While most LA. Works Projects on our calendar only require a one-time commitment, L.A. Works also offers Long-Term Programs for volunteers interested in a deeper level of commitment.

Long-Term Projects allow the volunteer to forge the lasting bond necessary for mentoring and tutoring projects, or to explore social issues and public policy.

Our Long-Term Projects include:

Let's Read

Let's Read is a program whose purpose is to provide kids with the tools to help them reach their dreams. We work individually and as a group with kids' school-related materials as well as try to expose them to other topics that they may not otherwise encounter. If you like kids and wish to develop a relationship with one or a few of them, this might be a program for you.

Volunteers in this program must commit to the full 8 - 10 week session on consecutive Saturday mornings from 10:00 a.m. - noon. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.

The Let's Read program takes place at two locations:

Pueblo Del Rio in central Los Angeles. Check the Project Calendar for upcoming sessions.

Felicia Mayhood Center in Santa Monica. Check the Project Calendar for upcoming sessions.

Mentoring

Mentoring Boys at Celerity Nascent Charter School (for men only) in central Los Angeles. Check the Project Calendar for upcoming sessions.

This is an exciting new opportunity to mentor boys who need positive role models. Activities will include basketball, soccer, group discussions of appropriate topics such as career choices, the value of education, peer pressure, respect for others, proper treatment of females, etc. We will invite guest speakers such as police officers, firefighters, athletes, etc. Ideally the session would also include the opportunity for boys and volunteers to learn something from each other, and to set goals to be accomplished before the next session. By signing up for this program, one committs to a 3 month mentoring relationship with these young men.

TeamWorks

TeamWorks is a new and exciting program that seeks to explore the root causes behind some of our most challenging community issues and stimulate a sense of civic engagement. Volunteers will participate in hands-on volunteer service, learn about the community issues, and create bonds with our nonprofit partner agencies. Our aim is to create better citizens–people who not only volunteer, but also understand why their volunteer work is necessary.

TeamWorks is an eight session commitment, twice monthly for four months. We ask that if you sign up for TeamWorks, you make sure you are available for all eight sessions of the program.

The most recent version of Teamworks took place in 2004-2005 and took place at four locations:

Alegria (Silverlake)– learn about how the Salvation Army has created a safe haven for low-income families affected by HIV and AIDS.
 
Highland Village (Highland Park) – work with the children that reside in this tight-knit community while learning about their community programs.
 
My Friend’s Place (Hollywood) – contribute your time and energy to a drop-in center that provides much-needed services to homeless youth in Hollywood.
 
Angel’s Flight (Mac Arthur Park)– interact with the residents of a homeless shelter that focuses on immigrant youth, this organization helps dozens of children reconnect with their families or be placed in foster homes.

As soon as dates for the next session of TeamWorks are determined, this page will have a link to sign-up for the project sites.