MAKING A DIFFERENCE : One Group’s Approach: Make It Easy to Volunteer

About half of all Americans volunteer some time each year, according to recent surveys, even though more people than ever say they feel starved for time. L.A. Works, founded by actor Richard Dreyfuss, Donna Bojarsky, who works with the actor, and attorney Bob L. Johnson, makes it easy for busy people to lend a hand to community organizations that need volunteers but may not have the staff or funds to manage them. L.A. Works volunteers attend an orientation session, then may participate in any number of projects coordinated by L.A. Works each month. L.A. Works is one of more than a dozen similar volunteer clearinghouses, known as “care groups,” across the country that match volunteers’ schedules and interests with the service needs of nonprofit groups. Their projects typically last no more than a weekend afternoon or morning, giving volunteers a flexible way to get involved in their communities and helping organizations to staff projects. Since its first project in April 1991, L.A. Works has mobilized 3,300 volunteers who have contributed more than 25,000 hours to 80 community organizations throughout Los Angeles.

HOW A VOLUNTEER CLEARINGHOUSE WORKS SCHEDULE VOLUNTEERS

Individuals

Civic or business groups

Church or synagogue members

CONTACT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

Schools and day care centers

Shelters

Hospitals and health clinics

Youth and senior organizations

Food banks and free meal sites

Parks and recreation areas

IDENTIFY SERVICE NEEDS

Sorting and distributing food

Playing with children

Cleaning floors and walls

Building book shelves, playhouses

Throwing a party for homeless families

Serving meals

Helping runaways with craft projects

Painting classrooms

Picking up litter

Planting trees

Tandem cycling with visually impaired riders

GOALS

“I don’t pretend that L.A. Works’ or national and community service are cure-alls, but they are incremental parts of the necessary action we all can take, served and server, that reclaim our city for ourselves.”

Richard Dreyfuss, L.A. Works’ co-founder

“We hope an L.A. Works’ experience will lead you to volunteer again and again and again. Initially it may be a project coordinated by L.A. Works, but at some point it might be your own project or your own passion. You can stay with the structured approach or you be inspired to devise your own. It’s an opportunity to match your interests, schedule, and expertise with a community need.”

Bob L. Johnson, L.A. Works co-founder and co-chair

TO GET INVOLVED

For information about L.A. Works volunteer opportunities for individuals or groups call (213) 465-4097. Volunteers may participate in one L.A. Works project before attending an orientation session.