Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
Join the Special Olympics Southern California Internship Family where you’ll gain hands-on experience and make a meaningful impact across our 6 regional offices and Long Beach headquarters.
WHAT WE DO
Special Olympics Southern California enriches the lives of athletes with intellectual disabilities and their communities in Southern California through sports, education, and athlete health.
WHY BECOME A SOSC INTERN
MAKE A REAL IMPACT
You’re contributing to a mission that transforms lives through sports, inclusion, and community.
You can see the difference you’re making.
BE PART OF SOMETHING MEANINGFUL
Special Olympics is a global movement focused on inclusion and unity.
It’s purpose-driven work, not just a line on your resume.
GAIN HANDS-ON, REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE
Internships involve event planning, marketing, social media, outreach, and program support.
You’re actively doing the work—not just observing.
BUILD VALUABLE CAREER SKILLS
Develop skills like:
- Communication and storytelling
- Project management and organization
- Event coordination
- Marketing and content creation
You leave with practical, transferable experience.
GROW PERSONALLY (NOT JUST PROFESSIONALLY)
Many people describe the experience as life-changing and inspiring.
It shapes how you see leadership and community.
BUILD CONNECTIONS AND NETWORK
You join a network of staff, volunteers, and professionals committed to impact.
Great for future career opportunities.
REQUIREMENTS
Potential candidates must submit resume, cover letter, and any other requirements in the internship application. Due to the high volume of applications, we cannot guarantee a reply to every application received. Those selected for the next step will be contacted directly.
All SOSC internships are non-paid.
Candidates must show:
- Above average proficiency in computer skills, particularly knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite
- Excellent verbal, written, and organizational skills
- Demonstrate initiative and ability to perform functions independently
- Complete online training courses
AVAILABLE INTERNSHIP POSITIONS
Events & Administrative Intern - Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR)
Key Responsibilities
- Assist with all aspects of events/campaigns including planning, execution, and follow-up
- Procure in-kind goods and services
- Manage event supplies, fulfill sponsor benefits, attend events
- Assist with other LETR duties as needed
Graphic Design Intern
Key Responsibilities
- Assist the graphic designer in producing print, and web projects
- Assist in designing ads for various publications
- Assist in designing programs for various Special Olympics Chapter events
- File organization & Image Research
- Graphic design prep work
- Assist in brainstorming concepts for upcoming projects
- Miscellaneous tasks as they arise or as specific interests develop
Social Media Intern
Key Responsibilities
- Assist with the creation of social media posts based on social media promotion calendar
- Produce/create/find imagery to use on social channels
- Write articles to use on social channels
- Short video creation via Canva and other social media applications
- Respond to and interact with the Special Olympics Southern California audience through social media channels
- Copywriting for written articles and emails
- Interviewing: online and in-person
- Attend events and provide live social media coverage
Unified Champion Schools & Special Olympics College Intern
Unified Champion Schools is an inclusive school-based strategy designed to bring together students with and without intellectual disabilities to participate in activities in three core areas: sport and fitness, youth leadership, and campus engagement. This strategy aims to develop leadership and advocacy skills for all students in the K-12 school community and throughout college and university campuses in SOSC’s footprint.
Key Responsibilities
- Participate in meetings and activities respective to the role
- Enhance the continuum of Special Olympics program initiatives
- Develop, create, and recruit on respective college campus to form a sustainable SO College Club, which promotes and engages the rest of their campus in inclusive events and activities.
- Create and develop programs and strategies to capture and engage schools in the unified movement
- Contribute to internal processes related to data, operations, and reporting
- Lead and attend various unified events related to sports, summits, and meetings
For questions reguarding Unified Champion Schools internships, please contact Christina Aulicino at caulicino@sosc.org
REGISTER TO BECOME AN INTERN
Click on the community in which you want to volunteer to see current opportunities and register to become an intern!
Region 2: Los Angeles County
Regions 3, 4 & 5: Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Imperial Counties
Region 1: San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties
Region 2: Kern and Inyo Counties
QUESTIONS?
Have a skill or special project that you don’t see listed? Let’s work together and see what’s possible!
Contact volunteer@sosc.org today!
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