CADCOM provides a range of services and programs including: savings programs, volunteer income tax assistance (VITA), incubator programs for small businesses, food stamp enrollment, and homeless services. Volunteers have the opportunity to serve in most of these areas.
NOTE: Click here to learn more about Civic Engagement’s partnership with CADCOM’s tax assistance program.
The Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger (GPCAH) connects people to food assistance programs, nutrition education, and a network of food pantries while also educating the public and policymakers about responsible solutions that prevent people from going hungry.
Volunteer opportunities include canvassing high-need neighborhoods to inform residents of the services available to them, advocating for policy changes, and helping out with administrative tasks.
Philabundance responds to the critical needs of the Delaware Valley by increasing access to emergency food for those who need it most. Philabundance also works to improve access to food assistance resources. Volunteer opportunities are available at the Philabundance’s Hunger Relief Center, Community Food Center, and Fresh For All program.
At Face to Face struggling families, individuals and the homeless are welcomed and treated with dignity and respect. Our goal is to meet basic human needs and reduce suffering; thereby assisting our guests to a better future.
Face to Face offers a Dining Room, a nurse managed Health Center, a Legal Center, a Social Services Center and Children’s Summer Camps and After School programs. We also have a Washeteria where people can take a hot shower and receive a new set of clothes. Face to Face serves 2,500 annually and has been a stable presence in Germantown for over 20 years.
We are distinguished both by what we do and the manner in which we do it. Face to Face believes that each guest is the equal of each staff member and volunteer.
Volunteers
Hospitality, Mutuality and Transformation; the motto of Face to Face is brought to life by our dedicated volunteers. Each day the work of Face to Face is achieved through individuals working in our Dining Room, volunteering in our Legal or Health Centers, teaching in our Arts Program or donating much needed supplies, funds or professional expertise. Face to Face is distinguished both by what it does and the manner in which it does it. Our volunteers make the difference. When an individual, family or homeless person comes through our door they are greeted with warmth and respect, usually by volunteers. To apply to volunteer, click here.
Lutheran Children and Family Service of Eastern Pennsylvania commits itself to serve vulnerable children and families in community through culturally competent ministries of care, nurturing, shelter, advocacy, and counseling, including but not limited to foster care, adoption, family preservation, education, resettlement, housing and job development. Students can get involved with our refugee resettlement program, BOOST after school program, and our West Philadelphia Senior Community Center.
The Lutheran Children and Family Service Refugee Resettlement Program is a local affiliate of the National Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, which assists refugees and asylees through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of State. When a refugee family arrives to the area, Lutheran Children and Family Service is responsible for gathering available resources, finding housing and employment, and providing general cultural orientation. Our refugee resettlement services are designed to create a smooth transition to life in the local community and to promote economic self-sufficiency. Volunteers are needed to mentor refugee families, escort refugees to appointments, provide homework help for refugee youth, set up refugee homes, assist with ESL classes, tutor unaccompanied refugee minors, collect donations, and provide childcare at workshops.
BOOST (Best Out of School Time) is a program through Lutheran Children and Family Service that provides before and after school programs to over 900 youth at 11 schools in Southwest, West, North, and Northeast Philadelphia. Volunteers are needed to assist with homework and lead clubs and workshops for our students.
The West Philadelphia Senior Community Center (WPSCC) is a program through Lutheran Children and Family Service that offers dynamic and rewarding activities and events for older adults, ages 50 and above, who are residents of Philadelphia. WPSCC offers a computer lab with new computers and iPads for instruction and use, a fitness room with physical trainer and various exercise programs, as well as an array of daily classes and activities that enrich the mind, body and spirit. Volunteers are needed to teach classes in topics such as Spanish, quilting, woodworking, and scrapbooking.
If interested, please complete a volunteer applicationhere!
The Campaign for Working Families seeks practical ways to improve the economic status of working people in Philadelphia so that families have the opportunity to increase their income, wisely manage their finances, protect themselves from expensive financial services, and build assets. The Campaign for Working Families accomplishes this by connecting families to valuable tax credits, quality financial services, savings options, wealth building resources and public benefits.
Both internship and volunteer opportunities are often available. Volunteer positions include: tax preparer, resource builder (connecting families to public benefits, resources and financial opportunities), and greeter/administrative support.
NOTE: This volunteer opportunity is also available as a community-based work study program through Bryn Mawr.
The mission of Project H.O.M.E. is to empower adults, children, and families to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty, and to alleviate the underlying causes of poverty. Project H.O.M.E. achieves this through a continuum of care comprised of street outreach, a range of supportive housing, and other comprehensive services. The organization addresses the root causes of homelessness through neighborhood-based affordable housing, economic development, and environmental enhancement programs, as well as by providing access to employment opportunities, adult and youth education, and health care.
Volunteer opportunities include: aiding residents in daily activities, serving as a computer skills tutor, helping staff in an administrative capacity, and creating rewarding workshops and classes for residents.
Established in 1921, Nationalities Service Center (NSC) is a nonprofit organization that provides social, educational, senior, translation/interpretation, and legal services to immigrants and refugees in the Greater Philadelphia area. You can help by volunteering/interning in a number of capacities, including as a teacher, teaching assistant, tutor, office helper, graphic designer, companion, bilingual receptionist, and more. Please see their website for more information.
This site was a Career and Civic Engagement Center Summer Funding placement for summer 2019.
Established in 1902, Lutheran Settlement House (LSH) is a non-profit, community-based organization committed to serving vulnerable children, adults, and families living in Philadelphia. The mission of Lutheran Settlement House is to empower individuals, families, and communities to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency through an integrated program of social, educational, and advocacy services. LSH has various programs to serve seniors, adults who would like to continue with their education or find a job, and those who have experienced domestic violence and homelessness. Volunteers have opportunities to volunteer with any of LSH’s four programs (domestic violence, community education and employment, their senior center, and their home for women and children).
Saint John’s Hospice is a community grounded in faith and service where homeless persons find dignity, respect, nourishment and opportunities for new beginnings. St.John’s provides daily meals for 300-350 men, mail services for close to 2,000 men, a residential program for approximately 40 men, and a residential program for 12 medically needy homeless men (the majority of whom have HIV/AIDS). St. John’s also provides casework services to link men with shelter, substance abuse, medical, employment, and other services. There are volunteer opportunities available in a number of different areas including helping in the mail room, serving food as a kitchen worker, sorting gifts (seasonal), and driving (seasonal).