Student Community Service
Community service is an important part of our junior high religion program. The aim of community service is to be the hands of Jesus touching the world with love today. As those of us who have participated in serving others have experienced, a tremendous payback of joy and fulfillment comes from reaching out with love and helping others in need.
This site is intended to help students find opportunities for community service. All of the organizations below are approved for community service. There are many other great opportunities for service; this is just a partial list. If you want to do a different service activity, be sure to get it approved in advance using a Service Approval Form. You also need to turn in a Service Hours Form when the activity is complete.
Each student is required to donate five hours to the community working outside St. Matthew's each quarter. When possible, we prefer that you do service projects that put you in direct contact with clients. However, that does not mean that all of your community service hours need to be direct as these activities can be hard to find for younger volunteers. Just try to find direct service opportunities whenever possible. (NOTE: A special "Giving Project" may be assigned during the school year for which you work in groups to provide service. For this project, direct contact is required, so plan accordingly.) Please remember to turn in your completed, signed Service Hours Forms at least three days before the end of each quarter. See the Community Service Guidelines for more details on the program requirements.
We suggest you contact the agencies early in the school year or in the quarter to arrange service hours. Sometimes an orientation to the facility is required or a background check needs to be completed for adult chaperones. Organizations are not obligated to accommodate last minute calls, so plan ahead.
Website Updates
If you have organizations to add to this website or you want to make a website update, please complete a website update form. We will make updates to this community service site two or three times a year.
Service Opportunities
Poor and Homeless
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Working with Children and People with Special Needs/Disabilities Environment and Animals Resources/Databases of Volunteer Opportunities |
Poor and Homeless
San Francisco Food Bank
mailing address:
900 Pennsylvania Ave., San Francisco, CA 94107
telephone (415) 282-1900
facsimile (415) 282-1909
Volunteer Services Volunteer Coordinator
telephone (415) 282-1900 ext. 244
Email: volunteer@sffb.org
Volunteer schedule & sign up: http://vol-sffb.org/
Volunteer hours and age requirements:
- Weekdays: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and 12:30 ppm - 3:30 pm
- Evenings: Tuesdays and Wednesdays 6:00-8:00 pm and Thursdays 4:00-6:00pm
- Children are welcome to volunteer, too! OOur minimum age limit is 8 years old during Saturday projects, and 4 years old during Sunday projects. Each elementary-aged child must be accompanied by an adult. (Middle School and High School students are welcome to participate in all project shifts.)
We deliver food to over 400+ local nonprofit organizations. This includes over 200 neighborhood pantries, soup kitchens, senior centers, homeless shelters and youth programs.
We rely on volunteers like you to help sort, package and distribute healthy food to people in need in San Francisco.
Each year, over 22,000 people contribute thousands of hours to fighting hunger in our community. This support will enable us to distribute 43.5 million pounds of food this year - enough for 93,000 meals every day.
Glide Memorial
Glide Church
330 Ellis Street, San Francisco
http://www.glide.org/page.aspx?pid=417
Serving a meal in the Daily Free Meals program is a transformative experience. The program requires 60 volunteers each day in order to fill the breakfast, lunch, and dinner shifts, 364 days a year. And that doesn't even account for the increase in help needed during the holidays. You can book shifts online. The minimum age requirement is 12 for serving meals and 9 for preparing bag dinners. For additional information, please see the FAQs on their website. They welcome all corporate, community, school, and religious groups to serve a meal. However, groups of five or more cannot sign up online.
Contacts
First, please see their website and FAQs. You can book on the website.
Shannon: 415-674-6081 (for questions not answered by the FAQs)
LaChe': 415-674-6081 (for group bookings)
St. Vincent de Paul
In San Mateo: 50 N. B Street
In South San Francisco: 344 Grand Avenue
In Redwood City: 2406 El Camino Real
In Daly City: 6298 Mission Street
http://www.svdp-sanmateoco.org/youthvolunteer.html
Contact
Lisa Collins
650-589-9039
svdpym@yahoo.com
Non-direct service volunteer opportunities are available in SVDP thrift stores. Shifts in the thrift stores are either 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. (Monday to Saturday) and 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sundays. To volunteer in one of the thrift stores, please send an email to svdpym@yahoo.com stating what day, location, and time slot for which you would like to volunteer (allow at least 48 hours notice). Students under the age of 15 must have an adult chaperone and space is limited to one student per time slot.
Direct service opportunities are available weekdays at the San Mateo Homeless Help Center and South San Francisco's Homeless Help Center. Hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Three students plus one adult chaperone can volunteer at either one of the homeless help centers. There's limited availability of one spot (one student, one adult) on some Saturdays at Cafe St. Vincent. Hours are from 8:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Please remember they always need tuna, men's socks, travel size deodorant, juice boxes, and jelly. It's possible to set up a custom activity (a coat drive, a drive to collect canned tuna, creation and delivery of Valentine's Day cards, etc.). Contact them and plan ahead as custom activities require more lead time.
The Shelter Network
First Step for Families (San Mateo)
Haven House (Menlo Park)
Redwood Family House (Redwood City)
Family Crossroads (Daly City)
http://www.shelternetwork.org
Contact
Lynnelle Bilsey
650-685-5880 ext.125 (she prefers emails)
lbilsey@shelternetwork.org
Group volunteer opportunities are available for those age 13 and under tutoring, playing games, and doing arts and crafts as well as sorting donations and organizing the pantry. Groups of three to ten volunteers are best. Please note that one or two parent chaperones are needed, depending on the size of the group. Weekday afternoons and early evenings are better than weekends as the shelters then have the staff to manage volunteers. Those 13 years and older can volunteer individually after they complete an orientation and volunteer application packet. Individuals can then come in the afternoons and evenings to tutor and volunteer. Allow at least two to four weeks lead time to schedule a group project. Volunteers are very welcome, but remember to plan ahead!
Catholic Worker Hospitality House
Saint Bruno Church (St. Raphael Hall)
555 San Bruno Avenue, San Bruno
www.catholicworker.org
Contact
Peter Stiehler
650-827-0706
Catholic Worker Hospitality House provides evening meals seven days a week at Saint Bruno Church. Volunteers can help serve meals from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Both seventh and eighth grade students can volunteer with a parent chaperone. They can use just two or three junior high school volunteers at a time. Younger siblings can join in and help. You can also cook and bring food to the church by 5:00 p.m.; casseroles, pasta, and desserts are great types of dishes to share. Please call to book a date.
No Strings Attached
Ted Adcock Community/Senior Center
535 Kelly Avenue
Half Moon Bay
The "No Strings Attached" breakfast begins preparation every Saturday at 6:30 a.m. Food is served at about 10 a.m. and cleanup begins at 11 a.m. Organizers ask not to be named in association with the meal, and there is no hierarchy or formal structure to volunteer efforts. Just show up. There's only one way to join - walk in and say, "Hey, can I help?" This activity will be credited only up to five hours, depending on how many hours you participate.
St. Anthony Foundation Dining Room
45 Jones Street
San Francisco
www.stanthonysf.org
Contact
Marie O'Conner
415-592-2726
St. Anthony Foundation Dining Room serves meals to the hungry and homeless of San Francisco. Help serve the daily meal: Place food on trays in the serving line, deliver trays for seniors, families, and people with disabilities, bus dishes, clean tables, and get to know the guests. Orientation is required before volunteering. Volunteers are needed seven days a week to serve lunch. Volunteer hours are every day from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Call in advance to schedule. Parent chaperones are required.
Samaritan House
4031 Pacific Blvd.
San Mateo
http://www.samaritanhouse.com
Contact
Michele Canning
650-523-0819
Michele@samaritanhouse.com
Volunteers are welcome (age 10 and above) to work in the kitchen sorting and preparing food or closet sorting and organizing clothes. There are also some seasonal/holiday opportunities. You must be 18 years old to work in the dining room. All other activities have no direct contact for safety and privacy reasons. Parent chaperones are required, one chaperone per each two volunteers. Allow two to four weeks to set up a date as spaces fill quickly.
St. Bart's Church
300 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo
650-347-0701
Volunteers can help to make sandwiches on Sundays immediately after the 9:30 a.m. mass on the first Sunday of every month. There is no need to sign up. Come to mass and then stay afterwards to help with making sandwiches for the needy. Meet in the Parish Center.
St. Luke's Church
1111 Beach Park Blvd., Foster City
Contact
Peg Culver
650-349-1408
Volunteers can help to make sandwiches on Sundays. Call for details and available dates.
Working with Children and People with Special Needs/Disabilities
Foster City AYSO
2011 Referee Development Program
AYSO in Foster City
AYSO is a Nationally Recognized Youth Soccer Program whose Vision is to provide world class youth soccer programs that enrich children's lives. Here in Foster City, AYSO is a large part of the community and we consistently deliver quality youth soccer programs for your children by stressing family involvement and fun through soccer.
We're "All Volunteer"
A large distinguishing factor of AYSO is we are an all-volunteer organization. We rely on the families of the players to participate and to be part of the soccer experience along with their children. All the coaches, referees, administrators and helpers of all kinds are your neighbors and the parents of other children and they are volunteering their time.
The Referee Program
Not every family member can make the time-commitment to coach but there are a number of other important positions that a soccer program needs filled. Every soccer game requires a team of game officials - the referees. AYSO has a highly developed instruction program to take someone that "doesn't know anything about soccer" and give them the knowledge, skills, and the equipment to referee an entry level soccer game.
Team Requirements - U8 & U10 Divisions
Team Requirements
Each Team in the U8 (6 and 7 year olds) and U10 (8 and 9 year olds) playing divisions is required to provide two qualified volunteers to complete one of the available referee training classes and to become participating referees. At least one of those referees will be active each game-week during the soccer season.
Referee Support
We know that becoming a soccer referee may seem like a lot to take on. We have very well developed training classes and support programs to help new referees get off to a great start. We provide an experienced Referee Mentor for each game for the first 4 weeks. The Mentor is there for support and guidance for the new referees and to help coaches and parents with their questions about the game.
Referee Requirements and Qualifications
To be Certified and appointed as an AYSO referee you must meet the following requirements and qualifications:
- You must be 12 years or older.
- Select and complete the appropriate Referee class for either Assistant Referee or Basic Referee.
- Fill out a Volunteer Form on-line at www.eayso.org (please use the Electronic Signature option)
- Complete the AYSO Safe Haven course online at www.eayso.org
Have your eAYSO ID number ready and log in and take the online class using the link below:
- Sunday Sept. 11, 5 PM in San Carlos Youth Center at Burton Park
- Sunday Sept. 18, 9am - 12 in Foster City, Sea Cloud Park
The students will need to have completed the online portion of the class prior to taking this course.
Students need to be registered as a volunteer. They do not need to be a current (MY2011) volunteer and in fact they can just be an applicant, all that is really needed is the volunteer ID #. If they don't have a volunteer ID #, then they need to go online to www.eAYSO.org, become a member, and register as a volunteer (write down their ID #) and then they can take the class. They will still need to complete the volunteer registration process (i.e. print/sign two forms and get them to the CVPA who will then need to activate them) but this can happen after the class.
Go to www.AYSOtraining.org, log in with your volunteer ID number and last name, select Courses, and then select course R002.Any questions contact Bill Durney at bdurney@aol.com
Bill Durney
Regional Referee Administrator
E-Soccer (Exceptional Children Soccer)
E-Soccer (Exceptional Children Soccer) is a free, inclusive soccer program for families in the SF Bay Area, CA. We host typical and special needs kids age 5 to 18. We invite you to come and have fun with us! You will be inspired! The Foster City E-Soccer is conducted year round, on Saturdays, from 11:00 to 12:00 at the Booth Bay Park. If you like to volunteer your time to work with children with special needs, please contact Mr. Motamed at (650) 345-7912 or check the website for more information. www.e-soccer.org
E-Soccer won the 2007 Jefferson Award.
E-Soccer is an all-volunteer program that teaches soccer to children aged 5 and up in an inclusive environment. We are dedicated to empowering both typical and special needs children of all abilities to reach their full athletic and social potential.
E-Soccer's inclusion methodology promotes leadership, social, character, and athletic development for each child in an individualized manner. We respect every child's ability to be successful and included. Children are taught to learn from one another.
Each individual E-Soccer group consists of a head coach, assistant head coach, and a combination of personal or junior coaches as needed. Children are placed in an individual group according to age, ability, and individual goals in a way to provide optimal group learning and individual participation.
E- Soccer can use between 4-6 St, Matthew students per game. Available dates and times for students to sign up are currently available on the community service google spreadsheet.
Wheelers Bowling League
Bel Mateo Bowl
6330 Olympic
San Mateo
Contact
Clare Dolim or Ruth Dolim
650-342-4847 (home) or 650-762-1198 (work)
415-516-1205 (cell)
The Wheelers (people in wheelchairs) bowl every Saturday 12:30 - 3:30pm. Join them to help and to have fun! You must sign up in advance; do not just show up as this a popular activity with local middle and high school volunteers and space is limited. Call one to two weeks in advance to book a date. This activity is best for individuals or small groups (four to eight people).
Green Pastures
730 Cornelia Court, Mountain View
Greenpastureshome.org
Contact
Eric Curtis
650-965-2333 ext. 118
Green Pastures is a residential home for children with multiple physical disabilities with after school and weekend hours available. There are opportunities to "hang out" with kids, be a Sunday school buddy, or help with sports programs. Volunteer opportunities exist for mature 13 and 14 year olds (eighth grade only). No large groups can be accommodated. You must call and make an appointment prior to visiting. You can do a short three to five hour volunteer activity or make a longer-term commitment. Parents are not required to supervise but may chaperone just one time. Beyond that, adults 18 years old and older must have a background check. Allow one to weeks to book a date.
Tutoring
Working with the Elderly
Lesley Senior Communities
Lesley Towers
700 Laurel Ave, San Mateo
Lesley Plaza
120 North San Mateo Drive, San Mateo
Lesley Terrace
2400 Carlmont Drive, Belmont
Lesley Gardens
701 Arnold Way, Half Moon Bay
Contact
Annie Holland
650-576-9311
atyo@lesleysc.org
7th and 8th grade St. Matthew volunteers are welcome! Musical performances - instrumental, piano or vocal are much appreciated. You can also call Bingo or decorate for holidays like Valentines and St. Patrick's Day. Call Annie to coordinate volunteer activities for all sites.
Sunrise Assisted Living
955 South El Camino Real, San Mateo
http://www.sunriseseniorliving.com/communities/sunrise-of-san-mateo
Contact
Lindsey Passmore
650-558-8555
sanmateo.avc@sunriseseniorliving.com
A one-hour orientation is required before you can begin to volunteer. Orientation sessions are normally the second and fourth Saturdays of the month at 9 a.m. However, the time varies so please check with the Sunrise concierge or with Lindsey before going for the orientation (no pre-registration is required). After the orientation, call or email to set up a designated time to volunteer with the residents. Volunteer opportunities include social time from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. daily, bowling onsite Mondays at 3:15 p.m., and dinner service at 5:00 p.m. We love and support Sunrise as it's right across the street from St. Matthew's, but you should not complete all of your volunteer hours here every quarter.
Atria Senior Living
2883 S. Norfolk Street, San Mateo
Contact
Melissa Cornish
650-378-3000
Melissa.hansen@atriaseniorliving.com
Opportunities include helping with bingo Monday through Thursday 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. or the Ice Cream Social Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. No orientation is needed, but please contact Melissa to confirm volunteer days and times. They can use just one or two volunteers at a time and only once a week.
Sterling Court
http://www.sterlingcourt.com/
850 N.El Camino Real, San Mateo
Contact
Charlyne Smith
650-344-8200 ext. 104
Help is needed Mondays 1:45 to 3:00 p.m. to call bingo. Also, you can come to play a musical instrument. Plan ahead as this is a great activity to do on the Mondays when St. Matthew's has a half-day.
San Carlos Elms
707 Elm Street, San Carlos
http://www.sancarloselms.com/elmsAbout.html
Contact
Kathleen Sullivan
650-595-1500
ksullivan@scelms.com
Both seventh and eighth grade volunteers are welcome but need to provide proof of a current TB test. Volunteer activities are available weekdays after school and also on weekends. You can call bingo, help with arts and crafts, or paint nails during "Manicure Socials." Check the website for the activity calendar. Plan ahead; call a few weeks early to schedule times to volunteer.
Peninsula Volunteers
800 Middle Avenue, Menlo Park
http://www.penvol.org/helpus.html
Contact
Mary Rached
650-326-0665 ext. 229
mrached@peninsulavolunteers.org
This organization provides services designed to enhance and enrich the lives of seniors in our community. Volunteer activities vary. A volunteer packet is on their website. See the website and call for details.
Veterans Center
3801 Miranda Ave, Palo Alto
1st Floor of Building 100
http://www.paloalto.va.gov/giving/
Contact
Jammu Owens
650 858-3900 650-849-3903
jammu.owens@va.gov
Volunteers must be 14 or older to work in the hospital and must have finger prints and a blood test completed with parents permission before you are scheduled for a 1.5 hour orientation. To be a regular schedule volunteer, we ask that you volunteer 4 hours per week. If interested in coming on an occasional basis, one-time activities can be coordinated for small groups working along side of therapists. Contact them to coordinate and discuss requirements for one-time group activities.
Environment and Animals
Activities related to the environment or animals will NOT be credited for the first five hours of outside service. For the first five hours, you must work in service of people. You can earn service hour credit with the environment and animals AFTER your five hours of outside service with people are earned.
Save the Bay
http://www.savesfbay.org/volunteer
You can have fun outdoors, learn about the Bay, and help protect it by joining one of the on-the-Bay programs. Sign up to volunteer to restore natural wetland habitats by hand at several sites around San Francisco Bay. You can also schedule special programs for groups. Visit the website to learn about opportunities and to register.
Acterra
Acterra offers volunteer opportunities for everyone from longtime environmentalists to people just starting to green their lives. Visit their website to find out how to get involved.
Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA
12 Airport Blvd., San Mateo
www.peninsulahumanesociety.org
Contact
Brian Probst
650-340-7022 ext. 328
Volunteer opportunities include Greeter & Customer Service Volunteer, Pick of the Litter Resale Shop Volunteer, and Pet Projects Volunteer. As a student volunteer, you must fill out a volunteer application and attend a new volunteer orientation before you are able to begin volunteering. These positions require a commitment of two hours per week for six months. To become a student volunteer, complete a Volunteer Application (download and print) along with a Student Volunteer Program Waiver and send it in 30 days prior to the new volunteer orientation date.
San Francisco Zoo
1 Zoo Road, San Francisco
http://www.sfzoo.org/openrosters/ViewOrgPageLink.asp?LinkKey=14314&orgkey=1905
The San Francisco Zoo is an intriguing place for teens to experience animals up close and connect with wildlife in a meaningful way. The Zoo has popular summer and year-round programs that are designed to be fun and educational while inspiring an awareness of nature and conservation action. See the website for details, age requirements, and opportunities.
Seasonal Opportunities
The Family Giving Tree
Santa Clara (call for warehouse address)
http://www.familygivingtree.org
Contact
Tara Todd
408-946-3111 ext. 214
The Family Giving Tree organizes school backpacks in the summer and for holiday gifts in the winter. They need donated gifts and also need help with sorting, assembling, and wrapping to carefully match kids' requests with the many donated gifts. It takes place in a huge and very well-organized warehouse in Santa Clara. This is a great holiday activity for large groups or families working together. It's very popular so it's hard to confirm a volunteer date. The holiday sign-up form goes up on the website on November 1 and is usually full by November 5 for dates in late November through mid-December. Parent chaperones are needed, normally one chaperone for every four volunteers.
Resources/Databases of Volunteer Opportunities
These databases and the high school websites are a great way to find additional volunteer opportunities. Just be sure to get approval in advance for opportunities you find here using the Service Approval Form.
HandsOn Bay Area
http://www.hoba.org/HomePage/index.php/home.html
They've done the footwork for you by finding and scheduling high-impact projects at nonprofits, parks, and schools that need your help. Choose from 80+ opportunities a month! You can sort by type of activity, age, and date, and you register and confirm activities immediately online. This means there is no waiting for phone calls or emails from people to confirm an activity. Only sign up for projects you intend on attending; projects are in high-demand, so do not sign up and then not show up! Parent chaperones are needed.
There's a $25 tax-deductable fee to join, plus $10 each to attach up to two children to your account. Or, you can sign up as a group. See the FAQ. This is a great investment and can be used in junior high as well as high school to make it easy to find and confirm volunteer activities.
FAQ: http://www.handsonbayarea.org/AboutUs/index.php/FAQ.html
Volunteer Match
Volunteer Match strengthens communities by making it easier for good people and good causes to connect. The organization offers a variety of online services to support volunteers. You put in your city or zip code and can look at available activities.
High School Community Service Websites
Below are links to a few of the high school community service websites. These sites are a good additional resource when looking for service opportunities.
Notre Dame
http://www.ndhsb.org/Campus%20Ministry/Opportunities.html
Mercy
http://www.mercyhsb.com/page.cfm?p=371
Serra
http://www.serrahs.com/page.cfm?p=2802
Saint Francis
http://www.sfhs.com/campus-Ministry/service_agencies.aspx
Saint Ignatius
http://www.siprep.org/christian_service/AgencyList.cfm
