Volunteer

With economic challenges continuing to strain budgets and 1 in 3 households in Massachusetts facing food insecurity, Catholic Charities Boston works to reduce hunger and homelessness in our communities and stabilize single parents, families, and senior citizens experiencing financial hardship.

Our volunteer-supported programs in  Basic Needs include food pantries in Brockton, Dorchester, Lowell, and Lynn; shelters in Boston and Somerville; and Elder Services in Brockton and South Boston.

Boston is the second most expensive city in the US for childcare, with tuition often exceeding the costs of mortgages. Affordable childcare and after-school programs provide enriching academic support while removing barriers that force families to choose between work and quality care, while specialized programs help youth to complete their high school education.

Our volunteer-supported programs in Family & Youth Services include Child Care Services in Dorchester and South Boston; Summer Programs and Camps in Dorchester and Hull; and After School Programs in Dorchester.

Mental health services, trauma-informed support, and programs that foster independence empower young parents and families to overcome challenges, build resilience, and restore relationships.

Mobilizing legal and community support, addressing language barriers, and creating pathways to job opportunities empowers individuals to pursue better lives while accelerating their path toward self-sufficiency.

Our volunteer-supported programs include Immigrant Legal Services in South Boston, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Classes in Boston, Brockton, and Lynn; and Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide (NA/HHA) Job Training in Brockton and South Boston.

Merrimack Valley Food Pantry

70 Lawrence St., Lowell, MA 01852

As a volunteer at Catholic Charities’ Lowell Food Pantry, your primary role will be to compassionately render distribution of food items to the clients in our pantry. This may include restocking pantry shelves, helping clients with product selection in our choice pantry, client intake, some light cleaning, and helping lift and transport light to moderately heavy items.

We also receive food deliveries on Wednesdays and are looking for volunteers to help us unload the food truck and bring items inside the pantry for distribution. Volunteers should be able to repeatedly lift up to 50 pounds and feel comfortable participating in a quick-moving operation.

Shifts are available Monday-Thursday, mornings & afternoons.

ESOL Support

Help an adult learn to read and speak English. Our adult English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs seek volunteer computer lab assistants, teaching assistants, tutors, and career/life-skill coaches. You don’t need teaching experience, although we welcome educators. Simply bring your kindness, patience, and willingness to help your neighbors who are excited to be learning English. We have three locations in Boston:

El Centro Adult Education ESOL
1785 Columbus Ave., Jamaica Plain, MA 02119
Shifts are available Monday-Friday, mornings & afternoons.

Laboure Adult Education ESOL
275 West Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127
Shifts are available Monday-Friday, mornings & afternoons, and Tuesday-Thursday evenings.

Yawkey Center Adult Education ESOL
185 Columbia Rd., Dorchester, MA 02121
Shifts are available Monday-Thursday mornings.

Elder Outreach Services

275 West Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127

Many seniors face increased isolation due to loss of loved ones, transportation challenges, or language barriers. The Elder Outreach Program provides free social support, counseling, home visits, assessments, outreach, education, and consultation to individuals.

Shifts are flexible.

Family & Emergency Shelters

Boston and Somerville

Catholic Charities provides temporary, supportive residences for women and families working to get back on their feet and under their own roof. Each program is staffed 24/7 with qualified, trained workers to help provide safety and consistency to families and/or individuals. Volunteers will work with children in the programs and/or assist the program managers with maintaining the shelters’ common areas.

We also need volunteers to help unload food delivered by the Greater Boston Food Bank and to organize it within the shelter pantries. Volunteers should be able to repeatedly lift up to 50 lbs.

Shifts are available throughout the week. Exact location and times not shared publicly for the safety and privacy of our families. Please reach out to us directly if you are interested in volunteering with our shelters.

Youth Services

Volunteers at our childcare centers typically work in the classroom with children and support their learning. Volunteers at our Teen Center typically work with middle and high school students on tutoring/homework help. Once assignments are done, volunteers and students can unwind by playing sports together in the gym. Volunteers at Notre Dame Education Center Youth Education Services support adult learners completing Hi-Set Preparatory Exam Programming and Accelerated High School Diploma Programming.

Laboure Child Care Center
275 West Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127
Shifts available Monday-Friday, mornings to evenings.

Notre Dame Education Center Youth Education Services
202 Old Colony Ave., South Boston, MA 02127
Shifts are available Tuesday & Thursday, early afternoons.

Teen Center at St. Peters
278 Bowdoin St., Dorchester, MA 02122
Shifts are available Monday-Friday, afternoons & evenings.

Yawkey Child Care Center
185 Columbia Rd., Dorchester, MA 02121
Shifts are available Monday-Friday, mornings to evenings.

Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide (NA/HHA) Program

275 West Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127

As part of our workforce development program, we offer job training in the healthcare sector. Nursing Assistants and Home Health Aides (NA/HHAs) are two of the fastest growing occupations.

Volunteers work one-to-one with students, helping them close environmental barriers by creating an individualized advising plan with them that could include such activities as helping them with their resume, with applying for jobs, with applying to college, and providing other supports as needed

Shifts are flexible throughout the week.

Refugee & Immigrant Services

275 West Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127

Upon arriving in Boston, individuals face daunting linguistic, economic, cultural, and legal challenges. We help arrivals integrate into society by offering support and guidance as they adjust to their new surroundings and become active participants in their communities. Volunteers will support our team in working with clients.

Shifts are flexible throughout the week.

Yawkey Center Food Pantry

185 Columbia Rd., Dorchester, MA 02121

As a volunteer at Catholic Charities’ Yawkey Food Pantry, your primary role will be to compassionately render distribution of food items to the clients in our pantry. This may include restocking pantry shelves, helping with product selection, preparing bags for distribution, client intake, some light cleaning, and helping lift and transport light to moderately heavy items.

Shifts are available Monday-Friday, mornings & afternoons, and Saturday mornings.

English Language Learning Academy

117 North Common St., Lynn, MA 01902

Help an adult learn to read and speak English. Our adult English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs seek volunteer computer lab assistants, teaching assistants, tutors, and career/life-skill coaches. You don’t need teaching experience, although we welcome educators. Simply bring your kindness, patience, and willingness to help your neighbors who are excited to be learning English.

Shifts are available Monday-Friday, mornings to evenings.

Lynn Food Pantry

8 Silsbee St., Lynn, MA 01902

As a volunteer at Catholic Charities’ Lynn Food Pantry, your role will include restocking pantry shelves, helping with product selection, preparing bags for distribution, client intake, some light cleaning, and helping lift and transport light to moderately heavy items. The Lynn Food Pantry serves many Hispanic, Haitian, Russian, and Ukrainian clients, so language skills in these areas are highly desired.

Shifts are available Monday-Friday, mornings & afternoons.

Brockton Food Pantry

169 Court St., Brockton, MA 02302

As a volunteer at Catholic Charities’ Brockton Food Pantry, your primary role will be to compassionately render distribution of food items to the clients in our pantry. This may include restocking pantry shelves, helping with product selection, preparing bags for distribution, client intake, some light cleaning, and helping lift and transport light to moderately heavy items. The Brockton Food Pantry serves many Hispanic, Haitian, and Cape Verdean clients, so volunteers with language skills in these areas are highly desired.

Shifts are available Monday-Wednesday and Friday, mornings & afternoons.

Elder Outreach Services

169 Court St., Brockton, MA 02302

Many seniors face increased isolation due to loss of loved ones, transportation challenges, or language barriers. The Elder Outreach Program provides free social support, counseling, home visits, assessments, outreach, education, and consultation to individuals living in Plymouth County. We are currently looking for volunteers to provide companionship and engage in conversation with our elders on a weekly basis.

Shifts are flexible.

English Transcultural Center ESOL

169 Court St., Brockton, MA 02302

Help an adult learn to read and speak English. Our adult English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs seek volunteers to assist classroom teachers with various tasks, including help with technology (Chromebooks, phones, and websites). Volunteers will work with students one on one or in a group setting. You don’t need teaching experience, although we welcome educators. Simply bring your kindness, patience, and willingness to help your neighbors who are excited to be learning English.

Shifts are available Monday-Thursday, mornings, afternoons, & evenings.

Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide (NA/HHA) Program

169 Court St., Brockton, MA 02302

As part of our workforce development program, we offer job training in the healthcare sector. Nursing Assistants and Home Health Aides (NA/HHAs) are two of the fastest growing occupations.

Volunteers work one-to-one with students, helping them close environmental barriers by creating an individualized advising plan with them that could include such activities as helping them with their resume, with applying for jobs, with applying to college, and providing other supports as needed

Shifts are flexible throughout the week.

Sunset Point Camp

2 10th St., Hull, MA 02045

Sunset Point Camp in Hull, MA provides an unforgettable camp experience to children each summer. Campers learn new talents, participate in water-based activities from swimming to boating, practice team building through sports, gain creativity through arts and crafts, receive academic summer support, enjoy ice cream socials and treasure night, and participate in a host of other activities centered around having fun. Volunteers will support the camp’s operations throughout the summer, engaging as activity leaders and event support.

Shifts are available throughout the summer.

Click here to view our flyer detailing what you need to make a difference!

Healthcare Bridge ESOL

Remote

The program is designed to help students who have an intermediate understanding of English develop a strong foundation of English, math, digital literacy, and systems navigation skills, with the goal of helping them to secure sustainable, fulfilling jobs in the healthcare field. Volunteer with students enrolled in the PCT (Patient Care Technician) online training program, providing guidance, encouragement, and technical support as they navigate the course content.

Shifts are flexible.