Service Opportunities
As a reminder, all service must be performed through a charitable organization or agency. Any service opportunity outside of a charitable organization or agency MUST be pre-approved by the Director of Christian Service in order to qualify for Mater Dei.
Parents/guardians should refrain from "verifying" their own student's service hours. If a parent/guardian chaperones/oversees a particular service event that their child is participating in, please contact the Director of Christian Service in advance of the service event for information on how best to complete the verification process.
Upcoming Service Opportunities:
- Friday, April 26th - Sunday, April 28th (various shifts available) Holy Family Catholic Church, Orange CA at their Parish Fiesta. CLICK HERE to sign up or visit their website for more information.
- Saturday, May 18th (Various shifts available) Old Town Tustin Home and Garden Tour. CLICK HERE to sign up or view their website for more information.
Ongoing Service Opportunities in the Community:
- Someone Cares Kitchen for Direct Service Hours every day without signing up in advance (including Saturday & Sunday Mornings.) CLICK HERE for more information.
- Dwell Food Pantry in Anaheim, CLICK HERE for more information. The Dwelling Place Food Pantry is designed like a grocery store, where guests can participate in a shopping experience within an environment filled with hope, dignity, and beauty. Volunteer Shifts are 2-3 Direct Service Hours and there is some evening availability. CLICK HERE to sign up for a shift.
- Second Harvest Food Bank to help in the warehouse, distribute food and more for Direct Service Hours CLICK HERE
- H.I.V.E. After school Program at St. Peter Lutheran Church; 1510 N. Parton Street., Santa Ana 92706 is looking for volunteers Monday-Thursday 3:00p.m.-5:30p.m. Come for any part or all of the afternoon. Help students with homework, read with and to children, serve snacks and play for Direct Service Hours CLICK HERE for more information or Contact Laura Caraccio @ 916-832-1546 / [email protected] if interested.
- Casa Teresa, CLICK HERE to learn more about how they serve mothers & babies in need in the city of Orange, can use volunteers on-site by
- providing a meal, could be lunch or dinner
- sorting through clothing that goes into our thrift store, The Collection by Casa Teresa
- Volunteer babysitting (because we are building trust with the residents, we ask that volunteers who would like to be babysitters commit to a consistent slot for at least 2 months and be fingerprinted. Volunteers that are 14-16 years old must have a signed release form and can only babysit with a parent or guardian who has been through our Livescan process. Volunteers that are 17 may volunteer without a parent or guardian if they have a signed release form.
- organizing an urgent needs or clothing drive, and then dropping off the donations collected
- Beach Clean-Ups w/ Orange County Coast Keeper. CLICK HERE to learn more and volunteer.
- Oui Tutor CLICK HERE for more information
- Saint Simon and Jude StayCare Afterschool Program in Huntington Beach. They have opportunities for volunteers to provide homework help, play organized outdoor and indoor games, make crafts and more. Contact the SSJ StayCare Director Christine Birkner @ 714-803-8778 or [email protected]
- Thomas House Family Shelter offers a variety of ways to volunteer with their Family Shelter. CLICK HERE for more or contact Martha, Operations Manager, at [email protected]
- Working Wardrobes has a variety of ways for you to volunteer and help clients succeed as they interview for jobs. CLICK HERE to get involved.
- Down for Dance needs help with weekly afternoon classes in the Irvine/Costa Mesa area. CLICK HERE and/or email [email protected]
- Heart of Jesus Retreat Center is looking for volunteers to help most Saturdays and Sundays to serve children and families alongside the Sacred Heart Sisters. For questions or to sign up, call or text Sister Rachael at 714-743-4027.
- Sacred Heart Kids' Club, which is hosted by the Sacred Heart Sisters also needs volunteers, Thursdays 3-6pm. Text/call RSVP to 714-743-4027 or email [email protected] for more information on how to be part of this awesome club!
The location for both of these opportunities is less than 15 minutes from MDHS at:
Heart of Jesus Retreat Center: 2927 South Greenville St. Santa Ana, CA 92704 WEBSITE LINK
Organizations that were present at the October 12th Service Fair:
- UP (Unlimited Possibilities)
- Forever Footprints
- MD Peer Tutoring
- SPIN Serving People in Need
- Heart of Jesus Retreat Center (after-school tutoring, weekend family opportunities and more)
- Someone Cares Kitchen
- RAD Camp (Rising Above Disabilities)
- Skip the Plastic Straw (care for the environment)
- H.I.V.E. After-School Program
- Thomas House Family Shelter
- Down for Dance
- Catholic Charities/Cantlay Food Distribution
- DSAOC: Down Syndrome Association of Orange County
- St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
- Big Brother/Big Sisters
- ENC (Environmental Nature Center)
- The Lighthouse Group
- St. Thomas More Parish
- Campus Clean-Ups rm 507 every Wednesday after school
Additional Links for Local Organizations that offer opportunities to serve:
- Someone Cares Kitchen and Tutoring Program
- Environmental Nature Center
- Skip the Plastic Straw
- RAD Camp (Rising Above Disabilities)
- Down for Dance
- St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
- H.I.V.E. After-School Program
- Thomas House Family Shelter
- Down for Dance
- Catholic Charities/Cantlay Food Distribution
- DSAOC: Down Syndrome Association of Orange County
- Big Brother/Big Sisters
- BC Adaptive Fitness
- SPIN Serving People in Need
*Below is a :PDF of 100's of other organizations that you can reach out to for possible service opportunities