Volunteer

We are a group of friends and neighbors who welcome all, and help others achieve self-sufficiency.

How to Participate

To get started, you’ll need to complete an application, sign a confidentiality agreement, and provide two references, as well as have a personal interview with a member of our staff. Before you begin volunteering with us, we also ask for your permission to obtain a CORI (criminal records) clearance.

Due to COVID-19 safety protocols, volunteer opportunities are currently limited. Contact us for more information.

Locations and Opportunities

Food Pantry Driver – Lowell

Catholic Charities Merrimack Valley in Lowell, MA is seeking a morning driver to assist with local grocery store pickups.

Hours: Monday-Thursday from 8-10:30 AM. Duties include drive with other pantry assistant to pick up food items at local grocery stores and help unload van. Approximate pound per box is 50.

Contact us for more information.

 

Food Pantry Helper – Lowell

Catholic Charities Merrimack Valley in Lowell, MA is seeking a food pantry helper.

Hours: Monday and Tuesday from 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM. Duties include preparing bags for our clients.

Contact us for more information.

Tutors/Teaching Assistants – Remote

Help an adult learn to read and speak English and use a computer. Catholic Charities El Centro del Cardenal located in Jamaica Plain seeks volunteer computer lab assistants, teaching assistants, and tutors for its daytime adult English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program. Currently, all services are delivered remotely.

The ESOL classes are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Volunteers will receive a program tour, orientation, volunteer manual, and supervision. There is a minimum commitment required of two hours per week for a cycle of classes, which last 12 weeks on average. Internships are possible. Bilingual candidates (Spanish – English; French Creole – English) are encouraged to apply.

Contact us for more information.

Creative Handwork – Remote

Would you like to volunteer, but find you are unable to make a commitment outside your home at this time? Do you like to knit, crochet, or sew? Would you like to make handmade items for Catholic Charities’ children or elders such as hats, mittens, baby items, and warm lap robes, or perhaps knit a warm adult ski hat for a refugee?

Contact us for more information.

Young Professionals Group (YoPros)

YoPros is a group committed to cultivating and engaging young professionals who are dedicated and invested in supporting the anti-poverty work of Catholic Charities. The focus of YoPros is twofold: connecting young adults who share the desire to be active in our mission through service, anti-poverty advocacy, and networking; and participation in group volunteer projects at our program sites in Eastern Massachusetts.

Contact us for more information.

Fundraising Activities – South Boston

There are many levels of involvement for volunteers in the fundraising activities of the Labouré Center in South Boston, from administrative support, or facilities support to event committees. Volunteers may assist with the annual Spring Reception fundraising event.

Contact us for more information.

HEALTHCARE BRIDGE ESOL TUTOR – Remote

A remote opportunity to be an ESOL tutor! Help assist in teaching students the English language through reading, writing, speaking, and listening activities in an online set up. Classes start July 10th and will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 5:30 to 8PM ET.

Contact us for more information.

English for Speakers of Other Languages – Lynn

Are you a natural teacher or just a good person? You don’t need teaching experience, although we welcome educators. Simply bring your kindness, patience, and willingness to help your neighbors who are excited to be learning English. We provide you with orientation and ongoing support from experienced teachers, along with books, lesson plans, and activities. Classes are small (10 students) and range from newly arrived immigrants to English language learners preparing for college.

Classes are Monday through Thursday, mornings and evenings, in-person or on Zoom. We ask only for a 2-hour commitment to one group of students once a week and will do our best to accommodate your schedule as a classroom teacher or tutor.

Contact us for more information.

Food Pantry Volunteers

The food pantry at Catholic Charities Lynn (8 Silsbee Street) is open three days a week and expects to distribute over 10,000 lbs. of food weekly to 125+ families a day. Volunteers are needed to assist with intake (basic computer skills required), “shopping” with clients, stocking shelves, packing groceries, and cleaning. In addition, we offer clients the opportunity to apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance and access to other Basic Needs programs.

Volunteers are currently needed as follows:

  • Mondays between 8 AM and 4 PM
  • Wednesdays between 8 AM and 4 PM
  • Fridays, between 8 AM and 3 PM
  • Other times may be available as well.

Language skills are helpful, especially Spanish, Khmer, and Portuguese.

Contact us for more information.

Food Pantry Volunteers

The food pantry at Catholic Charities South is open five days a week and distributes over 5,000 lbs of food weekly to 40-60 families a day. Volunteers are needed to assist with intake (basic computer skills required), “shopping” with clients, stocking shelves, and cleaning. In addition, we offer clients the opportunity to apply for food stamps and partake in the Angel Food Ministry Program. Volunteers are needed to assist with paperwork and on the 3rd Saturday of every month to assist with AFM Food Distribution.

Volunteers are needed Mondays through Fridays, between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Bilingual language skills are helpful.

Contact us for more information.

Volunteer Leaders for Parish Outreach Programs

Parish volunteers with leadership skills are needed to help establish lay ministry outreach programs in areas south of Boston. Volunteers in these Outreach programs would reach out to frail, homebound, or hospitalized elders providing spiritual support, sharing interests and conversation, occasionally shopping and transporting, reading, and letter writing. Use your personal talents and life experience skills to help others. Catholic Charities will provide helpful ideas, training, and ongoing support in establishing parish outreach programs. Please note that during the pandemic in-person visits and services have been suspended.

Contact us for more information.

Volunteers for CNA programs

The Certified Nursing Assistant training program at Catholic Charities South located in Brockton, MA is in need of volunteers in an assistive administrative role. Volunteers are required to be in the office twice a week (if possible, Monday and Wednesday mornings) for 2.5 hours and perform various administrative tasks to support the program and general operations of the program.

Time is flexible either 9-11:30AM or 10AM-12:30PM.

Contact us for more information.

 

HEALTHCARE BRIDGE ESOL TUTOR – REMOTE

A remote opportunity to be an ESOL tutor! Help assist in teaching students the English language through reading, writing, speaking, and listening activities in an online set up. Classes start July 10th and will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 5:30 to 8PM ET.

Contact us for more information.

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