Richard S. Vargas, the Salvation Army's director of Community Social Services, checks on a homeless woman during a cold wellness checkup in Chicago Jan. 31, 2019. Nearly 40 million people -- one in every eight Americans – are poor, according to the latest federal data. (CNS photo/Kamil Krzaczynski, Reuters)
The St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Mateo County’s Homeless Help Centers are in need of volunteers at the new Clothing Closet location in Redwood City. Volunteers assist SVdP clients with much-needed clothing and other basic living necessities. Shifts are available Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
SVdP’s Homeless Help Centers also operate locations in South San Francisco and San Mateo, offering basic survival necessities such as hot meals, clothing, sleeping bags, bus tokens, ID cards, laundry and mail services.
Volunteer opportunities are available for adults, youth and groups. Contact arangel@svdpsm.org or (650) 588-5734.
St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Francisco’s programs serve over 1,000 people each day. Services include:
Multi-Service Center South Homeless Shelter, 525 Fifth St., San Francisco, covering basic needs, such as food and a place to sleep, and medical, employment, education, mental health, and housing assistance. Volunteer opportunities include serving breakfast or dinner, deep-cleaning and laundry, purchasing and making sandwiches, assisting clients in the computer lab, coordinating arts and crafts activities for clients, painting and redecorating facilities (interior and exterior). Visit https://svdp-sf.org/get-involved/volunteer/ for more information. To schedule group and corporate volunteer projects, please contact Michael Alvarenga at malvarenga@svdp-sf.org or (415) 757-6493.
Division Circle Navigation Center In Memory of Brian Quinn: 224 S. Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. Services include case management, medical care, mental health and substance abuse screening, access to appropriate treatment, public benefits and employment resources, and most important, assistance to finding appropriate and available housing.
The Riley Center for Survivors of Domestic Violence, 1175 Howard St., San Francisco. The Riley Center consists of several offices and living facilities aimed at providing a safe, secure place for victims of domestic abuse and their children. Programs include counseling, legal aid, safety planning and assistance in securing permanent housing. Note that in order to volunteer at the Riley Center, you must participate in a mandatory 40-hour domestic violence training program. Upon successful completion of the program, volunteers commit to a minimum of four hours per week and/or a consistent schedule for a period of one year. Please contact the Riley Center’s volunteer coordinator, Paméla Tate-Roger at ptate@svdp-sf.org or (415) 757-6500 for volunteer opportunities and information.
The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin is also in need of volunteers. Contact vinnies.org or call (415) 454-3303.