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?

► How Can I Get Started?
... General Guidelines for Individuals and Groups

► Volunteer Testimonies

► A Place of Prayer and Hope

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 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.

Listening is the most essential active involvement as we relate with the poor in all our ministry areas. Its aim is to be truly present among the poor and to come with an open heart to hear their life's story with its joys and troubles. Realizing that God is the third person listening and that He knows the person's heart, the listening minister gives time and energy to simply listen in an attitude of real love and concern.

Anyone can (carefully or carelessly) “hand out” food, services, answers and advice, but to listen engages hearts. For many "poor" people, someone taking time to truly be present and listen in an on-going way is rare and can be the greatest gift we offer, for, it begins to nurture and affirm their innate dignity as a child of God which enables them to begin realizing their potential as people capable of being loved and being life-giving to others. When we give time to listen, with God's help, we can be integral parts of the lives of others, allowing God to do His life-giving, healing work in us and through us... for and because of one-another. With hearts engaged, we become the gifts to one-another... not just the handouts and services offered.

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 after Labor Day)
Food prep & Service, Drivers
Tues. - Fri.: - 5pm to 9pm
Sat.: 10am - 2:30pm

Summer Bread Truck Volunteer Opportunities:
(when school children are on summer vacation; June through Sept.)
Food prep & Service, Drivers
Mon. - Sat.: 10am - 2:30pm

Mantle Volunteer Opportunities:
Children's Tutoring/ Mentoring Help/ Arts & Crafts/ Toddler area:
Tues. - Fri.: 10:30am to 12:30pm and 2:00pm to 4:00pm.
Adult GED/ ESL/ Computer- Training: Tues. - 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

Tony's Gym Volunteer Opportunities:
Female Aerobics Instructor, Monitors / Mentors / Tutors, Basketball Coach:
Call Volunteer Coordinator for times.

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

Clinic Receptionists:
Tues & Thurs - 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Sat - 9:30am to 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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HOW CAN I GET STARTED?

Come and See!
Anyone who would like to learn more about the different areas and volunteer opportunities before getting involved, simply call ahead, and make an appointment to come receive a guided tour of the various ministry areas. Our goal is to help give you a good sense of what Port Ministries is about and to answer any questions you may have.

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.

Download the Volunteer Group Manual here...

Go on a real Mission...
Answer the Call of the Holy Spirit!
Live the Gospel!
BE an Instrument of Peace!

Make a difference in the lives of people in need... and your lives as well!
Since 1985, PORT MINISTRIES has offered laypeople and Catholic Religious the opportunity to work together in service to the poor and homeless in Chicago's Back of the Yards.

Commitment Opportunities for Ministry...

"When I was Hungry, you gave me a meal"...
The Bread Truck (Soup Kitchen on Wheels)

"When I was lonely, you visited me"...
Home Visiting Ministry

"When I was sick, you cared for my needs"...
Port Ministries Free Clinic

"When I was a stranger, you welcomed me"...

"When I was little, you taught me to read"...
The Mantle: Enrichment Center for Families and Children

Port Ministries serves the needs of those who are being drawn to a deeper life of faith and of service..
"Jesus turned and saw them following Him and said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to Him, "Rabbi", "where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come, and you will see." ~ John 1: 38-39

COME AND SEE!

At our Madonna Queen of Peace Residence, Port Ministries can provide housing and necessary stipend to individuals, college students, seminarians and religious who are willing to make a commitment of 6 months to a year to live and serve at Port Ministries. This commitment will enrich the spiritual life of anyone answering a call to mission by giving them a real way to live the Gospel as Francis of Assisi lived it: among the poor. There is also a beautiful Chapel in the Madonna Queen of Peace residence available.

For questions and answers, e-mail us at info@theportministries.org or call: 773-778-5955

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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”.

A Place of Prayer and Hope

The Spirituality...

"Francis, go and rebuild my church which has fallen into ruin.” When Francesco Bernardone, later known to the world as Saint Francis of Assisi, heard those words, he did not retire to the silence of the desert or the peace of a monastery. He did not interpret the Lord's words to mean work among the bricks and mortar of ancient cathedrals. The Lord called Francis to work among his poor brothers and sisters; the socially forgotten and the spiritually malnourished.

Our call is to be the “Living Stones” building up the Kingdom of God.
Under the inspiration and example of its founder, the late Rev. Augustin Milon, OFM, Port Ministries' wholehearted service to the poorest of the poor stems from a consecration to the Lord in the spirit of Saint Francis.
Port Ministries does not engage in social work or welfare reform. It seeks the Face of Jesus in “the distressing disguise of the poor”, especially the children, who are the poorest of the poor.

Prayer...
In each of our 3 main ministry buildings, there is a prayer room. Every day since our beginnings, the entire staff begins each day in prayer, placing ourselves at the mercy of God. As a "place of prayer and hope", prayer is at the center of all the work we do. Our hope is in the Lord... the hope He alone gives is the hope we share. We trust that He will provide all that we need to accomplish what he has called us out to do. (Matthew 25:40).