UC Links Partner Programs ​

UC Links is a funding partner of the UCI CASE program that has promoted partnerships with five local programs. These four programs include Girls Inc. of Orange County, Math CEO, KidWorks, and Turtle Rock. To learn more about each of these programs, visit the UC Links Partner Programs page. For Fall 2025, Math CEO, Girls Inc., KidWorks, and Turtle Rock are partner programs taking in volunteers. Additional programs that we are working with to provide students with more fieldwork opportunities include the Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano. Please see information on each program below!

For EDUC 160 only:
Students are required to complete their hours at one of the above fieldwork sites. If students are unable to complete their fieldwork hours at one of these programs, they can submit a waiver for instructor approval. The following reasons are potentially acceptable reasons to seek a waiver:

• Transportation to our partner sites is a hardship
• Your school/work schedule does not allow you to attend any of the partner sites
• You already worked at another out-of-school program prior to the start of the quarter

To submit a waiver, please fill out the form here. 

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Turtle Rock (Kids Club)
Website: https://www.cityofirvine.org/parks-facilities/after-school-programs

Program Description:
Turtle Rock is a recreation-based after-school program for children in grades kindergarten thru 6th. Students are divided into the following groups: K-1st, 2nd-3rd, and 4th-6th grade. Activities include homework help, crafts, games, sports and more.

Program Hours:
Monday-Friday: Kindy Cove (K): 11:30PM - 2:30PM (One volunteer needed per day) 
Monday-Friday: Kids Club (Grades K-6th): 2:00PM - 5:30PM (Six volunteers needed per day, first come first served basis)
***Volunteers do not need to stay for the whole time period, they can arrive later or leave early. 
Note: Any dishonesty in documenting your start/end time will be communicated back to the fieldwork coordinator.

Orientation Process:
1. Send an email to [email protected] to inquire about volunteering at Turtle Rock Community Center (even if you have volunteered here in the past)
2. Follow their steps to sign-up (steps will be in their email response). On your first shift you will meet with their staff. 

TB Test/Background Check:
TB Test: Must provide a copy of a negative TB test within the last 12 months
Background Check: Yes

Address: ​1 Sunnyhill Drive
​Irvine, CA 92603

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KidWorks
Website: https://kidworksoc.org

Program Description: 
KidWorks offers a variety of activities for K-12th grade students, such as homework help, reading time, character and social-emotional development and computer-based learning.  Students are typically broken into classrooms based on their grade-level. Grades 4th/5th and 10th/11th are paired together. At the Donahue Center, they serve around 150 students. Each satellite center serves around 60 students.
​
Program Hours:
Mon – Thur: 3:00PM - 7:00PM
     3:00-5:00PM Kinder, 1st, 2nd grade
     3:00-5:00PM 3rd, 4th, 5th grade
     5:30 -7:00PM 6th-12th grade
Fri: hours vary due to events/administrative opportunities
 
​Orientation Process:
Interested in volunteering with KidWorks? Fill out their Volunteer Application. In the application, please include the course you are taking. After submitting the form you will be hearing back from Rachel Cervantes. 
​
TB Test/Background Check:
TB Test: Dependent on which program (preschool yes, afterschool no)
Background Check: Yes      

Multiple locations in Santa Ana, CA

*Main Location UCI Students Volunteer at: 1902 W. Chestnut Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92703

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Girls Inc. of Orange County
Website: https://www.girlsinc-oc.org

Girls Inc has a variety of programs tailored to meet the interests and needs of girls in Orange County, including programs related to literacy, STEM, and college preparation. Learn more on their website. and on this video..

Location:
In addition, check out this Fall 2025 Volunteer Newsletter to learn about the volunteer opportunities available. For senior-level students check out this opportunity to become a College Essay Mentor. 

Location:
Multiple locations in Orange County
Home office: 1801 E. Edinger Avenue, Suite 255A Santa Ana, CA 92705

Literacy Lab (Tue & Wed 1-6pm)
Location: In Santa Ana and Newport Beach
Teen Advocacy and Life Skills (Mon- Thur. 8am-3pm)
Location: Junior High and High Schools in Anaheim
Family Resource Center (Mon-Thurs. 4pm-6pm)
Location: In Newport Beach

Orientation Process:
​Interested in volunteering with Girls Inc? Follow this link and fill out the Volunteer Interest Form.. Please note in your submission that you are a UCI student with EDUC160 course. 

TB Test/Background Check:
TB Test: Yes, but it will depend on the school site.
Background Check: Yes, mandatory for all sites!​ ​​

Multiple locations in Orange County

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Math CEO
Website: https://www.math.uci.edu/mathceo/
Locations include UCI campus and Santa Ana, CA

Location: 
UC Irvine Campus 

Program Description:
Math CEO serves primarily middle school students from Santa Ana, CA. Throughout the year, they work on a math enrichment curriculum with their college mentors. Mentors work with students to develop critical and mathematical thinking skills during ~90min sessions. Sessions for middle school students are held in person on the UCI Campus.

For more information about this wonderful program, please visit the program website at www.math.uci.edu/~mathceo 

Program Hours:
Monday: 2:00-3:50pm (UCI ALP 2200) - Middle school coaching 
Wednesday: 2:00-3:50pm (UCI ALP 2500 & more rooms TBA) - Middle school fieldwork

Orientation Process:
Interested in volunteering with Math CEO? There are two steps:
1) Read this volunteer information document.
2) Fill out this form..

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Boys & Girls Club
​of Central Orange Coast
Website:  https://boysandgirlsclub.com/

Program Description: 
Update: The fieldwork position at this Costa Mesa site is no longer available. We may receive more updates in the future. 

Location: ​
Program Hours:
Mon, Tues, Thurs, & Fri:   
​Wed: ​

Orientation Process: 


TB Test/Background Check: 

Address: 966 Sonora Rd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626​
​

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Breakthrough - San Juan Capistrano
Website:  breakthroughsjc.org

Program Description: 
Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano is a community-based program that empowers motivated students with backgrounds underrepresented in higher education to achieve academic success from middle school through college graduation. We believe in the power of education to radically change the lives of young people and end the cycle of poverty in families. Our program cultivates leaders who will become advocates for educational equity, and we strategically generate a volunteer bases who firmly believe in our students potential. We aim to develop cultural competency in our community and for our community of volunteers this means providing experiences and developing skills that equip them to effectively engage with our students across cultures, perspectives, and background. 
​
Location: St Margaret's Episcopal School
31641 La Novia
San Juan Capistrano, CA, 92675 
(as well as local schools such as Marco Forster Middle School, Dana Hills High School, and San Juan Hills High School) ​Program 

Hours: Mon – Friday: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Orientation Process:
1. Read the following documents
Learn About Breakthrough.
Volunteer & Internship Opportunities.
2. Email Cover Letter and Resume to Assistant Director, Tania Solano Cervantes at [email protected]  
3. Participate in a Zoom Interview
4. Once a formal offer is given, you will be required to do a background check and mandated reporter training.

TB Test/Background Check:
TB Test: TBD
Background Check: Yes     

• Paid for by program 

More information about program: 
​Website: breakthroughsjc.org.
Instagram: @breakthroughsanjuan
BTSJC Strategic Plan.

Home Office Location:
​St Margaret's Episcopal School 31641 La Novia
San Juan Capistrano, CA, 92675 
Multiple local public middle school
& high schools

Click here for additional video about Breakthrough summer programs. ​

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