Extended Volunteer Opportunities
Why should I serve as a volunteer?
As Christians, we are called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus – whose ministry was one of service. Surrounded and encouraged by the community of his disciples, Christ wandered from place to place, caring for the "least of these."
By serving with and for others, we are able to share the abundant gifts of God's grace that we have been given. In serving, we also receive gifts of understanding, purpose, clarity, friendship, and compassion. Our lives are changed in unimaginable ways. Volunteer service can also serve as a stepping stone to a new career - as a pastor, social worker, youth worker, teacher, legal advocate, camp director, or a staff member of a social ministry organization.
...and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
– Micah 6:8b (NRSV)
A year-round Christian renewal and mountain community that was once a copper mining town, located in the North Cascade Range of Washington state. Rooted in the Lutheran tradition, this ecumenical community attracts those seeking renewal through worship, study, work, recreation, celebration, and conversation. Hospitality is the central practice that shapes Holden's understanding of itself as a Christian community; freedom from phones, televisions, or automobiles enhances a sense of peace and reflection. Holden operates through the efforts of more than 400 volunteers who work in a variety of positions for varying length of times. Those include:
- Short-term volunteers - year-round, minimum of three week stay.
- Long-term volunteers - year-round, commit to living in community for one full year.
- College Work Groups - year-round, during college breaks
- Congregational Work Groups - year-round, one week, groups of 8-16
- Work Week - offered for one week in October and one week in April.
For specific information and applications, please check the Holden Web site.
Holden Village
HCOO Stop 2
Chelan, WA 98816-9769
Message: 509.687.3644
Fax: 509.687.3375
Web site: www.holdenvillage.org
Servant Corps
Border Servant Corps
1701 E. Missouri
Las Cruces, NM 88001
Contact: Dick Schriver
Phone: 505.522.7119
E-mail: bsc@zianet.com
Placements in:
- Las Cruces, NM
- El Paso, TX
Lutheran Volunteer Corps: National Office
1226 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202.387.3222
Fax: 202.667.0037
Web site: www.lutheranvolunteercorps.org
Lutheran Volunteer Corps is a community of faith that unites people to work for peace and justice. LVC places full-time volunteers for a year of work in social justice organizations and ministries in 12 U.S. cities. The volunteers live a sustainable lifestyle in intentional community with 3-6 other members of LVC.
Placements in:
- Baltimore, MD
- Chicago, IL
- Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN
- Seattle, WA
- Oakland-Berkeley, CA
- Wilmington, DE
- Milwaukee, WI
- Tacoma, WA
- Omaha, NE
- Detroit, MI
- Port Huron, MI
- Atlanta, GA
- Washington, DC
Urban Servant Corps
1660 Ogden Street
Denver, CO 80218
Phone: 888.515.5501
E-mail:
servantcorps@earthlink.netPlacements in:
- Denver, CO
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Young Adults in Global Mission
Global Mission Unit
8765 West Higgins Road
Chicago, IL 60631
Phone: 800.638.3522, extension 2520
Web site:
www.elca.org/globalserve/youngadults
Young Adults in Global Mission is a one year service opportunity for ELCA young adults up to age 30, with at least one year post high school experience. Sites include Argentina, India, Mexico, Germany, India, Kenya, Jerusalem, West Bank, South Africa, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom. Placements include youth ministry, social service and teaching ESL, among others. Applications are due February 15, and orientation begins in August. Volunteers raise a minimum of $4,000 toward support.
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American Red Cross (public inquiry)
2025 E. St. N.W.
Washington, DC 20006
Phone: 202.303.4498
www.redcross.org
The American Red Cross has a long history of providing disaster response, volunteer service opportunities and first aid and water safety training programs. Many communities have local chapter offices. Senior high youth, young adults, and adults.
peaceCENTER
1443 S. St. Mary's
San Antonio, TX 78210
Phone: 210.224.HOPE
Web site:
www.salsa.net/peaceContact: Pastor Ann Helmke.
With roots in the Lutheran church, this interfaith collaboration engages critical issues of violence, explores the things that make for peace and builds community throughout an urban landscape. Justice efforts are grounded in the dynamic between prayer and action, based on the banquet table model of Luke 14. Internships are individually developed based on community issues of violence and gifts of the participating intern. High school through senior adults.
L'Arche Tahoma Hope
12303 36th Avenue East
Tacoma, WA 98446
Phone: 253.535.3178
Fax: 253.539.9208
Web site:
www.larchethc.orgE-mail:
tahomahope@larchethc.org
L'Arche Tahoma Hope exists to create homes and work which are built upon the gifts of people with developmental disabilities who live and work here; to provide the opportunity for long-term relationships within the context of these homes; and to provide the experiences and support which each individual needs to live a meaningful and productive life.
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