At Families Forward, we welcome volunteers of all kinds—individuals, families, students, faith communities, and corporate groups—with opportunities for everyone ages 10 and up to make a difference! Younger children can join us at Family Volunteer Nights and/or contribute through at-home or community projects. Please click the appropriate button below to learn more about specific opportunities!
Our volunteers make a lifetime impact on Orange County families who are working to provide for their children. Our individual volunteers are often the first smiling face that families see when they come to the Families Forward office for resources or food assistance. Thank you for your interest in joining us as a volunteer.
Families are at the heart of what we do and a large part of our community. We would love to work with your family and support children as they learn to lead and help their neighbors. Please note: Our 2026 family volunteer opportunities will be updated soon!
Partnerships with our community make it possible for us to support Orange County families as they work to maintain safe and stable housing. Thank you for your interest in getting involved with Families Forward!
Spread joy to children throughout the seasons! Thank you for partnering with us to ensure that children in Orange County and their families experience joy during the Back to School (July – August), Thanksgiving (November), and Holiday Wish (December) seasons.
Use your specialized skills to support Orange County families! Bring your unique talents to Families Forward and support Orange County families as they work to provide safe and stable housing for their children. Partnerships with skills professionals increase the impact and reach of the support we provide to our community! Click below to learn more about current highest needs:
Develop your professional skills with a Families Forward internship! Make a positive impact in your community through an internship with Families Forward. Interns are vital to the success of this mission, and we are proud to offer a variety of internship focuses to develop your professional expertise.
I would like to be a volunteer at Families Forward. How do I get started?
Please read about our different opportunities at the top of this page. Under each volunteer opportunity description are the next steps on how to apply or who to contact regarding the volunteer opportunity.
I’d like to know about walk-in opportunities to volunteer.
Families Forward values the time of our volunteers and wishes to ensure a positive volunteer experience for every individual and group and does not offer walk-in volunteer opportunities. Please follow the listed next steps for the specific volunteer opportunity you are interested in. If you have an urgent question or request, please call our office at (949) 552-2727.
As a volunteer, will I get to work directly with client families?
Because of our confidentiality policies, volunteers and interns will have minimal contact with clients. Interactions may include greeting them at the Families Forward Program Center Front Desk and Community Market, or speaking with them over the phone.
I received resources and support from Families Forward and I’d love to give back by volunteering. What are my next steps?
Thank you for your interest in giving back to Families Forward. Please be aware that clients who have received services from Families Forward within the past year are not eligible to volunteer, in accordance with our organizational policy.
Are there any age requirements for volunteering?
For safety reasons, the minimum age for volunteering for most opportunities is 10 years old.
My child is younger than 10 years old. How can they help?
There are many ways that younger volunteers can help Families Forward! One way is by getting involved with Family Volunteer Nights (please see above). These events are for children ages 3 years and older.
We also welcome young volunteers to spread the word about Families Forward or consider hosting a donation drive with friends and family.
Does volunteering at Families Forward satisfy my required community service hours?
Yes, Families Forward will accommodate community service hour requests to the best of our ability. Please note that we cannot always accommodate these requests, depending on the timeframe required and the number of hours needed. Please reach out to volunteer@families-forward.org to request more information.
If community service is court-ordered, volunteers must be referred through OneOC. Please email OneOC at crpstaff@oneoc.org.
