Volunteer

Be a steady presence in a student’s academic journey. As an Academic Support Volunteer with our Camino Scholars program, you’ll work with elementary school students during afterschool hours to help with homework, math, reading, and skill-building in core subjects. Tutoring confidence is needed to be successful, but no teaching experience is required, just a caring attitude and the desire to help kids feel confident and supported.

Location: PSHH Learning Centers throughout the Central Coast (Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Santa Maria, Guadalupe, or Paso Robles)

Time Commitment: Weekdays, 1:00pm – 6:00pm (flexible, once or multiple times per week) 

What You’ll Do: 

• Provide one-on-one or small group homework help in reading, math, or other subjects
• Encourage positive study habits and academic confidence
• Help students stay on track with assignments and classroom expectations
• Support our site educators by offering a welcoming presence and consistent guidance

Support Provided: Orientation, resources, and ongoing support from our education team. 

Preferred Skills:  

• Ability to work well with children in an educational setting
• Great communication and organizational skills
• Ability to handle sensitive information in a confidential manner
• Culturally sensitive to our target population
• Ability to work well with other educators, department leadership, and volunteers
• Ability to tutor students, grade K-8, in all subjects
• Spanish speakers are especially helpful but not required. 

Certification Requirements:

• Must successfully complete the DOJ fingerprint testing

Ideal For: Retired educators, college students, high school seniors, or anyone who wants to give kids the academic boost they need to succeed. 

Inspire the next generation by bringing your career story into the classroom! As a guest speaker, you’ll visit one of our Learning Centers and talk with students in our Camino Scholars program about your job, your education or training, and what your day-to-day looks like. No matter what your career is – an AI specialist, police officer, firefighter, nurse, coder, artist, small business owner, or any specialist – our students are eager to learn about the many paths to success.

Location: PSHH Learning Centers throughout the Central Coast (Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Santa Maria, Guadalupe, or Paso Robles)

Time Commitment: 30–60 minutes per visit (scheduled in advance) 

What You’ll Do:

• Give a short talk about your career, education journey, and life lessons
• Answer student questions in an informal and welcoming environment
• Help students connect classroom learning to real-world possibilities
• Optional: Lead a hands-on activity or game to reinforce your topic (our educators can help you design one!) 

The Impact: You’ll show students what’s possible in the work world. By sharing your career story, you’ll expand their sense of opportunity and inspire them to dream big about their future.

Audience Options:

• K–8 Students: Share a 15–20 minute presentation with time for Q&A. Students especially enjoy interactive activities related to your field—like building a model, testing a tool, or trying a creative challenge.
• High School Students: Offer a 10–15 minute storytelling segment about your high school, college, and career journey, followed by a 45-minute Q&A. These students are preparing for higher education and benefit from real-world advice and mentorship. 

Preferred Skills:
• Ability to engage with children in an educational setting
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to handle sensitive information in a confidential manner
• Culturally sensitive to our student population 

Ideal For: professionals from all industries who enjoy sharing their stories and encouraging young learners. Spanish-speaking volunteers are especially welcome. 

Help first-generation college-bound students confidently pursue higher education! College Club supports high school and college students through one-on-one guidance, group sessions, and mentorship focusing on everything from applications and financial aid to navigating campus life. Whether you’re a college grad, educator, or just passionate about student success, your support can help students succeed while minimizing student debt.

Location: PSHH Learning Centers throughout the Central Coast (Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Santa Maria, Guadalupe, or Paso Robles)

Time Commitment: Flexible – weekdays, evenings, or scheduled time based on your availability.

What You’ll Do:

• For High School Students:
  • Help prepare college applications and entrance essays
  • Provide tutoring in high school subjects
  • Assist with scholarship research and applications
  • Offer SAT/ACT preparation or college entrance writing
• For College Students:
  • Help navigate course catalogs, class registration, and campus resources
  • Provide tutoring in college-level subjects or help students locate support
  • Share insight into managing college life and maintaining motivation
  • Assist with ongoing scholarship and grant applications 

The Impact: Your guidance will help first-generation students navigate college admissions, scholarships, and campus life – paving the way for them to earn a degree with little to no debt.  

Preferred Skills:

• Ability to work well with teenagers in an educational setting
• Great communication and organizational skills
• Ability to handle sensitive information in a confidential manner
• Culturally sensitive to our target population
• Ability to work well with educators, department leadership, and other volunteers

Certification Requirements:

• Must successfully complete the DOJ fingerprint testing

Ideal For: College students, graduates, educators, professionals, and caring adults who want to help young people pursue degrees and reduce college debt. 

Do you have a creative talent or hands-on skill you’d love to share with students? Our Camino Scholars program invites artists, crafters, and makers to lead short workshops or informal clinics for students in grades K–12. Whether it’s pottery, mosaics, crocheting, calligraphy, painting, or another creative activity—your time and talents can spark new interests and build confidence in young learners. 

Location: PSHH Learning Centers throughout the Central Coast (Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Santa Maria, Guadalupe, or Paso Robles)

Time Commitment: One-time or recurring sessions, 1–2 hours per workshop (flexible) 

What You’ll Do: 

• Plan and lead a simple, hands-on activity (with help from our staff if needed)
• Share your passion and demonstrate techniques in an accessible, engaging way
• Encourage creativity, patience, and problem-solving through your craft
• Optionally, help students create a small item they can take home or display 

The Impact You’ll Have: By sharing your craft or talent, you’ll open new creative pathways for students, encouraging self-expression, problem-solving, and pride in creating something with their own hands.  

Support Provided: Our educators are available to help you plan your session, adapt it to different age groups, and prepare materials, if needed. You don’t need teaching experience—just enthusiasm and a willingness to share! 

Preferred Skills:

• Ability to work well with children in an educational setting
• Great communication and organizational skills
• Ability to handle sensitive information in a confidential manner
• Culturally sensitive to our target population
• Ability to work well with educators, department leadership, and other volunteers

Certification Requirements:

• Must successfully complete the DOJ fingerprint testing

Ideal For: Artists, hobbyists, craftspeople, and creative professionals who enjoy working with youth in a relaxed and supportive setting

If you’re an educator, subject matter expert, or passionate professional with a lesson idea to share, we invite you to help shape enrichment learning for our Camino Scholars program. Whether it’s a STEM concept, life skill, career prep topic, or creative arts lesson, your curriculum contribution can enhance our afterschool program and spark lasting curiosity in students from grades K–12.

Location: Remote or In-Person at a PSHH Learning Center throughout the Central Coast (Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Santa Maria, Guadalupe, or Paso Robles)

Time Commitment: Flexible – project-based, as arranged with our team 

What You’ll Do 

• Collaborate with our education staff to develop a one-time lesson or a short unit
• Design hands-on, age-appropriate activities that align with your area of expertise
• Optionally, lead the lesson yourself or support our educators in delivering it
• Help us expand our library of engaging, real-world content for students 

Past Examples: Financial literacy games, engineering challenges, environmental science activities, media literacy workshops, cultural exploration modules, and more. 

The Impact You’ll Have: Your lesson ideas will bring real-world relevance to our afterschool program, sparking curiosity and deepening learning for students across the Central Coast.  

Support Provided: Our team will work with you to adapt your lesson to student needs, site logistics, and available materials. You don’t need classroom experience, just a clear passion for sharing knowledge and helping students grow. 

Preferred Skills:

• Ability to work well with children in an educational setting
• Great communication and organizational skills
• Ability to handle sensitive information in a confidential manner
• Culturally sensitive to our target population
• Ability to work well with other Educators, department leadership, and volunteers

Certification Requirements:

• Must successfully complete the DOJ fingerprint testing

Ideal For: Teachers, professionals, creatives, or subject experts who enjoy designing meaningful educational content behind the scenes – or in front of the class.

The Public Affairs Volunteer Researcher plays an important role in helping raise awareness of housing issues in support of People’s Self-Help Housing and the initiatives of other affordable housing providers. This position offers practical experience in understanding and shaping housing policy, learning how affordable housing gets built, how to enrich engagement levels on housing issues, and how to connect with elected officials.

This is a great opportunity for someone who is interested in their community and in the national conversation on affordable housing.

Location: Online only, supported by weekly emails from the Public Affairs team

Time Commitment: Flexible. Must have online and email access.

What You’ll Do: Read current research on housing policy. Links to articles or other housing related content will be provided weekly, but any additional scholarly research found independently can also be suggested by the volunteer.

Preferred Skills:

• An interest in housing issues and improving your community.
• A commitment to the mission and values of People’s Self-Help Housing.

Learning Benefits:

• Learn how affordable housing gets built, what factors affect the supply, and what challenges it faces.
• Discover the everyday struggles facing families and individuals in their search for decent and safe places to live.
• Work with a mission-driven team whose efforts directly impact the housing conversation.
• Build transferrable professional skills in research, communication, community organizing, and current affairs.

The Resource Development Volunteer plays an important role in helping raise resources to support People’s Self-Help Housing’s Education Programs (Camino Scholars) and Supportive Housing Program. This position offers practical experience in nonprofit fundraising, community engagement, and donor communications, while contributing to programs that create stability for children, individuals, and families on the Central Coast.

This is a great opportunity for someone who is detail-oriented, community-minded, and excited to learn the behind-the-scenes of how nonprofits secure resources.

Location: PSHH Corporate Office at 1060 Kendall Road, San Luis Obispo. Hybrid option available.

Time Commitment: Flexible, but minimum 5 hours/week

What You’ll Do 

• Resource & Donation Outreach
  • Research, identify, and coordinate in-kind donation opportunities with local businesses (e.g. art supplies, snacks, school materials).
  • Deliver donation requests and forms to local businesses, schools, and community groups.
• Mailing Projects
  • Prepare donor mailings, including stuffing, stamping, sealing, and sending newsletters and appeal letters.
  • Ensure mail projects are completed professionally and on schedule.
• Event & Outreach Support 
  • Assist with community events, including donor gatherings, education events, and fundraising activities.
  • Provide setup, hospitality, and materials support during events
• Story & Content Gathering 
  • Help identify stories of impact from within our housing communities and education programs.
  • Support the team in gathering photos, quotes, and stories to share with donors and partners.
• General Administrative Support
  • Provide organizational support for the Resource Development team, ensuring materials and files are prepared for upcoming campaigns or events.
  • Assist with light clerical tasks.

Preferred Skills:

• Interest in nonprofit fundraising, philanthropy, communications, or community engagement.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Willingness to learn and ability to ask questions.
• Positive, professional communication skills.
• Reliable transportation and consistent schedule.
• Commitment to the mission and values of People’s Self-Help Housing.

Learning Benefits:

• Gain hands-on experience in nonprofit fundraising and resource development.
• Learn the fundamentals of donor relations, direct mail, and community engagement.
• Work with a mission-driven team whose efforts directly impact residents and students.
• Build transferrable professional skills in communication, organization, and project coordination