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Loyola Volunteer ProgramStudents joining Loyola Volunteers agree to serve two hours per week for a semester at a local nonprofit agency or work on various projects during the semester for a minimum of 30 hours. There is an application process which allows for placement. The application is due back the Community Service Office on Wednesday, September 10th. Loyola Volunteers participate in monthly gatherings to share their experiences with their peers also in the program. Meetings are casual and social and include reflection. Loyola Volunteers also commit to participating in one Community Service retreat each year. Listed below are just some of the organizations our volunteers work with: HEALTHHudson Cradle is a group home providing full, nurturing care to homeless infants with special needs. Volunteers serve as "cuddlers" for babies whose parents may not visit regularly. Cuddlers assit the nursing staff in attending to the physical needs of the infants by feeding, holding, and playing with the babies. The Jersey City Medical Center serves as a regional referral, teaching hospital and provides care for women and infants, trauma, and cardiac patients. Volunteers serve throughout the Medical Center in patient care, non-patient care, and clerical assignments. EDUCATION/YOUTHBoy's & Girl's Club of Hudson County The Boy's & Girl's Club of Hudson County shares a similar mission to the nearly 4,000 Clubs throughout the world--to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential. Volunteers serve as mentors and role models in the various programs offered. The Jubilee Center is the only after school and summer safe haven for children in Hoboken's public housing neighborhood. Volunteers serve as one-on-one tutors and/or enrichment activity leaders between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on weekdays. The Nurturing Place is part of the York Street Project--a Jersey City initiative to help women and children break the cycle of poverty. This child development center provides children ages four months to ten years with an educational and supportive environment while their mothers are at work or school. Volunteers are always needed in the classrooms. P.R.I.D.E. Mentoring Program A Catholic Charities program, the P.R.I.D.E. Mentoring program works with at-risk youths to help them function more successfully and productively within the larger community. Mentors make a strong commitment to the program, but are trained to truly make a significant difference in a child's life. Project Home Project Home provides transitional housing to women who have a substance dependency diagnosis, are homeless, and/or are affected by domestic violence. The Home also provides case management, life skills training, domestic violence counseling, etc. Volunteers serve as mentors and tutors to the children of the women participating in these programs. HUNGER/HOMELESSNESSElizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless The Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless provides emergency shelter referrals, transitional housing, a homeless children's tutoring program, and housing advocacy for the homeless. Volunteers work mostly with the children's after-school program, although other positions are also available. The Hoboken Shelter provides counseling, workshops, meals, and accommodations to homeless men and women. Volunteers may help serve meals, provide tutoring, or offer creative and educational workshops for the guests. Palisades Emergency Residence Corporation (P.E.R.C.) Located in Union City, P.E.R.C. not only provides meals and shelter, but strives to empower men, women, and children by providing education, counseling, and free job training. Volunteers serve numerous tasks including serving dinner, contributing to the newsletter, performing administrative assistance, teaching, and/or staffing the food pantry. OTHERFirst Friends is a program of the Interfaith Refugee Action Team of Elizabeth. Its mission is to recruit, prepare, and coordinate visitors to the nearly 300 detainees at the Elizabeth Detention Center. As a "first friend," visitors give the detainees something to look forward to by serving as a link to the outside. International Institute of New Jersey (IINJ) The International Institute of New Jersey, located in Journal Square, works to help immigrants and refugees build full and productive lives in the United States, while ensuring fair and equitable treatment. The needs of IINJ vary from season to season, but volunteers typically serve as ESL tutors, teaching assistants, researchers, or administrative assistants. Liberty House Nursing Home Volunteers who go to the Liberty House Nursing Home serve as companions to the elderly who reside there. Activities may include walking with the residents, playing cards or other games, or just sitting and having a chat. Volunteers may also assist the nurses plan and execute activities for the residents. |
