Day of Service 2026

Day of Service 2026 - July 18th

This is community
in action.

1 day. 30+ Projects. 650+ volunteers.

We believe that you can’t really love what you don’t know. As a collection of folks from both churches and non-religious backgrounds, we want to love our home in ways that matter.

The first step is getting out into the city and meeting our neighbors. Day of Service projects are practical ways to embody a hopeful presence in San Diego.

This is local community in action.

This is love
in action.

1 county. 4 key issues.

“Hoping” for our city means that we’re invested in making it a better place for everyone. That’s why hundreds of you gather each year to dedicate 1 day to meeting the real needs of real people.

We’ve identified 4 groups of people facing the greatest needs in San Diego: at-risk youth, survivors of trafficking, refugees & immigrants, and those experiencing homelessness.

This is love in action.

Hope for San Diego acts as a bridge organization, merging you — our volunteers — with amazing organizations across the county. We’ve spent the last 6 months hearing from these organizations about their needs. Each Day of Service project is uniquely built to tackle those top requests.

Pick from 30+ projects across the county! Click through each opportunity to find information about the locations, organizations, and kid-friendly options.

Click to view by Focus Area or Region

Focus Area
Region

At-Risk Youth

Campus Beautification, Abraxas High School, Poway

WHEN: 9a-12p

WHERE: Poway

WHAT: Abraxas High School serves hundreds students facing food and housing insecurities as they complete high school. Come help us beautify the campus so that they can start off the new quarter with refreshed garden spaces!

WHO: 20 volunteers needed; All ages welcome

Back to School Prep, Casa de Amistad, Solana Beach

WHEN: 9a-12p

WHERE: Solana Beach Presbyterian Church

WHAT: Help support Casa de Amistad students as they prepare for a new school year. Casa de Amistad is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the education of underserved children, teens, and their families. They need volunteers to help assemble backpacks with classroom supplies for all Casa students, prepare materials and resource rooms for tutoring sessions, and more.

WHO: 25 volunteers needed; All ages welcome

Garden & Yard Work, Casa de Amistad, Carlsbad

WHEN: 9a-11:30a

WHERE: Carlsbad

WHAT: Help beautify Casa de Amistad’s garden space. Casa de Amistad is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the education of underserved children, teens, and their families. They need volunteers to help weed, plant, and clean their garden space.

WHO: 15 volunteers needed; All ages welcome

Closet Restoration, Restoration 225, National City

WHEN: 9am-12pm

WHERE: National City

WHAT: Come help restore a closet for Restoration 225 to use for foster care supplies. You’ll paint, organize, and beautify the space.

WHO: 7 volunteers needed; ages 10+

Cleaning & Organizing, Olive Crest, Downtown

WHEN: 9a-11a

WHERE: Downtown

WHAT: Olive Crest provides foster care services in San Diego. We need volunteers to come help clean and organize their Resource Center.

WHO: 10 volunteers needed; all ages

Gardening & Yard Work, Urban Life, City Heights

WHEN: 9a-11a

WHERE: Urban Life Farm, City Heights

WHAT: UrbanLife empowers underserved youth in the City Heights area to learn crucial life skills and engage in their community. Their large garden site provides fresh produce for their cafe job training program.! Come out to help tackle several summer refresh projects alongside UrbanLife youth and staff! You’ll weed, harvest, plant, and help build out a children’s corner of the garden.

WHO: 20 volunteers needed; All ages welcome

Family Picnic, Bithiah Family Services, San Marcos

WHEN: 10a-2p

WHERE: San Marcos

WHAT: Bithiah Family Services provides wraparound services to infants, children and teens experiencing foster care, youth aging out of foster care, children at risk of removal due to abuse and neglect, and all caretakers of vulnerable children. Help us provide a picnic by serving food, watching the bounce house, assisting in “cost free shopping”, and running the food pantry.

WHO: 8 volunteers needed; All ages welcome

Teen Parent Picnic, Love Does and Young Lives, South County

WHEN: 10:30a-1:30p

WHERE: South County

WHAT: Come celebrate summer with the families of Young Lives. While your calendar may be packed with fun summer events, this may be the only opportunity these families have to enjoy a summer picnic. Let’s help make it possible!

WHO: 10 volunteers needed; All ages welcome

Refresh the Well, The Well, Grossmont

WHEN: 9a-2p

WHERE: Grossmont

WHAT: The Well Community for Women is a nonprofit creating space for women to work, heal, rest, and belong through coworking, child watch, and community support. Help clean and organize their space so that the mamas they serve can pursue their opportunities.

WHO: 15 volunteers needed; all ages welcome

Warehouse Clean Out, Just in Time, Mission Valley

WHEN: 9a-12p

WHERE: Mission Valley

WHAT: Just in Time engages a caring community to help transition age foster youth achieve self-sufficiency and well-being. We need volunteers to help replenish products, organize the warehouse, and clean before the next shopping day for the organizations’ clients.

WHO: 10 volunteers needed; 18+

Parking Lot Refresh, The David's Harp Foundation, Downtown

WHEN: 9a-12p

WHERE: Downtown

WHAT: The David’s Harp Foundation inspires, educates, and empowers system-affected and homeless youth to achieve academic success through music education, sound engineering and multimedia production. We need your help to clean up their studio location to allow for students to learn and feel at home in the safest and cleanest environment.

WHO: 20 volunteers needed; all ages

Gardening & Yard Work, Ocean Knoll, Encinitas

WHEN: 8-11a

WHERE: Encinitas

WHAT: This family work day at Ocean Knoll Elementary will support a local Encinitas school with an expansive garden space. Come out for a fun morning to help beautify and prep the farm and garden areas. Projects range from heavy-duty lifting to fun garden crafts, plentiful weeding, chicken coop repair, and more!

WHO: 100 volunteers needed; All ages welcome

Gardening & Yard Work, Sage Gardens, La Mesa

WHEN: 8-10a

WHERE: La Mesa

WHAT: This family work day at Lemon Ave Elementary will support a local La Mesa school with an expansive garden space. Come out for a fun morning to help beautify and prep the garden areas. Projects range from refreshing soil to prepping new benches.

WHO: 40 volunteers needed; All ages welcome

Homelessness

Campus Beautification, Solutions for Change, Vista

WHEN: 9am-11am

WHERE: Vista

WHAT: Solutions for Change transforms lives and communities by permanently solving family homelessness. Volunteers are needed to help paint residents’ fences and host a picnic for the families.

WHO: 20 volunteers needed; age 12+

Organizing & Cleaning Resale Store, CRC, Encinitas

WHEN: 9-11a

WHERE: Encinitas

WHAT: The Community Resource Center resale store provides practical resources for families in need in the North County area. Help organize clothes and clean this space to be ready to welcome shoppers!

WHO: 15 volunteers needed; all ages welcome

Organizing & Cleaning Food Pantry, CRC, Encinitas

WHEN: 9-11a

WHERE: Encinitas

WHAT: Local nonprofits have been reporting their greatest demands for food assistance since the pandemic. The CRC food pantry provides practical resources for families in need in the North County area. Help deep clean and organize shelves to make this space ready to welcome those in need of food assistance.

WHO: 20 volunteers needed; all ages welcome

Clothing Preparation & Sorting, We See You San Diego, Emerald Hills

WHEN: 9-12p

WHERE: Emerald Hills

WHAT: Every week, We See You San Diego hosts a dinner party for people experiencing homelessness, where they hand out food and clothing. We need volunteers to organize clothing and cut & sort fabrics for new blankets!

WHO: 20 volunteers needed; all ages welcome

Organizing & Cleaning, Ladle Fellowship, Downtown

WHEN: 9a-12p

WHERE: First Presbyterian Church, Little Italy

WHAT: Ladle Fellowship serves the homeless community with regular meals and other activities. Volunteers will be deep cleaning the spaces to ensure a clean, sanitary space for weekly meals.

WHO: 30 volunteers needed; All ages welcome

Medical Outreach, Street Corner Care, Downtown

WHEN: 9a-12p

WHERE: First Presbyterian Church, Little Italy

WHAT: During this medical outreach, health professionals provide education, health screenings, and advocacy for those who may feel abandoned by the healthcare system and experiencing homelessness. Medical professionals are especially needed, but other volunteers can offer meals, conversation, and prayer.

WHO: 6 volunteers needed; Ages 18+ recommended

Mission Assistance, San Diego Rescue Mission, Downtown

WHEN: 10a-12:30p

WHERE: SDRM Downtown location

WHAT: SDRM helps restore the lives of people experiencing homelessness, abuse, poverty or addiction through faith-based emergency services, residential rehabilitation programs, children’s services, hunger relief efforts and community outreach. We need your help to clean and beautify their downtown location, where many students are going through a year-long rehabilitation program.

WHO: 15 volunteers needed; Ages 15+ with adult supervision

Summerfest Picnic, San Diego Rescue Mission, National City

WHEN: 10a-12:30p

WHERE: National City

WHAT: San Diego Rescue Mission opened their newest Navigation Center last year in National City, and we’re excited to throw a party for the residents again. This space provides short-term safe housing and intentional programming to help houseless folks get back on their feet. Come out for a fun morning to bring some summer cheer to residents! You’ll help out with food and activities.

WHO: 15 volunteers needed; Ages 15+ with parental supervision

Anti-Trafficking

Organization Refresh, Alabaster Jar Project, Escondido

WHEN: 9a-12p

WHERE: Escondido

WHAT: One of the key ways Alabaster Jar Project serves trafficking survivors is through helping survivors sell beauty products. They need your help to make products as well as help them prepare for their upcoming fundraiser.

WHO: 20 volunteers needed; All ages welcome

Gardening & House Clean Up, Generate Hope, Coronado

WHEN: 10a-1p

WHERE: Coronado

WHAT: GenerateHope is looking for volunteers to help beautify and refresh their Coronado home. Your support will make an everyday difference for the women at this home as they heal from the traumas of trafficking!

WHO: 30 volunteers needed; Ages 18+

Gardening & Yard Work, Generate Hope, South County

WHEN: 10a-1p

WHERE: South County

WHO: 15 volunteers needed; Ages 18+,Women only

Immigrants & Refugees

Mama Care Morning, Alma Community Care, Logan Heights

WHEN: 9am-12pm

WHERE: Logan Heights Library

WHAT: Alma Community Care provides mental health resources and care to underserved families in the Logan Heights area. Help in one of three teams (Friday set up, Kids team, Mamas team) to provide a morning respite event for mamas in the community!

WHO: 8 volunteers needed; Ages 16+ recommended

Men's Breakfast and Hike, Bridge Builders, East County

WHEN: 9am-12pm

WHERE: East County

WHAT: Bridge Builders seek to build bridges of friendship and understanding among Muslims and Christians through service, education, and prayer. We need volunteers to join this morning of fellowship to serve breakfast and engage in a cultural exchange while hiking!

WHO: 6 volunteers needed; Ages 18+ recommended; Men only

North County

Campus Beautification, Abraxas High School, Poway

WHEN: 9a-12p

WHERE: Poway

WHAT: Abraxas High School serves hundreds students facing food and housing insecurities as they complete high school. Come help us beautify the campus so that they can start off the new quarter with refreshed garden spaces!

WHO: 20 volunteers needed; All ages welcome

Back to School Prep, Casa de Amistad, Solana Beach

WHEN: 9a-12p

WHERE: Solana Beach Presbyterian Church

WHAT: Help support Casa de Amistad students as they prepare for a new school year. Casa de Amistad is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the education of underserved children, teens, and their families. They need volunteers to help assemble backpacks with classroom supplies for all Casa students, prepare materials and resource rooms for tutoring sessions, and more.

WHO: 25 volunteers needed; All ages welcome

Garden & Yard Work, Casa de Amistad, Carlsbad

WHEN: 9a-11:30a

WHERE: Carlsbad

WHAT: Help beautify Casa de Amistad’s garden space. Casa de Amistad is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the education of underserved children, teens, and their families. They need volunteers to help weed, plant, and clean their garden space.

WHO: 15 volunteers needed; All ages welcome

Campus Beautification, Solutions for Change, Vista

WHEN: 9am-11am

WHERE: Vista

WHAT: Solutions for Change transforms lives and communities by permanently solving family homelessness. Volunteers are needed to help paint residents’ fences and host a picnic for the families.

WHO: 20 volunteers needed; age 12+

Organizing & Cleaning Resale Store, CRC, Encinitas

WHEN: 9-11a

WHERE: Encinitas

WHO: 15 volunteers needed; all ages welcome

Organizing & Cleaning Food Pantry, CRC, Encinitas

WHEN: 9-11a

WHERE: Encinitas

WHO: 20 volunteers needed; all ages welcome

Organization Refresh, Alabaster Jar Project, Escondido

WHEN: 9a-12p

WHERE: Escondido

WHO: 20 volunteers needed; All ages welcome

Family Picnic, Bithia Family Services, San Marcos

WHEN: 10a-2p

WHERE: San Marcos

WHAT: Bithia Family Services provides wraparound services to infants, children and teens experiencing foster care, youth aging out of foster care, children at risk of removal due to abuse and neglect, and all caretakers of vulnerable children. Help us provide a picnic by serving food, watching the bounce house, assisting in “cost free shopping”, and running the food pantry.

WHO: 8 volunteers needed; All ages welcome

Gardening & Yard Work, Ocean Knoll, Encinitas

WHEN: 8-11a

WHERE: Encinitas

WHO: 100 volunteers needed; All ages welcome

Central

Cleaning & Organizing, Olive Crest, Downtown

WHEN: 9a-11a

WHERE: Downtown

WHAT: Olive Crest provides foster care services in San Diego. We need volunteers to come help clean and organize their Resource Center.

WHO: 10 volunteers needed; all ages

Gardening & Yard Work, Urban Life, City Heights

WHEN: 9a-11a

WHERE: Urban Life Farm, City Heights

WHO: 20 volunteers needed; All ages welcome

Warehouse Clean Out, Just in Time, Mission Valley

WHEN: 9a-12p

WHERE: Mission Valley

WHO: 10 volunteers needed; 18+

Parking Lot Refresh, The David's Harp Foundation, Downtown

WHEN: 9a-12p

WHERE: Downtown

WHO: 20 volunteers needed; all ages

Organizing & Cleaning, Ladle Fellowship, Downtown

WHEN: 9a-12p

WHERE: First Presbyterian Church, Little Italy

WHAT: Ladle Fellowship serves the homeless community with regular meals and other activities. Volunteers will be deep cleaning the spaces to ensure a clean, sanitary space for weekly meals.

WHO: 30 volunteers needed; All ages welcome

Medical Outreach, Street Corner Care, Downtown

WHEN: 9a-12p

WHERE: First Presbyterian Church, Little Italy

WHO: 6 volunteers needed; Ages 18+ recommended

East County

Refresh the Well, The Well, Grossmont

WHEN: 9a-2p

WHERE: Grossmont

WHO: 15 volunteers needed; all ages welcome

Mens Breakfast & Hike, Bridge Builders, East County

WHEN: 9am-12pm

WHERE: East County

WHO: 6 volunteers needed; Ages 18+ recommended; Men only

Garden & Yard Work, Sage Gardens, La Mesa

WHEN: 8-10a

WHERE: La Mesa

WHO: 40 volunteers needed; All ages welcome

South County

Closet Restoration, Restoration 225, National City

WHEN: 9am-12pm

WHERE: National City

WHAT: Come help restore a closet for Restoration 225 to use for foster care supplies. You’ll paint, organize, and beautify the space.

WHO: 7 volunteers needed; ages 10+

Teen Parent Picnic, Love Does and Young Lives, South County

WHEN: 10:30a-1:30p

WHERE: South County

WHO: 10 volunteers needed; All ages welcome

Clothing Preparation & Sorting, We See You San Diego, Emerald Hills

WHEN: 9-12p

WHERE: Emerald Hills

WHO: 20 volunteers needed; all ages welcome

Gardening & House Clean Up, Generate Hope, Coronado

WHEN: 10a-1p

WHERE: Coronado

WHO: 30 volunteers needed; Ages 18+

Gardening & Yard Work, Generate Hope, South County

WHEN: 10a-1p

WHERE: South County

WHO: 15 volunteers needed; Ages 18+; Women only

Summerfest Picnic, San Diego Rescue Mission, National City

WHEN: 10a-12:30p

WHERE: National City

WHO: 15 volunteers needed; Ages 15+ with parental supervision