Local Community Organizations

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.

AIDS Ministries/AIDS Assist            

Volunteers provide one-on-one companionship, support, advocacy and assistance with navigating systems of care for individuals/families that 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 574-288-2887 or email at wuzuwuzu@aol.com.

Alzheimer's Services of Northern Indiana/Milton Adult Day Services

Work with participants at Day Center in activities such as board games, crafts, pool, woodworking (with volunteer supervision), assist with serving meals and snacks, and general support in keeping participants actively involved.  Contact: Norma Napoli at 574-232-2666 or email at Norma_Napoli@sbcglobal.net.

American Red Cross, St. Joseph County Chapter

Community Volunteer Services plans, programs, recruits, trains and places volunteers to meet community needs through community education and emergency services. Contact: John Pinter at 574-234-0191or email at info@stjoe-redcross.org.

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 574-904-1707 or email at kingronnie@sbcglobal.net.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Joseph Counthy       

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. Our Community Mentor Program is the same as our School Mentor Program but is offsite. Contact: Any Staff Member at 574-232-9958 or email at bbbsstjoe@sbcglobal.net .

Boy Scouts of America, LaSalle Council

Student volunteers help run programs for at-risk youth in the South Bend community. These programs are designed to develop character, citizenship, and personal fitness skills in our youth.  Contact: Arne Landsverk at 574-289-0337 ext. 315 or email at alandsverk@lasallecouncilbsa.org.

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: Jim Cramer at 574-232-2048 ext. 2103,  574-286-7821-cell or email at jcramer@bgcsjc.org.

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: Rev. Nancy Nichols at 574-289-0333 or email at broadwayum@sbcglobal.net.

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 574-287-6501.

CASIE Center

CASIE Center provides a multidisciplinary approach to the investigation of child abuse by coordinating efforts of Department of Child Services (DCS), law enforcement and the Prosecutor's Office.  The CASIE Center also houses Family Support Services and Elementary School Truancy Prevention Programs.  Volunteers assist staff with routine duties and special projects that benefit the children and their families.  Organized drives are also needed for snacks, toys, toiletry items, blank video tapes and miscellaneous items.  Contact Caron Marnocha at 574-282-1414 or email at casie@michiana.com.

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 574-234-3111 ext. 22 or email at rercoline@ccfwsb.org.

Catholic Worker House

Students could help us prepare the evening meal and talk with our guests.  Other possible tasks include collecting food from the farmer's market, doing manual labor at our drop-in center downtown, and picking up furniture donations.  Contact:  Margaret Pfeil  574- 287-7734  or email at mpfeil1@nd.edu.

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 574-259-5427 (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: Dr. Peter Lombardo, PhD at 574-282-8700 ext. 344 or email at plombardo@cfh.net.

Charles Martin Youth Center

Volunters needed for after school programs, computer skills 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 574-280-7092.

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:  Brenda Emmerth at 574-287-5435 or email at chiarahome@att.net

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 interest volunteers possess that would benefit children's development are greatly appreciated.  Assistance in cleaning or refurbishing the facility is appreciated.  Contact:  Rhonda Cartwright at 574-287-0500 or email at rcartwright@ccfwsb.org.

College Football Hall of Fame

Volunteer work is available at a staff integrated model at a world class museum.  Many positions are available.  Please view the website or call for more information.  Contact:  Jim Baumgartner at 574-235-5709 or email at jim.baumgartner@collegefootball.org.

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.

Dismas of Michiana (Dismas House)

From Monday through Thursday volunteers prepare the evening meal and dine with the residents. Volunteers are also needed to serve as mentors, tutors, and to help with house repairs and special events.  Former offenders share the house with college students.  They live, work and learn together as they create a positive living environment. The Dismas House program is national recognized as a unique and effective form of crime prevention. Besides residency students may also serve as interns and as work study students.  Contact: Maria Kaczmarek at 574-233-8522 or email at michianadismas@sbcglobal.net.

El Campito Day Care Center

El Campito's mission is "to promote the educational, social and economic success of culturally 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- i.e. filing, bookkeeping), building maintenance projects( painting, cleaning, etc.,),bi-lingual opportunities (Spanish translation) and grant writing assistance (research and fund development). Contact: Rosa Rickman at 574-232-0220 or email at elcampito@sbcglobal.net.

Family Justice Center of St. Joseph County

The Family Justice Center of St. Joseph County is an innovative collaboration of civil, legal, medical, and social services whose expertise provides victims of domestic violence and their families multiple options to restore balance to their lives. Contact: Pam Claeys at 574-234-6900 or email at pclaeys@fjcsjc.org.

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 574-259-5666 ext. 256.  For intern opportunities in marketing and resource development contact:  Kregg Van Meter at 574-259-5666 ext. 241 or email at kvanmeter@sbcorg.

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 shipping.  Special Events-Letter Carrier Food Drive, Crop-Walk, National Make a Difference Day, U93 Giving Tree.  Contact:  Lena Maldonado at 574-232-9986 or email at fbnivolunteer@yahoo.com.

Freedom 22 Foundation

Student volunteers would serve as "coaches" to middle school students.  The students compete in a langauage arts competiton, not only within their schools, but between the schools as well.  The competition is called a Pentathlon and has five components related to communication skill building.  This is a wonderful opportunity for Notre Dame students to put their energy, their enthusiasm, and even their life story to good use.  Middle school students will benefit and grow from this experience as will the volunteer.  Contact: Barbara Asher at 574-235-0022, 574-532-6657 or email at barb@freedom22.org.

Hannah's House

Light administrative work, cleaning, yard work, light cooking, childcare.  Contact: Laura Guy at 574-254-5309 or email at laura.guy@comcast.net.

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: Judy Comeno at 1-800-237-4242 or email at judy@hlhin.com.

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: Karen Martindale at 574-272-0100, ext. 28 or email at kmartindale@healthwin.org.

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 574-233-3486 or email at info@hmresources.org.

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: Meg Place at 574-235-4150, ext. 222 or email at MPlace@hoperescuemission.org.

Hospice of St. Joseph County

Volunteers provide respite care for terminally ill patients and their families.  Contact:  Jackie Boynton at 574-243-3127 or email at boyntonj@centerforhospice.org.

Indiana Legal Services (ILS)

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 Mezosi at 574-234-8121 or email at heather.mezosi@ilsi.net.

La Casa De Amistad      

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: Rebecca Ruvalcaba at574-233-2120 or email at beccaruval@yahoo.com.

Life Treatment Centers
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: Julia Shapiro 574-233-5433 ext. 235 or email at julias@lifetreatmentcenters.org.

Literacy Council of St. Joseph County

Volunteers tutor adults in both basic reading and English as a Second Language.  Requires a 6-month commitment.  Contact:  Brenda O'Connell at 574-235-6229 or email at Brenda @stjoredas.org.

Logan Community Resources, Inc.              

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: Nichole Maguire at 574-289-4831 ext. 1043 or email at Nmaguire@logancenter.org.  For more information you can also visit www.logancenter.org.

Memorial Hospital Volunteer Services

Varied placements include: pushing patients in wheelchairs, staffing information desks, and assisting on floors.  Contact: Jeanne Blad at 574-647-6496 or email at jblad@memorialsb.org.

Milton Adult Day Services

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: Norma Napoli at 574-232-2666 or email at norma_napoli@sbcglobal.net.

Near Northwest Neighborhood, Inc.

Many tasks are available.  We are a small not-for-profit always in need of database entry, website updating, statistical analysis, inventory of neighborhood housing, gardening, administration, and marketing.  Contact: Karen Ainsley at 574-232-9182 or email at nnndirector@kconline.com.

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 Deb Neumann at 574-235-9664 or email at volunteer@centerforhistory.org.

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 574-246-0144.

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 574-272-9100.

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.  Call 574-288-4639 for more informtion.

REAL Services/Area 2 Agency on Aging

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 574-284-2644, ext. 269 or email at dleach@realservicesinc.com.  

Reins of Life, Inc.

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: Christine Flowers at 574-232-0853 (barn) 574-261-0345 (cell) or email at rmcmf@juno.com.

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:  Erica Hayman at 574-631-8759 or email at rclc@nd.edu.

Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center

We invite pre-med students to be a part of the continuum of care in the Emergency department as a volunteer advocate. Choose one 4-hour shift, one day per week for a semester. Duties: provide water, visit with patients, prepare the room for new patients and more. A uniform top is provided. No transportation available. The medical center is less than 2 miles from the campus.  Contact: Denise Kapsa at 574-237-7242 or kapsad@sjrmc.com.

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 Liz Fallon at 574-233-9471 or email at liz.fallon@ufc.salvationarmy.org.

SJRMC Outreach

Volunteers supplement staff by assessing patients, assisting physicians, filing, preparing charts, etc.  Volunteers assist staff by placing patients in exam rooms, assessing reason for visit, performing vital signs (skills must be validated), assisting and possibly following doctors.  Volunteers also assist with front desk duties and clerical needs.  Contact: Michelle Peters at 574-239-5299 or at petermic@sjrmc.com.

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: Jessica Fulton at 574-283-1308 or 574-283-1325 or email at sos1@madison.org.

South Bend Community School Corporation Adult Education

Tutor adults who need to improve basic skills,  prepare for the GED Exam, and/or learn English as a second language.  Tutors also help in our Computer Labs to help students learn basic computer skills or work on the Rosetta Stone program.    Tutors also may be asked to help with various paperwork & attendance requirements.  Contact: Gayle Silver at 574-283-7563 or email at gsilver@sbcsc.k12.in.us.

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 574-289-1066.

South Bend Community School Corporation Partner Up /Read to a Child

Student volunteers read for 30 minutes once a week to South Bend Community School Corporation Title One students. They may choose to be readers for a semester or the entire school year.  Contact: Connie Moore at 574-283-8182 or email at cmoore4@sbcsc.k12.in.us.

South Bend Juvenile Correctional Facility

The volunteers tutor the boys in basic core subject materials. The volunteers work approximately 80 minutes on a given weekday evening.  Contact: Thomas J. Ferrara at 574-232-8808 ext. 369 or email at : tferrara@doc.in.gov.

St. Adalbert- St. Casimir Parish Adult Education Program

Student vounteers will aid in teaching adult ESL classes, Plazas comunitarias, and helping to provide childcare during the classes.  Contact: Astrid Carmona at 574-288-5708  ext. 210 or email at astridcarmona@mac.com.

St. Joseph County Literacy Council

Adult students meet with volunteer tutors 90 minutes each week to improve their English reading, writing and speaking.  Many times students need more than just simply to read or write better. The volunteer tutors are trained to not only offer reading, writing, and speaking assistance, but also to help the students improve their self-esteem and confidence.  Contact: Sandy Chambers at 574-235-6113 or email at sandy@stjoereads.org.

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 Loretta Bingham at 574-259-0895.

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, and assist with clothes closet, miscellaneous jobs as needed. Contact: Patricia Marvel at 574-234-7795 or email at patsmh@sbcglobal.net.  

St. Vincent DePaul  Society of St. Joseph County, Inc.    

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: Matt Vigneault at 574-251-4908 or email at stvincent@kconline.com.

Sunshine Clubhouse

Tutoring, driving vehicles and have the a valid drivers license and be able to pass a public passengers chauffeurs license and a drivers test. Computer skills also a plus.  Contact: Paul Curry at 574-283-2325 or email at paulc@sunshineclubhouse.com.

Take Ten

Students volunteer once a week with a group of their peers, to team teach a pre-established curriculum to a classroom of children at a Take Ten school or community center.  Contact: Ellen Kyes at 574-631-9424 or email at taketen@nd.edu.

The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc.

Trained volunteers provide respite and companionship to patients and families on a weekly basis....usually 4 hours..in patient homes, in nursing homes or in our Hospice House (inpatient facility).  These positions allow students hand-on experience working with patients and families. They will gain an understanding of our philosophy and team concept, and much more. Training covers compassionate communcation, physiological and psychological aspects of terminal illness, family dynamics and coping, partical care-giving techniques, spirituality, and understanding the grieving process.  Contact: Jackie Boynton at 574-243-3100 x 3127 or email at boyntonj@centerforhospice.org.

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:  Anthony Byrd at 1-888-603-5981 ext. 235 or email at abyrd@niwib.com.

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 574-282-2397 or email at cthon@urcsjc.org.

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 574-235-5800 or email at wsnpc@michiana.org.

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 574-234-0363 or email at deborahwcc1@hotmail.com.

Youth Services Bureau of St. Joseph County

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 helpline. Hours of service are geared to student needs. Contact Bonnie Stryker at 574235-9231 or email at bstryker@sbcglobal.net 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: YWCA at 574-233-9491.

Updated January 25, 2008