Volunteers are everywhere across the San Diego region. Almost half of San Diegans reported volunteering for a local nonprofit in 2023, according to a University of San Diego study. Across the country, more than 40% of people reported volunteering in some way in 2022, according to a report from The Independent Sector.
At its core, volunteering is helping others without expecting anything in return. It’s a service for others or for the environment that is purely meant to enrich the community. KPBS is telling stories of local volunteers who are giving their time in unusual and unexpected ways.
Watch: Everyday Heroes in San Diego
The amateur photographers documenting life in the Imperial Valley
Five years ago, he lost his vision. At the estuary, he found other ways to see
Volunteers in Mission Valley help break down barriers and build adaptive climbing community
This bike co-op helps the City Heights community get their own wheels
San Diego man is hoping to create positive ripples by making it easier to clean up parks
Lemon Grove volunteers working to make their city a bee paradise
‘Not just a surf camp’: Un Mar de Colores helps kids find community by paddling out
You are part of something bigger. A neighborhood, a community, a county, a state, a country. All of these places are made stronger when we engage with each other in conversation and participate in local decision-making. But where and how to start? Introducing Public Matters.
Explore our coverage
Kori Suzuki for KPBS / California Local
In a growing online group, dozens of photography enthusiasts are capturing a vibrant portrait of the California borderlands.
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Participants include people who are blind, deaf, paraplegic and missing limbs. -
Retired engineer and volunteer docent Ron Peterson guides visitors around the Tijuana Estuary by teaching them to rely on their other four senses. -
Volunteers at Bikes Del Pueblo empower people to become self-sufficient bicyclists by teaching them how to fix their own bikes.
Get involved
San Diego is home to countless organizations that rely on volunteers to make a difference in our communities. Whether you’re passionate about supporting underserved youth, protecting the environment, or assisting those experiencing homelessness, there’s a place for you to lend a hand. Scroll down to use our search tool to connect with causes you care about.
Do you know an 'Everyday Hero' in your community?
Do you know someone who has been serving the community in uncommon and extraordinary ways? Nominate them below.
