How to Volunteer
CARES welcomes new volunteers; however, due to the nature of
the medical environment, the following are necessary.
the medical environment, the following are necessary.
- Attend a General Orientation and Department Specific Training
- Clear Department of Justice (DOJ) background check through LAC+USC Medical Center Human Resources Department
- Clear Employee Health Clearances (EHS) or submit health clearance information TB test, immunizations, titers from personal medical provider to Employee Health Services for final clearances
- All provided courtesy of LAC+USC Medical Center
For additional information, contact Vivian Saldivar, Volunteer Coordinator (323) 409-6421.
Help CARES Make a Difference at LAC+USC Medical Center
Ways Employees can support CARES :
- Shop in CARES Gift Shops and Treasure Trove Thrift Shop
- Buy from the CARES Coffee Bar
- Come visit our Childcare Centers and refer patients’ and visitors’ children to the Centers
- Donate items to the CARES Thrift Shop
- Make a donation to CARES either directly or via payroll deductions through the United Way. (United Way CARES account # 35407 )
- Tell others who do not work at the Medical Center about CARES and its mission and encourage them to join CARES and volunteer.
- Work with children in Child Care Centers
- Assist in grant writing or other fundraising projects that support programs for patients
- Become a Patient Relations Visitor
- Read to pediatric patients
- Shop in the CARES Shops
- Assist in the CARES Gift and Thrift Shops with pricing items, waiting on customers, and doing inventory
- Donate or procure items for the CARES Treasure Trove Thrift Shop and the Patient Visitor Program or books for the Pediatric Reading Program and Lending Library
- Offer public relations and computer expertise
- Plan and/or participate in special events
Youth Volunteer Opportunities
The rewards of volunteering and serving one’s community should be introduced early in one’s life. Often schools or organizations like the National Charity League and the Girl Scouts of America (The Gold Award) require completion of a community service project. CARES has been working with many young people who offer very valuable services and can perform most of their work off grounds. One such service is custom- making bedside bags. Donations of personal items that the Medical Center does not furnish are then gathered to be put into the bags, such as a scarf for a cancer patient, deodorant, warm socks, lotion or chap stick. The National Charity League of San Marino, a mother/daughter organization, assists the Medical Center with the Holiday Giving Program for needy patients.
Kathy Lohr, CARES Board Member, is working with Maritza Morales, Executive Director, to visit a couple of local schools to speak to their Community Service Coordinators to involve their students here at the Medical Center. These youth can:
If you like working with children, you can volunteer in childcare. If sales and shopping are more to your liking, you can help in the CARES Gift or Thrift Shops.
Requirements for onsite CARES teen volunteers who have a sincere interest in volunteering in a hospital setting located within the Medical Center
Kathy Lohr, CARES Board Member, is working with Maritza Morales, Executive Director, to visit a couple of local schools to speak to their Community Service Coordinators to involve their students here at the Medical Center. These youth can:
- help to meet the holiday needs of our patients by sponsoring a toy drive, or adopting a patient’s family and shopping for the items on their wish list
- have a pretend “baby shower” for our moms with newborns
- make or donate baby blankets, lap robes and other items
- hold a book drive for children’s books (new or gently used) for the pediatric reading program
- collect clothing for the patients who have no clothing when discharged (usually men’s pants and shoes are needed most)
- sew or donate personal bags filled with items needed by the patients
- arrange for musicians to come and sing to the patients and guests at the medical center.
If you like working with children, you can volunteer in childcare. If sales and shopping are more to your liking, you can help in the CARES Gift or Thrift Shops.
Requirements for onsite CARES teen volunteers who have a sincere interest in volunteering in a hospital setting located within the Medical Center
- High school student who is at least 16 years of age
- Application must be signed by school counselor
- A minimum commitment of 100 hours of volunteer service to be completed within one year or sooner. Be able to volunteer consistently a minimum of one 4 hours shift per week, until the 100 hours are met
- Attend a General Volunteer Orientation and Department Specific training
- Parent must accompany teen with valid CA ID for 1. Security clearance 2. Health Clearance
- For childcare & shops volunteer opportunities call 323-409-6941.
- If you have an interest in working in any other areas of the Medical Center besides Childcare and Gift Shops, then call 323-409-6945