Local Agencies

There are many agencies in South Bend with whom the Center for Social Concerns collaborates. Below please find a partial listing of these agencies. Listing these sites does not indicate that the Center for Social Concerns necessarily endorses or agrees with each individual agencies' missions. We simply want to provide access to the information and resources available. (Updated September 7, 2005)

AIDS Ministries/AIDS Assist

Volunteers provide one-on-one companionship, support, advocacy and assistance with navigating systems of care for individuals/families who are living with HIV; general office support, establish and maintain databases, assist with mailings, newsletter production; Assist in educating the community. Contact: Debra Stanley at 234-2870 ext 1151.

American Red Cross

Community Volunteer Services plans, programs, recruits, trains and places volunteers to meet community needs through community education and emergency services. Contact: Jeannette Simon at 234-0191 ext. 21.

Ark Angels, Inc.
Volunteers tutor youth in age appropriate and manageable groups and also are encouraged to bring their own passion or interest area into the enrichment structure. Volunteers can help with special teen leadership groups on the weekends and with advanced learning opportunities. Contact: Ron King at 233-5940 or the center at 287-3503.

Big Brothers Big Sisters

In the one-to-one Program, a volunteer is matched with a child and they build their friendship through doing activities together in the community. Our School Mentor Program requires one hour once a week after school. Contact: Deborah Burrow at 232-9958.

Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County

The volunteers work directly with the members of the Club assisting in the daily activities that take place. Contact: Dawn Woods at 232-2048.

Broadway Christian Parish  

We invite volunteers to help with the following: Sunday community meals, light maintenance and repairs, clothes closet, hospitality room, laundry service supervision, office work, tutoring programs for Liberian refugees, the Jubilee Christmas (various activities), the Summer Arts Program for Children, and weeding and planting flowers in the Peace garden. Contact: Anne Kumeh at 289-0333.

Cardinal Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

Volunteers are needed to visit clients on a one-to-one basis and organize evenings of bingo. Contact: Beverly Shamberg at 287-6501.

CASIE Center

CASIE Center provides services for abused and neglected children. Volunteers assist staff with both routine duties and special projects that benefit the children and their families. Organized drives are also needed for snacks and blank video tapes. Contact: Caron Marnocha at 282-1414.

Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities offers a variety of programs to assist those in need. They need volunteers to help with the food pantry, to coordinate food drives, to assist refugee and immigrant families, to work in Spanish translation services, and to assist with office work. Contact: Rob Ercoline at 234-3111 or by e-mail at rercoline@ccfwsb.org   

 

Center for Basic Learning Skills

Volunteers tutor adults working toward their GED for two hours a week. Hours: 8am-12pm M-F. Contact: Sister Marita Stoffel at 259-5427 (between 4-9 p.m.).

 

Center for the Homeless        

Volunteers are able to assist with children's and adult activities, children's and adult tutoring, serving meals, chapel services, exercise programs, special events, and the front desk. They are also able to assist in the Montessori classroom, with the donation room, and with both the teen and adult leadership programs. Contact: Community-Based Learning Coordinator Carla Lowe at 282-8700, ext. 344.

Chapin Street Clinic (St. Joseph Health Center)

Volunteers work in one of three medical clinics that provide services to low-income adults and families. Volunteers will perform clerical duties, take back patients, follow doctors, and any other service that the center is in need of medical assistance. Spaces are limited. Contact: Community-Based Learning Coordinator Michelle Peters at 239-5299.

 

Charles Martin Youth Center

Volunteers needed for after school programs, computer skills training for kids, tutoring in math and reading, helping with various art classes, conflict resolution programs, and to help clean-up grounds and inside of building. Contact: Gladys Muhammad at 280-7092.

             

Chiara Home  

Chiara Home provides temporary out of home respite care for people with special needs. Volunteers needed to assist with personal care of guests (i.e. feeding, entertaining, companioning, cooking meals). Volunteers also assist staff with both routine duties and special projects and activities. (Chiara Home is on a local bus line from the ND Campus.)  Contact: Sr. Gretchen at 287-5435.

Circle of Mercy          

Circle of Mercy works through Catholic Charities to serve families with parents who work or are in school to provide quality child care. Volunteers work with children in the classroom setting to enhance educational experiences. Any skills or special interests volunteers possess that would benefit children's development are greatly appreciated. Assistance in cleaning or refurbishing the facility is appreciated. Contact:  Sue Judge at 287-0500.

College Football Hall of Fame           

Guest Services- Orienteer, Greeter, Ed Program, Team Building Facilitator--Administrative Services- Staff support- Special Events- Technical Services- Skilled work and Data Entry---Phone banking for events (MORE) Contact:  Jim Baumgartner at 235-5709.

Corvilla, Inc.   

Volunteers help with resident (FUN) activities like bowling, dances, arts & crafts, picnics, hay rides, cookouts and movies. Volunteers also help with the web site, developing brochures and helping with fundraising events like Snowball Softball, Glow In The Dark volleyball and a Howl-O-Ween Blues Bash. Contact: Diana Dolde at 574-289-9779 or e-mail at ddolde@corvilla.org.

El Campito Day Care Center

El Campito's mission is "to promote the educational, social and economic success of curturally diverse children and their families by providing quality programs and their services to those most in need". (for ages 3-5). There are many volunteer opportunities with our child care, parent education and preschool programs, classroom assistance, evening child care supervision during parent meetings, office assistance (secretarial & administrative- ie. filing, bookkeeping), building maintenance projects( painting, cleaning, etc.,),bi-lingual opportunities (Spanish translation) and grant writing assistance (research and fund development). Please contact Rosa Rickman at 232-0220 or email elcampito@netnitco.net

 

Family and Children’s Center

Join the Family Partners Program to take a child to your place of worship or become a sponsor if you can give 3-4 hours per month sharing activities with a child. Contact: Doug Brown at 259-5666, ext. 256. For intern opportunities in marketing and resource development contact: Kregg Van Meter at 259-5666, ext. 232.

 

Food Bank of Northern Indiana

Salvage/Reclamation-Sorting, separating, and organizing food products that are canned, boxed or bottled. Pantry Reception/Stocker-Stocks the pantry shelves and assists customers with their shopping. Special Events-Letter Carrier Food Drive, Crop-Walk, National Make a Difference Day, U93 Giving Tree. Contact: Robin Fuller at 232-9986.

Harbor Light Hospice            

Volunteers provide companionship, spiritual support, music therapy, bereavement services, and administrative support to the patients and their families. They also make crafts and bake favorite foods for the patients. Contact: Lynn Smith at 232-5501.

Healthwin Specialized Care  

Volunteers work one on one with our residents, reading, socializing, spending time outdoors, pushing residents to and from activities, and assisting the Activity Staff with group activities or outings into the community. Contact: Lori Miller at 272-0100, ext. 204.

Home Management Resources, Inc.

Volunteer positions exist in child care, clerical/receptionist work, and computer technology. Occasional help is needed for mailings. Other positions vary from weekly positions to 4-10 once a week commitments twice during the year (on a semester basis). Contact: Elena Flynn at 233-3486.

Hope Rescue Mission             

Volunteers needed for cleaning, painting, construction, preparing and serving meals, chapel service, tutoring, mentoring, counseling, clerical, teaching classes, and assisting with addiction programs. Contact: Don Bloore at 235-4150, ext. 231.

Hospice of St. Joseph County

Volunteers provide respite care for terminally ill patients and their families. Contact: Jackie Boynton at 243-3127.

Indiana Legal Services

Volunteers serve as Intake Workers to assist potential clients with the application process and summarize legal problems for staff attorney review. ILS is funded to provide free legal representation to low income persons in civil matters. Contact: Heather Dicks at 234-8121.

 

La Casa De Amistad Inc.      

Help students with school work. Be seen as a big brother or sister. Provide students with self esteem and a positive look at the future through education and self respect to improve their way of life. Contact: Olga Larimer at 233-2120.

Life Treatment Centers, Inc.
Volunteers work in many different areas of our treatment facility, including, assisting in staffing the residential and detoxification areas, kitchen help, clients follow up, tutoring, front desk staffing, maintenance assisting, chart breakdown and assisting our group facilitators and administrative staff, all to assist persons with addictions to gambling, alcohol and chemical dependencies. Contact: Brenda Mast 574.233.5433 ext. 205

Literacy Council of St. Joseph County, Inc.

Volunteers tutor adults in both basic reading and English as a Second Language. Requires a 6-month commitment. Contact: Brenda Green at 235-6229.

Logan Center             

Volunteers assist children and adults with special needs. Activities include art, cooking, exercise and computer classes as well as one-to-one assistance in children's homes. Contact: Community-Based Learning Coordinator (574) 289-4831 or visit www.logancenter.org

Michiana Dismas House        

Volunteering at Dismas House, a faith based prisoner reentry program, gives students the opportunity to serve the broader community. It provides students with the framework to examine the complex issues of social and criminal justice. Volunteer cooks are needed to help prepare evening meals and dine with the residents Monday-Thursday,  serve as mentors or tutors and help with home repairs or with special events. Other opportunities include student residency, internships and work study positions. It is an excellent place to engage in service learning. Contact Maria Kaczmarek at 233-8522.

 

Milton Home

Volunteers visit elderly residents on a one-to-one basis, assist with evening activities from 6:30–7:30 pm, and play table games with the residents on Sunday. Contact: Maria Krewson or Lou Ann Nebelung at 233-0165.

 

Northern Indiana Center for History          

Volunteers serve as docents in the Oliver Mansion and the Worker's House; help at special events; serve as greeters in the front lobby at the Center for special events; digitize/scan photos in the Archives; help with mailings, help in the Museum Store; internships in the Education Department/Marketing. Contact: Joyce Chambers at 235-9664.

OASIS

The OASIS Older Adult Safe House provides a Safe House for senior citizens who have been neglected/abused. Volunteers provide for the security, safety and comfort of residents. Contact: Mary Czarnecki at 246-0144.

Portage Manor

Volunteers needed to pay regular visits to individual residents who have no family. There are also opportunities for students who do needle work. Group volunteer opportunities are also available. Contact: Toni Grisham at 272-9100.

Potawatomi Zoo

The zoo in South Bend has many opportunities in all facets of zoo operation for students to volunteer or be interns. Located just 10 minutes from campus. Contact: Jason Jacobs at 288-4639.

 

REAL Services

Students can be matched on a one-to-one basis with clients who need companionship. A six month commitment is requested. Volunteers are also needed to assist elderly/disabled clients of REAL Services with one time assignments for outside yard work projects. Group volunteer opportunities are also available. Contact: Deb Leach at 284-2644, ext. 254.

Reins of Life

Volunteers act as horse leaders or side walkers for people with disabilities during therapeutic horseback riding classes (approx. 2 hours). There are also opportunities to help with special events and care for horses. Contact: Chris Flowers at 232-0853.

Robinson Community Learning Center      

Volunteers typically work one-on-one with students after school: reading to them, having them read out loud, having them write and do listening activities. These sessions are expected to last one hour, and volunteers are asked to come twice a week, either on M-W, or on T-Th. Contact Vernell Ball-Daniel at 631-8750.

 

S-O-S of Madison Center      

S-O-S is the rape crisis center for St. Joseph County. After training, Volunteer Advocates sign up for one six-hour shift per week during which they agree to be reachable by phone in the event crisis intervention services are needed. Emergency Contact: 24 hour crisis line 289-HELP (289-4357) Agency Contact: Mary Waggoner at 283-1308.
 

Salvation Army

Volunteers provide food for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter baskets for families in South Bend. Student volunteers can adopt a South Bend family through the Salvation Army. Help is also needed in the office and with clothing intakes throughout the year. Contact Katrina at 233-9471.

SBCSC Adult Education Department         

Volunteers work individually or in small groups with adult students (16 years of age and older) who are studying basic academic, job, and life skills (including literacy), learning English as a second language (ESL), and/or preparing for the GED Exam. Contact: Gayle Silver at 283-7563.

South Bend Heritage Foundation

Volunteers are able to work in all facets of neighborhood revitalization. Also available are internships and course-based work in community development. Contact: Gladys Muhammad at 289-1066.

South Bend Juvenile Correctional Facility  

The volunteers aid the students in tutoring the individuals one-on-one in their academic deficiencies. Contact: Tom Ferrara at 232-8808, ext. 369.

Southern Care Hospice          

Volunteers needed to do everything from patient sitting while a care-giver gets out for a short while for a much-needed break, to bringing a rented movie and a bag of popcorn to share with a lonely elderly person in a nursing facility. They can work in the office filing, packets, shredding. Call 259-0895.

Southgate Dream Center

Volunteers work with at-risk youth on the south side of South Bend serving as mentors, tutors, and ambassadors of love. An ESL program also offers opportunities to work with the adult, Latino population in South Bend. Contact: Efrain Figueroa at 231-6008.

St. Margaret's House             

Volunteers can: cook and kitchen help, receptionist, tutoring, assist with donations, assist with food pantry, assist with art program, interact with children, interact with women, assist with clothes closet, miscellaneous jobs as needed. Contact: Kathy Schneider or Patricia Marvel at 234-7795.

 

St. Joe’s Regional Medical Center

We invite pre-med students to consider being a part of the continuum of care of our patients. Students can choose from Emergency Room, Cardiac Care, Post Surgical, Medical/Renal, Oncology, Orthopedics, Rehab and Outpatient Pediatrics Therapy. Choose one 4 – hour shift, one day per week for a semester. Uniform top will be provided and a meal ticket. No transportation available. The medical center is less than 2 miles from the ND campus. Transpo is available. Contact Denise Kapsa, Director - Volunteer Services at 237-7242 or e-mail kapsad@sjrmc.com.

 

St. Vincent DePaul     

Volunteers work in the thrift store to prepare used goods for sale and help with special projects at Christmas time. Anyone organizing a food or clothing drive can work through this grassroots organization. Contact: Joan Ash at 234-6211.

There are Children Here (TACH)

TACH has a 15 acre facility and hosts an after-school program M-F for about 20 children (ages 4-11) per day. Volunteers are needed to work with the children and to coordinate special projects. Contact Jim Langford at 299-8767.

Twenty-First Century Scholars        

Volunteers assist with enrollment, mentoring, campus visits, service learning projects, clerical assistance, parental support and chaperoning activities. We can build a volunteer position to meet your schedule and interests. Contact: Marti Nelson at 1-888-603-5981, ext. 235.

United Religious Community

Volunteers needed to work on special projects, with the Victim Offender Reconciliation Program and with the Advocacy Centers where volunteers work one-on-one with community residents unable to meet basic needs:  This is a good platform for service-learning in the area of psychology. Computer skills are also needed. A regular commitment is expected one day a week (M-F, 9-12).  Contact: Carol Thon at 282-2397.

West Side Neighborhood Partnership Center

Volunteers work directly with youth tutoring, reading programs, sports and recreation, Conversational Spanish interactive/play learning programs, and with administrative support. Contact: Juanetta Hill at 235-5800.

Women’s Care Center

Volunteers help welcome pregnant women and couples by helping them gather the resources that they need. Volunteers also needed for counseling and child-care assistance for clients and help with the crib club and baby items store. Contact: Deborah Allen at 234-0363.

Youth Services Bureau

The Youth Service Bureau has several day and evening service opportunities including supervision and recreation for teens living at the runaway shelter, providing supervision for small children during monthly educational meetings for their parents, and staffing the newly created help line. Hours of service are geared to student needs. Contact the Youth Links Director at 235-9231 for information or to volunteer.

YWCA of St. Joseph County            

Volunteers serve as children's activity aides, clerical assistants, mentors, court monitors, as well as cover crisis lines, sort donations, assist in the kitchen, provide transportation, create welcome bags, plan parties for clients and help with food drives. Contact: Maggie Shoe at 233-9491.