Summer's here but Volunteer Ventura! is definitely not in vacation mode! Check out our new summer "Calendar of Opportunities" (below) where you can sign up online for our regularly scheduled spruce-ups at the community garden, sailing and aquatic centers, two new opportunities at our golf courses, and some fun events at our local parks!

July is National Parks and Recreation Month (NPRM) and the City of Ventura invites you to "Get Wild" (the 2012 theme) and "Come & Play the Ventura Way" at the many sports, arts and special events we are offering throughout the month. Volunteer Ventura! is celebrating NPRM by putting on two volunteer events with treats: a "Beach Cleanup Bash" at Marina Park on July 14 followed by a barbeque for cleanup volunteers and an "Ice Cream Social" for service project participants at the Ventura Community Park on July 28 - as part of the NPRM finale. Check out all the NPRM activities at www.cityofventura.net/recreation and sign up online to volunteer with us!

For you crafters, there's the feel-good "Baby Blanket Brigade" that meets monthly to cut and prepare materials for Juvenile Detention residents to assemble into blankets for hospital newborns. And for you techies, there's the August 3rd "Program Your Gadgets" where our teen volunteers help our seniors learn to use their iPads, iPhones and other smart devices. Details below.

We are already planning for some of our biggest annual volunteer events - the Ventura Riverbed Cleanup in early September involving California Lutheran's incoming class of 600+ freshmen and transfer students as well as our annual Coastal Cleanup Day cleanups on September 15 at five local beaches.

It's hard to believe that just six months ago we began using new technology that makes it easier for our volunteers to sign up online and stay in touch with us through their computers, Facebook, and smart devices and you have responded by volunteering in ever increasing numbers.

We thank you so much for making this a summer of service and staying active and involved with Volunteer Ventura! throughout the year!

       -Rosie Ornelas

• NEW! SIGN UP ONLINE
  It's never been easier to sign up to volunteer! Click here to view the calendar and register online. Register online for the event of your choice simply by providing your name, email, and phone number.        
   

• PRINT THE CALENDAR
  Print the Print the July through September 2012 Volunteer Opportunity Calendar (pdf) Contact the Volunteer Ventura! Coordinator if you want copies delivered to your school or organization.          

• INVITE YOUR FRIENDS 
  
  Follow us on Facebook and invite your friends to subscribe to our e-newsletter by texting VOLUNTEERVENTURA to 22828.

• CONTACT THE VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
  Rosie Ornelas at rornelas@cityofventura.net or 805-652-4555 in the Volunteer Ventura! Office

These community service projects are available to students, non-profits and service clubs, community groups and councils, faith based organizations and military personnel, businesses, corporations and individuals. 

  Click here to get a printable calendar (pdf) of the image below. 

The City of Ventura Public Art Program is looking for students and adults (ages 16 and older) who have an interest in the arts and would like to learn Public Art Conservation techniques this summer from July 17 to August 9 (4 weeks). Interns will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 2 pm. This conservation program will focus on Public Art sculptures along our Ventura River Trail and in the downtown area. Download the pdf for more information.

 
We are looking for a college or high school student to help with our online short film contest who is willing to start right away. Interest in film and social media including Facebook, YouTube and Twitter are a plus. The internship hours are flexible but we would like a student who is willing to commit 5-10 hours per week. Applicants should be independent workers, friendly, reliable, and comfortable speaking on the phone. Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel 2010 also helpful. If interested, please submit a brief statement (500 words maximum) of why you would like to do this internship to Karen Waln at  kwaln@venturawater.net or call (805) 677-4128 for more info.

 

Golf Course Beautification

The City of Ventura is looking to enhance golf experiences at Buenaventura and Olivas Links Golf Courses by utilizing individual and group volunteers to assist with beautification projects every month at our golf courses, our clubhouse, and surrounding areas.

We thank these community partners for supporting
Volunteer Ventura! events in May and June!

US Navy Seabees and personnel from the Chaplain's office

for serving lunch to our senior citizens at the Eastside Café

All of the wonderful teen volunteers

for assisting with the Family Festival in the Park

Hasty Brothers, Caleb Yakel and the Olivas Adobe Docents

for putting on yet another great "Murals and Roses" event on Mother's Day and the new "Family History Day" event on Father's Day

Eastminster Presbyterian Church members

for doing a terrific cleanup at Camino Real Park

Community volunteers and members of CAST-LA and Suburban Kiwanis

for cleaning up Seaward Beach

Westside Collection and Recycling Event volunteers

for sorting recyclable items, donated goods, electronics and trash into appropriate containers during the event

Our loyal "Friends of" volunteers

for the upkeep and maintenance of the Leo Robbins Sailing Center, the Aquatic Center, and the Cornucopia Garden

Our Lady of Assumption MOMS group and community volunteers

for cutting fabric to be made into baby blankets

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy and community members

for keeping Arroyo Verde Park clean

1. Check out the  NEW calendar of events and register online!   
2. Subscribe to our bimonthly e-newsletters HERE.  
3. Find us on   Facebook www.facebook.com/volunteerventura 

Cary Glenn, Supervisor (805) 658-4732 cglenn@cityofventura.net

Rosie Ornelas, Coordinator (805) 652-4555 rornelas@cityofventura.net