The Community Host Partners are the many non-profit organizations, K-12 schools, public universities, and government agencies that host College Corps fellows for UCSB. We are very grateful for their mentorship and support of our students.
Adelante Charter School
https://www.adelantecharterschool.org
K-12 Public School
K-12 Education
*Prefers August Start
College Corps Fellows at Adelante Charter School will serve Kinder–6th grade students in our Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program. Placed with a mentor teacher, fellows will provide small-group and individualized support in reading, mathematics, and science, in both English and Spanish if they are bilingual. Fellows will help students develop foundational literacy skills, fluency, comprehension, writing, and math problem-solving, while supporting intervention blocks designed to reduce achievement gaps for English Learners, students with disabilities, and those facing attendance challenges. They also assist with science investigations, outdoor environmental projects and field trips, and performing arts, fostering hands-on, engaging learning experiences.
A-Ok Afterschool Program, Santa Barbara Unified School District
https://sites.google.com/sbunified.org/aokprogram/home?authuser=0
K-12 Public School
K-12 Education
*Prefers August Start
The After School Education and Safety (ASES)/Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) A-OK (Afterschool Opportunities for Kids) Program allows students to participate in an after school program consisting of academic and enrichment activities designed to meet the particular academic and social needs of SBschool populations. The activities are educational, hands-on, interactive, and fun. The program also includes a healthy nutritional dinner. The fellows will be assisting students ages 4-12 with reading, homework, enrichment activities, sports, etc..
Apples to Zucchini Cooking School
https://www.atozcookingschool.org
Registered 501(c)3
Food Security
Apples to Zucchini Cooking School was founded out of a simple but powerful idea: to bring people together through cooking—and to give children, teens, and adults the skills, confidence, and joy of preparing real food. We have two different projects that we would like fellows to work on:
Develop curriculum for our Tater Tots program. Our Tater Tots program introduces toddlers and their caregivers to food exploration in a fun, curious, and non-judgmental environment. Through play, hands-on activities, and guided discovery using the five senses, children build positive early relationships with food while caregivers learn practical strategies to support healthy eating behaviors at home. The fellow would help design and refine a cohesive, developmentally appropriate curriculum that aligns with our mission and can be implemented consistently across sessions.
Create and administer surveys for our various types of classes. The fellow would review, interpret, and adapt an existing survey tool used by other programs for practical implementation within Apples to Zucchini’s programs.
CalFresh, UCSB
https://basicneeds.ucsb.edu/
UCSB
Food Security
*Prefers September 1st start
The fellow will be assisting community members, including community college students and the general public, with the entire CalFresh application process and connect community members to local community resources that help alleviate food insecurity. This will include making referrals to the CalFresh program, community food distributions, and other social services programs such as WIC and CalWORKS. The fellow will assist clients with CalFresh in-person at various locations in Isla Vista, Goleta, and/or Santa Barbara. The fellow will be expected to meet with community members in-person for most of their work. The fellow will also be responsible for developing outreach materials for their office hours andCalFresh assistance events. The fellow will host office hours and lead at least 2-3 enrollment events during CalFresh Awareness Months for community members. Fellows will also have the opportunity to train volunteers and staff at partner locations on CalFresh assistance.
Campus Canopy
https://www.campuscanopy.org/home
Under the umbrella of another Registered 501 (c)3
Climate Action
Campus Canopy is a program to green school campuses across Santa Barbara. Inspired by a shared belief in the power of nature to shape how children learn and grow, the founders combined their expertise in landscape architecture, education, and nonprofit leadership to create joyful, collaborative planting days that build community and climate resilience from the ground up. The fellows will primarily work outdoors on school campuses, supporting both the development and care of our existing landscapes and the creation of new regenerative landscape areas. Their work will include hands-on activities such as seeding, planting native species, weeding, mulching, installing swales, staking trees and learning the full process of establishing native landscapes that build healthy soil and reclaim water. There will also be opportunities for landscape mapping and design. This role offers practical, applied training in regenerative landscaping while school is in session, providing regular opportunities to engage with K-12 students who visit and interact with the sites. In addition to land stewardship, fellows will contribute to building simple infrastructure—such as fences and signage—and help communicate the purpose and progress of our projects to the broader school community.
Channel Islands Restoration
https://cirweb.org/
Registered 501(c)3
Climate Action
Channel Islands Restoration is a 501(c)(3) non-profit contractor that works to restore habitat on the Channel Islands and the adjacent mainland through invasive plant management, native plant propagation, and native plant installation. Fellows will host community volunteer events and conduct educational and service learning programs. They will also plan events, recruit volunteers, and develop an environmental curriculum for use at events.
One of our current projects that fellows will work on is our Chumash ethnobotanical garden at the San Marcos Foothills Preserve in Santa Barbara, California.
City of Santa Barbara Sustainability & Resilience Department
https://sustainability.santabarbaraca.gov/
Government Agency
Climate Action
The Fellows will directly support the City’s Climate Action Plan (CAP), with an overarching goal of carbon neutrality by 2035, and many more specific measures and strategies. The Climate Action Plan has an overarching theme of centering on equity and is divided up into 5 key sections: building energy; transportation; carbon sequestration; water, wastewater, solid waste; and community potential. The Fellows will engage in two main efforts, but may be tasked to assist with other efforts related to CAP efforts as opportunities arise. These two efforts will include the “Own Your Impact” Campaign, where they will assist 300 city residents to sign up for the campaign and will attend community events to promote the effort. The second effort will be to support the Community Electric Vehicle Action Plan and the Santa Barbara Clean Energy Electric Vehicle Programs. This will include community listening and education sessions related to electric vehicles and outreach and education on charger sites to potential users.
Community Environmental Council
https://cecsb.org/
Registered 501(c)3
Climate Action
*Prefer August start
UCSB College Corps fellows will mobilize residents and volunteers to strengthen climate resilience in Counties of Santa Barbara and Ventura through wildfire preparedness, extreme heat adaptation, neighborhood-scale greening, and resilience hub development. Fellows will support work connected to the Santa Barbara County Wildfire Resilience Collaborative, advance local heat and cooling strategies through a Ventura County Heat Action Plan, and contribute to CEC’s emerging Central Coast Community Resilience Hub Accelerator, which helps communities prepare for compounding threats including heat, power outages, smoke events, flooding, and severe storms. Fellows will provide direct service as climate organizers by recruiting and supporting volunteers and activating community participation through CEC’s Environmental Hub and recurring programs such as Climate Fridays, Climate Stewards, EVs for Everyone, Earth Day, and youth-led climate gatherings.
ÉXITO
https://exito.ucsb.edu/
UCSB
K-12 Education
Our fellows will be supporting high school age students at a local Santa Barbara Unified School District through Ethnic Studies and AVID classes. Through our current partnership with classroom teachers, our fellows will shadow the teachers, provide classroom support for things like in-class assignments and activities, as well as provide mentorship opportunities by giving mini lectures on their experiences as a college student. This would include for example, “A day in the life of a college student”, “Applying for financial aid”, “Picking a major”, etc. types of presentations. For high school students, it is very impactful to have direct connection and access to a current college student.
Explore Ecology’s School Garden Program
https://exploreecology.org
Registered 501(c)3
Climate Action
K-12 Education
*Prefers mid-September start
Explore Ecology is an environmental education nonprofit located in Santa Barbara, California that empowers our community to protect and preserve the planet with innovative environmental education and nature-based learning. These fellows will work with the School Gardens Program, which connects children to nature and teaches them how to grow their own organic food using the garden as an outdoor classroom.The Fellow will help students learn how to separate out their food scraps from the rest of their lunch waste in order to feed their hot compost or worm bin in their school garden. Working with our Coordinators the fellows will help finish up the Compost curriculum we have been working on for different grade levels and school based compost clubs. Fellows will also engage in school family and science nights as well as composting workshops for students and their families.
The Equitable Charging Access for Renters in the 805 region (E-CAR 805) Project
https://sicr.sa.ucsb.edu/projects/e-car-805
Sustainability Internships and Community Resources Department
UCSB
Climate Action
Fellows would do in person outreach, through door to door flyering, community events such as EV showcases and ride and drives), tabling at broader community events (fairs, block parties, etc), presentations, and more, to multi family housing properties served by the The Equitable Charging Access for Renters in the 805 region (E-CAR 805) Project. This is a collaboration across three counties—San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura—to expand electric vehicle charging access to low-income residents. There are 70 sites being served in total spread across the 3 counties. The goal of the outreach will be to let residents know about the new charging stations being installed, how to access the chargers, and also how to access financial support to purchase electric vehicles.
Foodbank of Santa Barbara County
https://foodbanksbc.org/
Registered 501(c)3
Food Security
*Prefers August Start
Fellows will support a variety of community-facing programs that advance food access, nutrition education, and community engagement throughout Santa Barbara County. They will participate in food pre-pack events, community distributions, and client intake, gaining first-hand experience in how food is sourced, prepared, and distributed while interacting directly with neighbors receiving services.
Fellows will also assist with Nutrition Education classes and the FoodBoss HQ field trip program, helping teach basic nutrition concepts and food literacy to students at local public schools and at the Foodbank facility. These activities provide hands-on opportunities to build communication, facilitation, and public health education skills.
Through the Backyard Bounty program, Fellows will work alongside community members to harvest surplus produce from local yards. They will help coordinate harvest days, prepare produce for distribution, and package it with other food items to ensure it reaches neighbors in need.
In addition, Fellows will represent the Foodbank at community outreach events, sharing information about programs and services, answering questions, and supporting relationship-building with community partners.
Freedom 4 Youth
https://freedom4youth.org/
Registered 501(c)3
K-12 Education
*Prefers August Start
Freedom 4 Youth’s mission is to uplift and empower youth that are involved in or impacted by the criminal legal system through healing-centered, restorative, and youth-led solutions. Fellows will serve as in-person academic mentors and tutors for middle and high school youth in partnership with Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD), including independent study and alternative education sites. Fellows will provide structured, student-facing support focused on academic success, credit recovery, goal setting, and social-emotional skill development. Specific activities will include one-on-one and small group tutoring aligned with K-12 curriculum standards; support for homework completion, organization, study skills, and literacy development; assisting students in independent study settings with assignment pacing and accountability; facilitating strengths-based mentorship conversations tied to academic goals; and helping students track academic progress and celebrate milestones.
Isla Vista Community Services District
https://islavistacsd.ca.gov/
Government Agency
Climate Action
The IVCSD operates a variety of sustainability-focused programs designed to take a holistic approach to waste reduction and environmental stewardship. Through educational materials, social media, and community initiatives, we aim to help residents better understand proper waste management while making it easy for them to participate in sustainable practices. To support this work, we are seeking a fellow who can serve as our lead for in-person community engagement. The fellow will conduct door-to-door outreach to speak directly with residents about our programs and distribute educational materials. They will also develop and implement a consistent tabling strategy, hosting at least one tabling event per week to educate the community about sustainability and waste reduction. In addition, the fellow will connect with local organizations and attend their meetings to provide presentations and overviews of IVCSD’s sustainability programs, helping expand awareness and participation across the community.
Kellogg Elementary School
https://www.gusd.us/kellogg
K-12 Public School
K-12 Education
*Prefers September 1st start
Fellows at Kellogg Elementary School will assist with tutoring and mentoring in one-to-one and group settings. One on one mentoring will follow the Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS) and will be done with multiple grade levels. Fellows will also participate in small group tutoring framed around WIN (What I Need) Baskets created around student needs. The fellows will also have the opportunity to support electives for the students around a variety of topic areas.
McEnroe Reading & Language Arts Clinic, UCSB; Community-Based Literacies
https://education.ucsb.edu/clinics-centers/mcenroe-reading-language-arts-clinic/mission
UCSB
K-12 Education
Fellows will support K-8 students through community-based literacies (CBL) programs sponsored by the Reading Clinic. Ongoing CBL programs currently include UCSB Club, a program that brings 3rd-5th grade students to campus to explore what it means to learn as part of a university community and to conduct original research projects; supporting literacy Power Hour in our partner teachers’ 4th and 5th grade classrooms; supporting literacy specialists during Tier 2 intervention sessions; and supporting events such as family literacy nights at our partner elementary school. Fellows will also support administration of the critical reading assessment, an individually-administered assessment to gauge students’ ability to understand and think critically about multimodal texts. Fellows will spend approximately two-thirds of their time working directly with students and the remaining third planning and developing curriculum for their students. They will learn how to create reading, writing, talking, and making activities grounded in the “ABCs of CBL”: agency, belonging, and co-learning. Fellows will collaborate with the director of the Reading Clinic, graduate students coordinating CBL programs, and fellow undergraduates.
Methodist Community Garden, Edible Campus Program
https://sicr.sa.ucsb.edu/projects/edible-campus-program
Edible Campus Program
UCSB
Climate Action
The College Corps fellows will manage volunteer events, workshops, and planting activities at the Methodist Community Garden. The garden is made up of 28 garden beds where community members come together to plant, tend, and harvest organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The garden is located in Isla Vista where 69% of the population is below the poverty line. As such, the gardens provide an essential source of food for the community. Though this garden is physically located at a church, the garden is available to the public and fully separate from the religious activities of the church. The fellow will not be proselytizing or participating in religious activity.
Office of Education Partnership
https://oep.ucsb.edu/
UCSB
K-12 Education
*Prefers August start date
We would like program assistance with our college readiness programs, Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) and Destination College Advising Corps (DCAC). The program serves K12 students (grades 6-12th), by fostering early interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and prepares middle and high school students for college STEM majors. The DCAC program focuses primarily on providing high school students with personalized, knowledgeable guidance on college admissions requirements, financial aid, and enrollment. The fellows would also help with K12 school visits and special events. The majority of support would focus on Carpinteria Unified School District (Highschool and Middle School).
Old Town Goleta Neighborhood Creek Project
https://sicr.sa.ucsb.edu/projects/old-town-goleta-neighborhood-creek-project
Sustainability Internships and Community Resources Department
UCSB
Climate Action
The Old Town Goleta Neighborhood Creek Project is a community-based initiative dedicated to restoring and protecting the San Jose, Old San Jose, and San Pedro Creeks. The project seeks to establish a lasting coalition composed of local organizations, businesses, and residents that are united by a shared commitment to creek care and the Old Town community. The College Corp fellow will help to organize volunteer events and bilingual workshops related to creek stewardship for the Old Town Goleta community. They will facilitate monthly meetings of community partners.
Organic Soup Kitchen
https://organicsoupkitchen.org/
Registered 501(c)3
Food Security
Organic Soup Kitchen provides nutrient-dense soups to individuals with cancer, chronic illness, and low-income seniors. The fellow will be integrated into multiple areas of service and encouraged to assist wherever support is most needed, gaining broad exposure to nonprofit operations and community engagement. Primary responsibilities will include program meal preparation, updating and tracking orders from the community, and supporting program packing and logistics. They may also assist with meal deliveries to clients. The fellow will also help respond to program questions, conduct client intake and follow-up calls to gather necessary information, and support clear communication with the community we serve. In addition, the fellow will help conduct quarterly client surveys to gather feedback on how our services are impacting clients’ health and well-being.
Pilgrim Terrace Urban Farm & Kitchen
https://pilgrimterrace.org/
Registered 501(c)3
Climate Action
*Prefers August Start
Pilgrim Terrace Urban Farms operates as a social service provider for Pilgrim Terrace Housing (Property). We provide free services to low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities. Our senior care program addresses malnutrition and social isolation through daily nutritious meals, social engagement, nutritional education, and fresh, living produce grown at our on-site urban farm. The fellow will engage with residents and volunteers as they manage the onsite compost piles, plant and maintain the farm, and support onsite aeroponic towers. They will also do outreach to the community through tabling at local events, and educational programming. They may also help with evaluation of service efforts and in collecting feedback from the community being served.
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
https://sbbotanicgarden.org/
Registered 501(c)3
Climate Action
The primary task for this fellow will be to support horticultural education at the Garden and its satellite projects in the community. The fellow will assist with class and public program delivery at the Garden, accompanying staff on site consultations with community members and helping draft reports. They will also help with horticulturally-focused programming at the Garden’s offsite “Landscape Transformations” projects at Elings Park, Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens, State Street, and others. Initially, we will ask the Fellow to act as a teaching assistant, but as they develop more skill and familiarity with the content, they will be taking the lead in more content delivery and possibly also content development. The fellow will also be working in the Garden's Nanonursery to grow native plants to support programming and outreach efforts.
Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade
www.sbbucketbrigade.org
Registered 501(c)3
Climate Action
Fellows will work on the Bucket Brigade Humanitarian Garden - a 7-acre climate-adaptive habitat restoration and food forest project at Elings Park South. Students would be working with volunteers to plant and maintain restoration areas and then working with staff to plan and maintain further restorations. The second project will be at the Humanitarian Farm - a one-acre organic farm that grows food for local food-aid partners. This project involves all aspects of organic farming, farm education and volunteer coordination.
Santa Barbara County Department of Social Services
https://www.countyofsb.org/474/Social-Services
Government Agency
Food Security
Fellows will be assisting low income residents from Santa Barbara County with their CalFresh applications. They will be in direct contact with applicants. They will assist Eligibility Workers with expedited services applications and appointment scheduling for CalFresh applicants. They will do their service in person at the Santa Barbara Office for the Department of Social Services.
SciTrek
https://scitrek.chem.ucsb.edu/
UCSB
K-12 Education
*Prefers August Start
SciTrek brings mentors into local schools to help students complete long-term (~7-hour) science investigations. Mentors guide students through this process. During the school year, each class participates in two modules, and we work with between 25 and 30 classes annually. Fellows would serve as mentors in the elementary school part of the program (grades 2nd-6th) and, ideally, be able to lead modules by facilitating whole-class discussions and supporting other mentors.
St. Michael's Community Garden, Edible Campus Program
https://sicr.sa.ucsb.edu/projects/edible-campus-program
UCSB
Climate Action
The College Corps fellows will manage volunteer events, workshops, and planting activities at St.Michael’s Community Garden. The garden is made up of 48 garden beds where community members come together to plant, tend, and harvest organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The garden is located in Isla Vista where 69% of the population is below the poverty line. As such, the gardens provide an essential source of food for the community. Though this garden is physically located at a church, the garden is available to the public and fully separate from the religious activities of the church. The fellow will not be proselytizing or participating in religious activity.