" The trainees are not the only ones whose lives are touched by the connection to the seeds and soil. HGP affects the lives of all who pass through it. "
- Rosalie Evans, Former HGP Intern
Available Staff Positions
Internships & Volunteer Openings
Details
Looking for a fun way to spend your weekends while making a difference in your community? Look no further than our volunteer program at HGP!
We're currently searching for outgoing and friendly individuals who are comfortable using a register and can help us cover the store during our Shift Manager's lunch break. As a Customer Service Volunteer, you'll be responsible for greeting customers, answering their questions, assisting at the register, restocking merchandise, and supporting the Shift Manager as needed. You'll also be able to educate customers about HGP, upcoming events, and how they can get involved!
But before you start your volunteer shift, we'll need you to attend one of our orientation training sessions. Don't worry - they're fun and informative! Once you complete your orientation, we'll add you to our online work scheduler, where you can choose the shifts you'd like to work.
Our orientation sessions take place at our store location on 1338 Pacific Avenue. You only need to attend one orientation session to start volunteering!
Join our team and make a difference while having fun! We can't wait to have you on board.
About our Store: Our Store is where we make a significant amount of our yearly income to support our transitional employment and job training program for folks experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Those who are in the training program make over 40 types of products using materials we grow on the farm, including food products, bath and body products, and dried-flower wreaths. Each year we have a network of over 100 volunteers who support the store. The store is, in part, volunteer-run, meaning that the profit we make goes directly toward supporting our programs and folks transitioning out of homelessness.
Location: 1338 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Saturday or Sunday
12 - 2 pm
2 - 4 pm
4 - 6 pm
The Homeless Garden Project is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, transgender and gender-nonconforming people, women, people with abilities in multiple languages, immigrants, and people living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Details
Schedule: 15-20 hours per week, occasional weekends, holidays and evenings
Salary: This is a volunteer, unpaid internship. If you are using this internship to gain course credit or seek
out grants with your college, please include this information in your cover letter.
Reports to: Director of Operations, and Value-Added Enterprise Manager
To apply: Along with your resume, please send us a brief cover letter highlighting why you’re interested in
the program. Send your materials to omarg@homelessgardenproject.org and include the internship
position for which you’re applying in the subject line.
Description
The Homeless Garden Project (HGP), founded in 1990 and based in Santa Cruz, California, provides job
training, transitional employment, and support services to people experiencing homelessness. In addition,
HGP operates a thriving community education and volunteer program. Our programs take place on our
organic farm and related social enterprises.
We are seeking an enterprising professional who is up-to-date on photo/video trends in marketing, and is
driven to creatively capture all that HGP offers, from Farm tours and HGP events, to staff, volunteer and
internship contributions, and trainee transitional employment experiences. Photography and videos will be
used on the HGP website, in print publications, in advertising, in public relations outreach, across social
media platforms, in email communications, and in other media as needs arise.
The successful candidate will demonstrate an ability and eagerness to generate videos and photos from
short clips to long-form storytelling that convey the mission and vision of the Homeless Garden Project in
innovative, authentic, memorable, and captivating ways. This is primarily a Videographer & Photographer
volunteer position. Preference will be given to candidates with photography skills. Additional skills such as
design, social media, marketing, and animation will also be considered.
Responsibilities
● Shoot, edit, and produce video for the HGP website, social media platforms, print publications,
email communications, public relations outreach, advertisements, special events,
meetings/presentations, and other media as needs arise.
● Generate high-quality still images and videos worthy of wide audiences that showcase HGP
programs, people, events, and other offerings
● Contribute to the office's videography needs as video experience/expertise allow. Storyboard
concepts, film and conduct interviews, gather necessary b-roll footage, and edit videos to meet
HGP’s needs
● Brainstorm and suggest ideas for adding a photo or video component to publications, stories, and
other promotional efforts.
Prefered Work Experience and Education:
● 1-3 years of experience in video and digital photography
● Previous experience working with a nonprofit is a plus
Qualifications
● Demonstrated proficiency and passion for modern photography and videography styles.
● Enthusiasm for a variety of image styles and a commitment to quality work across genres.
● Must be dependable, respectful, self-motivated, adaptable, efficient, and personable.
● Must be able to work well with a wide range of people, including trainees, volunteers, customers,
business owners, funders, advisors
● Must be comfortable working both independently and with our collaborative team.
● Must be able to juggle multiple projects, respond to immediate requests, and work in a
high-energy, deadline-driven atmosphere.
● Must be willing to work a flexible schedule.
● Willing to use personal equipment for videography and photography projects and assignments.
The Homeless Garden Project is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, transgender and gender-nonconforming people, women, people with abilities in multiple languages, immigrants, and people living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Details
Schedule: 10-15 hours per week, from September 2023 to December 2023.
Salary: This is a volunteer, unpaid internship. If you are using this internship to gain course credit or seek
out grants with your college, please include this information in your cover letter.
To apply: Along with your resume, please send us a brief cover letter highlighting why you’re interested in
the program. Send your materials to omarg@homelessgardenproject.org and include the internship
position for which you’re applying in the subject line. Applications accepted on a rolling basis until the
position is filled.
Description
The Homeless Garden Project (HGP), founded in 1990 and based in Santa Cruz, California, provides job
training, transitional employment and support services to people experiencing homelessness. In addition,
HGP operates a thriving community education and volunteer program. Our programs take place on our
3.5 acre organic farm and related social enterprises.
We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic intern to contribute to our Value-Added Enterprise program.
As an intern, you will design email marketing campaigns you will also work on social media initiatives and
report directly to the Value-Added Enterprise Manager.
Responsibilities
● Repurpose content from our organizational newsletter.
● Write and design 2 marketing newsletters a month. The focus here is to increase online sales,
and draw locals into our storefronts.
● Create 3 graphics a week (likely in Canva) to post in our social media outlets.
● Creates content for the HGP Store social media accounts
● Brainstorms, pitches and implements ideas for social media campaigns and posts
● Creates content for publication, including taking photos, sourcing photos from HGP staff,
developing graphics, and writing engaging photo captions.
● Prepare emails and messages for press, influencers and bloggers to promote HGP Store
● Analyze data to gauge the success of campaigns and posts and assists in creating performance
Qualifications
● Self-motivated, detail-oriented individual
● Ability to prioritize, multi-task and meet deadlines
● Superb communication skills, both written and verbal
● Interest in social justice
● Ability to work independently and with others, including staff, volunteers, donors and vendors
● A demonstrated commitment to HGP’s mission and values
● Experience with Canva, Shopify, Google Suite and email software programs are a plus
Intern Will Gain:
● Diverse skills and hands-on experience for a growing nonprofit organization
● Experience supporting Homeless Garden Project marketing coordination and communications
● Experience creating email campaigns and blog posts
● Opportunities to contribute and implement creative insights and feedback regarding value-added
enterprises
● Opportunities to interact with professionals in both nonprofit and for-profit sector
The Homeless Garden Project is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, transgender and gender-nonconforming people, women, people with abilities in multiple languages, immigrants, and people living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Details
Schedule: 10 hours per week, from September to December
Salary: This is a volunteer, unpaid internship. If you are using this internship to gain course credit or seek
out grants with your college, please include this information in your cover letter.
To apply: Along with your resume, please send us a brief cover letter highlighting why you’re interested in
the program. Send your materials to omarg@homelessgardenproject.org and include the internship
position for which you’re applying in the subject line. Applications accepted on a rolling basis until the
position is filled.
Description
The Homeless Garden Project (HGP), founded in 1990 and based in Santa Cruz, California, provides job
training, transitional employment and support services to people experiencing homelessness. In addition,
HGP operates a thriving community education and volunteer program. Our programs take place on our
3.5 acre organic farm and related social enterprises.
The Data Entry Volunteer will enter donation and ticket sales information into the database, as well as
cross reference files with database entries to ensure accurate and up-to-date data. Approximately 2-3
hours/week, flexible schedule, remote work. Excellent organization and attention to detail needed. Prior
experience with donor databases is not required.
Responsibilities
● Preparing financial reports.
● Input data on QuickBooks.
● Help with Budget and Cashflow follow-up.
● Assist with audits.
● Help with Tax Preparation.
● Organize Finance and Accounting files.
● Learn and help to improve our policies and procedures.
Qualifications
● Self-motivated, detail-oriented individual.
● Ability to prioritize, multi-task and meet deadlines.
● Dependability, flexibility and ability to maintain confidentiality.
● Superb communication skills, both written and verbal.
● Interest in sustainable agriculture and social justice.
● Ability to work independently and with others, including staff, volunteers, donors and vendors.
● A demonstrated commitment to HGP’s mission and values.
● Excellent ethical standards and personal integrity.
● Completed or working toward a college degree, preferred.
Intern Will Gain:
● Diverse skills and hands-on experience for a growing nonprofit organization
● Experience supporting Homeless Garden Project Finance and Accounting coordination and
communications
● Experience building relationships with a wide range of community members.
● Opportunities to contribute and implement creative insights and feedback regarding to the policies
and procedures in the Finance and Accounting HGP Depto.
● Opportunities to interact with professionals in both nonprofit and for-profit sector
Work Schedule/Time Commitment
Start Date: September
End Date: December
Commitment: 10 hours per week
Location: 30 West Cliff Drive
The Homeless Garden Project is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, transgender and gender-nonconforming people, women, people with abilities in multiple languages, immigrants, and people living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Our volunteer program is flexible to allow for varied interests and schedules.
Learn more about our current volunteer needs here or contact us if you'd like more information about our volunteer openings.