As a college formed in the Mercy tradition, Saint Joseph's believes that community involvement through volunteerism is not just personally rewarding, but also an invaluable component to furthering education and understanding. Below, find a list of opportunities and local organizations to help get you started.
Service Immersion Experiences
Every year, members of the Saint Joseph's community take international service trips to Guatemala and Haiti during the winter break. Participants volunteer in health clinics, join home-building crews, sight-see ancient ruins, and visit with local families, just to name a few of the components that make these week-long excursions a life-altering journey.
Similarly, during the month of March, Saint Joseph's students have the opportunity to volunteer in low-income areas throughout the nation as part of Spring Break Workfest, an alternative to the usual beach vacations many college students take for spring break. With a range of volunteer opportunities available, all service experiences immerse students in the community and, upon completion, impart on students a new perspective concerning human dignity and justice.
Maybe you only have a day of your time to give? Then look into Midnight Run, a 24-hour whirlwind of a trip that brings members of the College's community together to distribute food, clothing, and toiletries to the city’s homeless population.
Academic Major Service Suggestions
Here's a list of suggested volunteer opportunities as best suited to some of our most popular majors. Find more information about each organization by scrolling through the list below.
Local Service Partners
Below, a list of recommended community partners with which to pursue volunteer opportunities.
America Reads
Mentors work one-on-one with students twice a week, providing extra instruction and support in reading and writing.
Contact Information: 1-800-USA-LEARN
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross of Southern Maine provides comprehensive health and safety education courses, community disaster education and preparedness training, and disaster relief associated with natural or man-made events.
Contact Information: General inquiries to 207-874-1192 (toll-free: 877-372-7363) or volunteer@southernmaine.redcross.org; blood drive volunteers call 207-775-2367
Beacon Hospice
Beacon Hospice teams are comprised of talented professionals from every interdisciplinary who are focused on making a difference.
Contact Information: 1-800-840-0668 or info@beaconhospice.com
Camp Sunshine
Families with a child diagnosed with diseases such as cancer, kidney disease, lupus, solid organ transplants, and other life threatening illnesses attend one of the week-long camps.
Contact Information: Mike Katz, Camp Sunshine campus director, at 207-655-3800 or mkatz@campsunshine.org
Standish Food Pantry
Standish Food Pantry located at the Town Hall in Standish Maine. The pantry is open and distributes food to its clients from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday.
Catholic Charities Maine
Catholic Charities Maine has dedicated itself to creating, administering, and advocating programs and services that reach out and fulfill critical human needs.
Contact Information: 1-800-781-8550 or volunteerinfo@ccmaine.org
Choices Are for Everyone, Inc. (CAFE)
CAFE provides community based services to children who have been diagnosed with mental retardation or autism. Children learn skills surrounding behavior, daily routines, and social living.
Contact Information: 1-207-510-6060
Community Health Systems (CHS)
CHS is a non-profit Medicare-certified Home Health Agency serving clients throughout Cumberland County, northern York County, and southern Oxford County.
Food & Fellowship, Inc.
Food & Fellowship provides hot meals twice a month to people in the Lakes region of Maine. We are ecumenical in nature and serve a largely elder population.
Contact Information: 207-287-8933 or service.commission@maine.gov
Frannie Peabody Center
The Frannie Peabody Center is dedicated to fulfilling the service needs of people living with HIV/AIDS, providing comprehensive prevention and treatment services.
Contact Information: Jacob Roberson, development director, at 207-774-6281 ext. 205 or development@peabodycenter.org
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity builds simple, decent, and affordable houses in partnership with people needing shelter.
Contact Information: 207-772-2151
Immigration Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP)
ILAP is an immigration clinic that provides people from different countries with legal council and assistance in completing immigration forms. Volunteers can also help the organization through fundraising and office support.
Contact Information: 207-780-1593 or info@ilapmaine.org
The League of Young Voters
The League of Young Voters empowers young people nationwide to participate in the democratic process, focusing on non-college youth and youth from low-income communities and communities of color.
Contact Information: 207-772-3207
Loon Echo Land Trust
Loon Echo serves the towns of Raymond, Casco, Naples, Harrison, Sebago, Bridgton, and Denmark, protecting more than 3,307 acres of land in Maine. This includes 14 conservation easements and 6 preserves.
Contact Information: 207-647-4352 or info@lelt.org
Mercy Health Systems
Each year, over 500 individuals—from all walks of life, backgrounds, and ages—become involved in the Mercy Volunteer Program, united by the common desire to help. Participants give back in a variety of ways, from assisting office workers, offering up their skills or talents, or even just visiting with our patients and providing companionship.
Mission Possible Teen Center
A drop-in after-school program open to all Westbrook teens, the Teen Center provides services and activities for local youth, as well as snacks and dinner which are served daily.
Contact Information: Heather Northop, Mission Possible Teen Center program director, at 854-2800, mptc@maine.rr.com, or hjnorthrop@aol.com
Portland Housing Authority
From Monday through Thursday in the late afternoons and evenings, tutors and mentors work with youths (ranging grades 3-12) from low-income, diverse communities in Portland.
Contact Information: infodesk@porthouse.org
Preble Street Resource Center
Preble Street offers an accessible day shelter, food pantry, and breakfast meal program seven days a week for all people who are homeless or experiencing problems with poverty.
Contact Information: 207-842-3614 or volunteer@preblestreet.org
PROP
PROP is a private, not-for-profit corporation, established by the Federal Office of Economic Opportunity in 1965 and designated by the Maine Community Services Act as a Community Action Agency, that serves 23 communities in Cumberland County, Maine. PROP assists the poor and the oppressed, working with them to help organize, clarify, and voice their concerns.
Contact Information: 207-553-5800
Riding to the Top
Riding to the Top's mission is to provide therapeutic riding services to children and adults with physical, cognitive, and/or emotional disabilities.
Contact Information: 207-892-2813
Ronald McDonald House
Ronald McDonald House is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing affordable, safe, and supportive temporary home-like housing to families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals and medical facilities.
Standish Recreation
Standish recreation is a municipal recreation program serving people of all ages.
STRIVE
STRIVE serves young adults aged 15-24 who have developmental disabilities, working to develop their skills, confidence, and educational foundation in the hopes that they will eventually become independent contributors to the community.
Contact Information: Krisina Smalley at 207-774-6278 or ksmalley@pslservices.org
Sweetser
Sweetser provides a continuum of comprehensive behavioral and mental health services to children, adults, and families throughout the state.
Contact Information: 1-800-434-3000 or klanielson@sweetser.org
United Way of Greater Portland
The United Way of Greater Portland has two primary functions: raising funds for social services in Cumberland County and promoting community development projects and policies. We provide a referral service for those seeking volunteer opportunities.
Contact Information: 207-874-1000 or info@unitedwaygp.org
Westbrook Food Pantry
The Westbrook Food Pantry serves the local community, opening on Tuesdays from 12-2 p.m. and 6-7 p.m.
Contact Information: Jeanne Rielly at 207-854-9105 or 207-591-8147
Windham Adult Education and Headstart
Adult Education currently offers a family literacy program, focusing on Head Start families and families with a first grader in SPIRE.
Contact Information: 1-800-322-5455 or info@maineadulted.org
Windham Parks and Recreation
Wyndham Parks & Rec is looking for assistance with trail work and on special events during the year.
Contact Information: 207-892-1905
Windham School Age Child Care
Located in the Primary School, Windham School Age Child Care is a before- and after-school program designed for Windham students (grades K-5).
Windham Senior Dining
Windham Senior Dining provides lunches for seniors residing at Unity Gardens. Community dinners are also hosted on most Mondays at 5:30 p.m. at various locations.
Contact Information: Marcia at 892-3769 or Virginia at 892-3891