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Week of Service

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Why a Week of Service?

It all started  years ago as a Day of Service.  Due to increased demand, we have extended to a Week of Service to better serve our dear neighbor.

 

In the early years of the beginning of the Sisters of St. Joseph in France around 1650, the Sisters gathered in 3’s or 4’s to live in community and to serve the needs of the “dear neighbor” around them.  They would go out into the neighborhood and seek out those in need and do their best to meet the needs of the poor.  When they returned to their houses in the evening, they would sit around the fireplace in the kitchen while making lace and they would share what was in their hearts, where they had encountered God’s presence in their ministry that day.

 

Today, we stand on their shoulders, guided by their support and wisdom, in moving forward their mission in serving our “dear neighbor.”  

2023 Service Locations

  • Orange Home Grown Farm | Friday, September 22, 2023, 9-11 AM
    This community urban farm aims to increase access to education around locally grown food and reintroduce the local community to the opportunities of local farming. Volunteers will have an opportunity to be part of a community that works to provide urban farming education to the neighborhoods around them. They will also enjoy the outdoors while meeting new friends and assisting staff maintain the farm by harvesting, planting, weeding, separating seeds and more. Limit: 20 Address: 356 N. Lemon St., Orange, CA 92866 Notes: Volunteers must sign a waiver ahead of volunteer date. An orientation and assignments will be given at the start. Bring your own gardening gloves
  • L'Arche Wavecrest | Saturday, September 23rd, 2023, 10AM-1PM
    Recognizes and shares the gifts of people to create vital, healthy, spiritually rich homes for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Volunteers will have an opportunity to bring dignity to our brothers and sisters with intellectual disabilities by supporting the staff at L’Arche Wavecrest by assisting with their garden project -backyard makeover. Duties will consist of pulling weeds, planting seeds, watering plants, etc.) Volunteers will enjoy lunch with residents. Limit: 10 Address: 14741 Holt Ave Tustin, CA 92780 Note: To protect all participants, please show proof of vaccination and wear a face covering.
  • Yarn with a Purpose | Saturday, September 23, 2023, 10AM – 12PM & Saturday, September 30, 2023, 10:30AM-12:30PM
    Join with Sisters and partners in building community, while crocheting and knitting to keep babies warm. This is an ongoing project that will meet initially two consecutive Saturdays then throughout the year. Group will agree on meeting dates and times. Join the Sisters of St. Joseph and lay partners in crocheting and/or knitting. There will be opportunities for making baby blankets and bonnets for Children’s Hospital of Orange County, (CHOC). Limit: 15 Address: St. Joseph Center 440 S. Batavia St., Orange, CA 92868 Notes: This project is geared specifically for folks who already know how to crochet and/or knit. Please bring your own supplies. To protect all participants, please wear a face covering.
  • Homeaid OC | Monday, September 25th, 2023, 9:30 AM-11:30 AM
    Works to be a vital force in creating safe and dignified housing for families who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Volunteers will have an opportunity to decorate the shelter where families reside for the upcoming fall season. They will sort and organize their inventory of clothing and toiletries and make them sack lunches for the day. Limit: 10 Address: Orange CA 92867 Note: Participants’ temperature will be taken before coming into the shelter. Anyone feel under the weather is asked to stay home.
  • Food Finders | Monday, September 25, 1-4PM
    Every day, Food Finders saves thousands of pounds of perfectly edible and nutritious food. They make sure food is distributed where needed such food pantries, shelters, and other nonprofits. They rescue and redistribute all food the same day. Volunteers will participate in the Food 4 Kids project that packs weekend meal bags for students across the Long Beach USD schools district to take home on Fridays to supplement their weekend meals. They will assemble nutritious meal bags for food insecure families living in food deserts. Volunteers will also have an opportunity to write notes of encouragement, make a drawing, or write quotes for each of the meal bags. Limit: 6 Address: 10539 Humboldt St. Los Alamitos, Notes: Bring a refillable water bottle and wear closed toe shoes. Must be able to lift 10 -15 lbs.
  • Cantlay Food Distribution Center | Tuesday, September 26, 7AM-12PM
    A program of Catholic Charities, Orange County that provides food and other necessities to individuals and families. Volunteers will help reduce hunger in their community by assisting staff in assembling grocery bags, distributing grocery bags and other necessities for families in need. Limit: 10 Address: 2020 W Chestnut Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92703 Notes: To protect all participants, please show proof of vaccination and wear a face covering. Participants should wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
  • Bracken's Kitchen | Tuesday, September 26th, 2023, 8:45AM-1PM
    Provides hunger relief for local families through their mobile kitchen(s) that delivers high-quality meals to food-insecure communities. Volunteers will learn new skills in the kitchen as they help prepare meals for clients (dice fruits, veggies, meats) and assist in packaging these meals that will be distributed to families who are food insecure. And assist with cleaning the kitchen and writing notes of support. Limit: 10 Address: 13941 Nautilus Drive Garden Grove, CA 92843 Notes: Volunteers must be 18+ and able to lift between 30-40 lbs. To protect all participants, please show proof of vaccination and wear a face covering. Casual attire/No tank tops or open toe shoes/Wear comfortable non-slip shoes/We provide aprons and hairnets. Baseball caps are acceptable instead of hairnet. Bring your own reusable water bottle. No glass and open containers are allowed. Lunch is provided; however, special diets needs cannot be accommodated. Feel free to bring lunch. Parking is available on the facilitates, or across the street (ACT Inc. parking. Check-in at front office includes signing a waiver before working.
  • Illumination Foundation | Tuesday, September 26, 2023, 12– 2PM
    Disrupts the cycle of homelessness in Southern California by providing a comprehensive safety net of client-centered services for the most vulnerable individuals, families, and children. Volunteers will have an opportunity to build community and bring joy to unhoused women recovering from illness by sharing a meal and playing Bingo with them. Volunteers will provide and serve the meal and distribute Bingo prizes. Limit: 8 Address: Unity House Fullerton, CA Notes: (Optional) donate $15 Target gift cards for Bingo prizes. To protect all participants, please show proof of vaccination and wear a face covering.
  • Bracken's Kitchen | Wednesday, September 27, 2023, 8:45AM-1PM
    Provides hunger relief for local families through their mobile kitchen(s) that delivers high-quality meals to food-insecure communities. Volunteers will learn new skills in the kitchen as they help prepare meals for clients (dice fruits, veggies, meats) and assist in packaging these meals that will be distributed to families who are food insecure. And assist with cleaning the kitchen and writing notes of support. Limit: 10 Address: 13941 Nautilus Drive Garden Grove, CA 92843 Notes: Volunteers must be 18+ and able to lift between 30-40 lbs. To protect all participants, please show proof of vaccination and wear a face covering. Casual attire/No tank tops or open toe shoes/Wear comfortable non-slip shoes/We provide aprons and hairnets. Baseball caps are acceptable instead of hairnet. Bring your own reusable water bottle. No glass and open containers are allowed. Lunch is provided; however, special diets needs cannot be accommodated. Feel free to bring lunch. Parking is available on the facilitates, or across the street (ACT Inc. parking. Check-in at front office includes signing a waiver before working.
  • Food Finders | Wednesday, September 27, 9AM -12PM
    Every day, Food Finders saves thousands of pounds of perfectly edible and nutritious food. They make sure food is distributed where needed such food pantries, shelters, and other nonprofits. They rescue and redistribute all food the same day. Volunteers will participate in the Food 4 Kids project that packs weekend meal bags for students across the Long Beach USD schools district to take home on Fridays to supplement their weekend meals. They will assemble nutritious meal bags for food insecure families living in food deserts. Volunteers will also have an opportunity to write notes of encouragement, make a drawing, or write quotes for each of the meal bags. Limit: 6 Address: 10539 Humboldt St. Los Alamitos, Notes: Bring a refillable water bottle and wear closed toe shoes. Must be able to lift 10 -15 lbs.
  • Cantlay Food Distribution Center | Thursday, September 28, 7AM–12PM
    A program of Catholic Charities, Orange County that provides food and other necessities to individuals and families. Volunteers will help reduce hunger in their community by assisting staff in assembling grocery bags, distributing grocery bags and other necessities for families in need. Limit: 8 Address: 2020 W Chestnut Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92703 Notes: To protect all participants, please show proof of vaccination and wear a face covering. Participants should wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
  • Crittenton (Services for Children and Families | Friday, September 29, 5-7PM
    Supports clients in building resiliency to help them achieve permanency, stability, safety, and improve their well-being. Their goal is to make a positive impact in healing childhood trauma within the communities they serve. Volunteers will have an opportunity to contribute to the healing process of minors who have experienced trauma through community building. They will join in a fun evening that includes a meal and games. Volunteers will provide, serve, and enjoy the meal with children, play boards games and build community. Limit: 15 Address: Fullerton, CA Notes: Volunteers must show proof of Covid vaccination and at least one booster prior to volunteering. A confidentiality form must be signed by each volunteer. An orientation will be given at the start. Optional: Donate potato chips, candy, balls, socks, finger spinners, Hot Wheels or Barbie dolls to distribute as prices.

Registration

Please note:

  • High School students planning to participate must be 14 and older and accompanied by an adult.  They must serve on the same project.  If you plan to bring a student, please contact Maria Elena Perales at mperales@csjorange.org  

  • Projects are scheduled from Sept. 22 – Sept. 30th  

  • For Saturday September 30th, we encourage all participants attend the in-person session from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. to share and be in community with all volunteers.  Location Mother Louis Room, St. Joseph Center.  Light lunch will be provided.

Registration is now closed. Please contact mperales@csjorange.org for more information.

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