CHECK OUR FAQ | L.A. Works

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become an L.A. Works volunteer?

Becoming a volunteer at L.A. Works is easy and free! Simply click on "Sign Up" or "Register" to create a volunteer account.

There are two ways to search by keyword for volunteer opportunities:

How do I become a LA WorksVolunteer

How do I self-report my Volunteer hours?

If you would like to report hours, please log in to your volunteer account from volunteer.laworks.com

Once logged in, from the Volunteer Drop Down, choose Volunteer Overview. On the Volunteer Overview page find the opportunity you attended under Volunteer History with L.A. Works, and choose the option to Report Hours. Fill out the number of hours completed, and this will automatically update in the system.

Report Hours

I do not want to volunteer in person. What should I do?

L.A. Works has a long list of virtual volunteer opportunities for individuals. To view virtual volunteering visit our Virtual Volunteering page. Examples of virtual volunteer opportunities include Telesocial Call Program, WIN App resource building, and Chats with the Unhoused.

I do not want to Volunteer in Person

I have to cancel, how do I remove myself after signing-up?

If you cannot attend something you signed up for, please remove yourself from it so other volunteers can sign-up for your spot.

To remove yourself from an opportunity:

Log in to your Volunteer Account
Click Volunteer Overview
Click "Remove Me" from the opportunity you are not able to attend

Cancel

I have questions about a volunteer opportunity and want them answered before I sign up, who do I reach out to?

At the bottom of every volunteer opportunity page, there is an email link to the Opportunity Leader. By clicking on this link, you can email your questions directly to the opportunity leader.

Questions

Waitlist

A project I want to sign-up for is full, can I be placed on a waitlist?

Yes. When a direct sign-up opportunity is full, volunteers can still sign-up for the opportunity and their names will be placed on a waitlist. If a space frees up for that opportunity, any volunteer who has signed up and been placed on the waitlist will be notified by email that a space has opened.

The space available is filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Volunteers on the waitlist should not show up to the project unless they sign up for an open volunteer space.

I have a small group looking to volunteer. How can we participate?

Find the volunteer opportunity you want to sign up for and choose the option to Express Interest/Sign Up with a Team.

This will direct you to a page with two options:

1. Choose a pre-existing team, or

2. Create a new team.

Select the option to Create a New Team. You will then be able to input the individuals who will be participating. Be sure to include all members of your team, but in case you need to add members later, the team leader can log in to their volunteer portal, and in the drop-down, Volunteer, hover over Volunteer Overview to find My Team. On the My Team page, team leaders can edit, add, and delete team members. Once a team is made by a volunteer leader, members cannot change the team name.

Small Group

What about large groups? How can we participate?

If there are enough spots available for a specific opportunity, you are welcome to sign your group up.

If there are not enough spots or if you are looking for a customized opportunity, we can assist you if you can donate to offset staffing and materials costs.

Please email corporate@laworks.com and let us know what you have in mind.

Large Group

I'm signed up for an opportunity. Can I bring a friend or family member?

Not unless they can register and sign-up for the opportunity in time. All volunteers must either be registered and have signed up for the opportunity as an individual volunteer or be a member of a volunteer team that is signed up for the opportunity. This policy helps ensure that the Volunteer Leader can appropriately prepare for the opportunity and so that our tracking of volunteer participation remains accurate.

If you're interested in volunteering with your family please check out our FAVE Program Page

Bring a Friend

I'm under 18 years old, can I volunteer?

While L.A. Works opportunities are always suitable for volunteers who are 18 and older, many of our opportunities are also open to minors. Please remember to fill out a minor volunteer waiver form if minors are attending projects. Here's the link.

Minor Policy

I am age 55 +, is there something for me?

Yes! Our RSVP program is specifically designed for individuals 55+. They create monthly volunteer opportunities for individuals in the program to attend. In the past year, RSVP has hosted a Seed Ball Activity, a Volunteer Appreciation Event, and College Career Readiness programs, and in 2022 RSVP volunteers had the opportunity to meet the second gentlemen of the U.S. for a Food Packaging event.

RSVP

Do you provide accommodations for volunteers with disabilities at your volunteer opportunities? How do I request accommodations for a volunteer opportunity?

We seek to make service and volunteerism equally accessible to people with disabilities, and firmly believe that we strengthen the social fabric of our community by involving all in service.

We provide accommodations to the best of our ability at our managed volunteer opportunities with advance notice. For more information or to request accommodations for a specific volunteer opportunity, email info@laworks.com.

Disabilities

I am a court-ordered volunteer. How do I find appropriate volunteer opportunities?

L.A. Works does not have a Court-Ordered volunteer program, and we are not able to provide any official documentation that may be required as part of court-ordered community service.

Court Ordered

I work at a nonprofit organization and have a question. Where can I find the answer?

Please visit our Nonprofits section for more information about partnering with L.A. Works.

Nonprofit Q

Do you have long-term or paid service projects?

Volunteer Corps is a year-long service program also known as VISTA.

VISTA members get a living stipend and are placed at nonprofits across the city to build capacity. Through fundraising, volunteer recruitment, program development, and more, AmeriCorps members gain experience and leadership skills that put them on track for a life of service in the public, private, or nonprofit sector.

VISTA

Minor Sign Up

I want to bring my children to a volunteer event, how do we sign up?

If you would like to bring a family member under the age of 18, please follow the steps below:

1. Select "Sign up with a Team"

2. Click "Create New Team"

3. Name your team and list your members, no email is required for minors, then click "Create Team"

4. You'll be redirected back to the opportunity to complete signing up.

Screen Shot 2023-01-04 at 4.06.44 PM.png

Please remember to fill out a minor volunteer waiver form if minors are attending projects. Here's the link.

Existing Team Update

How do I update an existing team on my volunteer account?

1. Go to https://volunteer.laworks.com/ to access your Volunteer Account

2. In the header hover over Volunteer > Volunteer Overview > My Teams

3. Select the team you would like to edit, from here you can add and remove members

Screen Shot 2023-01-04 at 4.02.15 PM.png

QR Code

Where do I find my QR Code/Access Pass for a volunteer event?

1. Go to https://volunteer.laworks.com/

2. Click the Login button to access your account.

3. On the Volunteer menu, go to your Volunteer Overview and click Volunteer Account Overview.

4. Under Upcoming Opportunities click Access Pass for this opportunity and download the .pdf