INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Los Angeles Conservancy needs docents to lead walking tours of downtown Los Angeles on Saturday mornings. Training runs Saturdays from Sept. 9 to Oct. 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Docents must agree to give at least eight tours per year after training. Information: (213) 623-2489.

* Child Advocates Office of Los Angeles Superior Court needs volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children under the court’s jurisdiction. Training begins Oct. 23; the application deadline is Sept. 21. Information: Christine O’Rourke, (323) 526-6666.

* Optimist Youth Homes, a Los Angeles treatment and education center for at-risk youngsters, is offering foster parent orientations beginning Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. and beginning Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon in Highland Park. Information: (800) 454-5561.

* Boys & Girls Club of Burbank/East Valley needs items for its annual parking lot rummage sale Saturday. Funds will help support the club’s programs for underprivileged children. Information: (818) 842-9333.

* Andrus Volunteers at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles needs volunteers to help with research projects designed to enhance the lives of senior citizens. Information: Linda Broder, (213) 740-1632.

* Volunteers of America’s Companion Pet Program needs people to deliver pet food and pet care information to low-income seniors in San Pedro, Torrance, Harbor City, Lomita, Gardena, Lawndale, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and Hawthorne. Car and insurance are required. Information: Coral Allenby, (562) 599-6652.

* Pet Adoption Fund, a dog and cat rescue and adoption group, needs volunteers to assist at its Canoga Park shelter with walking, grooming and playing with the animals and driving them to and from the veterinarian. Foster homes and dog trainers are also needed. Information: Barbara Magnusson, (818) 716-7937.

* Long Beach Heritage needs docents to conduct historical walking tours of downtown Long Beach. Training classes begin in September. Information: (562) 493-7019.

Information for this column should be submitted typed and double-spaced to Involvement Opportunities, SoCal Living, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.