Long Beach has several nonprofits that dedicate time and effort to support others across the city, whether supporting people experiencing food insecurity or building youth leadership skills.

In the past year, many nonprofits have asked for more community support as families and individuals across the city have experienced difficult moments, such as being impacted by federal government decisions, federal immigration enforcement, and more.

The Long Beach community has continuously shown up, but as the new year begins, many people set out to make a difference in their community through volunteerism — and local nonprofits are always looking for community members who want to help make a positive impact.

Here are nine local nonprofits from across Long Beach that you can volunteer at this new year.

Sowing Seeds of Change

Mission: Sowing Seeds of Change strives to empower transition-age youth with disabilities and foster youth to cultivate a thriving future through vocational training in sustainable agriculture, leadership development, and community engagement. The nonprofit’s vision is for a just and sustainable food system in which all communities have access to fresh, organic produce and young people with diverse abilities lead the way in creating healthy and equitable communities.

How to volunteer: There are different areas that volunteers can help with, including working on gardens, working directly with youth/program participants, helping with social media/marketing, fundraising, and general office help. Those interested in improving the lives of others while working in a peaceful urban farm setting can sign the volunteer form at sowingseedsofchange.org.

Heart of Ida

Mission: For more than 15 years, the Heart of Ida has become one of Long Beach’s leading nonprofits supporting seniors in need with programs that sustain independence and connections with their community. The nonprofit envisions a community where every senior has the support they need to live independently and thrive, including feeling heard, appreciated, connected, safe and cared for. Heart of Ida continues this mission with a compassionate, person-centered approach, partnering with volunteers, the city and local organizations to make a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults.

How to volunteer: Volunteer opportunities range from assisting walk-ins at their office and caring for clients’ pets to helping seniors stay connected with in-person phone calls and recorded voice messages, and more. Those interested can call 562-570-3548 or email heartofida@gmail.com to request a volunteer application, then decide how, when and where you’d like to help. For more information about volunteer opportunities, visit heartofida.org.

Órale

Mission: The mission at Órale is to build and sustain a thriving immigrant-led movement to end the criminalization of immigrants, secure bold protections, and fortify opportunities that allow immigrant communities to thrive in Long Beach and Southern California. Their programs and services include immigration justice, power building, health justice and are a major advocate for the Long Beach Justice Fund.

How to volunteer: In the past year, Órale’s impact in the Long Beach community has increased, from their rapid response team to mutual aid distributions. Those interested in volunteering and getting involved in the work that Órale is providing the immigrant community in Long Beach can follow on social media for upcoming events, email hello@Orale.org, or call their office at 213-434-7799. For more information, visit orale.org.

Khmer Girls in Action

Mission: Khmer Girls in Action is a community-based organization dedicated to building a progressive and sustainable Long Beach community that promotes gender, racial, and economic justice led by Southeast Asian women and youth. The nonprofit envisions a safe, healthy, and just world where all people are free from oppression and can determine their lives and communities.

How to volunteer: Volunteers at Khmer Girls in Action are a base of community members and allies who support their events, programs and campaigns. The nonprofit reaches out to voters three times a year, and is always looking for people who can support with phone banking, door knocking and more. Other volunteer opportunities include creating art and media, tutoring, fundraising, Khmer-English translation and events. Those interested in getting involved can sign up at kgalb.org/volunteer.

Trauma Intervention Program of Long Beach

Mission: Since 2021, the Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) of Long Beach has been a nonprofit dedicated to bringing compassion, calm, and connection in life’s most difficult moments. Their specially trained volunteers provide immediate emotional first aid and practical support in the aftermath of emergencies – day or night, every day of the year. The nonprofit partners with Long Beach law enforcement, fire departments, and hospitals to respond on-scene and support survivors, families, witnesses and bystanders.

How to volunteer: Those interested in becoming a volunteer for TIP must submit an interest form online at tipoflongbeach.org. After attending an informational meeting and getting a background check, people must attend a 55-hour training academy and will receive three months of field training. The next volunteer training academy will take place in March, where trainees will learn TIP’s core model, practice emotional first aid skills, and prepare to work alongside local first responders. For more information about the academy, visit tipoflongbeach.org.

Mental Health America of Los Angeles

Mission: With its headquarters in Long Beach, Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHALA) works to ensure that people with mental health needs achieve meaningful, healthy lives in their communities across Los Angeles County, including Long Beach, the Antelope Valley and the Santa Clarita Valley. They serve low-income adults and transition-age youth facing mental health needs, including veterans and people experiencing homelessness. MHALA uses an integrated, comprehensive service model that meets each individual where they are and tailors services to each person’s needs.

How to volunteer: Volunteers with MHALA can be part of their mission to ensure people with mental health needs achieve healthy, meaningful lives. Volunteer opportunities include helping with donation sorting, event day support, or hosting a donation drive. Those interested can sign up to volunteer online at mhala.org.

Volunteer Center South Bay-Harbor-Long Beach

Mission: At the Volunteer Center, its mission is to empower the community to practice empathy, spread kindness and volunteer where care is needed most. The nonprofit’s programs include providing food for children in elementary schools whose families are experiencing food insecurity, providing low-income first graders with free school supplies, and leadership training for youth and adults. The Volunteer Center also has a Long Beach pantry that serves hundreds of Long Beach families and individuals.

How to volunteer: Those interested in volunteering with the programs that the Volunteer Center works on can register online. For more information, people can email info@volcenter.org, call 310-212-5009 or visit volunteer.volcenter.org.

Rebuilding Together Long Beach

Mission: Rebuilding Together Long Beach provides free critical home repairs, accessibility upgrades, and energy-efficient improvements to local older adults, veterans, and neighbors living with disabilities. By bringing together community members, nonprofits, and local agencies, Rebuilding Together revitalizes homes, beautifies public spaces, and strengthens the safety and well-being of Long Beach neighborhoods. Since 1991, the nonprofit has completed over 300 community revitalization and home repair projects and has impacted communities across Long Beach and Los Angeles County.

How to volunteer: Rebuilding Together Long Beach is majority volunteer-driven and relies on people-power during projects. There are several volunteer opportunities for community members, including site captains, project managers, volunteer engagement, and more. Those interested in becoming a volunteer can register online at rebuildingtogetherlongbeach.org.

Long Beach Community Table

Mission: Long Beach Community Table promotes self-sufficiency by distributing fresh food, hygiene items, and clothing directly to those in need; building urban community gardens; and teaching how to grow, harvest, cook and preserve food. Their mission is to foster a sustainable community to support the well-being, empowerment, and self-determination of food- and housing-insecure residents in the greater Long Beach area with dignity and compassion.

How to volunteer: Long Beach Community Table has several weekly, weekend and monthly volunteer opportunities, including food and hygiene distribution, homebound packing and delivery, donation pickups and more. For those interested in volunteering, the nonprofit encourages people to download the Band app to join their team to see upcoming opportunities or send an email to LBCTvolunteers@gmail.com. For more information, visit longbeachcommunitytable.com.