Volunteering is a great way to support the work to end homelessness. Together we can house vulnerable families and end chronic and veteran homelessness in Santa Barbara County!
Volunteer Opportunities
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Join a Year round Common Ground Santa Barbara County Homeless Advocacy Project Volunteer Team
The Common Ground Santa Barbara County Homeless Advocacy Project is dedicated to recruiting, training and educating volunteers so they can effectively work on teams to house the most vulnerable people in our County. The Next Common Ground Santa Barbara County Homeless Advocacy Volunteer Training: Saturday, May 4 from 11:30-4pm.
We want you to have the information, tools and support necessary to help our street friends move into housing and stay housed. As a Common Ground Santa Barbara County volunteer, you engage in outreach and attend a variety of trainings that will help shape your advocacy skills.
Our goal for you is to become a strong voice for our street friends while you help stabilize their lives. We are excited to bring you volunteer trainings based on best practices that emphasize the core Mental Health Service Act principles of empowerment and recovery.
If you’re interested in making a positive difference in the lives of others, contact Jessielee: cgvolunteers@gmail.com 451-5604 (to view the flyer click here)
Click here to complete the volunteer application form
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Volunteer Needs In Our Community
Click here to learn about volunteer needs in our community and for ideas on how to organize a sock drive!
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Training/Learning Opportunities
UCSB Underserved Medicine Seminar Winter 2013
The Underserved Medicine Seminar is one of the programs of Doctors Without Walls-Santa Barbara Street Medicine (DWW-SBSM). The seminar explores unique medical needs of vulnerable, underserved populations internationally and locally. Guest speakers discuss topics ranging refuge health, homelessness, humanitarian aid in conflict zones, care of military veterans, global health development, care of migrant farm workers, and more. DWW-SBSM is a grassroots volunteer organization and the teaching of this seminar is consistent with the values of the sponsoring organization. To learn more about DWW-SBSM programs, please visit www.santabarbarastreetmedicine.org
Guests from the community are encouraged to attend the lecture and participate in the class discussion. Tuesday lectures will take place on the UCSB campus, in Harold Frank Hall 1104. To view the complete syllabus click here.
Mental Health First Aid Training
We encourage all Common Ground Santa Barbara volunteers to complete the Mental Health First Aid Training. Mental Health First Aid, a groundbreaking public education program, is off to a great start at the Mental Wellness Center. Mental Health First Aid helps the public identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. Locally the training is offered by the Mental Wellness Center. Mental Health Fist Aid is funded by the Mental Health Service Act, and it is taught in collaboration with the Mental Wellness Center and the County of Santa Barbara Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Services. For information about March and April trainings click here. Questions? Contact Aaron Anderson, MHFA Coordinator of the Mental Wellness Center, at 805-884-8440 ext. 3296 or aanderson@mentalwellnesscenter.org
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Vulnerability Index Survey
Thank you to the 600 volunteers who helped survey in 2013! For more information about this event you can contact our Volunteer Coordinator 805-451-5604.
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The Common Ground Santa Barbara County Homeless Advocacy Project Volunteer Project is funded by private donors, the McCune Foundation and the Mental Health Service Act, and it is organized in collaboration with the Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County and the County of Santa Barbara Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Services.
