and providing friendship. A commitment of two days a month for six months is requested. Information: Patrick Cusack or Maggie Haumann, (213) 993-7452.

* Operation School Bell, a project of the Assistance League of Southern California, provides children from impoverished families with new clothing, personal grooming kits, books and toys. The league also uses volunteers to help operate preschool and kindergarten programs for children ages 2 to 6. Information: (213) 469-1973.

Deliver Meals

* Meals on Wheels needs people to deliver daily hot lunches to shut-ins throughout the area on weekdays. In Whittier, (310) 698-2750; West Los Angeles, Caressa Carlstedt or Cita Cohen, (310) 208-3439; Lakewood, Catherine Helms, (310) 925-8747; Bellflower, Gladys Holma (310) 804-1424; other areas, (213) 738-4006.

* Project Angel Food needs drivers to deliver meals to patients with AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses. Information: Marie Stinner or David King, (213) 656-9615.

* Frontline Foundation in Van Nuys needs volunteers to cook and collect and transport food to the homeless on Skid Row. Information: (818) 780-1995.

* Volunteers for Project: Let’s Help pick up food contributions from Westside restaurants, supermarkets and bakeries and clothing donations and deliver the items to the project’s warehouse in the Pico-Robertson area. A commitment of two hours per week is required. Information: (310) 276-1955 or (310) 274-2040.

Promote Cultural Institutions

* University Art Museum, California State University, Long Beach, is offering expanded docent opportunities. Upon completion of a fall training program, volunteers will conduct tours in the spring. An orientation session will be held Aug. 31. Information/applications: (310) 985-5761.

* The Docent Guild at the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace in Yorba Linda is seeking volunteers to greet visitors and lead tours for schoolchildren. Information: Evelyn Young, (714) 993-5075.

* The Pasadena chapter of the United Nations Assn. disseminates information about the work of the United Nations and its specialized agencies. Also at the site are a gift shop and library. Volunteers teach classes, run seminars, provide assistance in the library and shop, and do public speaking and fund-raising. Information: (818) 449-1795.

* History buffs can pursue their interest by volunteering at the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum. A three-hour training class will be held in September for tour guides and other support staff. Weekday and weekend opportunities are available. Information: Betty Shermer, (213) 667-2000.

* There is still room in Cabrillo Marine Museum’s fall docent training class for volunteers interested in the ocean and in sharing knowledge with children. A $35 fee covers the cost of materials and membership. Applications are due by Sept. 3; classes begin Sept. 20 and will be held on Monday mornings through Dec. 13. Information: (310) 548-7563.

* Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House in Barnsdall Art Park is offering two 10-week training sessions on Wednesday and Saturday mornings to begin in late September. Volunteers conduct tours on weekdays and weekends for adults and children; people are especially needed on weekdays. Information: Ina Borenzweig, (213) 485-4581 and (213) 660-4254 TDD.

* Discovery Museum of Orange County in Santa Ana needs docents to welcome visitors, provide tours through the turn-of-the-century Kellogg House and supervise arts and crafts activities. Orientation is at 1 p.m. Sept. 22. Information: (714) 540-0404.

* Volunteers are trained in botany, animal physiology and ecology before helping as tour leaders at Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge. Orientation will be at 9 a.m. Sept. 8, with training to follow on Wednesdays through Nov. 17. Information: Jim Jackson, (818) 248-1083, or Descanso Gardens, (818) 952-4401.

* Those who love gardens may also find a niche at Los Angeles State and County Arboretum in Arcadia. Help is needed in the gift shop. Retail experience and aptitude with computer-based registers are helpful. The shop is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Hours are flexible. Information: Terry Bible, (818) 447-8751.

* El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument is seeking volunteers to give tours. Volunteers provide walking tours, bus trips and slide presentations. Training will be scheduled in the fall. Information: Frank Osmon, (800) 208-0012.

Share Knowledge

* Saint John’s Child Study Center in Santa Monica needs tutors for learning-disabled students. Training and supervision are provided. Hours are flexible. Information: Jo Borboa, (310) 829-8593.

* Free English as a second language instruction for adults is given by the Los Angeles Public Library’s Library Adult Reading Project. Training for tutors will be given Sept. 11 and 18. Information: William Byrne, (213) 750-3573.

* People are needed to tutor English, reading and math at the on-site high school at Crittenton Center for Young Women and Infants, a residential treatment program for teen mothers, pregnant teens, and abused and neglected teen-age girls. Information: Anthony Thomas, (213) 225-4211.

* Jewish Vocational Service is seeking English-language tutors to meet weekly with newly arrived Russian and Iranian refugees for informal English conversation. Teaching experience is not required. Information: (213) 651-5999.

* Women Helping Women Services welcomes professional women into its “Giving Back” program in which volunteers present seminars or workshops in their areas of expertise. Information: (213) 655-3807.

* The English-as-a-second-language division at Glendale Community College needs tutors for adult students. Training and materials are provided. Teaching experience or ability to speak another language is not necessary. Training will be held at 6 p.m. Aug. 31 and Sept. 2, 7 and 9. Information: Pat Zayas, (818) 249-9442 or 240-1000, Ext. 5675.

Befriend the Elderly

* Wise Senior Services Los Angeles Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is seeking people to serve as advocates for residents of nursing homes and community care facilities. On completion of training, volunteers are assigned to facilities in their areas. Information: Estelle Harris, (800) 334-9473 or (310) 393-3618.

* Storytellers, singers, magicians and other entertainers are sought for Sunset Hall. Information: Priscilla Yablon, (213) 387-6581, Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* Elder-Care Corps matches volunteers with residents of nursing homes and residential care facilities. Information: (213) 655-8477 or (818) 377-9849.

* Pico-Robertson Multiservice Center for Seniors, an agency of Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles, needs volunteers on Wednesday afternoons to work with Iranian seniors in discussion and socialization groups. Farsi is not required. Information: (310) 271-3306.

* Hollywood Senior Multipurpose Center, run by the Assistance League of Southern California, recruits volunteers to help with its recreational and educational programs, legal advice, home-delivered meals, an Alzheimer’s day-care program and more. Information: (213) 469-1973.

Heal the Planet

* Eco-Home Network is seeking volunteers to give tours on Sunday afternoons of an environmental demonstration home in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles. Information: (213) 662-5207.

* Associates of the Whittier Narrows Nature Center and Wildlife Sanctuary in South El Monte is recruiting volunteers to lead schoolchildren and other groups on nature walks and to assist in the museum and gift shop. Training will begin Sept. 7 and meet Tuesday and Thursday mornings through Nov. 18. Information: (818) 444-1872.

* Education about nature is the goal of Nursery Nature Walks, a nonprofit program for children up to 8; walks are held on weekdays and weekends at sites throughout the L.A. area. Training dates are Oct. 9, 16 and 23. Training fee is $40 (scholarships available). Also needed are volunteers for new programs geared to disadvantaged and disabled children. Information: (310) 998-1151.

* Town Hall Volunteer Corps, a project of Town Hall of California, is seeking volunteers for a series of community and environmental programs. The first activity, in partnership with Heal the Bay, will be a cleanup and replanting of native species at the El Segundo dunes on Sept. 11. Information: Liz Gardner, (213) 628-8141.

* Bring work gloves and a lunch to join Rhapsody in Green volunteers as they clear sand dunes, replant exotic plants and restore bird habitats in the L.A. area. The work is done on weekends and some evenings. Information: (213) 654-5821.

* Point Vicente Interpretive Center in Rancho Palos Verdes will begin its next docent training class Sept. 22. The four-month program will be held on Wednesday mornings at the center. The center is also recruiting people to guide tours at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park. Training will begin on Sept. 25 and meet on Saturday mornings for four months. Information: Ken Riedman, (310) 541-8470.

Help in Health Care

* Hospital Home Health Care Agency of California in West L.A. is seeking volunteers to work with the bereaved. Volunteers join a team with a nurse, social worker, chaplain and physician to meet the needs of terminally ill patients and their friends and families. Information: Penelope Peck Thomason, (310) 530-3800, Ext. 492.

* Orthopaedic Hospital needs volunteers to cuddle, cheer and help feed youngsters. Information: Linda Corrente, (213) 742-1533.

* Los Angeles Free Clinic needs medical practitioners to translate for Spanish-speaking patients. Also needed are dentists and hygienists who can work afternoons or evenings, clerical workers, medical intake interviewers and career mentors for a program for homeless and runaway youth. Information: (213) 653-8622.

* Huntington Hospital in Pasadena needs volunteers with obedience-trained, friendly dogs to participate in Pet-Assisted Therapy Program. Owners bring their dogs once a week to visit patients, visitors and staff. Interviews will be held in September. Training classes will begin in October. Information: Holli Pfau, (818) 397-3495.

* Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women needs volunteers for the 24-hour Los Angeles Rape and Battering Hotline and the Central L.A. Rape Hotline. Participants offer peer counseling and referrals and accompany victims to hospitals. The need for bilingual hot-line help is ongoing. Training will start Sept. 8. Information: (213) 462-1281.

* American Cancer Society welcomes retirees to assist in teaching classes about cancer prevention and early detection, driving patients to medical appointments, participating in telephone campaigns and staffing Discovery Shops that raise funds. Volunteers also perform clerical tasks, coordinate special projects and staff the society’s tables at health fairs. Orientation is held monthly. Information: West Side/South Bay, (310) 390-8766 or (310) 670-2650; downtown, (213) 386-6102; San Fernando Valley, (818) 989-5555; San Gabriel/Pomona, (818) 795-7774; Long Beach, (310) 437-0791.