Our volunteer program is flexible to allow for varied interests (farming, retail, special events, technology, etc.) and schedules (daily, weekly, or just here and there).

Downtown Store

Our retail store in downtown Santa Cruz raises awareness of our work and funds for our job training and transitional employment program. Hours vary seasonally. Retail volunteers are key to our success. Volunteering in the store is a great way to practice retail skills, meet new people, and promote the Homeless Garden Project's mission.

 

Natural Bridges Farm

On the farm you will meet the crew, learn more about the farm, and join that day's activities which may include: weeding, harvest, planting, building compost and more. Projects are weather dependent and defined by the day's priorities. We often can't tell you exactly what project you'll be working on in advance.

 

Volunteer Drop-in Hours:

March - September: Thursdays and Fridays, 10am - 2pm

Arrive at 10am, join our crew for morning stretch and delegation of tasks for the day.

Volunteers invited to join us for lunch at the farm, 12pm - 12:30pm.

Saturdays and Sundays: 10am - 4pm

Arrive any time, join our weekend farm staff and volunteers in a variety of farm tasks.

General Age Requirements:

We operate a production farm and a structured transitional employment and paid job training program. Hence, there are various safety hazards for unsupervised children, including live traps, sharp tools, etc. All children under 16 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian while at the farm.

If you would like to bring young children to the farm, we recommend our U-Pick strawberry option.

Volunteers under 16 years old must be accompanied by a parent/guardian while volunteering at the farm. In addition, a parent/guardian must sign the initial volunteer waiver form for volunteers under 16 years old.

Volunteer Groups:

We typically host groups at the farm beginning in March on Thursdays and Fridays, 10am - 2pm, and Saturdays and Sundays, 10am - 4pm.

If you are interested in scheduling a volunteer group, please e-mail Justin at JustinW[at]homelessgardenproject.org with the following information:

• Name and description of your group
• Number of volunteers
• When you are looking to schedule your visit (Ideal dates/times)

Volunteer groups with volunteers under 16 years old:

We typically host younger volunteer groups on Thursdays and Fridays, 10am - 2pm, and Saturdays and Sundays, 10am - 4pm. Volunteer groups with folks who are 10 + years old are typically the best fit for our volunteer opportunities at the farm.

To schedule a volunteer group, follow the instructions above and include the age of volunteers in your group, including the ratio of adults/chaperones to volunteers 16 or younger

Farm Kitchen

Each week Tuesday through Friday we cook and serve a delicious, organic meal in our rustic farm kitchen at Natural Bridges Farm. We often need volunteers to harvest, wash, prep, and cook.

 

 

Special Events

All of our events need volunteer help in planning, set-up, participation, and breakdown! We hold a variety of events ranging from farm-to-table dinners to gardening workshops and First Friday celebrations in the store.

 

 

Opportunities in the Office and Beyond...

Assist with data entry, network administration, website design and hardware troubleshooting.

Join our Fundraising & Events Planning Committee.

Represent the Homeless Garden Project by tabling at events!

Be our office handyman (paint walls, fix leaks and build shelves, as needed).

 

We're recruiting for a Photographer Volunteer. Find out more here.

 

Interested? Questions? Want more information? Please contact Justin, our Volunteer and Intern Program Manager, at

JustinW[at]homelessgardenproject.org

831.426.3609 x10