Parish volunteers partner with interfaith congregations to construct quality affordable housing with lower-income new homeowners who contribute 500 “sweat equity” hours while learning homeowner/repair skills.

Parish volunteers assist with Spiritual Exercises retreats as retreat companions for persons in homelessness seeking change and growth to overcome homelessness.

Parish volunteers provide lunch monthly to assist persons in homelessness with histories of emotional and/or mental challenges participating in Tender Mercies permanent housing and supportive services.

Parish volunteers assist as a support congregation for families in homeless by providing meals, tutoring, children’s and family activities for, and overnight hospitality at nearby Walnut Hills Baptist Church, while families receive housing and job search support from IHN family support staff.

Parish volunteers provide lunch monthly to assist persons in homelessness with histories of emotional and/or mental challenges participating in Tender Mercies permanent housing and supportive services.

The Centro Altagracia is dedicated to faith in action; promoting social justice through active collaboration with parishes, community organizations, and individuals and through initiatives that serve the needs of the community as those needs have been identified by the Hispanic community of northern Manhattan. We seek to awaken awareness within individuals of how their Catholic, Christian faith calls them to be aware of the issues impacting their community and to be engaged in action to address these issues. Among the Centro's programs are: Social/Pastoral Ministry Teams that serve as coordinators and catalysts for social awareness and action within parishes; H.E.L.P. (Hispanic Evangelization Leadership Program) that trains young adults for leadership roles within their parishes; and G.R.A.C.E. (Gaining Respect and Awareness through Community Education) which addresses the issue of domestic violence. The Centro also maintains a library of books and DVDs for community use.

The Dominican Outreach Center or Centro Altagracia de Fe y Justicia (Altagracia Center for Faith and Justice) was formed by the New York Province of the Society of Jesus in response to the unmet needs of the Dominican community of the Washington Heights area. In a period of slightly more than one year the Centro Altagracia has been able to make incredible strides in establishing itself in the community through its work with the ten parishes of the North Manhattan vicariate, various community organizations, and elected officials.
 

The Center for Service and Justice (CSJ) offers a variety of opportunities for students to learn from, engage in and reflect on service and social justice.

Volunteer Opportunities- CSJ works with community partners near the Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses to place students in a variety of service environments:
Volunteer Opportunities -Rose Hill
Volunteer Opportunities - Lincoln Center

Service Learning- CSJ helps students connect academics to volunteers experiences in the community through the Service Learning Program.
Service Learning Program

Internship Opportunities- Students can obtain paid and unpaid internship opportunities through CSJ, working in a variety of social service environments.
Internship Opportunities

Post-Graduate Vocational Discernment- CSJ helps connect students to long-term volunteer opportunities after graduation, as well as nonprofit careers in the New York area.
Post Graduate Opportunities

Integrated Service-learning Community- CSJ has developed an Integrated Serivce-Learning Community located in the Belmont neighborhood in the Bronx where students committ to ongoing volunteering during the year and participate in weekly reflection and community building activities.
Integrated Service-Learning Community

The social ministries are active year-round and open to all parishioners to join in making the social mission of the church the essential and central mission of the parish.  Examples of ministries include: parish twinning with St Jude's parish in Haiti, ongoing social justice eduation programs, and fair trade coffee sales.

Gesu Social Concerns Committee oversees a number of programs to the homeless including a regular Saturday meal program, Sunday breakfast bags. Gesu parishioners also partner with downtown congregations offering shelter and day programs to the homeless individuals and families and Gesu parishioners were instrumental in the establishment of a Milwaukee Housing Trust Fund

GHP was on December 12, 1988. The shelter opened its doors to address an issue that was most neglected in the community: emergency shelter for the homeless. For more than 20 years it has been providing 90-day temporary shelter and meals to homeless men. The Guadalupe Homeless Project is the only men’s shelter in East Los Angeles and responds to the needs of a particularly vulnerable segment of society. A majority of GHP clients are immigrants who come to the United States looking for work, opportunity, and a way out of poverty.

Hollywood Interfaith Sponsoring Committee, a community organization in the PICO network (www.piconetwork.org) which facilitates empowerment activities, leadership training and community organizing in conjunction with Sacred Heart Parish.

Midnight Run is a volunteer service program which began in 1988. It focuses on the particular needs of the hungry and homeless people living in the community around Marquette. This program is organized by a coordinating team of Marquette students under the supervision of Campus Ministry. Volunteers serve meals and work in area meal programs and shelters. Service in Midnight Run is meant to challenge students to integrate their experiences with their faith. Midnight Run's philosophy is rooted in the gospel, with Matthew chapter 25 serving as its hallmark. Midnight Run is based on the fundamental belief in the dignity and worth of all persons and strives to cultivate a sense of responsibility for caring for all members of our community.

For over 20 years, the campus ministry program Midnight Run has utilized voluntary direct service (primarily nutrition and meal outreach) as its primary tool to “build relationships, and walk with those who are hungry, homeless, or suffer the consequences of society's unjust structures, honoring the dignity and worth of all.” Through reflection on service Midnight Run seeks to create men and women of service and develop agents of positive social change.

This parish runs weekly soup kicthens for the homeless

MICAH organizes/advocates around issues such as neighborhood drug trafficking, urban schools, drug punishment and rehabilitation, affordable housing, and urban sprawl. This church-based organization is grounded in the principles of empowerment through the Gospel, education, advocacy and action. The Gesu MICAH Core Team leads parish actions in this interfaith, multi-racial organization to empower people to achieve structural change for justice and peace in the innercity.

Emergency Services

St. Leo St. Vincent de Paul Conference in Partnership with St. Leo Emergency Services consists of volunteers who help people in need when they come to the rectory. They also provide emergency services by networking with other social service agencies. Additionally, they give out vouchers for household goods from the St. Vincent de Paul Store. They meet monthly to pray and to consider how they can best be of service to our brothers and sisters in need. Some of the Vincentians serve as receptionists for the parish; others participate as Sandwich Brigade Members or Walkabouters. St. Leo Emergency Services is always in need of donations of toothbrushes, disposable razors, socks, and (ATTN: TRAVELERS) travel size shampoos, toothpastes, deodorants, soaps, and lotions.

St. Leo Eco-Spirit Group

The mission of St. Leo’s Eco-Spirit Group is to be a spiritual catalyst, enhancing each parishioner’s awareness of God in our earthly and cosmic surroundings; and to promote individual and communal commitment in preserving and protecting our environment. Ecology, stewardship, and simplicity are considered through prayer, reflection and action. We welcome all who are interested, for it is through diverse voices that common goals can be achieved.

Noah’s Pet Project

Noah’s Pet Project is a free pet clinic for elderly, homeless or needy people in the community. The clinic is open from 1:00 to 3:00 on the second Saturday of every month at Doggie Day Care, 6th & No. Oakes. The clinic provides vaccines and outpatient care to cats and dogs. They also supply food and flea products, depending on donations. Volunteers are needed to help at the clinic. In addition, the Pet Project is in need of monetary donations to purchase vaccines and medicines. Also needed are cleaning supplies, paper towels, pet food, and pet dishes. Donations can be left in the large baskets in the hospitality area or dropped into the collection at St. Leo (marked “Noah’s” on the envelope or in the memo line).

The Sandwich Brigade

The Sandwich Brigade is made up of teams of at least four people who supply sandwich fixins and make sandwiches that Operation Keep ‘em Warm & Fed distributes to people who are homeless. This is a monthly commitment and is a great project for families!

Walkabouters and Talkabouters

Walkabouters and Talkabouters are parishioners who make a commitment to walk around the neighborhood to get acquainted with neighbors and folks who are eating at the Hospitality Kitchen. They are well-known for the Hershey’s kisses they pass out! Walkabouts usually take place at 7:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., Monday through Saturday. Folks who are “talkabouters” can come any time the Hospitality Kitchen is open. Commitments are flexible.

The L'Honey Program

The L’Honey Program is a collaborative venture between St. Leo Parish and L’Arche Farm that promotes sustainable beekeeping and hive product development that supports the social business model. Our focus is on education, care for the environment, and the inclusion of vulnerable adults in business and agricultural activities.

Ability Xavier advocates for persons with disabilities and sponsors events about disability. If you have parish disability-related needs, contact Kathleen Friel at (212) 866-1120, kf2105@columbia.edu. Visit our webpage!

All Saints Clothing Room: Each Sunday in tandem with the Welcome Table, the clothing room provides casual and business attire and toiletries to more than 60 guests. The volunteer shift runs from 8:45am—11:15 am (you’ll be done in time for 11:30 Mass!). To volunteer, please call Bob or Ann Mary at 201-991-1976.

Food Pantry: On the second Saturday of every month, over 100 families are served at our client-choice shopping-style food pantry. In addition, the Pantry offers clothing and assistance with entitlement benefits. To assist with registration and distribution, call Frank or Eileen at (212) 944-1507.

Honduras Companion Communities Project: offers community-building and support for areas devastated by natural disasters and poverty. Parishioners visit and work with the communities, offering assistance for ongoing projects. You can make a donation to our project via Parish Pay. To join us on our next trip, or for more information, contact Brian Hotaling at bhtraveler@aol.com.

Hurtado Shelter – The Hurtado Shelter of provides a friendly, safe space for up to 18 men or women, seven nights a week. The shelter is a member of the Emergency Shelter Network of Congregations and Community Organizations (ESN) and runs in partnership with the Department of Homeless Services and the Olivieri Drop-In Center. Volunteers are needed for primetime and overnight shifts!

Life-Skills Training & Empowerment Program (L-STEP): Formerly called EOP, L-STEP is a 12-week course that offers enhanced life skills training and one-on-one mentoring to homeless or formerly homeless men and women. L-STEP helps these individuals overcome the cycle of addiction and poverty, enabling them to lead healthy, independent, and productive lives.  The program includes life-skills workshops, one-on-one mentoring, and group support and culminates in a “Speaker’s Night”, when participants share their stories of suffering, rebirth and hope with the community.

The Fall 2009 session of L-STEP begins on September 15th.
The Spring 2010 session of L-STEP will begin in late February.

Each semester, volunteers from the parish and community are needed for a variety of roles.
Co-facilitators are needed to prepare for the program, find participants, and lead the sessions. Facilitators attend all sessions and assist the Director with preparation and enrollment.

Presenters are needed to make 1 hour presentations on the following topics:

 

All presentations are on a Tuesday or Thursday evening. Content suggestions for each of the topics will be provided. Presenters attend one session.

Mentors are needed to help participants set and work toward goals. Mentors do not need a specific education or background, merely an interest in meeting and working with a program participant. There will be an orientation for all mentors. Mentors attend five Thursday night sessions.

If you would like to volunteer or to learn more about L-STEP please call Cassandra at 212-627-2100, x205.

Men’s Shelter: Xavier operates a homeless shelter for up to 15 men Sunday—Friday, in conjunction with John Heuss House and Partnership for the Homeless. Guests are provided with a snack in the evening and breakfast in the morning. Volunteers are needed for the primetime shift (8:00pm—11:00pm) or overnight (8:00pm—6:00am). To volunteer or for more information, please contact Jim English and jim.english@nielsen.com.

Xavier Shelter Soccer Program – The homeless soccer programs have been very successful in raising awareness of homeless issues and improving the image of homeless people to the general public. This growing awareness and recognition of outreach work in the community leads to new partnerships and opportunities, which in turn can make a difference in the lives of homeless individuals. Contact Cassandra Agredo, cagredo@sfxavier.org or 212-627-2100, x208

Unemployment Support Group: If you know of a job opening, please be in touch with us so we can pass the opportunity on to our members. E-mail Kevin Curley at kcurley01@aol.com.

Welcome Table: Every Sunday the Welcome Table serves 800-1000 meals and provides guests with multiple services including free chiropractic adjustments, HIV/AIDS screening, and assistance with entitlement benefits. Please contact Christine Raglan at sfxwelcometable@gmail.com or 917-502-4759 to reserve a place.

Service is a significant part of most students’ Marquette experience through New Student Orientation, in student organizations, as part of residence floor activities, in classes, and as part of leadership development programs and athletic teams' activities. The Office of Student Development at Marquette University coordinates community service programs like Best Buddies, Habitat for Humanity, literacy training, jail visitations and Hunger Clean Up.  The OSD invites Marquette student to strive to “Be the Difference!”

Provides meals, fellowship and outreach every day of the week to homeless and addicted.

The poorest of the poor go to the McKenna Center each weekday to get a mail, take a shower, to get clean clothes, to ask for job and drug counseling and to experience a safe and drug-free environment. The McKenna Center provides or efficiently refers guests to any service a homeless man might need. The McKenna Center is the last daytime drop-in center for homeless men in the downtown Washington, DC area.