Library Volunteer Opportunities
Note:
- 2024-25 School Year Youth Volunteer Applications opened in September 2024. Contact your local branch to learn about their application process.
- Next year's Summer Youth Volunteer Applications will open April 21, 2025.
FOG (Free Orton-Gillingham) Readers is a remedial reading program with a rigorous structured curriculum provided by San Francisco Public Library to help struggling readers in Grades 1-4 with trained tutors. All tutors go through at least seven hours of training and one-time fingerprinting (at no cost to the volunteer). SFPL will prepare you to be an effective literacy tutor as well as provide follow-up help. FOG Readers accepts select volunteers aged 15 and up who can meet the following requirements:
- a minimum of a 6-month commitment to meeting once a week, every week (except holidays & when sick, of course) with your elementary school student
- the ability to communicate with staff and your student's family reliably and independently (without your parent or guardian's assistance) by email and phone
- the ability to follow a detailed and rigorous curriculum and file monthly reports on progress
- weekly meetings usually last around 1 hour, in the late afternoon/early evening on weekdays or on the weekends
- complete 7-8 hours of training
- spend around 1 hour of preparation before each weekly meeting
- fingerprinting for a background check, which requires a SSN. If you do not have a California State-issued ID (note: passports are Federal; this must be a California driver's license or California ID), a parent or guardian must come to your fingerprinting and bring additional ID.
If you are committed to taking on this difficult and important work, please fill out the FOG Readers Volunteer Tutor Interest Form. Once you submit that form, you will receive a reply with information on how to register for the next training (held January 18 & 25, 2025).
Paid City Jobs for Teens
- Youth Engaged in Library Leadership (YELL)
- A paid workforce development program designed for older teens that requires a weekly commitment over the summer. Interns work collaboratively with local librarians and assist with content creation, support STEM and literacy activities and develop project-based youth led events. Applications will open in March 2025. Learn about the requirements and how to apply.
- MYEEP | Mayor’s Youth Employment and Education Program
- Workforce development to youth in San Francisco for ages 14–17.
- OFA | Opportunities for All
- Internships, mentorship, and pathways to employment for ages 13–24.
- SFYW | San Francisco YouthWorks
- Paid work experience in San Francisco City Government Departments for 11th and 12th graders.
- Rec & Park Workreation
- Paid work experience for students ages 14-17. Assignments are in various neighborhood park and recreation center locations and include leading activities such as arts and crafts, sports, cooking, gardening, facility support and so much more. The basic work week schedule is Monday through Friday or Tuesday through Saturday and up to 10 hours weekly. Schedules will vary depending on the assignment and may include evenings and weekends. Applications for Summer 2025 open December 26, 2024.
Additional Paid/Stipend Opportunities
- None at this time.
City & County Of San Francisco Volunteer Opportunities
- Cal Academy of Sciences
Academy Naturalist Teen (ANT) program is a three-month long volunteer program for teens ages 15-17. Teens are trained to use interactive activities to engage with with guests of all ages, particularly with young children. The Spring 2025 program will take place from February 22 - May 10, 2025, with mandatory training February 15-16. Deadline to apply: December 31, 2024. - Recreation & Parks Volunteer Programs
Most individual opportunities are for Park Volunteers with seasonal opportunities under Youth Stewardship and Greenagers (has stipend), and classroom volunteering field trips at The Ecocenter. See the Parks Volunteer Calendar for habitat restoration, gardening, and "cleaning & greening" work party dates and sign up. - The Randall Museum
- Public Works
- Animal Care & Control (ages 12-17 must serve with parent or legal guardian)
Bay Area Volunteer Opportunities
SF-Marin Food Bank
Offers online sign up for shifts at warehouse and pop-up pantries, among other opportunities. Click on heading for more information.
826 Valencia
826 Valencia is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting under-resourced students ages six to eighteen with their creative and expository writing skills. They welcome high school juniors and seniors to tutor in our After-School Programs each semester. If you’re interested in tutoring younger students, gaining professional experience, or looking for a place to volunteer as part of a community service or work placement program, email them here.
