Community Service
"…it isn’t enough to just have faith. Faith that doesn't show itself by good deeds is no faith at all; it is dead and useless."
-James 2:17
There are many opportunities for ongoing ministry at St Charles as well as for short-term community service events/projects. Listed here are some ideas.
On-Going Ministry Options for Teens at St Charles
- Charlie's Angels Youth Council
- Children's Faith Formation K-4
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Church Clean-Up Committee
- Charlie’s “Angels in Action” (Ministry to the sick and elderly)
- EDGE Leadership Team (middle school, grades 5-8)
- Little Angels (Preschool)
- Liturgy (Altar server; Eucharistic Minister; Greeter; or Lector)
- Music (Choir member or musician for Mass)
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Voice of the Poor
Current Service Opportunities at for Teens at St Charles
Church Tour Guide
Come be part of the team of teens that guides our 2nd/3rd graders who are preparing for First Communion and their families on a tour of the inside of the Church. Script and training provided.
Angels in Action
Come help deliver holiday cards/goodies to the elderly and homebound of our parish. Help with small projects around the homes as requested. Dates/times TBA.
Singers/Musicians for the 5 pm Sunday Mass
We have been involving teens more and more in this Mass and the music is really evolving into something wonderful! Come join in! Rehearsals are at 4 pm just before the Mass (with special arrangements for those in the Confirmation program).
On-Going Short-Term Community Service Options for Teens at St Charles
- St. Charles Fall Festival Booths
- Charlie’s Angels Advent Candle Sale
- St. Charles Blood Drive (sponsored by Charlie's Angels)
- Easter Egg Hunt (after the 8:30 am Mass on Easter Morning)
- Stations of the Cross (Good Friday)
- Workshops for First Communion/First Reconciliation (Help with refreshments/crafts/Church tours)
- Serve at Parish Dinners (ICF, High School Grad Dinner, Fall Festival, Mission Trip Fundraiser)
- Church Clean-Up (Friday evenings)
- Church Environment
- Childcare during parish activities
- Summer Scripture Camp for grades K-4
- St. Charles Mission TripHome and Hope
- Office work at the St. Charles Parish office
- Write an article for the parish newsletter (The Voice) or submit a cartoon or drawing
- St. Vincent de Paul Thanksgiving Food Drive
- St. Vincent de Paul Advent/Lenten Service Projects
Local Agencies (that welcome youth volunteers)
If you are doing service or ministry outside of St Charles Parish, download a permission slip/waiver form. Be sure to include ALL the information (what the project is, date, etc).
Second Harvest Food Bank in San Carlos (ages 14 and up) Come help sort food donations on selected Wednesdays from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.
Coyote Point Museum, San Mateo, Keepers in Training is an exciting new volunteer program at Coyote Point Museum. Teens (13-17) who are interested in animals and the environment may volunteer to help educate visitors about our wildlife collection and assist the Animal Keepers. Previous animal care experience helpful but not required.
Horseback riding for Kids/Adults with Special Needs
The BOK Ranch is a nonprofit organization that provides therapeutic horseback riding lessons to children and adults who have special needs. They need volunteers to help take care of the horses as well as to help during the lessons. Although the volunteers must be at least 14 to go into the ring during lessons, 12 and 13 year olds can become involved and work with the horses as junior volunteers. The facility is located in Woodside off of 280, and volunteer opportunities are available after school and on weekends.
Building Futures Now, East Palo Alto, CA. Current need: After-school tutors for 4th and 5th graders to help with homework, help with basic math skills, and reading together. You'll work with the same student each time and develop a strong relationship! Looking for high school students, college students, and college grads to help. 1.5 hours/day at least 1 day/week for 3 months on Mon, Tue, Thurs from 3:30-5:30. Training provided.
Edgewood Center for Children and Families provides services for Bay Area children and families.
MedShare: Delivering Health and Hope to the World, San Leandro, CA
Come help sort and box surplus medical supplies that would have otherwise been thrown out, but with the help of volunteers are sent to where they can be used to help people around the world. Vounteers even as young as 8 years old are welcome if accompanied by a parent.
Homeless Cat Network, San Carlos, CA
Volunteers of all ages are invited (even young children when supervised by their parents) to help feed the homeless cats in the area. There is also a need for foster care homes for cats. Or help trap cats for spay/neuter and vaccination.
Reading Partners, welcomes youth age 13 and up to tutor struggling young readers. Volunteer for one hour per week (day/time of your choice, 9-5 Mon-Thur) at any of their four locations: Atherton, Menlo Park, East Palo Alto & San Mateo.
Mid-Peninsula Boys and Girls Club, San Mateo, CA
The Evening Enrichment Program (EEP) is an individualized, one-on-one tutoring program with a goal of improving the academic performance of each participant's subject/s of difficulty--including, but not limited to reading, writing and arithmetic. Evening assistance is needed one (1)night per week, for at least twelve(12)-weeks during the academic school year (September - May) for K-8 youth. EEP inquiries should be made September - February. Training is not required.
City Trees, Redwood City, CA
Help the environment in a morning! Volunteers of all ages are invited (even young children with a parent) to help plant trees in Redwood City. Starts at 9 am and finishes around noon.
Ecumenical Hunger Program, East Palo Alto, CA
Help with their Family Harvest Food Distribution on the third Tuesdays of every month, 1-5 pm. Help organize and distribute food to families in need. They also welcome teens to help with their beautiful, one acre vegetable garden, weekdays till 4:30. They like volunteers to come for a couple hours, so this is a good one if you have a day off from school or early dismissal.
Belmont Library (Belmont): Help sort donated books with the "Friends of the Belmont Library," weekdays or weekends.
Shelter Network: Burlingame, CA
Looking for groups to host a Dinner/B.B.Q/Birthday Party for homeless families they serve. Families can do this and even their children 5 years old and up can get help. .
Redwood City Library (Redwood City, CA) welcomes creative, artistic youth in grades 6 - 12 to be on their teen council which meets every 1st and 3rd Wednesday at the downtown branch, 2nd floor at 5 pm. You'd plan and run programs for other teens and make flyers and posters.
Half Moon Bay State Beach needs volunteers to restore native habitats at Francis, Venice, Roosevelt and Dunes Beaches. The removal of non-native plants (weeds!!), and the monitoring of newly planted areas will help increase the native wildlife in the park. Shifts can be from 2 to 3 hours. Volunteers under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult.