Any referrals or volunteers?

Here're a few suggestions for you:1) Read up as much as possible2) Connect and network with other RE investors3) Go through this article to narrow your REI focus: https://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/10850/86621-six-steps-approach-to-getting-started-in-real-estate4) Save money by taking some side gigs so that you can start investing down the road5) Once you chose your niche within REI, concentrate on studying all about it inside out6) Volunteer for someone in the field to learn from them.7) Take action!

I know in corporate America time off isn't always available, but maybe take one week off from your day job and actually volunteer at another to see what its like.Try to envision "big picture" what you want for a job. 

I'm in this position now because I was able to dedicate a lot of time volunteering at meetups and offering my help on higher and higher level tasks that I saw they could use some help in.

They essentially buy themselves a volunteer job working on their own properties for no pay. 

I recently got laid off and I am looking to volunteer my time to help out an investor or someone experienced in the real estate field so I can learn while I am out of a job. 

I am currently located in Los Angeles, California and I am looking to get hands on volunteer work in real estate related areas.

They museum didn't want to pay (they couldn't really) and decided to rely on some volunteer members that wanted the bed to stay. 

How about volunteering to nurse or doctor for 50% off?

Wouldn't it make more sense to just volunteer at the local food bank and do something useful and limit your risk?