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.
- This year's Summer Youth Volunteer Applications will open Saturday, May 3, 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 May 17 & 24, both sessions required).
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 opened 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.
Additional Paid/Stipend Opportunities
None at this time.
City & County Of San Francisco Volunteer Opportunities
- San Francisco Youth Commission
The Youth Commission is a body of 17 San Francisco youth, ages 12-23, responsible for advising the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor on policies and laws relating to young people. RSVP to Informational Events here. This year's applications open March 28-April 30. - Recreation & Parks Volunteer Programs
Most individual opportunities are for Park Volunteers. There are whole-classroom field trips to volunteer 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.
