Partner Volunteer Opportunities

ETTA provides a wide range of services to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. These include:

Residential Services: Safe, supportive group homes and supportive living options.
Day Programs: Meaningful daily activities, life skills training, and community involvement.
Employment Services: Job training, placement, and ongoing support to help people find and keep work.
Volunteer and Social Opportunities: Programs that build friendships, confidence, and community connections.

ETTA’s goal is to help people with disabilities live full, independent, and included lives.

Volunteer Age Requirements: 13 and up

Contact: Leah Schachter
Email: leah@etta.org

The Friendship Circle’s mission is (1) to provide Jewish children & individuals of all abilities with a full range of Judaic, social, recreational, and educational experiences; (2) to provide their parents with respite and support; and (3) to enrich, inspire, and motivate Jewish teenagers through sharing of themselves with others. The Friendship Circle is made up of five parts: children, volunteers, parents, staff, and supporters. The true beauty of the Circle is how we all link together to form a seamless circle of friendship.

Volunteer Age Requirements: 6th grade and up

Contact: Isabel Gemara
Email: isabel@fcla.org

We offer a variety of programs to support individuals with disabilities and their families. Our life skills socialization group meets both on Zoom and in person multiple times a week to help participants build friendships and practice socialization skills in a supportive environment. The life skills vocational program provides volunteer opportunities for clients who are working toward employment goals. We offer mental health counseling for individuals with disabilities as well as their family members, providing emotional support, therapy, and guidance. For parents, we run dedicated parent support groups, offering connection, shared experiences, and resources for those raising children with disabilities. Additionally, our life skills case management program holds weekly meetings to assist with navigating community resources, and at times, may provide financial assistance to those in need.

Volunteer Age Requirements: 18 and up

Contact: Gerry Dicker
Email: gdicker@jfsla.org

The core function of JLA Trust is to provide professional fiduciary services for children and adults with a wide range of disabilities in Los Angeles County and throughout California.

Our highly personalized trustee services are greatly appreciated by our enrolled beneficiaries, and we also provide education, tools, referrals and other services to assist families with long-term financial and legal planning for a loved one with a serious disability.

Pooled special needs trusts provide vital affordable trustee services for people with significant disabilities who need a safe harbor for private funds they have received so they can keep receiving their means-tested government benefits such as SSI, Medi-Cal and CalFresh.

Volunteer Age Requirements: Over age 18

Contact: Michelle Wolf
Email: mwolf@jlatrust.org

MAAGALIM COMMUNITY CIRCLES is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing life and social skills and fostering social integration for teens and young adults with autism and other special needs. Our mission is to help them create friendships, engage in activities, and enjoy inclusive social events within an endless circle of support in a loving environment. We embrace both neurotypical and neurodiverse individuals, reflecting our strong commitment to inclusivity and community.
Our Vision: We strive to create a compassionate community where individuals with special needs are fully embraced as equal members. We aim to empower teen volunteers to become engaged and caring community leaders
​We offer weekly classes and monthly events:
Zumba class
Fitness Classes
Art class
Jewelry-Making Classes
Music & Performing 
Basketball 
Volleyball – StarNet
Cooking class
Baking class
Social Club class 
Gym-Based Workouts and Wellness Programs
Community holiday events and workshops
Monthly parties 

Volunteer Age Requirements: 14 and up

Contact: Ayelet Zandberg Sason
Email: Maagalimcircles@gmail.com

Our mission at Maor is to ensure that children of all abilities have access to the best education, services, and resources available so they can achieve success both in and out of the classroom and positively contribute to our community.

Volunteer Age Requirements: 18-60

Contact: Chana Leah Margolis
Email: chanaleah@maor.com

OurSpaceLA is a transformative and inclusive Jewish educational program that provides meaningful, accessible, and joyful Jewish experiences for neurodivergent children and teens with a wide range of developmental, learning, and behavioral differences. With deep roots in the Los Angeles Jewish community, OurSpaceLA was founded in 1982 in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and BJE: Builders of Jewish Education.

OurSpaceLA serves children and teens ages 3–18 and their families, regardless of synagogue affiliation, membership status, or ability to pay. Through individualized instruction, sensory-friendly learning environments, and a strong commitment to inclusion, we empower each participant to experience the richness of Jewish life at their own pace and in a way that is meaningful to them.

Programming includes weekly Jewish learning classes (Shaare Tikva), creative arts-based curriculum, individualized B’nai Mitzvah preparation, and community-based Jewish holiday celebrations. OurSpaceLA also supports parents and caregivers through monthly support groups, family education, and community-building opportunities.

We maintain low student-to-staff ratios and rely on a team of highly skilled educators, therapists, and volunteers to provide the consistency, attention, and care our students require. While this individualized model is resource-intensive and does not benefit from typical economies of scale, it reflects our core belief that every Jewish child—regardless of ability—deserves access to a full Jewish life.

OurSpaceLA is more than a program; it is a sacred commitment to inclusion, belonging, and joyful Jewish learning. We are proud to offer a spiritual home where every child is celebrated, every family is supported, and the Jewish community is made stronger through diversity.

Volunteer Age Requirements: 15 and up

Contact: Rabbi Yael Aranoff
Email: yaranoff@vbs.org

Shemesh Farms is a social enterprise initiative of Shalom Institute.

We are a small herb farm providing employment, programming and community to adults with diverse abilities and special needs.

Our weekly program/work days are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays and we also offer farm stand and experiential table opportunities at markets and festivals as well as host visiting groups, service days, workshops and events at the farm throughout the year.

Volunteer Age Requirements: Our program was originally created in 2013 to serve young adults who tapped out of the public education system at 22 years of age. Over the past twelve years, our program has expanded to serving adults ages 18- whatever age would like to participate.

Contact: Nicky Pitman
Email: nicky@shalominstitute.com

A Jewish Education and Experiences Program for Children, Teens, and Young Adults of All AbilitiesLed by Nes Gadol’s Creative Team of Educators
Enter into a sacred space of community where every class celebrates the unique gifts of each child. Multi-sensory, dynamic, and experiential in its approach, Nes Gadol deepens Jewish identity, nurtures spiritual growth, builds confidence and character, and cultivates a love of Jewish learning and life-long friendships.
‍
B’nei Mitzvah prep and post B’nei Mitzvah studies built into program.
‍
Private tutoring also available.
‍
Ask us about our B’nei Mitzvah Packages.
‍
Classes are held on Sundays and Tuesdays at Vista Del Mar, 3200 Motor Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90034

Volunteer Age Requirements: 18 and up

Contact: Jackie Redner
Email: rabbijackieredner@vistadelmar.org

At Yachad LA, our mission is to enhance and advance the lives of those with special needs. We provide our members with stellar opportunities for personal growth through our inclusive social, recreational and educational programming. At Yachad LA, everyone belongs!

Volunteer Age Requirements: 14 and up

Contact: Samantha Cymerint
Email: cymerints@ou.org