Gaining experience is essential for understanding the type of work you will be doing in the future. Even if it is not directly related to SLP and/or communication disorders, getting exposure to hospital and educational settings will provide valuable on-the-job skills that will carry over to your role as an SLP. Additionally, you may even meet a great mentor that can lend advice or point you to other opportunities and perspectives in the field. Here are some volunteer, work, or shadowing opportunities that are around the Los Angeles area.
Wise Readers to Leaders - Literacy Leader
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Description: Literacy leaders are undergraduate and graduate students who decide to devote their summer to teaching and forming close connections with students who would otherwise not have engaging activities over the summer. A Literacy Leader is responsible for a classroom of 12-15 underserved children from LAUSD elementary schools. This role entails delivering an innovative and engaging curriculum that is uniquely designed to motivate students to love reading, learning, and to believe in themselves, while engaging them in a wide range of enrichment activities.
https://wisereaderstoleaders.org/
Times: Summer, June-August
Jumpstart Corps Member
Location: Los Angeles, CA (USC)
Description: Jumpstart’s College Corps is made up of passionate students attending Jumpstart’s partner universities and colleges around the country. Our College Corps program offers students a chance to work alongside like-minded peers, receive high-quality training in early childhood development and education, and gain invaluable hands-on experience in the classroom, all while giving back to the local community. Jumpstart is a great opportunity for students who are interested in education, looking for a work-study opportunity, or simply love spending time with children.
Times: duration of the school year
LAUSD Special Education Trainee/Assistant
Location: Any LAUSD school that has openings
Description: Special Education Paraprofessionals assist teachers in the support of students with disabilities. Paraprofessionals help in the training and education of students by carrying out duties such as adapting classroom activities, assignments, and/or materials for the students and assisting teachers in implementing lessons for a student or a group of students. Additionally, the Paraprofessional helps in caring for students' physical needs.
Times: Full-time job during school hours (around 8 am- 2:30 pm) - need to apply through LAUSD
KEEN Los Angeles Volunteer
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Description: KEEN’s Mission is to empower youth with disabilities and impact volunteer coaches through participation in free, non-competitive, one-on-one programs of physical activity and fun, supporting the overall health and well-being of all participants. Volunteering for KEEN is fun and offers opportunities for occasional participation, regular involvement, and leadership. Volunteers don't need any prior experience working with disabled individuals – KEEN provides training prior to each session.
https://www.keenlosangeles.org/volunteers
Times: Dependent on program
The Friendship Foundation
Location: Programs around Southern California
The Friendship Foundation supports parents and families who have children and young adults with special needs by providing a safe, accepting and inclusive environment where they can enjoy sports, art, music and many other social programs with their peers. At each program, children with special needs are paired with student volunteers for an event full of fun peer interaction. The Friendship Foundation serves to augment our local educational systems and professional therapies by creating a natural setting for individuals with special needs to practice their learned skills amongst their peers. Through the Friendship Foundation volunteer program, remarkable bonds are forged between children with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their new friends.
https://www.friendshipfoundation.com/join-as-volunteer/
Times: Dependent on program (School, Online, Summer)
Inclusivity Matters by Shane's Inspiration Volunteer
Location: Los Angeles, CA
We are an international non-profit that fosters a bias free world for children with disabilities through the vehicle of inclusive playgrounds and educational programs that unite children of all abilities. Volunteer work with Shane’s Inspiration is rewarding, fun and it’s a great way to help others.
http://shanesinspiration.org/volunteer/
Times: Vary
TED Translators
Location: Remote
Description: TED Translators are a global community of volunteers who subtitle TED
Talks, and enable the inspiring ideas in them to crisscross languages and borders.
https://www.ted.com/participate/translate
Times: As needed
AbilityFirst Volunteer
Location: Greater Los Angeles area
Description: AbilityFirst™ strengthens and cultivates skills that give our participants the tools to successfully navigate each transition in life, including building social connections and independence; employment preparation, training and experience; and, fun and engaging activities that offer families an opportunity to refresh and recharge. Without people who give of themselves, their time and their talents, we simply would not be able to provide the outstanding developmental programs and services that make such a difference in the lives of children and adults with disabilities.
https://www.abilityfirst.org/get-involved/volunteer/
Times: Year round programs and summer programs available
Keck Hospital of USC/USC Norris Cancer Hospital
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Description: Working directly with visitors at information desks or shops, viewed as
ambassadors of the community
https://www.keckmedicine.org/volunteer/
Times: at least 4 hours a week (depending on assigned shift), commit for 6 months
with a minimum of 100 hours
Project Sunshine
Location: Remote/In person, contact USC Chapter
Description: Project Sunshine college volunteers deliver play and activities to children
in need of socialization and human connection to help them cope while they are dealing
with medical challenges. Play allows children to learn, explore, and it enables them to
heal. (According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, play is one of the most effective
methods of reducing stress in kids!)
https://projectsunshine.org/volunteers/college?hsLang=en
Times: Dependent on need
Transforming Care at Bedsides (TCAB)- Cedars Sinai
Location: Beverly Hills, CA
Description: Volunteers learn what nurses and other healthcare professionals do in
their daily work, and experience how it feels to interact with patients and families at the
bedside
https://www.cedars-sinai.org/volunteer-services/adults/other.html
Times: A minimum of one 4-hour shift per week, between 5 a.m.–9 p.m. from
Monday–Sunday (Minimum total of 100 hours)
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation- Cedars Sinai
Location: Beverly Hills, CA
Description: This volunteer opportunity is for anyone who require observation hours
to apply for a graduate program in physical therapy, occupational therapy and
speech-language pathology.
https://www.cedars-sinai.org/volunteer-services/adults/other.html
Times: The program provides volunteers with a maximum of 20 hours.
Be My Eyes
Location: Remote
Description: As a sighted volunteer you can help just by installing the Be My Eyes app.
A blind or a low-vision user may need help with anything from checking expiry dates,
distinguishing colors, reading instructions or navigating new surroundings. To
volunteer, please check the Be My Eyes app through the App Store or Google Play.
Times: Flexible
Step Up Tutoring
Location: remote
Description: Step Up Tutoring is looking for volunteers to tutor and mentor 3rd - 6th
graders from under-resourced households via Zoom! By dedicating just two hours a
week to your student, you can support their academic growth, foster a relationship,
and make them smile! Volunteer online on your schedule, from wherever you
are...no experience necessary! We think you'll love it.
https://www.stepuptutoring.org/tutor-application
Times: 2 hours a week for a minimum of 12 weeks
Volunteer Ambassador Program- Adventist Health
Location: Glendale, CA
Description: Volunteer Ambassadors provide service to the hospital and the
community on a short-term and long-term basis and/or focus on the cultural learning
experience.
https://www.adventisthealth.org/glendale/a-legacy-of-healing/volunteer/
Crisis Hotline Volunteer
Location: Virtual
Description: Crisis Counselors answer texts from people in crisis, bringing them from
a hot moment to a cool calm through active listening, collaborative problem solving, and
safety planning
https://www.crisistextline.org/become-a-volunteer/
Times: 4 hours a week, 200 hour commitment
Acoustic Remedies Volunteer- Kaiser
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Description: The program provides healing through music. We are seeking for
individual musicians and small ensembles to serve as volunteers and perform
acoustically throughout our facility. Your role would include rounding on our members,
their families and our staff, providing “healing through music.” Require 2 hr/shifts
rounding on members in rooms and in the waiting areas
Times: Commit to a minimum of 200 services hours over one year
Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital Volunteer
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Description: Volunteers play an important role in fulfilling our hospital's mission to
deliver high-quality healthcare here in South Los Angeles. Our employees are
compassionate, friendly, trustworthy, and dedicated to our mission — we ask the same
of our volunteers.
https://www.mlkch.org/volunteer
Times: Volunteers must commit to a minimum of 100 hours of service (12 hours/month) within the business hours of 8am-5pm
LAC + USC Medical Center Volunteer
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Description: The LAC+USC Department of Patient Volunteer Services provides
volunteer opportunities matched to your schedule and interests. Volunteering at
LAC+USC Medical Center provides an exceptional opportunity to take an active role in
your community, build skills, make a difference, and explore career opportunities.
Countless volunteers have gone on to pursue careers in the healthcare field as a result of
their volunteer experience.
https://dhs.lacounty.gov/lacusc/who-we-are/volunteer-services/
https://dhs.lacounty.gov/who-we-are/work-or-partner-with-us/volunteer-services/
Times: Volunteers must commit to six months of volunteering usually done in one or
two 4 hour shifts per week.
UMMA Community Clinic
Location: South Los Angeles, CA
Description: Students will be able to volunteer in various departments, including:
clinical, programs, development and more. Students will have the opportunity to
participate in patient chart reviews, patient vitals, research, patient surveys, event
planning and more.
https://www.ummaclinic.org/volunteer-opportunities/
Times: Minimum Commitment = 8 hrs/month
UCLA Orthopaedic Institute for Children Volunteer
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Description: A variety of opportunities are available including supporting our research
labs, urgent care, orthopedic rehabilitation, patient recreation, outpatient clinics,
welcome desk, Ozzie’s Café, special events and more. Individuals who speak both
English and Spanish are especially needed.
https://www.ortho-institute.org/ways-to-give/volunteer/
Times: Volunteers must commit to a minimum of 100 hours in their lifetime.
Volunteers must be available to schedule volunteer hours Monday – Friday between the
hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. There are no weekend or evening volunteer
opportunities available
Los Angeles Public Library - Adult Literacy Program
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Description: Tutors in the Adult Literacy Program work one-on-one with adult students, twice a week for 1-1/2 hours per meeting time. Potential tutors are interviewed, trained and assigned a student through their local literacy center. In addition, we also need teachers for conversation classes for new English learners and math teachers for adult GED students. For more information, call 213-228-7540, or email literacy@lapl.org
https://www.lapl.org/literacy/volunteer
Times: twice a week for 1-1/2 hours per meeting time