All of these service locations are either funded by the Catholic Church, work in cooperation with the Diocese or a nearby parish, or otherwise perform works of mercy in ways that promote human dignity in ways that are in keeping with Catholic teaching. Make sure to see if your own parish has a St. Vincent de Paul Society or another opportunity for service!

Contra Costa Interfaith Housing

Provides permanent solutions to local homelessness, and supports parents and their children to stabilize, develop self-sufficiency, and thrive. They need tutors for children, social event organizers and cooks, and furniture builders.

Address: 399 Taylor Blvd. #115, Pleasant Hill
Phone: 925-944-2244

Covenant House of California

Outreach to at-risk homeless youth living on the streets and offer them hope and opportunities to turn their lives around. They need workshop presenters, mentors, and tutors.

Address: 200 Harrison St., Oakland
Phone: 510-601-6405

East Bay Sanctuary Covenant

Offering sanctuary, solidarity, support, community organizing assistance, advocacy, and legal services to those escaping war, terror, political persecution, intolerance, exploitation, and other expressions of violence. They need volunteers to help refugees adapt to US life, civics exam tutors, fund raisers, and office volunteers.

Address: 2362 Bancroft Way, Berkeley
Phone: 510-540-5296
Email: [email protected]

FESCO Family Shelter

A two-year program providing housing subsidies/support services to families, living in apartments/houses scattered throughout the community.They need children’s program volunteers, office volunteers, community service volunteers, life skills instructors.

Address: 21455 Birch St., Box 5, Hayward
Phone: 510-886-5473

A Friendly Place

Provides day shelter and other services for women in need. Their biggest need is women to serve weekday lunches. For women volunteers only.

Address: 2298 San Pablo Ave., Oakland
Phone:  510-451-8923

Friends and Fellowhip

Free Meal Program offered at the Parish Hall of St. Edward's Parish on the second and fouth Sunday of every month from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Address:  5788 Thornton Ave, Newark
Phone: 510-797-0241

Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP)

Interfaith, multiracial collaboration with multiple organizations and initiatives including food pantries, rape crisis centers, farmers markets, and economic development agencies. Board members and supporting congregations include local Catholic churches as well as other faiths. They need meal preparers, child program volunteers.

Address: 165 22nd Ave., Richmond
Phone: 510-233-2141, ext. 306

Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa County

Provides community based food programs and partner services that focus on basic needs. They need help preparing and serving food.

Address: 835 Ferry St., Martinez
Phone: 925-293-4792

Monument Crisis Center

Community based non-profit family resource center for Central and East Contra Costa County.Need people for distribution and intake for their food program, organizers for classes in work skills and English, office volunteers, drivers, bingo facilitators.

Address: 1990 Market St., Concord
Phone: 925-825-7751

The Multicultural Institute

Transitioning immigrants from poverty and isolation to prosperity and participation. They need people to prepare meals, perform legal help, tutor kids, train classes in construction.

Address: 1920 Seventh St., Berkeley
Phone: 510-848-4075

Oakland Elizabeth House

Residential transitional program for women with children who need to transition into safe, permanent housing and obtain improved gainful employment. They need people for tutoring/reading club, childcare, mentoring, babysitting, fieldtrips, office support, house upkeep.

Address: 6423 Colby St., Oakland
Phone: (510)-658-1380 ext.203
Email: [email protected]

St. Mary’s Center

Helps at-risk seniors and preschoolers in Oakland. Looking for people to serve hot meals at their winter shelter. Volunteers also staff the reception desk, and assist in the garden, kitchen, and preschool.

Address: 925 Brockhurst St., Oakland
Phone: 510-923-9600

St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County

The best network of Catholic-church based service to the poor.

Address: 2272 San Pablo Ave., Oakland 
Phone: 510-877-9252

St. Vincent Paul of Contra Costa County

The best network of Catholic-church based service to the poor.

Phone: 925-439-5060
Email: [email protected]

Tri-City Volunteers

Food bank and thrift store. They need help organizing food from food drives.

Address: 37350 Joseph St., Fremont
Phone: 510-793-4583

Catholic Worker of Oakland

Transitional housing, community services, and weekly hot meals. Summer live-in interships available.

Address: 4848 International Blvd. Oakland, CA

Phone: 510-533-7375

Email: [email protected]