‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ - Matthew 25:37-40

Why Service Projects?

Our call as Catholic Christians is to strive to become more like Christ. One of the most important aspects of the life of Jesus was his compassion for others, especially the poor, the sick, and the outcast. With this in mind, service is an important part of the Confirmation journey as we have the opportunity to put our faith into action. We become the hands and feet of Jesus Christ to those in need. We hope that these service projects will not be one-time activities, but rather will become a regular part of our lives.

Service Projects will be based on the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy:
 













All candidates must complete at least two (2) service projects by May 1, 2021. Each candidate must plan and execute their service project on their own. Parents and sponsors, please help the candidates as needed. After a service project gets completed, the candidate must complete the Service Project Reflection Form that is embedded towards the bottom of this page.

Service Project Ideas

Here are a few ideas to get you started on selecting your service projects. Feel free to come up with your own...be sure to run it by one of the Core Team members or Araceli. Please remember to follow safety protocol at all times: wash your hands, sanitize, use masks, social distance, stay home if you are feeling sick, etc. 
 

• Cards for Elders - https://loveforourelders.org/

 

• Food Basket for a family in need
  • Find a Low-income family, someone who lost their job, someone who had surgery, someone who is sick or homebound that would benefit from a food basket
  • Create a list of grocery items you can purchase
  • Purchase the items using your allowance money (and/or ask people for donations to help you purchase the items)
  • Put the items in a box or basket
  • Write a message for them (words of encouragement). Include the note/card in the box of basket
  • Send or Deliver the food basket

 

• Sponsor a Family in Need
  • Find a family in need
  • Figure out what basic needs are needed (food, clothing, supplies)
  • Collect the items that are needed. Ask your family and friends for help in collecting the items.
  • Put the items together in a box, bag or basket
  • Write a note/letter of encouragement to this family and include it in the box
  • Send or drop off the box to the family in need

 

• Donation to a Food Bank or Homeless Shelter
  • Find an organization that needs supplies
  • Look for the “How to Help” page to see what donations are needed, where and when to drop off, etc.
  • Purchase the items using your allowance money (and/or ask people for donations to help you purchase the items)
  • Drop off/Send supplies to the Food Bank or Homeless Shelter
  • Continue scrolling for a list of organizations

 

• Volunteer at a Food Bank or Homeless Shelter (Do this at your own risk following safety protocol)
  • Find an organization that needs help
  • Sign-up to volunteer on a day and time that works with your schedule
  • Continue scrolling for a list of organizations

 

• Gift Card(s) and Letter to a Homeless Person
  • Purchase a gift card(s) to a popular food chain
  • Write a note/letter of encouragement
  • Give the letter and gift card(s) to a homeless person

  

• Care Package for a Homeless Person
  • Create a list of non-perishable food items that a homeless person can keep in their compound (Remember, they don’t have fridges and may not have gadgets to open up canned goods). Feel free to include hygiene products as well.
  • Purchase the items using your allowance money (and/or ask people for donations to help you purchase the items)
  • Put the items in a box or bag
  • Write a message of encouragement for them. Include the note/card in the box or basket
  • Deliver the care package to a homeless person

    

• Sweater/Jacket/Blanket Drive
  • Find an organization that needs donations
  • Collect items that are new and/or in excellent used condition (Ask among your family and friends to help you collect items. The more items the better!)
  • Send/Drop-off items to the organization

 

• Shopping/Errands for an Eldery Person or Someone who is Sick/Homebound
  • Find someone who needs help with their grocery shopping or running an errand
  • Create a list of the things that you need to buy or get for them
  • Go to the supermarket/store
  • Drop off the items that were requested (following safety protocol)

 

• Awareness and Fundraising Campaign on Social Media
  • Find an organization that you feel passionate about
  • Create a plan to bring awareness of this campaign
  • Create a plan to help fundraise for this campaign

 

• Phone/Video Call Someone who is Sick/Lonely
  • Reach out to someone who is sick/lonely
  • Spend time talking to them
  • Check on them often (More than once or twice)

 

• Novena
  • Pray a novena for the soul of someone who has RECENTLY died
  • The novena can be with your family at your own home
  • Send a card to the family who lost their loved one, tell them you are praying for them

MORE IDEAS FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE OF LOS ANGELES
https://lacatholics.org/service-opportunities/

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN THE L.A. AREA
Look for their "Volunteer" or "How to Help" page

• Hope of the Valley (San Fernando Valley)  https://www.hopeofthevalley.org
• LA Mission https://losangelesmission.org
• Midnight Mission https://www.midnightmission.org
• The Catholic Worker http://www.lacatholicworker.org
• Good Shepherd Center (For homeless women and children) http://gschomeless.org
• Good Shepherd Shelter (For Mothers and Children impacted by Domestic Violence) https://catholiccharitiesla.org/gss-donate-now/
• Children’s Hunger Fund (Sylmar, CA)  https://childrenshungerfund.org/volunteer
• Catholic Charities of Los Angeles https://catholiccharitiesla.org

Please complete one form for each Service Project.