L.A. Works makes it easy to volunteer in Los Angeles. This month we have over 50 projects working with kids, seniors, animals, the environment and more. To see our monthly calendar of projects, click here.

Each month we recognize an outstanding leader in our community. Click here to visit the L.A. Works Project Leader Recognition Page and meet these outstanding volunteers who lead our projects each month. This month's Project Leader of the Month: Margaret Conway

Urban Shopping Adventures is offering L.A. Works Volunteers almost half-off their normal rate for a Walking Adventure in the LA Fashion District. In this 2- to 3-hour active shopping tour, you'll get insider tips on where to find designer labels in every style and at prices close to wholesale.  We'll uncover the best finds in this 90-block bustling area, filled with trendsetting apparel from evening gowns to jeans, accessories from purses to belts and watches, shoes, jewelry and more. L.A. Works Special Adventure dates are Saturday, July 10, 10:30 a.m. to approx. 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 14. The special L.A. Works rate is $18 per person (regularly $28).  Minimum 12 people. Tour includes bottled water, shopping bag, mini-map and full color District map guide.  Deadline to sign up for July date is: Wednesday, July 7. To sign up for this fun day of shopping, or for more information, call Christine at 213.683.9715 or click here to email Christine.

Unsure of how to change your password? Update your email address? Want guidance in creating and managing a team of volunteers?

Our on-line FAQ on the website that will answer many of your questions.

Visit the Help Center on the L.A. Works Website by clicking here.

Nearly 1400 volunteers participate in L.A. Works Day on June 5th

Starting our day together at 7:30 a.m. at California Plaza in the heart of our emerging "new downtown" everyone gathered throughout the plaza for breakfast and warm-ups. Then, volunteers were bussed to Project Sites throughout the immediate area.

This year's projects

Los Angeles River Restoration: Hundreds of Volunteers helped "Erase the Waste" in the Los Angeles river by revitalizing the shoreline near the Fletcher Street Bridge. Tons of trash were removed, native plants were restored, and graffiti was painted over restoring the river to its natural beauty.

Magnolia Elementary School: Hundreds of Volunteers transformed this downtown Los Angeles school with fresh coats of paint, murals, and landscaping. Neighborhood schoolchildren were treated to activities supervised by volunteers including construction, painting and flying of kites, a theatre program presented by the Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre Group, team sports, and a music program presented by the American Gamalan.

Trinity Elementary School : Hundreds of Volunteers renovated the campus with fresh paint, vivid murals, and landscaping as a local DJ provided music to keep the joint jumping! Hallways and exteriors were painted and this South Central school is now fresh and inviting to its students!

Esperanza Elementary School: Nearly a hundred volunteers continued ongoing improvements at this neighborhood school, painting colorful murals in the cafeteria, landscaping, and creating vivid rainbows and balloons out of handball courts.

Boys and Girls Club, Cypress Park : The interior and exterior of this center serving neighborhood kids got a bright, new look!

Los Angeles River Center & Gardens: Volunteers created 5 new works of art -- giant murals on canvas that capture the vibrancy and diversity of our city which will be hung at area schools and Boys and Girls Clubs.

Neighborhood Restorations: Volunteers brightened up two East L.A. neighborhoods in Mt. Washington and Lincoln Heights with landscape maintenance and litter removal.

A terrific lunch prepared by Louise's Trattoria, soulful music from Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca, and a celebratory conga line ended this remarkable day of community service.

Our Volunteers

Thanks to the many individuals and our corporate and civic teams that participated in L.A. Works Day 2004.

L.A. Works Day 2004 Teams:

Free Downtown Concerts all Summer

If you loved California Plaza on L.A. Works Day (see article above) and want to enjoy more great experiences there, Grand Performances is now beginning a summer-long series of Concerts and other live performances.

Grand Performances presents free performing arts that reflect the best of global culture and inspire community among the diverse peoples of Los Angeles.  To visit Grand Performances' site and check out their events calendar click here.

Goodbye to Two Dear Friends
of L.A. Works - Kayo and Sarah

The participation of every volunteer makes L.A. Works the amazing organization that it is.  We are a small office, but we do big things in our city, which would not be possible without the dedication and commitment of all of you.  Sometimes we have volunteers that go above and beyond the normal call of duty – These volunteers become Project Leaders, committee members, L.A. Works Day organizers, and friends.  This month we are losing two of these extraordinary volunteers to other amazing opportunities.  We wish them all the best and would like to acknowledge their contributions to this organization.

Kayo Shiraishi-Adachi has been volunteering with L.A. Works for three years and has made a huge impact on this organization.  Besides bringing in her employer, Morgan Stanley, as a sponsor and participant in L.A. Works Day for the last three years, Kayo has individually taken on a Project Leader position, leading a variety of projects.  She has also been involved in the planning of L.A. Works Day, participating on committees and as a task captain.  Her amazing spirit motivates every volunteer that she comes in contact with, and she will be missed!  We wish her the best of luck in her time with the Peace Corps and we can only hope that they know what an asset they are getting!

Sarah Scheening has been involved with L.A. Works since she moved to Los Angeles three years ago.  In that time she has been an invaluable Project Leader in this organization. Sarah has always been reliable and flexible, leading multiple projects every month.  She took advantage of our variety of programs by leading everything from Union Rescue Mission to Friends of Animals.  We wish Sarah all the best in her future endeavors and hope she knows how much she has meant to this organization.  

    Featured Projects of the Month

Environmental Conservation with The Ballona Wetlands Land Trust:  July 10th. Volunteers are needed to help remove non-native plants and trash, and they are then invited to go on guided eco-tours offered by local biologists and ecologists. This is a fantastic outdoor project that is also Family Friendly (children six and up are welcome when accompanied by a parent). Click here to sign up.

Senior Interaction with Alexandria Care Center July 24th: Come join us as we provide support and companionship for the clients of Alexandria Care Center. This is a skilled nursing facility that provides short-term rehabilitation necessary to get their senior clients back home. Sometimes we take the clients for walks, others we just visit with them to brighten their day. Click here to sign up.  This is another Family Friendly project!

Other Volunteer Opportunities

The following opportunities are not L.A. Works managed projects, but should be of interest to our volunteers.

KidCity. The Los Angeles Times will be presenting KidCity, a fun-filled, family-oriented celebration of childhood learning and literacy on July 17 and 18 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Hundreds of volunteers are needed to assist at Stage Performances, staff information booths, and work closely with kids in the many hands-on, interactive activities. Volunteers get free parking, a T-shirt, and lunch. For more information and a volunteer application, click here.