The San Diego Volunteer community lives in the vibrant and diverse neighborhood of South Park. The Volunteers live in a two-story, three-bedroom home just a couple houses away from the local Augustinian friar community. South Park is located about ten minutes from downtown San Diego and about 15 minutes away from the Pacific coast. Balboa Park is also within walking distance, home to many trails ideal for hiking and many different museums. The Volunteers serve at a variety of sites in the San Diego area including three schools, a homeless shelter’s medical clinic, and an orphanage located in Tijuana, Mexico.
St. Patrick’s School
St. Patrick’s School is an Augustinian Catholic grammar school connected with St. Patrick Church in San Diego. The student body is comprised of approximately 170 students in grades K-8 from mostly working and middle-class backgrounds. Due to its small size, there is a strong sense of community at St. Pat’s. It has a warm and welcoming staff that has a long history and good understanding of the Volunteer program. The Volunteer at St. Pat’s serves primarily as a Physical Education instructor for grades K-8 and Computer instructor for grades 6-8. In addition, the Volunteer assists with the after-school program which includes tutoring, coaching, and assisting with other after-school activities such as the Kindness in Community Service Club. The Volunteers are also to assist with recess and lunch duties as well as substitute teach when needed.
For more information about St. Patrick’s School, visit their
website.
Holy Family School
Holy Family School is a Catholic grade school located in the neighborhood of Linda Vista, a small and very diverse community in San Diego. Holy Family has a modest student population of roughly 125 children, ranging from kindergarten to 8th grade. The students and faculty form a very close-knit community from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds. Volunteers at Holy Family serve as the Physical Education instructor and coordinator of the Extended Care program. The PE Volunteer teaches classes to grades K-8 throughout the week, assists in classrooms as an aid, and assists with the Extended Care program. The Extended Care Coordinator Volunteer runs the after-school program for children in grades K-8, which includes homework help and planning group activities. Additionally this Volunteer assists in the kindergarten class and tutors students individually. The Volunteers also assist with recess and lunch duties as well as substitute teach when needed.
For more information about Holy Family School, visit their
website.
St. Augustine High School
St. Augustine High School, also known as Saints, is an all boys Catholic High School located in the neighborhood of North Park in San Diego. Roughly 700 students make up this school community that focuses strongly on a sense of brotherhood and the teachings of St. Augustine. Campus Ministry at Saints focuses on creating fun and life-changing experiences through memorable retreats and service trips. The Volunteer serves in the Campus Ministry office with the Director of Campus Ministry and the Director of Christian Service. The Volunteer assists in a variety of capacities, including with retreats, Christian service, liturgies, administrative tasks, and in any other way needed in the Campus Ministry office and/or school.
For more information about Saints, visit their
website.
St. Vincent de Paul Village
St. Vincent de Paul Village is a homeless shelter where people in need can find housing while completing various programs, including adult education, career counseling, and addiction rehabilitation groups, all aimed to help people get back on a track towards permanent income and housing. The Village also includes a health clinic where residents can obtain dental and medical care. The Volunteer serves as a registered nurse in the clinic, helping to triage patients, running appointments for clients who need nursing care, assisting doctors who are doing procedures, and distributing medicine in the dispensary. The Volunteer also assists with the assertive community treatment program, which is a multidisciplinary approach for clients with a history of homelessness and mental illness. The Volunteer does home health care visits (at the shelter), while collaborating with the other team members to deliver the right level of supportive care for these clients.
For more information about the Village visit their
website.
Hogar Infantil La Gloria
Hogar Infantil La Gloria is a home for Tijuana's children in need, and houses approximately 40-50 Spanish-speaking children. These children, who range in age from 4 months to 14 years, have been abandoned or rescued from situations of abuse or neglect and placed under the custody of the Mexican government. Hogar Infantil is responsible for providing for all of their needs, from shelter and medical care to education and social development. Their mission is to raise the children in a family atmosphere and to create for them a happy childhood. The Volunteer position consists of serving both in the orphanage's fundraising office in San Diego and at the orphanage itself. In the San Deigo office, the Volunteer receives and processes donations and assists with fundraising, grant writing, and tracking expenses. At the orphanage in Tijuana, the Volunteer spends time in the baby room helping out the workers and playing with the infants and toddlers. The Volunteer also assists the older children with homework, and spends time playing with the younger kids and hanging out and talking with the older kids. This position is very much about a ministry of presence, letting the children know that the Volunteer wants to be there and enjoys spending time with them. Additionally, the Volunteer must be conversational in Spanish.
For more information about the Hogar Infantil La Gloria visit their
website.