Volunteer Opportunities & Portal
Serve. Learn. Heal. Uplift.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with ASCENDtials.
Our volunteers are healers, helpers, and community builders who support families, youth, and neighborhoods across San Diego. Whether you join us remotely or in person, you become part of a collective effort to restore balance, strengthen community wellness, and uplift those we serve.
We’re honored you’re considering joining our team.
Why Volunteer With ASCENDtials
Volunteers and interns play a vital role in our mission. Through your service, you help us:
• Support youth through learning stations and mentorship
• Bring fresh food and cultural programming to communities
• Strengthen wellness and environmental awareness
• Build inclusive spaces where families can thrive
• Expand access to healing, empowerment, and education
In return, you gain:
• Leadership experience
• Community service hours
• Training and mentorship
• A supportive team environment
• Opportunities to grow your skills and impact
Your Volunteer Journey With Us
We’ve designed a simple, supportive onboarding process to help you get started with confidence
Step 1 — Explore Volunteer Pathways
Choose the role that aligns with your interests, skills, and availability.
Step 2 — Select Your Volunteer Membership
ASCENDtials uses a one‑time membership donation model to support the tools and resources that make your volunteer experience possible.
Step 3 — Create Your Dashboard Account
This gives you access to training, communication tools, hour tracking, and program materials.
Step 4 — Attend Onboarding (30 minutes)
We meet every Monday or Thursday for a brief orientation to walk you through expectations, tools, and next steps.
Why We Use a Membership Donation Model
Our volunteers rely on the ASCENDtials Dashboard for:
- Hour tracking
- Training and onboarding
- Program calendars
- Communication tools
- Remote operations access
To sustain these tools — and to keep all community programming free for families — we use a one‑time membership donation for volunteers and interns.
This shared investment helps us:
- Maintain the technology you’ll use
- Support staff time for training and coordination
- Keep our markets and youth programs accessible
- Provide a structured, high‑quality volunteer experience
Your donation supports your own growth and the communities we serve together.
Which Membership Should I Choose?
If you are joining ASCENDtials as a remote volunteer, intern, or service‑learning student, please select:
Remote Teammate — One‑Time Membership Donation
This option activates your Dashboard account and gives you full access to the tools you’ll need.
Accessibility & Donation Waivers
We believe community service should remain accessible to everyone.
If you experience financial hardship or personal circumstances that make the membership donation difficult, you may request a donation waiver after onboarding.
No explanation is required.
Your dignity and access come first.
No one is turned away from serving their community.
A Community Built on Shared Care
Your service helps us create healing, learning, and empowerment for families across San Diego.
Your membership donation is not a fee — it’s a shared commitment to sustaining the work we do together.
We’re grateful you’re here, and we look forward to welcoming you into the ASCENDtials community.
Two Ways to Volunteer
Remote Team Volunteers Contribute your skills from anywhere, weekly or long-term, on our team, by supporting communications, outreach, program development, operations, and administrative tasks.
In‑Person Community Volunteers Join us onsite at our farmers’ markets, food distributions, garden projects, and beach and highway cleanups. These hands‑on opportunities let you connect directly with the youth and community, and the environment, occasionally or monthly.
Volunteer Portal
Your Path to Service
Sign up, complete onboarding, contribute with heart, and watch your hours grow. This portal is your path to service: one‑time donation or waiver setup, hour tracking, appreciation letters, newsletter signup, and a living checklist that orients you to our tools and team.
One‑Time $25 Donation (with Waiver Option)
We ask for a one‑time $25 donation to cover onboarding materials and support. This gift helps sustain ASCENDtials programs while welcoming you into the team.
Donate $25 to Begin — Secure payment link
Request Waiver After Setup — If you are unable to contribute at this time, you may request a waiver once your account is set up. We believe volunteerism should be accessible to all, and your service is valued regardless of donation. Court-ordered donation not waived.
Set up a Calendly meeting if you have questions!
