Volunteering with Father Joe’s Villages – Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need to Schedule Volunteering In Advance?
Yes. All Father Joe’s Villages volunteers visits MUST be scheduled in advance. NO EXCEPTIONS, NO WALK-INS. For general volunteer information, please call (619) 645-6411 or email volunteer@neighbor.org.
Do You Have Specific Time Commitments?
Most volunteers considering volunteering in certain programs or committing to volunteer 20 hours or more will need to attend one of our volunteer orientations held the first Tuesday of the month except for November and December and when holidays fall on the first Tuesday. Volunteer orientations are held at St. Vincent de Paul Village, 1501 Imperial Avenue, San Diego, CA, 92101, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The current volunteer opportunities with specific time requirements are presented at these orientations and the interview process is explained. Groups or volunteers working at a special event or one time opportunity are not required to attend an orientation.
Can I Bring A Group?
Yes. Volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul Village provides team-building opportunities. We welcome schools, service organizations, alumni groups, families, fraternities and sororities, religious organizations, military and corporate teams. The group leader must schedule the group’s visit and will be the main contact for that group. The group leader must forward volunteer information to all members of the group before the visit. Group activities include serving meals and projects such as landscaping and painting, or special events such as our Thanksgiving Day 5K.
Do You Allow School Groups To Volunteer?
Yes. We welcome middle and high school and college groups. Call (619) 645-6411 or email volunteer@neighbor.org to check on availability.
Can Children Volunteer?
The minimum age to volunteer is 10 years old. An adult must accompany any minor under the age of 15. While volunteering is a great way to teach children about service, it is important to assess a child’s maturity levels and their ability to listen and follow directions before signing up.
Can I Complete My School Service Hours?
We welcome middle and high school students to complete any school-required service hours, however, we would like to remind every volunteer that it is their responsibility to plan and schedule their visit well in advance, since registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Weekend availability is limited and scheduling early is recommended since many groups schedule the weekends a year in advance.
Can I Complete Court Mandated Community Service Hours?
St. Vincent de Paul Village accepts cases with a minimum of 100 hours or more. These hours are accepted on a case by case basis and upon our availability. Misdemeanor or felony sexual offenses are not accepted. All court mandated community service volunteers require additional documentation and must be seen on an individual basis.
What Should I Bring To My Volunteer Shift?
You MUST bring a signed volunteer waiver form for yourself and everyone in your group and Parent Authorization when applicable. Please keep personal items to a minimum (i.e. purses, jewelry, electronics, clothing, etc.), as St. Vincent de Paul Village is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items.
What Should I Wear?
The dress code at St. Vincent de Paul Village is mostly casual and comfortable. Certain positions such as serving meals have clothing requirements such as close-toed shoes, no tank tops, shorts, or sandals. The Health Clinic also has a clothing policy. In addition, please be mindful of the level of appropriateness of your dress. Please do not wear or bring anything that may be considered offensive.
Where Are You Located?
The Village is located at 1501 Imperial Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101. We also have volunteer opportunities at some of our other sites so location depends on volunteer opportunity.
Who Should I Contact?
For general information, please contact our Volunteer Services Administrative Assistant at 619 645-6411 or volunteer@neighbor.org.
