The Students of Service (SOS) community service program is for high school students, ages 13 – 18. Sign up to be contacted via email with volunteer opportunities for various recreation programs, events and projects throughout the year. The program benefits teens looking for opportunities to serve the community, gain work experience, and community service hours for graduation.

Community Service Opportunities:

• Magical Bridge Kindness Ambassadors
• Roberta Jones Jr Theatre (RJJT) - Teens help assistant rehearsals, concessions, ushering, and technical operations.
• Youth & Teen Center - Afterschool program workshops, Youth Special Events
• Junior Leader - Summer camp experience.
• Community Garden - Garden projects, garden maintenance, or public garden events.
• City -wide Special Events - 4th of July event, Art& Wine Festival, Children's Halloween SpooktaClara Party, annual Tree Lighting event, Breakfast with Santa event, and Evening with Santa event.

Register now!

Holiday Tree Lighting Crafts - Holiday Event - Class #31110

Date: Friday, December 6, 2024
Time: 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. 
Location: Central Park, 909 Kiely Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95051
Volunteer Duties: Set-up/breakdown activity booths, assist with holiday craft, crowd and line management.

Breakfast with Santa - Holiday Event - Class #30579

Date: Saturday, December 14, 2024
Time: 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Location: Santa Clara Senior Center, 1303 Fremont Street, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Volunteer Duties: Help with set-up/clean-up, holiday crafts, games and photos with Santa with multi-generational families ages 1 – 99.

Evening with Santa - Holiday Event- Class #30580

Date: Thursday, December 19, 2024
Time: 5:30 – 9 p.m.
Location: Youth & Teen Center, 2446 Cabrillo Avenue, Santa Clara, CA 95051
Volunteer Duties: Help with set-up/clean-up, holiday crafts, games, sing-a-longs, and photos with Santa Claus.

Got questions? Contact the Youth & Teen Center at 408-615-3760.

Sign up to volunteer as a Junior Leaders for our summer camps or swim programs. Get volunteer hours, hands-on work experience, and leadership skills. All interested candidates MUST apply, interview, attend in-service training, and volunteer a minimum of two weeks. Applicants must be 13-18 years old.

Contact the Youth & Teen Center at 408-615-3760 for more information.

The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes the important role of volunteers in America’s strength and national identity. This award honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action, too. Apply to be a recipient of this award!

Requirements:

• Hours must be completed in a 12-month period. 
• Must be a Santa Clara Resident or attend Santa Clara Union School District. 
• Must have more than 50% of the volunteer hours completed with the City of Santa Clara in any department.
• Applicant may apply to receive a maximum of one award. 

How to apply:

• Apply at any time by emailing the information below to  PRCustomerServe@SantaClaraCA.gov.
  • Include a 3-4 sentence summary of your volunteer service. 
  • Include a spread sheet summary of service. Spreadsheet must include date of service, organization, orgs address, number of hours, and the total sum of all hours completed.
  • Include signed verification of hours forms from each organization.
  • Include a portrait photo or photo of awardee performing volunteer service to be published in city newsletters and social media.
  • Specify which award you are applying for. See the table below:

Award Reception:

Kindness Ambassador Volunteers

Kindness Ambassadors help facilitate access to the playground and promote kindness and inclusivity, making Magical Bridge Playgrounds a welcoming place for all ages. Dedicate some time to interact with visitors, answer general questions, promote playground safety and support family-friendly events!

Kindness Ambassador 18 years and older:

Begin your volunteer experience by completing the requirements below! The role of a kindness ambassador involves a large degree of autonomy and authority. We ask that all Ambassadors follow this onboarding process.

1. Submit a Volunteer Application through the NeoGov portal. 
   • When applying on NeoGov, you will have to create an account. BE sure to select “Parks & Recreation” for your desired service.  All questions in the application with the red asterisk must be answered accurately.
2. Email PRCustomerServe@SantaClaraCA.gov after submitting your application to get fingerprinting instructions and form.
   • The City covers the expense of getting fingerprinted.
3. Commitment to a minimum of 12 hours within 90 days. We ask you commit to a schedule. This will keep us organized and will help create some consistency for our park visitors. 
   • Fridays 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
   • Saturdays 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. & 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
   • Sundays 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. & 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
4. Attend a 30-minute orientation prior to the start of your volunteer hours.
   • Date will be coordinated with the program supervisor.

Youth Kindness Ambassadors

Youth participants ages 13 - 17 are encouraged to sign up for Students of Service to participate in Kindness Ambassador Events for all ages and abilities.

• Interested students MUST make an account on SantaClaraca.gov/Activenet.
• Students must register into 2024/2025 Students of Service class (#28675)
• Students will receive an email with Youth Kindness Ambassador opportunities at Magical Bridge Playground
• Youth Kindness Ambassador training is required (in-person or online) prior to an event
• Upon completion of training, students will be eligible to volunteer at future Magical Bridge Playground events

Holiday Tree Lighting, Magical Bridge Youth Kindness Ambassador - Class #31108

Date: Friday, December 6, 2024
Time: 5 – 8 p.m.
Location: Central Park, Magical Bridge Playground, Bridge Entrance
Special Requirement: To volunteer, please attend a brief "Kindness Ambassador" training session (in-person or online) before the event.