Volunteer
At Ascencia, our volunteers help us with an assortment of projects, from providing our clients with nutritious and delicious meals to administrative and organizational support. We are so grateful to our volunteers for their dedication and service to Ascencia.
“To all Ascencia volunteers, thank you for your dedication to the cause and for the blessings you bring to our clients.”
Be a Guest Chef
Every morning and evening, volunteers prepare and serve hot meals for homeless families and adults in our Emergency Housing program. These “Guest Chefs” give their time and energy, generously donating food and a great deal of compassion with each plate.
Feed our Residents
The Guest Chefs will plan the menu, purchase and prepare the ingredients, then cook and serve the meal to our shelter residents.
Volunteers in our Guest Chef Program commit to preparing meals for approximately 45 shelter residents on a daily basis.
Our Guest Chefs maintain a sanitary kitchen environment, complying with health regulations in the handling of food, including washing of hands and wearing gloves before preparing and serving food.
Guest Chef Teams
Volunteers typically create a Guest Chef team comprised of fellow members of a congregation, service organization, co-workers, family members, friends, etc.
We do not require a recurring commitment from our Guest Chef teams. Guest Chefs may volunteer for multiple meals per month or one meal occasionally. However, we notice that some level of consistency helps the Guest Chef teams mobilize their volunteers more effectively.
We Need You
We need Guest Chef Volunteers now more than ever because of the impact COVID-19 has had on our organization. As we reopen our facilities for on-site volunteering, we are providing our Guest Chef Teams with the option to cook and serve meals on site or continue drop-off service by buying or preparing meals at home.
If you are interested in signing up, please be sure to review our safety protocols for on-site volunteering and visit our Sign Up Genius.
To schedule recurring dates and times please email, volunteer@ascenciaca.org.
Volunteer at Home Program
Our Volunteer from Home Program was created in response to COVID-19, as a way to keep our volunteers engaged and connected to Ascencia.
Click below or email volunteer@ascenciaca.org for more information on the variety of virtual opportunities listed below.
Hygiene Kit Project
We are asking volunteers to purchase travel sized hygiene materials and assemble them into gallon sized Ziploc bags. Get a virtual group together to make hygiene kits for our clients and for our Outreach Team to distribute to individuals on the street. Hygiene kits include various travel sized toiletries including: shampoo, conditioner, lotion, body wash, toothpaste and toothbrushes (can be full sized), combs etc. Please label bags male or female.
Brown Bag Lunch Program
We are asking for volunteers to make brown bag lunches for clients in the shelter and individuals on the streets. Our Outreach Team goes out every day and will take brown bag lunches to those in need. Lunches can include peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, fruit, chips, water, etc.
GoFundMe Project
Raise funds for us by creating your own GoFundMe page. Share and promote your page to your friends and family through social media!
Data Entry Project
Support the Development Team by providing administrative and data entry support. Requires long-term commitment of at least six months. All training materials and instruction will be provided.
Volunteering On A Budget!
- Fundraise $100-$120 to cook and serve breakfast to our shelter residents
- Make PB&J sandwiches for our outreach teams and shelter residents. Purchase 5 loaves of bread and a peanut butter and jelly jar and create bagged sandwiches for our clients. (Estimated cost: $30.00 for 50 sandwiches, including Ziploc baggies.)
Your Idea
If you have a volunteer idea that isn’t listed above, please let us know! We would love to hear your ideas for how you can serve Ascencia. Please email volunteer@ascenciaca.org and include “volunteer idea” in the subject line.
Birthday Donation
Host an online fundraiser for your birthday!
Host a Donation Drive
Grab your friends, classmates or co-workers and host a donation drive! Click below or contact volunteer@ascenciaca.org to get started.
Sweatpants, T-Shirt, and Undergarment Drive
We are running low on new clothing to give our clients once they enter our shelter. Often when new clients arrive, the only clothes they own are what they are wearing. We’d love to welcome our clients with a fresh new set of clothes to wear while they wash their clothes and to make them feel more comfortable. Please donate sweatpants, athletic clothes, and undergarments of various sizes for men and women. Currently, we have high need for men’s underwear. New items only please.
Hygiene Item Drive
An integral part of Ascencia’s mission is our Outreach! While our Outreach Case Managers are out on the ground helping our unhoused neighbors, we like to provide them with some hygiene kits to pass out. Help us by doing a drive with your community to gather some hygiene essentials for our housed clients. New and toiletry sized items only please.
Welcome Home Drive
Welcome our clients as they move into their new homes by providing them with a home starter kit.
Supplies for home starter kits can include plates, utensils, cups (dining); toilet paper, bathroom cleaning supplies, soap, shampoo, conditioner, towels (bathroom); laundry detergent, laundry basket, fabric softener (laundry); pots and pans, dishwashing soap, sponges, cooking utensils (kitchen).
Blanket Drive
As the winter approaches, blankets become an essential item to give to our clients and for our Outreach Team to pass out to individuals living on the street. You can collect bed sheets, throws, quilts, tie blankets etc. New items only please.
Corporate Partnerships
Volunteerism within a business or organization brings colleagues together. Research even shows that when employees come together to help others, they help themselves by developing strong work relationships.
We have worked with every type of organization from Disney to our local restaurants in the Glendale area. Corporate projects have included Holiday Adopt a Family, Takeda Cares Week, Corporate Volunteer/Giving days, etc.
If your company is interested in participating in group volunteer sessions or having a staff member come to your organization to speak about Ascencia, please contact volunteer@ascenciaca.org.
On-Site Volunteer Opportunities
We are currently pausing on-site volunteering until further notice.
Our youth volunteers help us tremendously in our facilities. For youth ages 14-18 who wish to volunteer on-site, please fill out the Minor Release Form and send to volunteer@ascenciaca.org before you sign up.
Hygiene Kit Assembly Volunteer
Help us make some hygiene kits for our Outreach Case Managers to hand out while out in the field!
Client Engagement Volunteer
Work with our Volunteer Coordinator to develop engaging activities for our clients
Donation Closet Organization
- We need your help organizing the kitchen pantry, outreach closet, and donation closet.
- Help us create hygiene kits, welcome home kits, and clothing kits with our current supplies
Seasonal and One-Time Volunteer Opportunities
Check out our list of seasonal volunteer opportunities. Check back here frequently as this list is updated monthly.
Adopt-A-Family
Make the Holidays Brighter for a Family in Need
Sign up to bring some holiday cheer to our clients this season. Client names are kept anonymous, but you can see how many individuals (adults and children) are in each household as well as a short story about them.
Once you sign up, you will get a confirmation email within one business day. This email will include a wish list (items will range from $20-$50) for each household and instructions so you can get started with your shopping right away!
Please check back later for more information!
Event Support
Ascencia hosts multiple events throughout the year and can always use volunteer assistance with registration, set-up, and break-down. If you are interested in supporting us with an event, please fill out the volunteer form and select the “Events” check box. Staff will reach out to you about Ascencia’s upcoming events.
Holiday Cards
Being alone during any time of the year is hard. But being alone during the Holidays is especially hard. Help us bring cheer to our clients this year by making holiday cards.
Want to personalize your holiday cards? Please email volunteer@ascenciaca.org.
Bake Holiday Treats
Want to bake a difference this season? Bake sweet treats for 45 men, women, and children in our Emergency Shelter. Email volunteer@ascenciaca.org for details and to schedule a drop off time.
Make Holiday Decorations for our Emergency Shelter
Make Holiday Decorations for our Emergency Shelter
Help us bring holiday cheer to our Emergency Shelter this year by making DIY decorations. Here’s some ideas to get you started!
Gingerbread house Zoom Party
Host a Gingerbread house making party over Zoom for our clients. Donate gingerbread house making kits and set up a Zoom date to make the gingerbread houses with our clients. Email volunteer@ascenciaca.org.
Non Profit Partnerships
Ascencia works with amazing non-profit partners that help us grow in many ways. Our partners contribute volunteers, in kind support and more to help build stronger communities. Click here to see a list of our current partners.
If you are interested in collaborating with Ascencia please contact volunteer@ascenciaca.org or call (818) 246-7900 Ext 113.
General Volunteer Info
If you are interested in volunteering with Ascencia please contact volunteer@ascenciaca.org or fill out the application below.
We are reopening!
We are eager to announce that we are reopening our facilities with safety protocols in place! Putting these guidelines in place will help us create a safe environment for our staff, residents, and most importantly, you. Please see the details below and know that your participation is greatly appreciated. These protocols will aide us in a smooth transition and ensure that Ascencia can continue connecting with our community!
- Medical masks at all times – Regardless of vaccination proof, we ask that volunteers please continue properly wearing a medical mask at all times while inside the building. We have residents who have varying vaccinations statuses and would like to ensure the safety of everyone who enters that facility.
- Gloves while handling food and beverages – In additional to wearing a mask, please continue wearing gloves while handing out food and beverages to our residents. Gloves can be worn when performing other activities as well and will be provided to anyone who would like them.
- Temperature Check: Must complete a temperature check and sign a liability waiver upon entry
We want to thank all of our dedicated and patient volunteers for your continued support. It is because of all of you that we are able to stay afloat during uncertain times, Please check the links below for more information and where to sign up for on-site volunteering.
General Volunteer Info
If you are interested in partnering with Ascencia please contact volunteer@ascenciaca.org or call (818) 246-7900 Ext 113 or fill out the application below.
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1851 Tyburn Street
Glendale, CA 91204
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Mon – Wed : 7am - 4pm
Thurs : 7am - 2pm
Open Fridays, but closed on
the last Friday of each month
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(818) 246-7900
info@AscenciaCA.org
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