volunteering

“The need for honest and practical love and constant compassion is so frighteningly real among His little ones. If anywhere the Christian has a proving ground for love, it is among the poor.” ~Fr. Gus

► Introduction

► How Can I Help?

► Come and See

► Volunteer Testimonies

► General Guidelines for Individuals and Groups

Helping hands and Loving Hearts...

Since Port Ministries opened up its doors in 1985, the success and substance of its outreach has rested largely on the shoulders of very special volunteers. More than simply a good way to use time productively, volunteering at Port Ministries is a vocation, a calling to a way of life that by its nature, interweaves the volunteer with the lives of our poorer brothers and sisters. There are no buffers at Port Ministries, no barriers between us and those we serve. If it is serving a meal, teaching, spending time with children, tutoring children and adults, answering phones or listening to a lonely guest, we see, touch and hear the fruit of our labors before us.

Port Ministries offers many different opportunities to minister in a place of prayer and hope, serving the poor of Chicago. We also offer volunteer orientation and development to insure that all of our volunteers are serving at their best. We deeply appreciate the sisters and brothers who come to serve at the Port.

Note: Port Ministries is in complete compliance with the Chicago Archdiocesan “ Protecting God's Children ” (Virtus) program and cooperation with these guidelines is necessary and mandatory in all areas of ministry.

When, Where and How Can I Help?

Winter Bread Truck Volunteer Opportunities (Begins Oct. 4th )
Food prep & Service, Drivers
Tues. - Fri.: - 6pm to 9pm
Saturdays: 10am - 2:30pm

Mantle Volunteer Opportunities:
Children's Tutoring/ Mentoring Help/ Arts & Crafts/ Toddler- area:
Tues, Wed., Thurs, Fri - 10:30am to 12:30pm and 3:00pm to 4:45pm.
Adult GED/ ESL/ Computer- Training: Tues, Thurs, Fri - 10:30am to 12:30pm
Children's Arts & Crafts/Activities/ Tutoring: All Saturdays.
Working with Adults - Cooking, ESL & GED Tutoring, Parenting, any Special- Interest: All Saturdays

Theresa House Volunteer Opportunities:
Night Monitors - 7pm to 11pm or 11pm to 7am
Children's Tutors - 3pm to 6pm
Play Supervisors – Sat. 10am to 1pm
Laundry and Kitchen Assistants - flexible time
Cooking/Serving – Weekends

Tony's Gym Volunteer Opportunities:
Female Aerobics Instructor – Mon. thru Fri. - A.M. hours
Monitors/Mentors/Tutors- Mon. thru Fri. - 2 to 6pm
Basketball Coach - Mon. thru Fri. - 2 to 6pm

Clinic Volunteer Opportunities:
Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists, Medical & Nursing Students, General Practice
Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurses Assistants, EMT's
Tues & Wed - 10am to 12pm
Thurs - 12:30pm to 3:30pm,
Fri. - 9:30am to 2:00pm
Sat - 9:30am to 12pm (1st Sat - 9:30 to 2pm)

Clinic Receptionists:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays: 10am-12pm. Thursdays: 12-3:30pm,
Fridays: 10-2pm, Saturdays 9 - 12pm.

Home Visiting Opportunities:
Listeners, Home Visitors, Eucharistic Ministers, Polish & Spanish interpreters
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 9am to 3pm

Pio House Volunteer Opportunities:
Secretarial help
Computer help: I.T., hi levels web design & html, networking.
Housekeeping, Office,
Maintenance: Handyman and skilled trades
Development/Grant Writing: Database management, funding research online, narrative writing

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“Come and See!” …Volunteer Orientation Day
Volunteer Orientation Day is a monthly service to those interested in Volunteering at Port Ministries and would like to learn more about the different areas and volunteer opportunities before getting involved. Simply call ahead, and on the next Orientation Day, come receive a guided tour of the various ministry areas lead by staff members. Our goal is to give you a good sense of what Port Ministries is about and to answer any questions you may have.

When?...
Monthly: Every 2nd Saturday
beginning at The Mantle located at
5140 S. Ashland Ave.
Tours, Questions & Answers
- 10am to Noon

Changed Lives: Volunteer Testimonies

Sara, is a Notre Dame Student who served at Port Ministries for 3 months on her Summer Service Project Internship. The following is an excerpt from her reflections resulting from her involvement with Port Ministries and how her experience related to the study of “Catholic Social Teachings” which the belief that there is inherent value and dignity in all human life. She writes…

“I truly feel that my experience at Port Ministries has changed my life, and has helped me to see the type of person that I would like to become. The people at Port Ministries, both staff and those who were being served, helped me to realize the value of faith, family, and education, and in doing so have helped to guide me in my own vocational journey. Through my Summer Service Project Internship, I have learned not only what Catholic Social Teachings are, but why they are so important. My experience has provoked personal reflection on many of the teachings, but especially has made me think about the inherent dignity of all people and the importance of the family. At Port Ministries, I was able to see Catholic Social Teaching as something living and transcendent. There, Catholic Social Teachings are not merely empty words on paper, but something that guides and informs all that is done”.

General Guidelines for Individuals and Groups:

If you and/or your group are interested in volunteering, there are several ways to contact us in our Contact Us section.

We have introductory videos, a volunteer manual and brochures available to help you as needed. A Volunteer Orientation Day is offered as a service to interested volunteers once a month (see “Volunteer Orientation Day” above for details)