Teen Center VolunteerAt — Olive Crest

Teen Drop-In Center Internship or Volunteer Opportunity

Join us in creating a safe, welcoming space for local teens! As an intern or volunteer at our Teen Drop-In Center, you’ll have the opportunity to build meaningful connections, support youth, and be a consistent, positive presence in their lives.

This role is all about showing up and spending time with teens, getting to know them. Our goal (and yours!) will be to create a space where they feel seen, supported, and valued. Whether you’re cooking a meal, watching TV, playing games, or leading a class based on your skills or passions, your presence makes a difference.

Key Responsibilities:

This is a supervised volunteer role with regular contact with minors.

Support Teen Programming (3:00–6:00 PM):

• Help prepare for daily teen hours by setting up tables, chairs, and activity materials
• Assist with classes, workshops, and group activities
• Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming environment for youth

Engage & Build Relationships:

• Spend time connecting with teens in a natural, authentic way
• Participate in activities like cooking, games, crafts, or homework support
• Encourage participation and help create a fun, inclusive atmosphere

Assist with Activities & Workshops:

• Support staff in coordinating and facilitating classes (e.g., cooking, budgeting, self-care)
• Lead a class or activity based on your own interests or expertise (optional but encouraged)

Maintain the Space:

• Help clean and organize shared areas including the kitchen, lounge, and study spaces
• Refill snacks and pantry items as needed

About the Teen Drop-In Center

Our center serves high school students from the Bellflower and Lakewood communities, including Bellflower High School and Mayfair High School. It’s a safe, supportive space where teens can unwind after school and simply have a positive place to be, surrounded by adults that care.

If you’re passionate about supporting youth and want to make a meaningful impact just by showing up, we’d love to have you be part of this space.

A volunteer waiver, livescan fingerprinting (costs covered) and drivers license or state ID is required for this position.

Tasks:

Support Teen Programming (3:00–6:00 PM):
- Help prepare for daily teen hours by setting up tables, chairs, and activity materials
- Assist with classes, workshops, and group activities
- Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming environment for youth

Engage & Build Relationships:
- Spend time connecting with teens in a natural, authentic way
- Participate in activities like cooking, games, crafts, or homework support
- Encourage participation and help create a fun, inclusive atmosphere

Assist with Activities & Workshops:
- Support staff in coordinating and facilitating classes (e.g., cooking, budgeting, self-care)
- Lead a class or activity based on your own interests or expertise (optional but encouraged!)

Maintain the Space:
- Help clean and organize shared areas including the kitchen, lounge, and study spaces
- Refill snacks and pantry items as needed

Training

Volunteers and interns will receive:

- An initial onboarding and organizational overview
- Clear guidance on responsibilities and expectations
- Job shadowing with the Teen Resource Center Coordinator
- Ongoing support, including check-ins at the start of each shift and regular feedback conversations

Learning outcome:

Through this experience, you will:

- Build strong, authentic connections with teens
- Learn the importance of consistency and trust in youth development
- Help empower teens to grow in confidence and independence
- Gain hands-on experience in community engagement and youth programming