Make a Difference for Oakland Kids
Get matched with a student to support high-quality distance learning during the temporary school closures. Most opportunities are once-a-week.
Please select the community volunteer option that is the best fit for you (below) and fill out the corresponding application form. We will follow up with you right away!
If you are available to volunteer infrequently, learn about one-time volunteer opportunities.
Check your existing volunteer status here >
Community Volunteer Options
Virtual Academic Tutors //
Virtual Zoom Assistants
Volunteer to tutor students one-on-one or join zoom sessions as a teacher’s assistant. Orientation and training sessions will share tools to support students to develop reading and math skills.
Read the Position Description or sign up below.
High School Career Coaches
(Mentorship)
Volunteer to support high school students as they develop their college and career readiness skills. On-boarding includes an interview, training, and safety checks to mentor around life after high school.
Read the Career Coach Position Description or sign up below.
- Apply online (above) to become an Oakland School Volunteer.
If your application is approved, we will reach out with instructions for how to complete the following requirements. - Attend an orientation session.
Learn about volunteer guidelines and expectations, supporting students’ social-emotional development, and keeping students actively engaged and learning. - Upload tuberculosis clearance via email invitation. – TEMPORARILY NOT REQUIRED UNTIL IN-PERSON RETURNS
Tuberculosis clearance is valid for four years. You will get more detailed instructions when your volunteer application is approved. - Complete a Live Scan fingerprint criminal background check.
We require this step to ensure all of our schools are safe places. You will need our unique “Request for Live Scan Services” form to complete this step. The results take from 2 to 14 days to arrive in our secure mailbox. There is a $35.00 fee for this service. If the cost is a barrier for you, please reach out to lilly@oaklandedfund.org after you apply to ask about our financial aid scholarship program to cover the cost of fingerprinting. You will receive more detailed instructions via email once your volunteer application is approved. - Sign the liability waiver.
You will receive this waiver to sign once your fingerprinting results have been received. - Submit a photo of yourself for your volunteer clearance badge.
Use a color photo with your eyes open and facing the camera. No hats or sunglasses. (Please let us know if you cannot meet the photo requirements for religious or medical reasons.) Once you’ve completed the on-boarding requirements, you will be given a badge to wear every time you volunteer. This way, school staff knows you are fully cleared and safe to be an ongoing volunteer on campus. - Attend a content training session.
This step is optional but highly recommended. We offer trainings in literacy and math tutoring strategies at both the elementary and middle school levels. For high school, we offer the Career Coach training.
NOTE: If you plan to volunteer at a Childhood Development Center (Pre-K), you must provide proof of vaccination for influenza, pertussis (whooping cough), and measles to the front office at the school where you will volunteer.
We host orientation and training sessions to support Oakland School Volunteers to be their best. The orientation sessions are required for all ongoing community volunteers and trainings are optional, but highly recommended. ALL SESSIONS WILL BE VIRTUAL UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Access the resources below to RSVP for a training session, read an overview of the programming and access training resources. Click the links to preview the content.
- Orientation: Clearance requirements, guidelines & expectations, safety information & procedures, social-emotional learning and student development, and tips for working with students
- Elementary Literacy Training: Introduction to the culture of literacy in OUSD, the building blocks of literacy with tutoring strategies, and components of writing with tutoring strategies.
- Elementary Math Training: Common core standards, OUSD’s vision for mathematics, and tutoring strategies.
- Middle School Literacy Training: Student assessment data, strategies to support literacy and reading comprehension, components of writing, and practice resources.
- Middle School Math Training: Development expectations by grade level, tips for supporting skill development, and scenario-based tutoring tips.
- High School Career Coach Training: Building relationships with students, effective mentorship, supporting college readiness, career exploration, professional skills, and writing support.
- Virtual Volunteering: Setting up Zoom, reporting requirements, structuring sessions, and keeping students engaged.
