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Psychology Advising

Volunteer Opportunities

There are many volunteer opportunities for students on and off the Fresno State Campus. Volunteering helps the community while assisting students in making new contacts in the community, and building skills for future careers.

The list includes a key indicating recommended volunteer sites for particular graduate programs. Keep in mind these are only recommendations as all volunteering can be considered "good" volunteer experience. The key lists the programs that these volunteer sites will build skills for.

Key 

Some sites may be helpful for students to gain experience to prepare them for specific fields. These fields will be identified as follows

ABA-Applied Behavior Analysis

COUN-Marriage and family therapy, Counseling and Student Services

CRIM- Criminology Careers

G- General volunteering, good for all programs

LAW-Pre-Law

OT- Occupational Therapy

RC- Rehabilitation Counseling

SP- School Psychology

SPRT- Sports Psychology

SW-Social Work

Bulldog Pantry

Contact : thebulldogpantry@gmail.com

http://www.facebook.com/BulldogPantry

The pantry offers weekly volunteer opportunities helping gather and distribute foods to families in need in the community.

(G)


Jan and Bud Richter Center

Thomas Building, Room 107

Contact: 559.278.7079

http://www.fresnostate.edu/cesl/

Volunteers can have many opportunities to volunteer in the community throughout the year and opportunity to plan events as a Richter Center Ambassador. Paid opportunities are available through Jumpstart and FresnoREADS programs. The Richter Center is also where you can sign up to take the Com S 1 or Com S 101courses to receive course credit for volunteer hours.

(G, SP)

 

Mediator Mentors

Contact: Pamela Lane-Geron 559.278.0320

http://fresnostate.edu/artshum/philosophy/mediatormentors/

Mediator Mentors is a university-public school that supports the development of conflict resolution skills in school children. Teachers and students in the public schools receive eight to 10 hours of communication and conflict resolution training and university students coach and mentor at lunch periods. Volunteers will help children in the community develop conflict resolution skills. Training is provided.

(G, COUN, OT, SP, SW)

 

Revitalize the Fresno State Community

USU Room 316

Contact: Lauren 559.278.2656

https://www.facebook.com/groups/RevitalizeFS/

This organization works closely with other organizations near the campus to improve the neighborhood surrounding Fresno State and make it safer for students, children, and community members. Volunteers are needed to help plan events, participate in neighborhood watch meetings, and participate in events

(G)

 


Services for Students with Disabilities

LibrarySuite 1202

Contact: 559.278.2811

http://www.fresnostate.edu/studentaffairs/ssd/l

Volunteers are needed to be note-takers for disabled students and readers for books on tape. Paid positions may also be available for computer lab and clerical work.

(G, RC)

 

Wayfinders

University Center Room 205 (above Taco Bell)

Contact: 559.278.0390 Email: wayfinders@mail.fresnostate.edu

http://www.fresnostate.edu/kremen/wayfinders/index.html

Wayfinders at California State University, Fresno is an inclusive postsecondary program for young adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities through the Kremen School of Education and Human Development. Volunteers are needed as peer mentors for students in the program.

(G, RC)

 

Women’s Resource Center

Thomas Building, Room 110

Contact: 559.278.4435

http://www.fresnostate.edu/socialsciences/womensstudies/resources/index.html

The center strives to enhance the learning and work experiences of women in the university community. Many counseling programs, group discussions, and support groups are provided. Volunteers are needed as peer counselors and to help plan and help out with events. Volunteers will need to fill out an application. Peer mentors are trained at the beginning of the Fall semester.

(G, COUN, SW)

American Cancer Society Call Back program

Contact: 1-800-ACS-2345

www.cancer.org

Volunteers donate their time to make telephone calls to patients and caregivers that previously received services from the American Cancer Society. Volunteers will be trained and can volunteer from home.

(G, COUN)

 

Big Brothers, Big Sisters 

905 N. Fulton Ave

Contact: Chris 559.268.2447

www.bigs.org

This is a juvenile delinquency prevention program that provides services for at risk youth and their families. Volunteers act as mentors and/or tutors to children ages 6-13 and teach independent living skills to young adults ages 16-18. Big Brother and Big Sister volunteers must be screened and trained, and must volunteer a minimum of 3-4 hours a week, hours are flexible. Locations throughout the valley.

(G, COUN, SP, SW)

 

Boys and Girls Clubs of Fresno County

540 N. Augusta

Contact: Joann 559.266.3117

www.bgclubfc.org

Various programs for youths of all ages and backgrounds. Includes recreational activities and educational programs at 13 clubs in the Fresno County area. Boys and Girls Clubs have many different opportunities to offer.

(G, SP, SPRT, SW)

 

Break The Barriers

8555 North Cedar Avenue

Contact: 432-6292

http://www.breakthebarriers.org/#!

This program helps children with disabilities participate in arts and sports and gives them opportunities to interact with other children. Volunteers are needed to help with events and activities.

(G, ABA, OT, RC, SPRT)

 

Buddy Systems

Contact: Megan 559.301.8404

Buddy Systems is a therapeutic horseback riding program for the mentally and physically disabled, primarily children and teens.

(G, OT, RC)

 

California Teaching Fellows Foundation (Paid position)

1177 E. Shaw Ave, Suite 101

Contact: 559.224.9200 or email Kevin: Kevin.cliftonctff.us

www.ctfs.us

Teaching Fellows is an after-school program. Student work is needed in tutoring, coaching, and coordinator positions.

(G, SPRT, SP)

 

Casa for Kids-Court Appointed Special Advocates

1475 W. Shaw Ave

Contact: Julie Carr 559.244.6485

http://casafresno.org/

Volunteers act as mentors and advocates for children who are in the court system due to sexual or physical abuse, neglect or abandonment. Duties include visiting with the child in their foster home, speaking with people involved with the child’s case and getting information from the courts. Requires an 18-month commitment. Training is 40 hours.

(G, COUN, CRIM, LAW)

 

Children Services Network

Contact: Lupe Jaimie 559.456.1100

http://www.cvcsn.org/

This program gives families child care resources. Volunteers are needed to help with calls, counseling referrals and problem solving.

(G, COUN, SW)

 

Coaching Corps

Contact: marks@bgclubfgc,org

http://www.coaching-corps.org/

Volunteers are needed to coach children in low income areas. Training is provided. Coaches mostly serve during after school hours and sometimes during weekends for games and tournaments. Volunteers are asked to commit to at least one season for between 1-4 hours per week.

(G, SPRT)

 

Community Food Bank

3403 E. Central Ave

Contact: 559.237.3663

http://communityfoodbank.net/

Community Food Bank works with partner agencies to distribute food throughout the valley. Opportunities are available to collect, distribute food, and assist in fund-raising events.

(G)

 

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Service Center, Inc.

5340 N. Fresno Street

Contact: 559.225.3323

http://www.dhhsc.org/

This organization needs volunteers to assist deaf and hard of hearing individuals in achieving their goals of independence and equality. They offer a wide range of services, including sign language interpretation, mental health and peer counseling, advocacy, job counseling and placement, and independent living skills training.

(G, COUN, OT, RC, SW)

 

Dispute Settlement Center of Central CA

4201 W. Shaw Ave. #107

Contact: George Hillis 559.256.6325

E-Mail: george@cencal.bbb.org

www.cencal.bbb.org

This center helps people find ways to resolve their own disputes without resorting to the courts or violent means. Volunteers answer phones, listen to problems and issues, and determine if issues can be settled out of court. (Best to call between 9:00am-4:30pm.)

(G, CRIM, LAW, SW)

 

Economic Opportunities Commission Fresno Local Conservation Corps

1805 E. California Ave.

Contact: 559.264.1048

http://www.fresnoeoc.org/

Volunteers will be working with young people, ages 18-24 in wide variety of positions such as Life skills training, job mentoring, tutoring, and mentoring.

(G, COUN, SP, SW)

 

Encourage Tomorrow

2491 W. Shaw Ave., Suite 110

Contact: Blanca Navarrete 559.233.2880

E-mail: bnavarrete@entoed.com

http://www.encouragetomorrow.org/

This program offers programs to prepare children for school, tutoring, summer camps, and helping children cope with separation or divorce. Volunteers are needed to help mentor, tutor, or facilitate programs.

(G, COUN, SP, SW)

 

Every Neighborhood Partnership

7676 North palm Avenue, Suite 101

Contact: Artie 559.250.6860 artie@everyneighborhood.org

http://everyneighborhood.org/

This program works with churches in elementary school neighborhoods to support students and help them excel. Volunteers are needed for classroom volunteering and assistance in the Saturday sports program. Opportunities are available in many neighborhoods throughout the valley.

(G, SP, SPRT)

 

Exceptional Parents Unlimited

4440 N. First St.

Contact: Nancy Hart 559.229.2000

www.exceptionalparents.org

This program is for parents of children with extraordinary medical conditions.. Volunteers are developmental assistants; duties include child and infant care and leading and supervision of early assessment groups. Children range in age from infants to 3 years of age. Volunteers must have a TB test prior to starting work with the children. Volunteers must plan to commit at least 50 hours of volunteer work.

(G, SP, SW)

 

Focus Forward

3333 E. American Ave, Suite B

Contact: Brenda Ruiz 559.287.6292

Email: brendar@focusforward.org

http://www.focusforward.org/

This program works to create positive change and successful outcomes for youth in juvenile justice and foster care systems by giving classes and training in areas of need. Volunteers come in as individual mentors to the youth who are in custody at the Juvenile Justice Campus. They are required to meet with youth weekly at the facility and complete their case management requirements. Volunteers must plan to have a one year commitment. Extensive training in safety and security, mentoring, case management, parenting education, gang awareness and other related topics provided prior to volunteer.

(G, CRIM, SW)

 

Footsteps

1111 E. Spruce

Contact: 450-5608

http://www.samc.com/footsteps

This program organizes support groups for children aged 4 through 18 years who have experienced a significant loss or change. They also provide support groups for the parents/guardians of these children. The program uses various approaches, including art projects to reach the children, and is run by a partnership of St. Agnes Medical Center and Children’s Hospital Central California.

(G, ABA, COUN, OT, SP, SW)

 

Fresno Chafee Zoo

Contact 559.498.5945.

http://www.fresnochaffeezoo.org/education/volunteers.html

Volunteer opportunities include special events planning, animal care assistant, and leading other special attractions. (G)

 

Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries (FIRM)

1940 N. Fresno Street

Contact: 559.487.1500 or email: Sophia (sophiad@firminc.org)

FIRM offers a variety of services to refugee families, including Hmong, Lao, Khmu, Cambodian, Vietnamese, and Russian families. Volunteer opportunities include tutoring elders in the ESL/Citizenship class, working in local community gardens, or special one-day outreaches. Seasonal volunteer opportunities are available.

(G, COUN, OT, SW)

 

Fresno Police Department Citizens on Patrol

http://www.fresno.gov/Government/DepartmentDirectory/Police/EmploymentandVolunteerService/CitizensPatrol/Default.html

Volunteers are needed to patrol streets and assist at special events. Volunteers must be 21 and pass a background check.

(G CRIM,)

 

Fresno Rescue Mission

310 G Street

Contact: Donna Scully 559.268.0839

www.fresnorescuemission.org/

Fresno Rescue Mission prepares men, women and children to move forward in a positive way through Christian education, literacy, career development and employment services. Volunteers our needed to tutor and teach reasoning skills. Training provided by Fresno Rescue Mission, 1 hour a week required.

(G, SW)

 

Fresno Unified School District Mentoring

1350 “M” Street

Contact 457-3369 or Email Darrin Person Darrin.person@fresnounified.org

http://www.fresno.k12.ca.us/divdept/ss/mentoring.html

Volunteer mentors will provide a positive influence in the life of a student and help contribute to their improved academic success. There are opportunities in after school programs, off campus, and through a secure online environment.

(G, COUN, SP)

 

Glory Bound Outreach Ministries

916 Waterlou

Contact: Rev. Bernard Hall 559.266.8812

http://gloryboundworldoutreachministries.org/

Volunteers act as tutors, counselors, mentors and recreational leaders to 5-13 year olds. Responsibilities may include helping with homework, snack, games, and mentoring children.

(G, COUN, SP)

 

Head Start

1920 Mariposa Mall

Contact: 559.263.1200

http://www.fresnoeoc.org/services/education/head-start.html

Volunteers may work as a teacher’s assistant in preschool classrooms. There are volunteer sites throughout the valley.

(G, SP)

 

Highway City Community Development Courtyard Champions Program

4498 N. Cornelia Ave.

Contact Molly Schengel 972-4564

http://www.highwaycitycd.com/after-school-and-summer-enrichment/

Volunteers will tutor students and play games with children from the Courtyard Apartments. Volunteers are needed Monday thru Thursday 3pm to 5pm.

(G, SP)

 

Hinds Hospice

1616 W. Shaw

www.hindshospice.org

Contact 320-0308 or email Michelle Hansen Michele@hindshospice.org

Volunteers are needed to work with patients, help at the Hospice and Thrift store, and assist in community awareness and events.

(G, COUN, OT)

 

House of Hope for Youth

1260 N Mariposa

Contact: 233-3246

Volunteer positions available for tutors, recreational aides, classroom assistants, fund-raising, reading programs, and counseling. Call for an appointment to meet and discuss volunteer options.

(G, COUN, SP)

 

Kings View

7170 N. Financial Dr., Suite 110, Fresno, CA 93720

Contact: Morrissa Holzman, L.C.S.W. @ 256-0100 ext. 5001 or mholzman@kingsview.org

www.kingsview.org

Kings View's Central Valley Suicide Prevention Hotline is in need of volunteers to consult over the telephone, perform office duties, advocate in the community to promote the suicide prevention program and other activities. Bilingual volunteers speaking English and Hmong or English and Spanish appreciated.

(G, COUN, SW)

 

Marjaree Mason Center

YWCA 1600 M Street

Contact: Jennifer Moore 487-1360

http://www.mmcenter.org/

This is a support program for battered women and children. Volunteers will do interviewing and counseling. All new volunteers interested in serving the Marjaree Mason Center must first attend a Volunteer Meeting. Please view the current schedule on the websites.

(G, COUN, SW)

 

New Connections - Fresno

4411 North Cedar Ave, Suite 108

Fresno, CA 93726

Contact: 559-248-1548

Located in Fresno, California offers generalized drug services. Fresno New Connections features specialized services for women, teen and generalized drug rehab and alcohol addiction treatment. Call Fresno New Connections at (559) 248-1548 for more information on our drug rehab program. Our outpatient and substance abuse treatment programs are personalized based on our clients addiction treatment needs.

Types of Care: Troubled Teen Alcohol and Drug Services, Womens Drug Rehabs, Dual Diagnosis, Outpatient, Partial Hospitalization

http://www.california-drug-rehabs.com/fresno-new-connections.html

 

PBID Partners of Downtown Fresno

845 Fulton Mall

Contact 490-9666 ext. 224 or email Zhasha-zhasha@mail.fresnostate.edu

http://www.downtownfresno.org/

This organization is helping the downtown Fresno area improve and grow by hosting events that involve the entire community. Volunteers are needed to help plan events, work events, and help keep downtown area clean.

(G)

 

Planned Parenthood

650 N Fulton St.

Contact: 441-2741

www.plannedparenthood.org

Potential volunteers must call to request an application, and after their application is reviewed they can be place in a variety of areas including public affairs, peer education, support groups, and community education with children. Both short-term and long-term volunteer opportunities are available. (G, COUN, SW)

 

Poverello House

412 F. Street

Contact: 498-6988

www.poverellohouse.org

Volunteers usually work in the kitchen to prepare and serve meals to the needy and homeless. Occasionally other projects, such as office tasks, are available.

(G, SW)

 

Rape Counseling Services (RCS)

259 N Blackstone Ave.

Contact: Priscilla Meza 497-2900

E-Mail: pmeza@rcsfresno.org

http://www.rcsfresno.com/

Volunteers can be sent to the hospital as support for a rape victim, or may provide support in court for a victim who is prosecuting her attacker. Volunteers may also answer the hotline and work as a public educator about rape and sexual assault. Volunteers must go through training.

(G, COUN, SW)

 

Reading and Beyond

4670 E. Butler Ave

Contact: Katie 600-6193

http://www.readingandbeyond.org/

This program helps improve the academic success of children in Fresno county with programs that help parents prepare children for school, tutor school age children to grade level reading, teach families to develop healthy lifestyle habits and teach support. A three month commitment of two days a week is required. Training is provided and there are sites near the Fresno state campus.

(G, COUN, SP, SW)

 

Ronald McDonald House Charities

9161 Randall Way, Madera

Contact Janice Hernandez 261-3667

http://rmhc.org/

This program provides services to families coping with the burdens of having a physical ill child. Volunteers are needed for hospitality, clerical work, fundraising, and special events.

(G, OT, SP, SW)

 

Saint Agnes Hospice

1303 E. Herndon Ave.

Contact 450-5623 or email hospice@samc.com

http://www.samc.com/hospice-volunteer

Volunteers support caregivers of hospital patients and provide assistance and companionship to those with life threatening illnesses. There are also administrative work positions. Volunteers must submit online application.

(G, COUN, OT, SW)

 

Sanctuary Youth Services

Contact: Alphonso Russ 498-8543 ext. 228

http://www.fresnoeoc.org/sanctuary-youth-shelter

This program provides support for children and women who are homeless, abused, or in need of help along with gang/drug prevention programs including mentoring and educational programs. There are a wide variety of volunteer opportunities available through this agency.

(G, CRIM, SW)

 

STAR Tutoring

5550 North Fresno Street

Contact: 435-2690 or email Annie Van Patten teechrannie@comcast.net

Volunteers will use computers, books, writing and “hands on” experiences to tutor children in need. Volunteers are needed Tuesday or Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30. No experience is needed. Stipends may be available.

(G, SP, SW)

 

Stone Soup

1345 E. Bulldog Lane Ste 4

Contact: 224 7613

www.stonesoupfresno.org

Stone Soup provides positive alternatives for at-risk children and programs to empower adults in the community. Opportunities include educational, recreational, health, medical and other services. Located near campus. Volunteers are recommended to fill out the online application and bring it to the office for best placement.

(G, CRIM, COUN, SW)

 

United Way of Fresno County

https://www.uwfm.org/

There are various volunteer opportunities available that will enhance skills in data collection, information systems, and community coordinating.

(G, COUN, OT, SW)

 

Valley Center for the Blind

1060 Fulton Mall Suite #315 (in the security bank building)

Contact 222-4447

https://myvcb.org/

VCB has been providing services for the blind and visually impaired since 1973. They offer classes in brail, adjustment blindness and dependent living skills. There are support groups for men and women as well as individual counseling. Group activities are held on a monthly basis. Volunteers are needed in the ILS classes, help with the computer classes, monthly activities, and any other special events.

(G, OT, RC )

 

Victim Offender Reconciliation Program (VORP)

4882 E Townsend Ave

Contact: 455-9803

https://www.fresno.edu

Volunteers will be trained to mediate between juvenile offenders and victims of crime. There are also internship positions available. Training is mandatory and once a month, with participation of 10 hours over 2 days at various times.

(G, CRIM, LAW, SW)

 

Wise Old Owl/Fresno Institute for Urban Leadership (FIFUL)

473 N. Calaveras Ave Fresno CA 93701,

Contact: 559-492-7899

http://www.fiful.org/woo

Wise Old Owl is an after-school tutoring program, located in the Lowell community near downtown Fresno that helps tutor and enrich the lives of about 50 youth in grades K-6. Tutors will help kids with homework and reading. It's a unique program in that each tutor is paired with the same child for the entire semester

(G, COUN, SP, SW)