INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Boyle Heights College Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of inner-city youth, is looking for caring, committed college juniors, seniors and graduates to serve as mentors to youths. In addition, high school and college students are needed to work as tutors for the after-school program. Volunteers are asked to commit at least one day a month. Information: (323) 263-3229.

* Volunteer Bureau of the Office of the Mayor will hold the Los Angeles Volunteer Festival on May 16. Agencies and organizations that use volunteers are invited to attend and exhibit, free of charge. About 200 booths will be exhibited at each of two sites: Museum Row in the mid-Wilshire area and L.A. Valley College in the San Fernando Valley. Information: Roberta Schiller, (213) 485-6984.

* School on Wheels, based in Malibu, which brings tutoring to homeless children in kindergarten through 12th grades, needs volunteers who can give one hour a week. Information: (310) 589-2642.

* Petersen Automotive Museum needs people for its Pit Crew volunteer program, to learn and teach the history of Los Angeles. Also, people who enjoy working with children are needed for its May Family Discovery Center. Information: Helena Parks, (323) 964-6347.

* Santa Clarita Child & Family Center’s Circle Care program needs women 21 to 40 who were teenage mothers to facilitate support and information groups for teenage mothers and their babies. Training and assistance are provided. Information: Denise Theberge, (805) 249-9439.

* Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities needs music lovers to usher at evening and matinee performances, take tickets and staff the candy and beverage concession booth. Information: Volunteer Center, South Bay-Harbor-Long Beach, (310) 212-5009.

* Food Finders needs people to collect donated food from restaurants, grocery stores and bakeries in the South Bay and deliver it to shelters for homeless people and battered women and children, and alcohol and drug rehabilitation centers. Information: Volunteer Center, South Bay-Harbor-Long Beach, (310) 212-5009.

* Tamar House battered women’s shelter in the east San Fernando Valley needs volunteers to help with crisis-line counseling, court advocacy and to work with children. Training is provided. Information: (818) 908-5007.

* Create-a-Smile needs people and their pets to provide animal-assisted therapy for people in hospitals, abused children’s centers, nursing homes and other facilities. Workshops are held twice a month in Santa Monica. Information: (310) 392-6257.

* Gardena’s Home Delivery Meals Program needs volunteer drivers weekdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to deliver meals to the elderly and homebound. Information: Volunteer Center, South Bay-Harbor-Long Beach, (310) 212-5009.

* Tree Musketeers, an environmental and conservationist organization in El Segundo, needs volunteers to help with bulk mailings, curbside recycle promotions, tree plantings and community cleanup projects. Information: Volunteer Center, South Bay-Harbor-Long Beach, (310) 212-5009.

* Salvation Army Preschool in Torrance needs volunteers to supervise playground activities, assist with arts and crafts projects or share special interests or musical talents with children on weekdays. Mature teens are welcome to apply. Information: Volunteer Center, South Bay-Harbor-Long Beach, (310) 212-5009.

Information for this column should be submitted typed and double-spaced to Involvement Opportunities, SoCal Living, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053.