Objective: Volunteer. Obstacle: Massive Bureaucracy

I've been feeling a little down of late for any number of reasons, but mostly from lack of daily interaction with other human beings. I decided that I should do some volunteer work to get my people fix and help some folks out along the way. I went online and found a number of websites that direct you to various not-for-profit organizations that need volunteers. After my stint in China where I was functionally illiterate, I thought that a literacy assistance program would be a great place for me to volunteer my time.

I figured I would find a library or an adult school, offer my services, and show up during tutoring hours and read with folks. Instead I'm slowly marching through what feels like an endless sea of bureaucracy. Before I can actually volunteer my time I have to go through the following:

1. Find a volunteer opportunity.
   
2. Contact the organization.
   
3. Fill out online application.
   
4. Attend in-person training and evaluation.
   
5. Fill out a paper application.
   
6. Apply for background check.
   
7. Sign photo release.
   
8. Get TB test.
   
9. Fill out LAUSD volunteer application.
   
10. Get fingerprinted.
    
11. Wait 1-6 weeks for approval.
12. Contact service provider partner & setup an appointment.
    
13. Receive information packet regarding the SPP site.
    
14. Inform another agency of my intended volunteer schedule.
    
15. Await confirmation of schedule.
    
16. Attend first tutoring session.
    
17. Talk with lead teacher about goals and resources.
    
18. Begin Tutoring.
    
19. Attend additional ongoing training.
    
20. Log hours tutored and report to literacy organization on a monthly basis.

This is absurd. Absolutely absurd. It shouldn't take 18 steps before a person has the opportunity to help someone else out. This is a more convoluted process than a job application. I want to participate in a literacy program, and I will go through these steps to do so, but this is just beyond the pale.

Anyone out there have a lead on some good volunteer opportunities that don't involve quite so many hoops?

EDIT: Forgot to include that I also need two letters of recommendation. Seriously?!