Volunteers are absolutely essential to SPY’s mission. We’re in need of volunteers at our Drop-In Center! Shifts are usually Monday-Friday during regular business hours, with a few weekend opportunities as well. To get started, check out our volunteer onboarding requirements here. 

Responsibilities and opportunities include things like:

Sponsor Meals. We’re always looking for supporters able to sponsor and serve a meal at our Drop-In Center in Venice! More info here.

Pick Up and Serve Meals. Alternatively, you can sign-up to deliver meals from our local meal sponsors, or sign-up to set up and serve meals to our youth at our Drop-In Center in Venice. 

Help Run Workshops for Youth. Volunteers with a passion for arts, yoga, meditation, graphic design, and other healing activities may find this volunteering opportunity especially rewarding. 

And more! Once you're fully onboarded, you'll receive SPY's monthly Volunteer Newsletter with all of our top individual shift needs. Our highest priority is meal serving at the Drop-In Center.

Want to volunteer with a group of friends or as a corporate team-building activity? We’d love to have you! Email us at [email protected] to discuss a group volunteering opportunity and check out some ideas below: 

Make or Sponsor a Meal. SPY serves meals every day of the week for youth at-risk of and experiencing homelessness at our Drop-In Center in Venice. We need your help ensuring a consistent stream of healthy, balanced meals. Meals can be a one time donation, or you can be added to our wonderful group of weekly, monthly or quarterly donors. You are welcome to drop off the meal, or you and your group can stay on site to serve the meal to SPY members. Reach out to [email protected] to coordinate a donation.

Volunteer at our SPY Community Garden. We can welcome up to 30 volunteers to our Community Garden at Beyond Baroque in Venice to help with tasks like weeding, mulching, planting, and more. 

Organize a Donation Drive. Host a donation drive or purchase items we need most, and organize a donation assembly day. We can explore inviting SPY staff to come present at your office or school, and to help deliver donations back to our Drop-In Center in Venice.

If you are interested in organizing a donation drive to benefit Safe Place for Youth, please contact [email protected].

Snack Pack (non-perishable):

In a Gallon Ziplock Bag: 

• • (2) Granola / Protein Bar
  • (2) Salty Snack (goldfish, cheese its, chips)
  • (2) Fruit Snack (fruit snack, dehydrated fruit) 
  • (1) Sweet Snack (cookies, candy)
  • (1) 8 oz water bottle
  • Optional: Feel free to include a handwritten note or decoration on the bag. Please do not include religious messaging or inappropriate language.

Outreach Kits:

If you are interested in assembling kits that support our daily programming, please include the items below:

• • • (1) Full size bottle of sunscreen
    • (1) Full size bottle of hand sanitizer
    • (1) Refillable water bottle
    • (1) Sleeping bag

Please note that we cannot accept RED items due to gang affiliations in Venice.

We look forward to collaborating with you and helping end youth homelessness in our community together!

For questions, concerns, or more information on volunteering with Safe Place for Youth, email us at [email protected]

Host a SPY Youth Member. Do you have a spare room? SPY’s Host Home program pairs unhoused young people with an open space in a Host’s home. There is a careful matching process and Hosts receive a $500 monthly stipend. Contact [email protected] to learn more about our application and onboarding process.

Host Homes Program on Fox 11 News. Watch this 5 minute video featuring our Chief Strategic Officer, Liz Lee, talk about the importance of this program and how it can change the life of a young person experiencing homelessness.