Do you want to make a real difference in your community? Volunteer at The Center! There are many ways to get involved!  We are constantly developing new volunteer activities and below are some examples of ways that volunteers contribute to support our community. 

AIDS Walk & Run San Diego
The annual AIDS Walk & Run San Diego is the largest one-day HIV/AIDS fundraiser in San Diego and takes place on the last Saturday of September. Funds raised during this event support multiple organizations involved in eradicating HIV/AIDS. Volunteers are needed from June to October every year to prepare for The Walk, help with administrative tasks and outreach campaigns, and to support a successful event.  

Dining Out For Life® San Diego
Don’t miss The Center’s annual Dining Out For Life® San Diego! Each year, more than 80 restaurants, bars, coffee houses, and nightclubs donate a minimum of 25% of sales to The Center’s HIV/AIDS service and prevention programs. Like other fundraising events, this one relies on an enormous number of volunteers. The most important of the volunteer positions are our restaurant Ambassadors. Ambassadors are assigned a shift at a breakfast, lunch, or dinner location and they invite everyone they know to dine at their location and conduct fundraising at their assigned restaurant.

Administrative Support/Data Entry
Most departments utilize volunteers to assist with administrative support, data entry, phone banks, copying, mailing preparation, and filing. This is a great way for volunteers to help out The Center, meet staff, and make new friends.

#BeTheGeneration
The Center’s #BeTheGeneration campaign was prompted by the clearest and compelling medical evidence to date, which indicated that PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) medications can be extremely effective in preventing HIV transmission. Outgoing and approachable #BeTheGeneration Ambassadors help support outreach and education efforts, by staffing info tables, and attending community events.

Civic Engagement/Voter Engagement Public Policy
Volunteers who are interested in community outreach and working on projects involving public policy and civic engagement are always needed. Civic engagement volunteers help represent The Center in the community and at various events, and support and promote civic engagement via projects such as voter registration drives and educational efforts.

Event Volunteers
The Center often hosts multiple special community and fundraising events that rely on volunteer assistance for their success. Volunteers who might wish to participate in events such as the Pachanga de Frida, Tantrums & Tiaras, The Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast, and other popular events would enjoy this volunteer opportunity to help by providing planning before the events and staffing during the events.

Facilities Assistant
We are always looking for individuals or groups of volunteers to help with facility upkeep and maintenance, or beautification projects. Volunteers assist our Facilities Manager with painting, cleaning, gardening, and other projects as needed. This activity is an ideal team-builder activity for community, school, and work-based groups!

Families @ The Center
Volunteers provide resources, education, support, and opportunities for community engagement for LGBTQ families (LGBTQ-headed families or families with LGBTQ youth or adults) and those considering parenthood. Volunteers assist with setup and breakdown of events, playgroup monitors, and group facilitators.

Food Bank
The San Diego LGBT Community Center, in partnership with the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, hosts two food banks per month to address food insecurity in the LGBTQ community. Volunteers work alongside staff to prepare and distribute food items to community members. 

Fundraising/Development
Volunteers contribute to the dynamic Development department in the vital activity of raising the funds necessary to support our operations and programs. Volunteer activities, support special events, fundraising efforts, phone banks, and sponsor/donor appreciation events and activities.

Hillcrest Youth Center (HYC) & South Bay Youth Center (SBYC)
Volunteers support the important work of HYC and SBYC! Volunteers help as mentors, group facilitators, tutors, activity leaders, outreach volunteers, and provide special event assistance for events such as the Rainbow Prom. 

Latin@ Services
Latin@ Services offers support groups and social programming for LGBTQ Latin@ San Diegans in a safe, affirming environment. Bilingual volunteers are especially needed to support the program, offer referrals to clients, and to staff special events held throughout the year.  A small number of bilingual volunteers also support outreach to our Latin@ community members by staffing community events and assisting with translation of critical information.

Men’s Services
From social events such as Game Night, to discussion groups that provide opportunities for social networking and support, The Center provides a variety of programming for men.

Senior Services
The Senior Services Program provides the LGBTQ senior community with access to important resources and referrals regarding health care, social services, and community activities. Volunteers support the program by handling administrative tasks, with event set-up and break-down, and by providing group facilitation. 

Peer-Led Discussion Group Facilitators
Volunteer facilitators help structure and facilitate the wide variety of weekly and monthly discussion groups that provide safe and welcoming spaces for our diverse community to come together to seek support or socialize. Peer Facilitators are trained and must  attend quarterly group facilitator meetings. Experience with group facilitation or peer counseling is helpful but not required. 

Transgender & Nonbinary Services
Volunteers with Project TRANS (Transgender Referrals, Assistance, Networking and Services) help provide a transgender-inclusive and supportive environment by facilitating transgender and nonbinary-specific group discussions, supporting special events and conducting community engagement with the Trans community.  

Volunteer Resources
Volunteers help the Volunteer Services in recruiting, orienting, training, and appreciation and recognition of our volunteers. Volunteers also staff our volunteer program’s JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) group which promotes these values within our volunteer community. 

Welcome Desk Team
The welcome desk team is first point of contact for many visitors, callers, clients, and community members, and has the important responsibilities of welcoming and greeting all visitors, clients, and callers and providing information, resources, and referrals as requested or required. If you are a ‘people person’ who is committed to making The Center a welcoming and safe space for all, and are able to commit to weekly schedule (set monthly schedule for weekend shifts), then this is the volunteer opportunity for you! 

Women’s Services
Women’s Services program creates a safe space where LBT women can access important resources and referrals regarding health care, social services, and community activities. Volunteers provide support for administrative tasks, event set up and break-down, and group facilitation.