Do you have a few hours per week where you would like to multiply your blessings? If so, we invite you to become a volunteer with St Joseph the Worker.
St. Joseph the Worker’s Mission is to assist homeless, low-income and other disadvantaged individuals in their efforts to become self-sufficient through permanent, full-time employment. 422 individuals secured full-time jobs; 627 individuals received comprehensive assistance. The primary focus is helping people help themselves. They provide people with tools necessary to conduct successful job searches and support them in their efforts to better their lives. As a volunteer, you are a vital part of the team!
Volunteer opportunities are available for long-term commitments or one-time activities. You can participate as an individual or as a group. Volunteers dedicated 2,202 hours of direct service this past year. It is a great place to contribute your talents. Some onsite opportunities available: Working in the Clothing Closet; Computer Assistance/Lab Monitor; Job Readiness Workshop Instructor; Practice Interviewer; Resume-writer. Check out their website at www.sjwjob.org or call 602-417-9854. Other volunteer opportunities were accomplished at our own Parish by Paul and Connie Schwartz through the YES/Italian Association who are collecting old glasses, by Karen Kozlowski’s parish and office clothing drive for needed business clothes and the SISTERS gathering women’s accessories to used by job interviewees. Candace Sherwood, Special Events and Outreach Coordinator for SJW, would be happy to meet with individuals or groups to share more volunteer opportunities.
Your financial support is also vital, as demonstrated by the generosity of our St Thomas More parishioners during our Annual Outreach Ministry Fundraiser. Amy Caffarello, Executive Director of St Joseph the Worker recently commented on our Annual Fundraiser “….we are so encouraged by the generosity and commitment of individuals who reach out, give and care for others…Fr. Jim, thank you for building a culture of care, compassion and action in your parish community………without your leadership………many would simply not know the importance of their support and involvement.”
If you would like be part of the SJW Team, but are unable to travel downtown, consider Hiking for the Homeless. March 3, 2012 will be the 14th Annual Hike for the Homeless. Many parishioners have joined us in the past for this event. Everyone comes away from the hike with an overall sense of well-being – physically and spiritually. More information will be available in the coming weeks, outside the Church and in the bulletin. Or just check out the website www.hikeforthehomless.org where you can sign up now under Team St. Thomas More with your family, friends and co-workers.
We encourage you to join, as a volunteer, in the mission of SJW and be part of a Winning Team.
