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: Ellen Dugas

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.

L.A. Works Day - June 5
Don't miss the fun!

Join us for L.A.'s biggest day of community service. Starting at 7:30 a.m., thousands of volunteers will gather downtown at California Plaza, and then be bussed to multiple project sites to play music with kids, create community art, paint schools, murals, plant flowers and shrubs and clean up the LA River. No other event in Los Angeles makes such a profound difference in the character of our city.

After the work is finished, we'll all return to California Plaza for an amazing lunch catered by Louise's Trattoria, be entertained by great Latin/African music from Ricardo Lemvo & MakinaLoca and form L.A.'s longest Conga Line stretching from California Plaza to Disney Hall!

Click here for more information and to pre-register for L.A. Works Day 2004.

L.A. Works Forum
to air on 89.3 KPCC
June 4 at 10:00 a.m.

Downtown LA: Who Cares?

In conjunction with L.A. Works Day, L.A. Works and 89.3 KPCC, present the first of a series of forums on issues affecting Los Angeles.

"Downtown LA: Who Cares" will be broadcast on KPCC radio 89.3 at 10:00 a.m. June 4.

Panelists include Michael Alexander, Executive Director of Grand Performances; Carol Shatz, CEO and President of the Downtown Center Business Improvement District; Raphael J. Sonenshein, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science at California State University Fullerton; and Roland Wiley, Managing Partner, RAW International and President Elect, Los Angeles Conservancy. The Moderator for the talk will be the Host of KPCC's AirTalk, Larry Mantle.

The broadcast will be live at Los Angeles Center Studios, 1201 W. 5th St (enter parking on Bixel St. betwen 5th and Maryland in Downtown Los Angeles). If you'd like to attend please RSVP by Thursday, June 3 to 213-489-8238 - space is limited.

Listen in on this lively forum as members of our community discuss the pressing issues facing downtown Los Angeles.

Meet our New Senior Director of Marketing & Corporate Outreach:
Anthony Rubenstein

Many of you already know me. I've been involved with L.A. Works for over ten years. I started off as a volunteer and had a knack for raising sponsorship money for L.A. Works Day. After a couple years my fellow volunteers voted me onto the Board of Directors where I served until recently, when I stepped down to take on this job.

The reason this job was created was to grow our organization's budget and public awareness. By doing so we will be able to expand our monthly calendar of service opportunities, and expand our corps of active volunteers.  Often people tell me that L.A. Works is one of our city's best kept secrets.  My job is to break the secret. I want everyone in this city to know what L.A. Works is, and what we do.

Top of my agenda for the coming year is the expansion of our corporate sponsorships. This will involve both L.A. Works Day and our Business Works program where L.A. Works produces custom days of service for corporations and other civic groups. Already we have two huge Business Works projects for October each involving over one thousand volunteers.

Another thing I'm working on is the creation of a volunteer and individual donor incentive program. It will be the kind of thing where you can earn prizes and premiums by volunteering a certain amount of hours or by donating a certain amount of money. I'm even looking into stuff like earning airline frequent flier miles by volunteering. The point is to motivate people to get involved and/or give money, and at the same time show our volunteers and individual donors that we appreciate them.

A lot of people don't understand why they should donate to L.A. Works.  Many individuals have said to me, "why should I give money to L.A. Works, if I'm volunteering my time?" Simply put, L.A. Works needs money to survive. We are not a part of city government (a frustratingly common misconception) and must raise all of our operating funds through corporate sponsorships, charitable grants, or individual donations. L.A. Works is a grassroots non-profit just like all the agencies where our volunteers serve. In fact, many of the organizations we serve are much bigger and richer than us!  The point is if you support what L.A. Works does, and want to see us stick around or even expand, we need your financial support. If you can't afford to give, I understand.  If you can afford to give, I don't understand why you don't.

Finally, as a former volunteer I miss the old social aspect of L.A. Works. I'll be working with Ann and Natalie to revive that. In the near future we will be creating new committees that will get volunteers more involved in what we do, and we'll be creating more social occasions for people to get to know each other and just hang out. L.A. Works is more than just a website, we are a community.

I'm here at the office if anybody wants to contact me, so don't hesitate to get in touch.

Featured Projects of the Month

Of course, our big project this month is L.A. Works Day (see above), but here are some other great projects taking place in June that could use your help!

Arts and Crafts at Good Shepherd- June 2nd - Come and do crafts with the children at this transitional shelter.  Brighten their day by spending some time with them!  This is a women only project. Click here for more details and to sign-up.

Let's Read Mar Vista starts its next session June 12th.  Let's Read is a long-term program whose purpose is to provide the kids of Mar Vista Garden with the tools to help them reach their dreams. This is a rewarding, long-term project that requires attending for 7 Saturdays in a row (through July 24). In return, you'll develop a valuable mentor relationship with a kid who needs your help! Click here for more details and to sign up.

Come to the Senior Social at Culver Assisted Living on June 19th!  The elderly citizens of this charming seniors' home love to receive visitors, but don't often get them. Here's your chance to make a difference and develop a rewarding relationship with someone who will deeply value your company.  

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.