Volunteering

Font Size: + -

Feedback Print

Volunteering in Simi Valley

Simi Valley has a long history of civic engagement and volunteerism, from City-sponsored services and programs to a multitude of non-profit organizations that help people every day. Each year in City-owned facilities alone, more than 700 volunteers provide over 70,000 hours of service to the City, at an estimated value of over $1.5 million!

Whether you are interested in volunteering with the arts, social services, environment, senior services, youth, animals—or something else altogether—there are many meaningful ways you can contribute to the community.

Community Volunteer of the Year

We are immensely grateful to the following individuals for their contributions:

John Tolson (2023)
Simran Nadig (2022)
Robbie Hidalgo (2021)
Debbie Thomas (2020)
Patricia Lewis (2019)
Lisa Trent (2018)
Pamela Messier (2017)
Barbara Glodfelty (2016)
Antoinette Olson (2015)
Betty Lipman (2014)
Ray and Sally Valderrama (2013)
Donna Baldwin (2012)

City Volunteer of the Year

Jeanie Mortensen (2023)
Russ McClellan (2022)
Bill Oliver (2021)
Molly Waters (2020)
Tom Poyser (2019)
Gloria Bowman (2018)
Sharon Martin (2017)
Alexandra Walker (2016)
June-Marie von Osinski (2015)
Veronica Martinez (2014)
Judy Pepiot (2013)
Kurt Fredrickson (2012)

Meet Our 2023 Honorees

2023 Community Volunteer of the Year

Simi Valley's 2023 Community Volunteer of the Year, John Tolson, has served as a member and in leadership positions in many service organizations in Simi Valley, including the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise, Soaring Spirits International, and Just Serve. Five years ago, he founded the Interfaith Council to build bridges of understanding and respect among people of all beliefs.

Mr. Tolson has also diligently served for four years on the Simi Valley Planning Commission, including as Chair in 2022 and 2023, carefully considering changes that affect the quality of life in the City. His willingness to wear many volunteer hats has inspired others to volunteer in kind.

2023 City Volunteer of the Year

Simi Valley’s 2023 City Volunteer of the Year, Jeanie Mortensen, has volunteered for the Simi Valley Council On Aging (COA) Executive Board for the past two years, including serving as the COA Treasurer. In 2022, Ms. Mortensen stepped in to fill the vacant Senior Share Coordinator position, leading her volunteer team to expand the program by 25% to provide weekly bags of groceries to seniors experiencing food insecurity.

Ms. Mortensen also created a senior needs assessment survey to help the COA identify what is essential to Simi Valley seniors. She is known for her high energy, her data and technology skills, and for proposing innovative ideas to improve the lives of seniors.

Get Involved!

There are numerous ways you can help the community. With so many choices, we recommend beginning by reading these two brief guides to help focus your interests:

Volunteering with the City
Volunteering with Local Non-Profit Organizations

Opportunities

Here are only a few opportunities where volunteers are needed and welcome:

Other Ways to Help the Community

The City of Simi Valley has more than two-dozen official citizen boards, commissions, and appointments that provide varied opportunities to get involved in the community. Meetings of these groups are open to the public, and the public is encouraged to attend and participate even if they are not appointed to serve.

Access the (Maddy Act) List of Citizen Boards, Commissions, and Committees
Ad Hoc Permit Processing Review Committee
Building and Safety Appeals Board
Citizens' Election Advisory Commission (CEAC)
Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Paratransit Advisory Committee
Area Housing Authority of County of Ventura Citizen's Transportation Advisory Committee
Neighborhood Council
Executive Boards Planning Commission
Simi Valley Arts Commission
Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center Foundation
Task Force on Homelessness
Ventura County Air Pollution Control District Advisory Committee
Ventura County Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council
Ventura County Cultural Heritage Board
Youth Council
Youth Employment Service Advisory Board

Local Non-Profit Organizations

Simi Valley is home to many non-profit organizations that actively seek volunteers. The chart below provides an overview:

Organization	Phone	Description	Volunteer Types
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County - Simi Valley Youth Room	(805) 484-2282	We welcome youth from the ages of 6-18 to participate in FREE daily after school activities in a group mentoring setting. Offering a quiet and peaceful place to work on homework or special projects and an opportunity to participate in an array of activities	Tutoring, teaching/guiding life skills, art projects, and cooking lessons
Boys & Girls Club of Moorpark & Simi Valley	(805) 527-4437	Provides afterschool and school break programs to youths age 6-17 at an affordable cost	Teaching life skills, tutoring, technical assistance, coaching, fundraising, career development programs, performing arts, office work, building repairs, and more! Must be at least 16 years of age
CASA of Ventura County	(805) 389-3120	Represents children in court who are removed from their homes by protective services	Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs), fundraisers
Community Pregnancy Clinic	(805) 583-3598	Offers free services to women in unplanned pregnancies	Please call for volunteering information
EF Educational Homestay Programs	(805) 405-6691	Promotes international understanding through cultural exchange and language learning	Volunteers to host students
Free Clinic of Simi Valley	(805) 522-3733	Provide medical care, counseling, dental and legal assistance to individuals and families in need, regardless of their ability to pay.	California certified and licensed professionals in the medical, legal, counseling and dental fields. Additional volunteer opportunities in areas of administration and fundraising.
For The Troops	(805) 306-0830	Packages and sends "We Care Packages" to deployed military personnel, primarily in war zones	Help assemble "We Care Packages" at Simi Valley headquarters, or collect donations at local retail stores
Long Term Care Services of Ventura County, Inc.	(805) 656-1986	Advocates for seniors and dependent adults in long term care facilities	Volunteer ombudsmen to provide visits at least once a month and ensure residents' lives are safe, optimal, and respected
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation	(805) 577-4060	Assists with the operation of the Presidential Library and Museum	Docents are needed to conduct tours and assist the public with inquiries
The Samaritan Center	(805) 579-9166	Daytime drop in center for the homeless, at-risk of becoming homeless, and the poor and needy	Volunteers to assist with yard work, kitchen cleaning, laundry, painting, food pantry organizing, and sorting clothing and donations
Simi at the Garden	(805) 208-3060	Simi Valley's first community garden, with nearly 200 individual garden spaces	Gardeners, advertisers, and event organizers
Simi Valley Little League Baseball	(805) 520-0555	Opportunities for kids to have fun and learn to play baseball - everyone plays!	Umpires, coaches, board members, fundraisers, groundskeepers
Simi Valley Public Library	(805) 526-1735	Opportunities for lifelong learning through 28 public access computers, free wi-fi, access to over 2 million items from over 40 libraries, quiet indoor and outdoor areas, and rentable community room	Sorting and shelving books, computer assistance, check-out, craft assistance, special events, and homework helpers for elementary school-age students