Volunteer Leadership Ambassador Program

“[Being an Ambassador was an] invaluable experience and I learned a great deal. It was one of those experiences that I know will impact the way I think moving forward, and I do not even know yet what lessons will arise later in my life that I’ll be able to stem back to this summer.”

Julia G., Summer Co-Ambassador

I have learned that all you need is an imagination. Once you have an idea, the rest will come with time and effort. You
map that idea out and then get more people to actually execute what you have planned and next thing you know your idea is now an actively running program…something that I love about the Karsh Center is that it fosters a supportive community where everyone will help such idea(s) come to life.

Blanca D., Summer Co-Ambassador

The Karsh Center Volunteer Leadership Ambassador Program is an opportunity for 1-2 currently enrolled college or graduate level students who are passionate about volunteerism as a powerful mechanism for social change and supporting the mission of the Karsh Center to spend a semester getting hands on leadership experience, and working with our staff team and volunteer leaders in service of the Karsh Center community.

Responsibilities and Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives: 

Over the course of this program, our Volunteer Leadership Ambassadors (VLA, or Ambassadors) will learn how to effectively work within the framework of a social service center, providing impactful direct services to a community through a high level of volunteer engagement. Throughout this program, VLAs will

  • Enhance interpersonal skills related to volunteer engagement
  • Set clear expectations and goals to be met through volunteer engagement
  • Develop project management skills related to volunteer engagement 
  • Support event planning, through virtual engagement event for Karsh Center Volunteer Summit or development of on-site family volunteer programs

Day-to-day duties and tasks:

Our VLA’s day-to-day duties will be a mix of logistically-focused projects, such as working directly with volunteers who come in for individual shifts, and focusing on creative and strategic projects that will contribute to strengthening the foundation of the Karsh Center Volunteer Engagement Program. Projects will be determined in partnership with the Director of Volunteer Engagement, and will include event planning, helping implement digital tools for volunteer management, communications, and/or training development.

Daily work with on-site volunteers will include: 

  • Working with Director of Volunteer Engagement to 
    • Outreach to volunteers for weekly shifts
    • Confirm volunteers for daily Karsh Center shifts
    • Create communications to prepare volunteers for their projects each shift
    • Recruit new volunteers with specific skills as-needed to support Karsh Center operations 
    • Assist with implementation of new volunteer management software system
  • Be on-site at the Karsh Center an estimated 10 – 12  hours per week.  While on-site, VLA will 
    • Greet volunteers for shifts
    • Provide any short orientation or explanation of the project for new volunteers
    • Make sure supplies are prepared and set-up for project
    • Answer any volunteer questions about the project/activity 
    • Help complete projects and fill gaps if a volunteer cancels a shift 
    • Time permitting, focus on more strategic Karsh Center projects, such as event planning, systems management, relationship-building with other departments and organizations, training development and more. 

Program Benefits

  • Be an instrumental part of a community-focused team, providing essential services to some of the most vulnerable residents of Los Angeles. 
  • Receive mentorship from Director of Volunteer Engagement, as well as other members of the Karsh Center Staff. 
  • Participate in collaborative events with the Karsh Center Collaborator Network, which has relationships with 30 other direct service and nonprofit agencies in Los Angeles. 
  • Liaise with the entire Karsh Center volunteer community 
  • Represent the Karsh Center and participate in events such as online trainings and workshops to improve service delivery and best practices in the fields of volunteer management and social services. 
  • Upon completion of program requirements and responsibilities, receive $1500 stipend.

Participant Requirements

  • Must be a currently enrolled college or graduate-level student as of January 2021
  • Must submit Karsh Center Community Relief Application and be eligible and available for on-site/in-person activities.
  • The ideal candidate is a 
    • Open-minded and flexible
    • Culturally humble
    • A team player 
    • A self-starter, who takes initiative
    • Passionate about and dedicated to our client community 
    • Excited about supporting the work of a dedicated corps of volunteers at the Karsh Center
    • Reliable and committed
  • Skills and abilities
    • Strong communicator, in person and remotely (via email, on the phone, and in texts)
    • Diligent and comfortable meeting deadlines
    • Fluency or comfort speaking Spanish or Korean is a plus!
    • Previous experience as a Karsh Center volunteer or with WBT community is helpful
  • Computer/technology experience: 
    • Proficient in GSuite technology
    • Comfortable learning new systems, such as the Karsh Center’s data management program
    • Social media savvy (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) 

Program Commitment

  • Program/commitment will run from February 1 – June 4, 2021
  • Time Commitment – Roughly 14 hours/week, based on the schedule below
    • 10 – 12 hours per week on site, over two – four days. Schedule will be finalized prior to starting new role. 
    • Below is a sample of possible schedule of on-site time
      • Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 1pm – 4pm or 1:30pm – 4:30pm
    • 2 – 3 Sunday mornings at the Karsh Center Sunday Food Pantry 
    • 1 – 2 hours/week mentorship and planning meeting with Director of Volunteer Engagement
  • Volunteer Commitment/Eligibility 
    • Since a majority of this role takes place on-site and we are continuing to support some of the community’s most vulnerable families and individuals, we ask that Volunteer Leadership Ambassadors commit to following the recommendations of the LA County Dept. of Public Health and the Karsh Center’s most recent Visitor Protocols for safety to help us maintain the safest possible environment at Karsh. This means:
      • Adhering to the Karsh Center staff and volunteer on-site safety policy.
      • Communicating openly with the Karsh Center staff team regarding the above, and their own individual wellness and possible exposures.

How to Apply: 

  • Eligible applicants should 
    • Submit their resume and cover letter to volunteers@karshcenter.org 
    • Cover letter should include why they are interested in this role, what they hope to learn, what they hope to contribute as an Ambassador, and details of any relevant volunteer experiences that they feel will help them step into this role.