INVOLVEMENT OPORTUNITIES

West Hollywood Orchestra needs volunteers for various jobs for its second season, which continues until June 2001. Information: Sam E. Luca, (866) WHO-CALL.

* Five Acres--an Altadena-based child-abuse prevention, treatment and education center--needs volunteers 18 and older as special friends, homework helpers and tutors for children ages 6 to 18. Men are especially encouraged to apply because there are a number of boys in need of positive role models. Information: Robin Jurado, (626) 798-6793, Ext. 210.

Also, foster parents are needed, singles or couples, especially for deaf children. Financial support is provided. An orientation and training will be held Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. Information: (626) 844-1430, Ext. 206, or TTY (626) 844-1434.

* Optimist Youth Homes, a Los Angeles treatment and education center, needs foster homes for abused and neglected children. Orientation will be held Saturday. Information: (800) 454-5561.

* Strong Beginnings, a Santa Ana-based program for homeless families created by the Shelter & Hunger Partnership of Orange County, the Orange County Rescue Mission and the Salvation Army offering medical service, education and a food pantry, needs volunteers in various areas. Information: Kari Sciotto, (714) 258-4450.

* Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, a national nonprofit group that records textbooks for print and learning disabled students from kindergarten though postgraduate level, needs detail-oriented volunteers knowledgeable in math, science, computers, economics or medicine, and those who can describe visual materials in words. Training is provided. The studios are in Hollywood, the west San Fernando Valley and the South Bay. Information: (800) RFB-TEXT.

* Big Sisters of Los Angeles needs women to provide friendship and guidance to girls ages 6 to 16 throughout Los Angeles County. Information: Elisha Jackson, (323) 933-5749, Ext. 273.

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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.