Providing love, support, and assistance to children in transition can be a rewarding experience. Volunteers in the programs listed below contribute their talent and energy toward creating comfort, joy, and a sense of stability to children in need as they face transition and temporary placement

To learn more about becoming a volunteer in one of the Social Services Agency programs, you are invited to attend an orientation meeting where the specific requirements and details of volunteer opportunities with the Social Services Agency will be explained. After meeting the volunteer representatives from each of the Social Services Agency programs, choosing the best-suited volunteer program will be easier. Applications will be provided by presenters at the orientation meeting.

• Orangewood Children's Home
• CAST-Child Abuse Services Team
• Operation Santa Claus and Senior Santas and Friends
• LA CASA-OCH Auxiliary

Volunteer Orientation Meeting

Volunteer Orientation meetings are held on the last Tuesday of the month (excluding December). Join us from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at:

County of Orange Social Services Agency
888 North Main Street
Santa Ana, CA

Contact for more questions

Mona Gustafson 714-245-6288

Email: Mona.Gustafson@ssa.ocgov.com

Opportunities to Volunteer

Orangewood Children's Home

Orangewood Children's Home is a temporary home to children between the ages of 2 days to 18 years. Volunteers may decide which age group best complements their interest and talents. As an OCH volunteer you will be helping to individualize the services provided by our professional staff and enrich our programs with your specific interest and skills.

Volunteers have the opportunity to:

Assist with individual and group activities
Assist in on-site school classrooms or field trips
Interact with children in the cottages where they reside
Assist in recreation and craft activity
Assist with Living Programs which teach children life skills. Children’s ages range from 11 to 18 year old boys and girls.

Court Appointed Special Advocates(CASA)

Become a child's voice in court

CASA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the rights of children who have been removed from their homes because of severe or chronic child abuse.

CASA needs mature, responsible adult volunteers. The ability to relate to children in stressful situations and willingness to commit their time is a must. Speaking up for the child in court will help ensure that an abused or neglected child is placed in a safe, permanent, nurturing home.

CASA volunteers maintain a weekly one-to-one relationship with a child throughout the time that this child is a dependent of the court.

CASA volunteers provide information and objective recommendations to the court to facilitate placement or family reunification.

Please note: More than 50% of CASA children are boys. These volunteer programs encourage participation by men, all ethnicities, and seniors who can share their grandparenting skills.

Child Abuse Services Team (CAST)

The purpose of CAST is to reduce the trauma of child abuse. This goal is accomplished by reducing the number of clinical and forensic interviews with the child and limiting the number of investigations. Volunteers provide comfort and support for sexually abused children entering Orangewood or other facilities.

Operation Santa Claus/Senior Santas and Friends

Volunteers can be of assistance from July through December. OPERATION SANTA CLAUS volunteers become helping hands and join in on projects listed below:

Create,distribute and mail promotional materials

Assist in fund-raising activities which help pay for gas, storage, technical support, and printed materials

Assist with inventory control, shelving and gift sorting during distribution center operations (December)

Assist gift store shoppers with gift selections

Assist with distribution center cleanup and storage

Set up a Holiday tree at your place of business and encourage coworkers to take "Angel Tags" (gift suggestions) to help a needy child or senior by purchasing a special gift for them

LA CASA-OCH Auxiliary

Requirements

The OCH/CAST/CASA volunteer process requires special effort, but offers a unique opportunity for those who want to contribute their time and talents.

For those wishing to volunteer at OCH, adults 18 years of age or older are preferred. Those wishing to volunteer at OCH between the ages of 16 and 18 must be affiliated with a high school program. You must be 21 years of age to apply to volunteer at CAST and CASA. Background clearances are required. Potential volunteers will be asked to submit the following:

Fingerprint Card/Live Scan (ask for details before proceeding)
TB test results (after completion of training)
Confidentiality Form
Three references
Completion of Agency Application

Depending on the volunteer program, volunteer data may be submitted for clearance and a background check with:

The Child Abuse Registry
The DMV
Department of Justice

Requirements for some programs include:

Must pass a background investigation and psychological evaluation
Must have no felony convictions within the past 10 years

Must not be on formal or informal probation

OCH volunteers make a monthly commitment of volunteer hours.

CASA volunteers commit to donating at least three hours each week for a minimum of two years.

CASA volunteers are required to attend 30 hours of state-mandated training and must pass the background check referred to above.

Once clearances have been approved, volunteers will be contacted and invited to attend the required training classes. Background clearances may take up to eight weeks to process.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN OTHER COUNTY AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS, CONTACT COUNTY VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR  MONA GUSTAFSON 714-245-6288 Email: Mona.Gustafson@ssa.ocgov.com