Engagement Sites
Belmont Parks and Recreation, Twin Pines Creek Clean-up, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., FULL, Creek Cleanup
Students will walk the creek channel through the NDNU campus and through Twin Pines Park picking up foreign objects including plastic bags, litter, and metal. The work will involve walking directly in the creek bed and using litter tongs to pick up and bag objects. Afterwards, the City of Belmont will take the bags and categorize the result. The learning goal is for students to see the value of an urban creek and the challenges of maintaining and improving it. Learn more about Belmont Parks and Recreation.
Belmont Parks and Recreation, Waterdog Lake, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., FULL: Invasive Species Removal
Students will walk into Belmont’s open space along a trail called Lake Road. Once at Waterdog Lake students will be met by Parks staff. The project includes the removal of invasive plant species that have grown up on the face of the dam overlooking the lake. Also, the debris that has accumulated along the shoreline will be gathered into piles for removal by the Parks crew. Students will use rakes and other tools to collect the material. Lunch will be provided. Learn more about Belmont Parks and Recreation.
Boys and Girls Clubs: Treasure Island Clubhouse,12:30 to 5:30 p.m. FULL. Beautification & Youth Interaction
Founded in 1891, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco serves more than 1,200 youth (ages 6 to 18) per day, offering a safe place to learn and grow. Our mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. Volunteers will organize & revitalize our spaces, as well as engage with Club kids in play & homework support. Snacks will be provided. Learn more about our Treasure Island Clubhouse.
Catholic Worker House, Redwood City, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., 8 participants needed: Poverty Study and Weapons Vigil
The Peninsula Catholic Worker Houses are known for two things: long-term effective work with the poorest of the poor in San Mateo County and determined opposition to war and the war materials industry as part of what impoverishes our people and threatens our very existence. Susan Crane and Rev. Steve Kelley of Redwood City Catholic Worker House will lead a tour of the "underside of Redwood City" and a critical view of military contracting in Silicon Valley, including a chance to observe and/or participate in a witness at a local weapons plant. Learn more about the Catholic Worker House in Redwood City.
Collective Roots, 9 a.m. - noon, FULL: Gardening Project
Collective Roots is a nonprofit organization founded and based in East Palo Alto, CA. They seek to educate and engage youth and communities in food system change through sustainable programs that impact health, education and the environment. Collective Roots achieves its mission through the innovative integration and implementation of two key program areas: community based programs and school based programs. Volunteers will help with gardening. Learn more about Collective Roots.
East Palo Alto Boxing Club, on-campus, flexible hours, 5 people needed: Data Entry for Youth Sports Club
The East Palo Alto Boxing Club has become a thriving center for after-school and evening sports and social support in the neighborhood. They are looking to grow theirr programs and one first step is to digitize their membership and donor lists and and other data. For those at NDNU who can't leave campus that day, this support work can really help an important community resource.Read more about East Palo Alto Boxing Club here.
East Palo Alto Teen Home, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., 20 participants needed: Beautification and Meeting with Teen Residents
East Palo Alto Teen Home is a California-licensed group home for six teenagers and teenage mothers with children, ages 0 to 17 years of age. Our goal is to help our teen residents to become fully functioning members of society by providing access to social, educational, and employment opportunities that exist within and outside of the community of East Palo Alto. Volunteers will paint the facility and speak with the residents about college. Lunch will be provided. Learn more about East Palo Alto Teen Home.
Glide Foundation, 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., 15 participants needed: Prepare and Share a Meal with the Homeless in the Tenderloin
Glide began serving meals in 1969 as a volunteer-run potluck for 50, and now serves on average 2,560 meals a day with the help of 30 kitchen and security staff and thousands of volunteers each year. Volunteers will prep food for the noon meal and then sit down at table (after waiting in line!) at this venerable hub of solidarity with the poor. Learn more about the Glide Foundation.
Gubbio Project: 10 a.m.-Noon, 8 participants needed: Support Work at Day Shelter for the Homeless in the Pews of St. Boniface Church
This Tenderloin sanctuary offers five morning hours of sacred sleep and other services to those living on the streets. It was begun by Fr. Louis Vitale, O.F.M. after the retrofit of this beautiful, Gothic church. While most churches lock their doors during the day, St. Boniface opens theirs to those who have been without adequate rest through the night. Clean socks and hygiene kits are provided and programs like meditation, head and neck massage, and haricuts are regularly provided. The Sacred Space is shared by parishoners and children from DeMarillac Academy next door. Learn more about the Gubbio Project.
The Golden West Women Flyfishers, 1:30pm -4:30pm . 10 participants needed: Accompanying a Group of Inner City Teens to Learn Flycasting
In 1983, Fanny Krieger and a friend, Susan Williams, started The Golden West Women Flyfishers. It now has over 150 members and is very involved with conservation, education, social and fishing programs. Volunteers will chaperone a group of students from a local school at the Fly Casting Pools at Golden Gate Park for lessons and stories from the world's premier woman fly fisher just back from an expedition in the mountains of Chile. Learn more about the Golden West Women Flyfishers.
Habitat for Humanity - ReStore, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. 10 participants needed: Retail Assistance
ReStores sell new and gently-used home improvement goods, furniture, home accessories, building materials and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price. The proceeds are used by local Habitat for Humanity affiliates to help build and renovate more homes and communities. Volunteers will work with the store managers to restock and organize these building supply donations that make remodeling and new construction available to those on the margins of homelessness. Learn more about Habitat for Humanity- ReStore.
Habitat for Humanity GSF - East Palo Alto, 8:30 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., 10 participants needed: Construction Work on Homeless Shelter
Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco partners with working families and the community to build affordable ownership homes in San Francisco, Marin and the Peninsula. Volunteers will be working on demolition and framing for a shelter for the homeless community. Learn more about Habitat for Humanity GSF.
Half Moon Bay Catholic Worker House, 7 a.m. - noon, 20 participants needed: Serving a Meal to the Poor and Gardening
Open since 2000, the Kelly Avenue Catholic Worker is a non-denominational organization providing housing and food for those in need. It is run out of a residential home that offers transitional housing for one family at a time. Volunteers will serve breakfast to the poor and work in an amazing organic garden on the same site, a Lutheran Church that welcomes Catholic Worker Programs. Learn more about the Half Moon Bay Catholic Worker House.
InnVision Shelter Network, 2 - 5 p.m., 10 participants needed : Work with Children at the Opportunity Services Center in Palo Alto
On the mid-Peninsula, InnVision provides food, showers, clothing, emergency assistance, medical care, and counseling to homeless and low-income individuals and families in Northern Santa Clara County and Southern San Mateo County. Volunteers will be working with the children, or the Children's Services Coordinator will plan an activity that the volunteers can help with. Learn more about InnVision Shelter Network.
Marine Science Institute, 1:30 - 5 p.m., FULL : Accompany Belle Air School After School Program to Learn About Bay Shore Ecology
The Marine Science Institute puts students in direct physical contact with their local bay environment with the hope that it will help cultivate their natural sense of curiosity while enriching their understanding of science and fostering a responsibility to protect their environment. Volunteers will join the afterschool program from Belle Air School in San Bruno on a field trip to this fascinating shoreside ecology haven in Redwood City's Harbor. Learn more about the Marine Science Institute.
My Puente, 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., FULL: Prepare for Children's Event, Coastside
As the region's only Community Resource Center, Puente serves the San Mateo County South Coast communities of Pescadero, La Honda, Loma Mar, and San Gregorio. Puente both advocates for our communities and leverages resources that foster economic prosperity and security, and that promote individual and community health and wellness. Volunteers will decorate bags for Dio de Los Ninos. These goodie bags will be distributed to children. Lunch will be provided. Learn more about My Puente.
Oakland Zoo, 9:00am-2:00pm, FULL : Accompany Special Needs Students to Veldt Habitat
The veldt exhibit and its giraffe enclosure at the Oakland Zoo have pioneered compassionate techniques with giraffes and the people who visit them. Volunteers will accompany children with autism to animal assisted therapy experience with giraffes and renowned giraffe keeper, Amy Phelps.Learn more about the Oakland Zoo.
Potrero Nuevo Farm, 9 a.m. - noon, 30 participants needed: Farming
The majority of the harvest from this organic farm is donated to the community through The Catholic Worker of Half Moon Bay and Puente de la Costa in Pescadero. The farm also hosts a U-Pick Club for local families and offer farm tours to community groups. Volunteers will be joined by students from Half Moon Bay High School and will help with gardening and then participate in a potluck lunch. Learn more about Potrero Nuevo Farm.
Province Center at NDNU, 1 - 3:30 p.m. FULL: Cookie Decorating with Sisters for the Elderly
For those unable to leave campus, come meet the sisters of Notre Dame De Namur! We will be baking and decorating cookies to take to the Mercy Retirement and Care Center in Oakland. Learn more about the Province Center at NDNU.
San Francisco Zoo: 9:30am-2:30 p.m. FULL: Zoo Tour with Special Needs Teens: Join these teens from Wings Learning Center in Redwood City (specializing in autism) to various animal feeding demonstrations away from dense crowds. Learn more about Wings Learning Center here.
Taft Community School, 1:30 - 5 p.m., 40 participants needed: Inspiring Youth to Achieve Their Dreams!
Helping inspire youth to graduate starts TODAY! Here at The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Peninsula, Taft School, you will help our members explore colleges, practice the basics and learn about yourself and your path. While our parents want our students to attend college, less than 10% have experienced going to college. This is where you come in. Every time our students get to interact with someone who has gone to college, the more likely they are to pursue it themselves. Volunteers will work in groups of 2-8 people work with grade level classes to support academic programming with activities such as Jeopardy, building your own graduation caps and creative math games .BGCP is the area's largest at-risk youth development organization. We serve students in East Palo Alto, Redwood City and eastern Menlo Park, implementing proven social and academic interventions that most impact a child's achievement in school and in life. Learn more about Taft Community School.
Treasure Island Sailing Club, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., FULL : Accompanying Belle Air School Youth Sailing on the Bay
The Treasure Island Sailing Center is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to improve our community and the sport of sailing by providing access, facilities and sailing instruction to people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, skill levels and physical abilities. Volunteers will join a group of fifth graders from our partner school, Belle Air in San Bruno, on an exciting day of learning about and directly experiencing the San Francisco Bay. Veteran sailors with take you with small groups of students on 16ft. boats in and around the harbor at Treasure Island. TISC is a great group with a mission based on access. Learn moree about the Treasure Island Sailing Club.
Second Harvest Food Bank - Menlo Park, 8:45 - 11 a.m., FULL: Preparing Food Boxes for the Elderly
Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties is the trusted leader dedicated to ending local hunger. Since its inception in 1974, Second Harvest has become one of the largest food banks in the nation, providing food to an average of nearly one quarter of a million people each month. Volunteers will help fasciliate the distribution of food. Learn more about Second Harvest Food Bank.
Second Harvest Food Bank - San Carlos, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., 25 participants needed: Sorting Food for Distribution
Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties is the trusted leader dedicated to ending local hunger. Since its inception in 1974, Second Harvest has become one of the largest food banks in the nation, providing food to an average of nearly one quarter of a million people each month. Volunteers will help with sorting, boxing, bagging or labeling. Learn more about Second Harvest Food Bank.
San Bruno Mountain Watch, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., 15 participants needed: Accompanying Inner City Youth on Hike and Restoration
The members of San Bruno Mountain Watch have been working diligently for over thirty years to protect and preserve San Bruno Mountain as the largest and richest remaining example of the native Franciscan bioregion, elsewhere destroyed by the spread of San Francisco and its neighboring cities in the urbanized northern San Francisco Peninsula. Volunteers will chaperone students from our partner school, Belle Air in San Bruno, on a hike with some restoration work. The path proceeds up Buckeye Canyon, across a creek to an Ohlone shell mound/village site, then up a new trail towards the summit, full of new growth after a fire several years ago. Be ready for rare plant species: E.O. Wilson of Harvard calls this mountain one of the 18 most biodiverse places on earth. Lunch provided. Learn more about San Bruno Mountain Watch.
Sports, Service and Society, 2 - 5:30 p.m., FULL: Teaching New Games to Kids in the Tenderloin
Sports, Service and Society is an NDNU class that seeks to build bonds and open communication between the NDNU and Tenderloin communities through sports education. Professor Don Stannard-Friel and his class will be holding a sport clinic at Tenderloin Children's' Playground.
Youth Science Institute, 9am-3pm, FULL: Observe and Learn Science Field Education
The mission of YSI is to "inspire enthusiasm for science and a love of learning" in preschool through eighth grade students in Santa Clara County. Through our School & Group Programs, Summer Science Camps, and Science Safaris, we teach hands-on, nature-based science to more than 30,000 children per year.Volunteers will help YSI instructors with set up and clean up of our School & Group Programs at one of our three Science & Nature Centers: YSI Alum Rock (San Jose), YSI Sanborn (Saratoga), and YSI Vasona (Los Gatos).. Learn more about the Youth Science Institute.
