Volunteer Opportunities

Winter 2006

Catholic Charities has available the following winter volunteer opportunities. For information on volunteering for these opportunities, please contact the agency of your choice.

Join the Advocacy Network

Catholic Charities of Southern Illinois sends out a weekly email update on important issues on the local, state and federal levels. Each issue has opportunities for folks to get involved by contacting legislators on topics such as housing, education, homelessness, poverty, etc. Send an email expressing your interest to charities@diobelle.org

Critique our Web Site

Visit www.ccsil.org and let us know your suggestions.

Back to Top

Canned Goods Donations

The need is great for gifts of food. The cupboards are nearly bare. Coordinate a canned food or clothing drive to accompany your parish picnic and other events. Please call for drop off information.

Cosgrove's Kitchen Supplies

Recurring costs for items such as napkins, plates, plastic ware and cleaning supplies add up over the cost of a year. Collect and donate money or items.

Thrift Store Designers

Some people never receive new clothes or home furnishings. They only can afford what is donated to our St. Vincent de Paul thrift stores. A group is gathering with ideas on renovating and reorganizing our thrift store, and maybe opening a hip, youth-oriented, retro clothing shop as well! Help us with your ideas, with sorting donated goods and stocking the shelves. A good youth group venture!

Family Center - Tutors

The Learning Club is a national math and reading program that helps children and builds self-esteem. Tutors are needed Tuesday and/or Thursday afternoons from 3:30 to 5:00. Training is provided (must be 21 to tutor). Call sister Carol at 618-875-7295.

Griffin Center - Everything's A Quarter

Griffin Center sponsors a monthly rummage sale the first week of each month, Sept. thru May. Useable household goods, bedding, linens, baby things and clothes for all ages (that you or a family member would be willing to wear) would be appreciated. Call Sister Julia at 618-874-2500.

Volunteer House

Please help to furnish our new Volunteer House by adopting a room! Each of our 15 bedrooms needs twin bed sheets/pillow cases; bath towel/hand towel/washcloth/bath rug; wastebasket; bedside rug; bedside table; bedside lamp; clock; carbon monoxide monitor; and fire detector. Questions: Call Sr. Marge at Catholic Urban Programs at 618-398-5616.

Back to Top

Foster Parents And Adoptive Parents

Many are needed at all CSS offices in the Diocese. Call Steve Steinhart at the Belleville office at 618-394-5900 for information.

Be A Friend

Many foster children never become adopted, and when they leave the foster system as young adults, they do not have the support of loving families when starting out in life. Individuals can befriend a young adult coming out of the system; groups can put together care packages for them. Call Steve Steinhart at the Belleville office 618-394-5900 to assist.

Back to Top

Canned Goods Donations

The need is great for gifts of food. The cupboards are nearly bare. Coordinate a canned food or clothing drive to accompany your parish picnic and other events. Please call for pick up and/or drop-off information.

Baby Clothes

Please donate new or gently used baby clothing and supplies for single mothers and others in need.

Thrift Store Helpers

Some people never receive new clothes or home furnishings. They only can afford what is donated to our thrift store. Help us keep the store a clean, respectable and dignified place for people to shop by sorting donated goods and stocking the shelves. A good youth group venture!

Urban Plunge

Groups of up to 10 can stay in our apartment upstairs, and work in the area on house-painting, yard clean-ups, etc. Call to reserve a weekend or a whole week!

Back to Top

Tuition Assistance

Parents from across the Metro East bring their children to our facility for the quality, Christian education we provide. The poor children in our own neighborhood deserve the same opportunities. Call Brother John to sponsor a child.

The Monsignor Urban Kuhl Memorial Scholarship

Our scholarships recognize Msgr. Kuhl's 30 years of service to our center, and they allow needy families to attend our daycare or preschool. Call 618-235-6717 for information.

Back to Top

Nurses

If you are a nurse and are able to help with a blood pressure/blood screening event, call the office NOW and leave name and phone number. Sr. Michelle, ASC (RN) will return a call and give you upcoming dates. These screenings are held after Spanish Mass on a selected Sunday in several locations - Carbondale, Cahokia, Damiansville, and Fairmont City.

Tuition Assistance For Latinos

Invest in the future of the church. Help make it possible for a Hispanic youth to attend Catholic High School. Adopt a teen for a year, a month or even a day. (Estimated yearly cost $4500). Call for more information about the St. Juan Diego Fund.

Moms In Need

There are Latino moms having babies who, because of poverty, lack basic necessities for new-borns. Call the Office of Hispanic Ministry if you with to contribute basic baby supplies.

Back to Top

Literacy Legislation

Perhaps as many as 70% of prison inmates cannot read. We are looking at proposing a State Bill that would grant time off for good behavior to inmates who stick with tutoring and attain literacy. If you have interest or experience in drafting legislation, or simply have some ideas or curiosity to share, please call Mike at 618-526-7203.

Tutoring

Volunteers needed a couple hours a week to help someone in your area learn to read or learn basic math skills. Volunteers are provided professional training and support through community colleges. All it takes is a desire to see others succeed, and volunteers may quit at any time. For more info, call Janet Brede at 618-526-7203.

Childcare

NEIGHBOR HELPING NEIGHBOR...It takes a special person to care for young children...MAYBE THAT PERSON IS YOU!!! Become a childcare provider! Tremendous benefits: Work in your own home; spend time with your own children; set your own hours & salary; help fill the need for quality child care in your county. Call Janet Brede of Poverty Services at 618-526-7203 to get started!

Papa Needs A New Pair Of Shoes!

Gently-used men's business shoes are needed for job interviews, to get families off of welfare. Large sizes needed especially. 618-235-9601 Ext. 109.

Back to Top

A Special Calling

There are many ways to support people in prison, without ever even entering a penitentiary. People can learn about the death penalty, about a just legal system, or they can support families of the incarcerated or donate goods and personal items. To learn more, call Father Christian Reuter at 618-482-5570.

A Special Gift

People in prison sometimes do not have access to basic personal items. Individuals or groups can prepare care packages (anonymously if you prefer) for inmates. For suggestions on needed items, call Father Chris at 618-482-5570.

Back to Top

W-A-S-H The Traveling Soup Bus

Help keep the bus in ship-shape, help out a very worthy cause, and have fun doing it! Another great youth group activity.

Food Drives

Coordinate a canned food drive to help fill the almost-bare shelves for the needy. The need is great for gifts of food. Please call Catholic Urban Programs, 618-398-5616, for pick up/ and or drop-off information.

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store Clean-up

Some people never receive new clothes or home furnishings. They only can afford what is donated to our St. Vincent de Paul thrift store. Help sort and organize the donated goods with a group of your friends. Call 618-397-3113 to schedule a time that works for you!

Meredith Memorial Senior Home

Visit with a senior citizen or make holiday cards for them! Also, play Bingo, board games, or plan your own fun event for the seniors! To volunteer your time call 618-233-8780.

Still Looking?

Visit Volunteer Match, enter your zip code, and volunteer opportunities close to your home will pop up! Another great site for volunteer opportunities is Idea List

What Have We Forgotten?

If you have ideas for helping our agencies help others, or to initiate charitable outreach efforts at your parish, contact Catholic Charities at 618-394-5900 Ext. 205. Thank you and God bless.

Back to Top