There are many local volunteer opportunities to respond in part to the total Church’s commitment to, and involvement in, the struggle for social justice, peace, and human rights, including direct charitable services, justice and peace issues, global solidarity, legislative advocacy, and community organizing and empowerment. A selection of organizations is included in the following categories:

(Note: all phone numbers are in the 970 area code) ADVOCACY (Working to influence city, state, or national public policy by communication with decision makers, legislators, or joining a network or group to effect change in public policy.)

Bread for the World (BBW) is a nationwide Christian citizen’s movement seeking justice for the world’s hungry people by lobbying our nation’s decision makers (call Mary Wolfe 221-0121).

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Inc. of Larimer County provides a safe, supportive environment for children who are victims of abuse and/or neglect and thus involved in the court system. Volunteers develop

regular and close contact with the child and provide much-needed support (call 498-6183)

Center for Justice, Peace and environment (CJPE) develops programs, strategies, and actions that further economic, social and environmental justice, human rights, dignity, and peace for all. (call Cheryl Distaso 419-8944)

Interfaith Immigrant Rights Coalition of Northern Colorado (IIRC) works to raise awareness of the unjust treatment of immigrants, advocates for reform of immigration laws and provides support for immigrants as needed. (call Terri Kent 227-3218)

Northern Colorado Social Legislation Network (NCSLN) advocates for fair social policies on issues that affect people’s quality of life and dignity. When state legislature is in session NCSLN meets every other week with one of our representatives or senators. (call Helen Somersall 484-5010).

Restorative Justice places the victim and offender together in a safe environment where the outcomes that are hoped for are accountability on the part of the offender, understanding between all impacted parties, and healing whatever wounds need to be healed. Program depends in part on trained volunteers (call Perrie McMillan 566-8160).

DIRECT ACTION/SERVICE (Working to meet immediate needs, for example, Volunteering at a soup kitchen, homeless shelter, emergency assistance facility, Habitat for Humanity, etc.)

Alternative Thanksgiving and Spring Break Trips provide an opportunity for students to spend a week in service to the poor and reflect upon the gospel call to serve. Adult support team members are needed. (call the Student Commons 221-1257)

CARE Housing, Inc. provides affordable housing to working families with supportive services to strengthen and empower families and build community. Volunteers are utilized with after school tutoring programs, resident events and for special events and workshops. (call Betsy Emond 282-7522 ext. 105)

Catholic Charities Northern (The Mission) As a social service system CCN needs volunteers for the following programs: Emergency Services Program, Hospitality Center Shelter, Hospitality Kitchen and Senior Outreach Program. (call 484-5010 ext. 217) Current Volunteer Positions

Christmas Giving Tree. People take tags from tree and provide gifts for needy families (call Carol Berg 223-8704)

Crossroads Safehouse works toward the elimination of domestic violence through education, advocacy/support services and promotion of social change within the community. Volunteers utilized in many areas: Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART), Children’s Program, Safe Pals Mentor, Shelter Volunteer, Facilities/Donations volunteer, Teen Program Volunteer and others (call Kimi Marin 530-2353) Training is required for all volunteers.

Disabled Resource Services empowers individuals with disabilities to achieve their maximum level of independence through services supporting advocacy, awareness, and access to their community. Volunteers needed who have trade skills, provide help in moving into housing, drive people to appointments, and do occasional light housekeeping call Jennifer Bell 482-2700)

Food Bank for Larimer County aims to reduce hunger in Larimer County through programs that collect, process, store and distribute food to individuals and in cooperation with nonprofit agencies that serve those in need. Volunteers do a variety of tasks from bagging, boxing and sorting food to working with our clients and helping with food drives and fund raisers (call Charlene Olms 530-3113)

Food Drives/Donations are ongoing daily with the collection of nonperishable food. See containers in the hallway at Blessed John XXIII University Parish . Also see bulletin for special food drives. Foothills Gateway, Inc. facilitates a coordinated community effort dedicated to challenging and supporting citizens with developmental disabilities.

Volunteers needed as Consumer Friend (paired one-on-one with an individual with a disability), help model healthy friendships while accessing the community, assist staff and clients in a supervised setting (call April Rikhoff 266-5379)

Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity is a housing ministry that works to eliminate poverty housing within the City of Fort Collins so that everyone will have a simple, decent place to live, by providing affordable housing in which God’s people can live and grow. Volunteers build homes, help organize fundraising, or work in the home Supply Store (for construction call Debbie Pyles 461-0744, for Thrift Store call Hap Pritchard 488-2706)

Outreach Ministry to Shut-ins, Nursing Homes, and Poudre Valley Hospital involves bringing Communion and providing spiritual and pastoral care (call Mary Ann Quinn 484-2661)

Pathways Hospice honors every moment of life by providing specialized compassionate care for anyone affected by an advanced medical condition and support to those who are grieving. Volunteers assist with mailings, clerical task, fundraising activities, special events and work with hospice patients and families in direct patient and bereavement support. (call Sarah Van Etten 663-3500)

Project Self-Sufficiency assists low income, single parents in their efforts to build and maintain strong, healthy families; achieve economic independence; and become free from community and government assistance. Opportunities available for volunteers on ongoing basis, as well as for special events and projects (call 635-5912)

Severe Weather Hospitality Center provides a safe, sheltered daytime environment for local homeless people during the period from November until May. (Call for location and days, 484-5010)

Sister Mary Alice Murphy Center for Hope helps families and individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to become stable, establish self-sufficiency and maintain permanent housing. Volunteer needs include front desk assistance, computer use over-sight and assistance, transportation and child care assistance (call Stephanie Madsen-Pixler 494-4341)

Stephen Ministry is one-on-one lay Christian caregiving offered to those who are hurting due to death of a loved one, aging, illness, difficult pregnancy, separation, divorce, loneliness, sons & daughters in the military, etc. (call Bobbie 484-3356).

Ten Thousand Villages provides vital, fair income to people in the developing world by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. They work with artists who would otherwise be unemployed or underemployed. As a non-profit store, volunteers are vital to the operation. Volunteers also work at off-site events, tell stories about the artists, and perform office work (call Jane Snyder 224-9501).

Thanksgiving Dinner for Seniors. About 200-250 seniors from the Ft. Collins community attend this event at Blessed John XXIII University Parish on the second Sunday before Thanksgiving. Watch for signup sheets in hallway (call Addie Barrett 663-7728)

Volunteers of America is a national human service organization dedicated to identifying and serving the basic needs of the most vulnerable individuals and families in the community, by assisting older adults through caring service, including home delivered meals, minor home repair, grocery shopping, and other tasks (call Gloria Willis 472-9630)

Additional volunteer opportunities can be found on the internet www.uwaylc.org, click on “VOLUNTEER” on the left side of the screen or call 407-7066.