Volunteer Opportunities
Thank you for your interest in volunteering! The Sisters of Saint Joseph of Rochester work with a number of organizations that welcome volunteers. The following list contains a little information on each organization and a link to specific volunteer opportunities. Please check this page regularly as the needs of each organization may change over time. We encourage you to contact our Development and Volunteer Coordinator, Martha Mortensen, at (585) 641-8415 or mmortensen@ssjrochester.org to get started!
Sisters of Saint Joseph Motherhouse
The Motherhouse serves as the central house of the Congregation; as a religious residence for Sisters and priests requiring various levels of care, as well as those living independently; as a center of study, prayer, discussion and action for peace and justice initiatives.
To view volunteer opportunities at the Motherhouse, click here .
Education
Nazareth Elementary
Nazareth Elementary is a Catholic School in the tradition of the Sisters of Saint Joseph serving students Preschool to Grade 6 in the city of Rochester. Students of all ethnicities, faith heritages, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds are welcomed at Nazareth. Nazareth offers an integrated and enriched curriculum in a faith-filled environment. The students of Nazareth Elementary learn to embrace diversity, and to be of service to others. A Nazareth education lights the path to a bright future for our children and thus a brighter world for all.
To view volunteer opportunities at Nazareth Elementary, click here.
Nazareth Neighborhood Arts Program
The Nazareth Neighborhood Arts Program seeks to serve the children of the Maplewood neighborhood of the city of Rochester. This neighborhood is home to predominantly African American and Latino families, as well as many newly-arrived refugee families from several different countries. The program is open to the children of these families ages 7-12, through an afterschool program that centers on experiences in the arts.
To view volunteer opportunities at the Nazareth Neighborhood Arts Program, click here.
New Camp for Maplewood Neighborhood Kids!!
The Maplewood Neighborhood Ministries (Made up of the Nazareth Neighborhood Arts Program, the Sacred Heart Cathedral Community, and Ascension Episcopal Church) are putting on a summer program for “at-risk” youth between the ages of 8 and 14 in the Maplewood area of Rochester. The camp will run Monday through Friday, 10AM to 2PM from July 8th to August 16th, 2013. The program will provide daily meals and assistance to youth development through the arts and physical activities at no cost to participants.
We are looking for volunteers who would like to do some activities of their choosing with the youth. Examples include but are not limited to the following:
• Arts and Crafts
• Sports
• Dance
• Theatre
Please contact Sister Barbara Staropoli at bstaropoli@ssjrochester.org for more information about becoming a volunteer.
Hope Hall
Founded by Sister of Saint Joseph Diana Dolce, Hope Hall is a private, non-denominational school for students in grades 3 to 12 who experience frustration and failure in a traditional classroom setting. Students come to Hope Hall with auditory processing delays, ADD, ADHD, or some forms of Autism. As of November of 2011, 160 students currently attend the school. Sister Diana wrote and copyrighted a unique program named Mastery in Learning which teaches the full New York State curriculum in a small class setting, at a slower pace, and uses multi-sensory teaching strategies. Hope Hall’s nurturing, non-threatening, creative atmosphere encourages students to take risks in learning and helps them reverse the cycle of academic failure.
To view volunteer opportunities at Hope Hall, click here or contact Linda Fagan at (585)426-0210 or via email at linda.fagan@hopehall.org .
Nativity Preparatory Academy
Nativity Preparatory Academy is a middle school (5th-8th grade) located in the city of Rochester. The school is based on the successful education model used by Nativity Miguel Network of schools, which aims to provide a quality education to low-income urban families. The school serves at-risk youth in the inner-city and engages the students in a faith-based, rigorous, and challenging academic program in a caring environment. Nativity Preparatory Academy’s model follows a school day that lasts from 7:30am to 6pm which provides an extensive educational learning process. The average school day includes not only academic classes but also three meals, afternoon sports, fine arts activities, individual tutoring, and study hall sessions. The students also attend Saturday enrichment activities during the school year, as well as a three-week summer program that combines academic with leadership exercises and typical camp activities.The school is a host to an incredibly diverse group of students including African Americans, Hispanics, and Caucasians, and immigrant families from Turkey, Nepal, Somalia, and Vietnam. This diversity provides Nativity students with the opportunity to learn about other cultures and religions. Special emphasis is given to character building, discipline, cooperation, and service to the community.
To view volunteer opportunities at Nativity Preparatory Academy, click here or contact Becky Maloney at (585)271-1630 or via email at nativityrochester@frontiernet.net .
The Aquinas Institute of Rochester
The Aquinas Institute is a college preparatory co-educational school inspiring students in grades 7 to 12 to learn, grow and lead. Aquinas educates the students in the Catholic Tradition of the Congregation of Saint Basil (“Basilian”) drawing from Psalm 119, the principles of Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge. Since 1902, over 19,000 students have graduated from Aquinas. Aquinas offers its students and employees an experience of a community of faith and worship by making available explicit religious instruction, expressive liturgies and student led services, shared prayer, retreats and community service. In September of 2010, The Aquinas Institute and Nazareth Schools (operated by the Sisters of Saint Joseph) partnered to create a co-educational Catholic school system that seamlessly serves grades Pre-K through 12. Pre-K through grade 6 is located at the Nazareth Elementary campus at 1001 Lake Avenue. Grades 7 through 12 are welcomed at the Aquinas Institute campus at 1127 Dewey Avenue.The resources and facilities at Aquinas offer students state-of-the-art education in a traditional and historical setting. With over $20 million in facility improvements since 2003, including the latest in computer technology, a new fine arts center and a new athletic complex, the campus at Aquinas has been modernized to enhance our students’ experience. Aquinas students are offered numerous opportunities to grow educationally, socially and spiritually to prepare them for college and beyond.
For volunteer opportunities contact Anita Nagel at (585)254-2020 ext. 1073 or via email at anagel@aquinasinstitute.com .
Social Services
Daystar for Medically Fragile Infants
Daystar for Medically Fragile Children is New York State’s first and only medical daycare and respite program specifically designed to meet the community’s growing demand for services for medically fragile infants and young children. Founded by the Sisters of Saint Joseph in 1988 as a foster care provider for medically fragile infants, Daystar has evolved to become an invaluable community resource, providing nursing supervised care for up to 30 infants and children braving multiple serious, and often life-threatening medical and developmental complexities. Daystar’s innovative model has earned recognition as a Best Practices Child Care Program and Environment from New York State’s Office of Children and Families (OCFS).
Daystar’s model incorporates expert nursing-supervised respite care, adaptive educational support programs, and parent support and family engagement services for medically fragile children up to age five. Daystar’s hours of operation are weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and is located at 700 Lac De Ville Boulevard, Rochester, NY 14618.
To view volunteer opportunities at Daystar, click here .
Kitchen Table Ministry
Kitchen Table Ministry is located in the southern tier of New York and particularly helps those living in Steuben and Livingston Counties. The ministry’s basic vision is a commitment to sharing life and ministry among the people of this region. Sisters Mary Jean Smith and Myra Monaghan work to develop relationships through visiting people in their homes (around their kitchen tables); participating as fully as they can in the life of the parish and the community; and partnering with many individuals and groups to connect people in need with available resources. Sr. Mary Jean and Sister Myra work to help with food and clothing distribution, transportation, raising funds for school supplies, and financial assistance. However, material goods are not the sisters’ only concern. They also work to meet the spiritual needs of the people via prayer groups, bible study, healing services, and taking Eucharist to shut-ins.
To view volunteer opportunities at Kitchen Table Ministry, click here .
Morningstar Fostercare
Morningstar is a foster care home founded by the Sisters of Saint Joseph to meet the needs of children with exceptional physical and/or emotional needs that would be difficult to place in other foster care homes. All children are welcome, whatever their ethnic, cultural, or spiritual background. They are nurtured in a healthy, empowering, respectful, safe, and loving environment, which is developmentally appropriate for each child.
To view volunteer opportunities at Morningstar, click here .
Saint Joseph's Neighborhood Center
Established in 1993 by the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Saint Joseph’s Neighborhood Center offers health care, counseling, advocacy and education to uninsured and underinsured individuals in the Rochester area. The Center is committed to providing quality care and comprehensive services that enhance the well-being of individuals, families and the community. The Center provides health care to approximately 2,000 patients annually, accounting for 6,000 patient visits a year. Patients and clients predominantly come from the Rochester metropolitan area and surrounding county but there are no geographic or other limitations to service. Patients/clients are uninsured and underinsured individuals and families. Sixty percent are the working poor or underinsured; 30% are unemployed; 10% are students or those with other economic factors that limit their access to care.
To view volunteer opportunities at the Center, click here or contact Caroline Lavoie at (585)325-5260 ext. 1040 or via email at clavoie@sjncenter.org .
Saint Joseph's Northside
Saint Joseph’s Northside was started by Sister of Saint Joseph, Peg Brennan in 2005 to help people in the northwest section of the city of Rochester. The Lyell Avenue area is a neighborhood dealing with poverty, drug-dealing, prostitution, and violence. Sister Peg, along with a group of dedicated volunteers, tries to lessen isolation by providing a safe and accepting environment away from the streets that brings people together and links them to available services. Saint Joseph’s Northside is a place of advocacy, assistance, and strength for this neighborhood’s most vulnerable people.
To view volunteer opportunities at Saint Joseph's Northside, click here .
Saint Martin's Place
Saint Martin’s Place was opened in 1984 by Sisters of Saint Joseph Mary Brown and Peg Brennan to provide a place of hospitality for residents in the northeast section of the city of Rochester. Located in the hall of Redeeming Word, formally Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Saint Martin’s welcomes between 80 and 120 guests daily. Those who volunteer at Saint Martin’s believe in the dignity of each person, and attempt to receive every guest in a spirit of Christian love, striving to respond to the many hungers of the people who cross the threshold. St. Martin’s serves hot meals and is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8AM to 1PM, and Tuesday 8AM to 11AM.
To view volunteer opportunities at St. Martin's Place, click here .
Sisters Care
Sisters Care was founded in 1993, by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Rochester to provide service to the elderly of Monroe County regardless of race, religion, sex, or income. The Sisters offer spiritual support, companionship, transportation, light housekeeping, and respite for primary care givers. Sisters Care respects and nurtures the dignity and self-worth of all, especially the frail elderly and those who are physically challenged. We seek to provide these individuals with compassionate, trustworthy and competent services, enabling them to remain safely and comfortably in their homes.
To view volunteer opportunities at Sisters Care, click here .
Sisters of Saint Joseph Volunteer Corps/Notre Dame Mission Volunteers/AmeriCorps
The Sisters of Saint Joseph Volunteer Corps offers women and men the opportunity to work directly with the poor. Volunteers can participate through week long group programs for high school youth groups or college students through Campus Ministry. In addition we offer year long service opportunities through the SSJ/NDMV/AmeriCorps for women and men age 21 to 35 years old. Volunteers will live in community sharing meals, ministry and prayer. In addition, there will be daily reflections on the volunteer experience. This is a way to deepen one's faith and understanding of how God is speaking and working in one's life. It will be a challenging, life-changing and fun-filled experience.
For opportunities contact Sr. Donna Del Santo at (585)529-5689 or via email at ddelsanto@ssjrochester.org .
Spirituality
Cobblestone Springs
Cobblestone Springs is a non-denominational spirituality and renewal center that the Sisters of Saint Joseph helped found. Cobblestone Springs is open to anyone seeking to meet God in a space of beauty and quiet. Committed to conscious and responsible participation in the process of creation, Cobblestone Springs exists to promote the essential interdependence of earth, plant and animal life, and humanity by actively engaging people in building community with one another and in stewardship of the earth. Participants learn to work together, with nature, to enhance the growth and development of all creation.
To view volunteer opportunities at Cobblestone Springs, click here .
Cobblestone Summer Programs 2013
To view the programs available through out the summer, click here.
Other organizations with which we work...
Bethany House
Bethany House was founded in 1977. A Catholic worker house of hospitality, Bethany House provides shelter for homeless women and children without expecting payment through Social Services; all of their support is through donations. The Sisters of Saint Joseph serve as volunteers there regularly.
For volunteer opportunities click here , or contact Danielle Dipiazza at (585)454-4197 or via email at rbethan1@rochester.rr.com .
Holy Childhood
In 1946, Sister St. Mark McMahon, SSJ saw the need for a special class for children who were being ignored by the traditional education system. This was long before New York State had mandated that children with IQ's below 50 be accepted into the educational system. With two small classes of 30 "slow learners", Holy Childhood was begun. Education and vocational training were the focus of these classes. Academic subjects were taught at each student's level, pace, and ability. This focus remains the same today, although many different programs had been added, such as food service, ceramics, life skills and woodworking. Over the years, Holy Childhood has seen tremendous growth in all areas to become a multifaceted agency. Holy Childhood includes the Jimmy W. Wilmot Adult Day Training Program for adults with developmental disabilities and the Helen H. Heller Health Center, which addresses medical, therapeutic and psychological needs of children and adults.
To view volunteer opportunities at Holy Childhood, click here or contact Katelyn Balconi at (585)359-3710 ext. 169 or via email at kbalconi@holychildhood.org .
Holy Childhood and the PGA!!
Holy Childhood has partnered with Levy Restaurants to provide volunteer staffing to the 2013 PGA Championship. In return for our volunteer support, Levy Restaurants, will be making a significant financial donation. Volunteers, aged 18 and above, are needed to serve as cooks, cashiers, runners, and cleaners for the event beginning Monday, August 5th through Sunday, August 11th.
Please visit www.holychildhood.org/pga to register. For questions, please contact Kate Balconi at 585-359-3710 ext. 169. Volunteers must be able to withstand working in warm weather with limited opportunity to sit down.
Even more golf for Holy Childhood!
There are two special events going on this summer for Holy Childhood: the Annual Golf Tournament and a Ladies Tournament!
For more information about the Annual Golf Tournament click here.
For more information about the Ladies Golf Tournament click here.