Community Centers & Recreation
In this section, you will find resources for teens and young adults who want to participate in recreational and community activities throughout San Diego County, such as local recreation centers, clubhouses for specialized needs, activities for a variety of interests, and volunteer opportunities.
Search and Filter
Use the tools below to find the community centers & recreation resources that fit your unique set of needs.
San Diego Civic Dance Arts Program
Founded in 1942, the Civic Dance Arts Program of the San Diego Park and Recreation Department, has introduced hundreds of thousands of citizens to the art form of dance. Currently, classes are offered at 25 city recreation centers, at affordable prices, (and in some instances with fees waived), enabling children and adults from all economic and cultural backgrounds, full participation in the study of dance. The basics of ballet, jazz, tap, and theater dance technique are stressed for all students.
(619) 235-5255
San Diego Food Bank
The face of hunger in San Diego has changed. Many people associate the Food Bank with those who are homeless, but the majority of the people we feed are low-income individuals and families who have homes but struggle daily to put food on the table. And increasingly in this tough economic climate middle class families are now seeking help from the Food Bank.
Call: 1-866-350-FOOD (3663)
Numerous locations throughout San Diego County. Call or visit website to search for the food distribution site closest to you.
1 (866) 350-3663
San Diego Humane Society
Compassionate, dedicated volunteers are needed in all areas of our shelters. It’s important to us that volunteering be a full and meaningful experience for everyone who participates. We recruit new volunteers for our general program on an every-other-month basis, giving us time to meet the hundreds of people who submit applications and make sure they are properly trained and placed in an appropriate program before they begin. Other locations: Oceanside: (760) 757-4357, 572 Airport Road, Oceanside, CA 92058 and Escondido: (760) 888-2275, 3450 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido, CA 92027
(619) 299-7012
San Diego LGBT Community Center and Hillcrest Youth Center
The San Diego Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center, Inc., (The Center) is the nation’s second oldest and one of the largest LGBT community centers. Functioning as the LGBT community’s anchor organization, The Center is led by a 15-member board of directors, employs more than 50 paid staff and utilizes more than 1000 community volunteers to achieve its twin goals of promoting LGBT health and human rights. The Center provides direct program services to the many different facets of the LGBT community, including men, women, youth, seniors, families, LGBT Latino community members and their families, and those struggling with HIV. Last year The Center provided more than 61,000 direct service visits to San Diego community members, and through its events, activities and advocacy, touched the lives of thousands more.
(619) 692-2077
San Diego Police Department Internships
The San Diego Police Department offers internships to college students on an ongoing basis. Benefits of an internship include college credit for work experience and training (paid positions are available on a limited basis), and the satisfaction in giving back to the community. Interns help the Department carry out many vital and support functions and also help develop closer links to the communities of San Diego.
(619) 531-2677
San Diego Regional Center Community Resources
San Diego Regional Center believes that access to information, supports and learning is necessary for all people to achieve their life goals.
(858)-576-2996
San Diego Sheriff Department Internships
The San Diego Sheriff’s Department offers undergraduate and graduate school students an exciting insider’s view of the department’s operations and provides an opportunity to explore the many career opportunities within the department. You’ll be working with Deputy Sheriffs and Civilian Staff personnel on important cases and management issues and may be exposed to other law enforcement agencies. You’ll feel like you’re a part of the department…because you are.
(858) 974-2222
San Diego Therapeutic Recreation Services
The City of San Diego Park & Recreation Therapeutic Recreation Services (TRS) program provides sports, recreation, leisure and outreach services to San Diegans with physical, mental and emotional disabilities.
(619) 525-8247
San Diego Unified School District: Transition Resources for Adult Community Education (TRACE)
TRACE is part of the San Diego Unified School District and is an educational support network to assist young adult students with disabilities in transition from high school to adult life. TRACE encourages students to be as independent as possible in the community.
(619) 574-1073
San Diego Youth Services: TAY Academy
TAY Academy provides a safe, inclusive, youth-led environment planned at multiple locations throughout San Diego County. The program is a collaborative effort between SDYS, YMCA, and South Bay Community Services to offer resources and give support to transition aged youth (ages 14-25). TAY Academy is designed to be a one-stop center for comprehensive services and support on their journey to independence and self-sufficiency. TAY Academy is a “HUB” for transition age youth in accessing resources, focusing on environmental and personal safety. TAY Academy is dedicated to serving at-risk youth in a manner which is knowledgeable of, and sensitive to, the trauma occurring in their lives. Youth from all interest groups and cultural backgrounds are welcome at each center.
(619) 232-8126
Search and Filter
Use the tools below to find the community centers & recreation resources that fit your unique set of needs.
The resources and services in this directory are provided by external partners and not by San Diego Center for Children.
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Disclaimer
We do not endorse any specific organization listed nor are we responsible for ensuring the quality of the services listed. Users should always select services at their own discretion. Additionally, this information is subject to change as funding for programs can shift over time, though we do our very best to keep the resource center as up-to-date as possible.