Be the Difference Awards

Celebrating Volunteer Heroes
May 8 @ Cocoanut Grove

UCSC

Empowering communities through partnership

Celebrate Global Volunteer Month

30 Days of Volunteer Opportunities - There's a Role for Everyone!

Become a Volunteer Literacy Tutor

Change lives through education!
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Latest News

Meet the Stars of Volunteer Service – Our 2024 Be the Difference Honorees!

Tickets Now Open for the Heartwarming Community Event at The Boardwalk’s Cocoanut Grove In an inspiring celebration of service and community spirit, the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County is set to host the 2024 Be the Difference Awards on Wednesday, May 8, from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm at the Boardwalk’s Cocoanut Grove Ballroom. ...

UCSC: Empowering communities through partnership

Five UCSC undergraduates, one graduate student, and two faculty members working with The Blum Center on Poverty, Social Enterprise, and Participatory Governance spent their Saturday volunteering at the build site, highlighting one of the experiential learning opportunities UCSC students are gaining from a partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Originally Published May 17, 2023 By Haneen Zain This project was made possible ...
Youthserve Volunteers and staff help out at the Homeless Garden Project

10 Ways to Make a Difference During Global Volunteer Month

April is Global Volunteer Month, and the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County is leading the charge with volunteer opportunities taking place every day in April.  The U.S. Surgeon General's Office recently highlighted in an advisory the negative health impacts of loneliness, isolation, and social disconnection, referring to the situation as an epidemic in the ...

Upcoming Events

Volunteer Spotlight

A Love of Learning Leads to Literacy and More

February 16, 2024

Cecilia Ogarrio-Munoz stood before a packed crowd of cheering family and supporters at the Henry J. Mello Center for the Performing Arts in Watsonville. Proudly wearing her cap and gown, Cecilia walked across the stage to receive her high school equivalency degree, or GED.

Read More about A Love of Learning Leads to Literacy and More

Meet Ellen: Volunteer with Americorps Seniors / Monterey Bay RSVP

February 4, 2024

Ellen, a retired real estate agent and now a proud member of AmeriCorps Seniors/Monterey Bay RSVP, has been with the Volunteer Center since the spring of 2023.

Read More about Meet Ellen: Volunteer with Americorps Seniors / Monterey Bay RSVP

Meet Ron and Jim: Friends in Service

December 2, 2023

Neighbors, workout partners, volunteers, and friends for over 15 years – Jim Kinney and Ron Marquez have a long history of community service.

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Meet Austin Lee, Second Harvest Food Bank Volunteer

November 1, 2023

Austin volunteers on Saturdays, helping pack produce bags that go out to over 65,000 community
members each month.

Read More about Meet Austin Lee, Second Harvest Food Bank Volunteer

Hopes Closet Levels the Playing Field for Kids

August 8, 2023

Hopes Closet provides clothing, shoes, books, and toys to families in need.

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Meet the Volunteers at Boulder Creek Fire Protection District

July 3, 2023

2023 Recipients of the Be the Difference Award for Rebuilding Community After Disaster for their tireless support and brave response efforts to emergencies throughout their district.

Read More about Meet the Volunteers at Boulder Creek Fire Protection District