You can support National Children’s Center (NCC) by donating clothing to Value Village stores (their main source of income).  The NCC gives St. Camillus gift vouchers to be used by families in need.  Value Village is located at 2277B University Blvd., Adelphi (301- 442-2600). This new partnership replaces the former on-site Clothes Closet at St. Camillus.  Please place a note in your donation bag stating that you are a member of St. Camillus Church.  This will let NCC know of our gratitude and support

This is a new ministry at St. Camillus, whose purpose is to help individuals of any skill level look for jobs.  Volunteers will assist in resume writing, interview skills and provide advice on where to look for jobs based on your education, experience and career goals.  Another hope is that the ministry can be used to network with other fellow parishioners who may have job leads or ideas.

This new ministry was developed by the Archdiocese in an effort to organize local parishioners to advocate at the local level for poor and vulnerable people.  Drawn from different parishes throughout each county, members get to know one another, develop a deeper appreciation for Catholic Social Teaching, become familiar with the workings of local government, identify issues in the community that affect poor and vulnerable people, and then take action.   Volunteers are needed for both Montgomery and Prince George’s Councils.

Put your passion for justice and your interest in the political process to work.  Let your voice and opinions be heard as you advocate for people who have no voice in the political system by sending letters, faxes, or E-mails and/or making telephone calls to legislators on important issues. All that is needed is a desire to help, a sense of social justice, and an interest in effecting change through the political process.  Training and written materials are available annually through the Archdiocese.

Manna Food Center of Montgomery County collects and distributes free food to needy individuals and families.  St. Camillus operates bread distribution on Tuesdays from 12-2 PM in the Fr. Grace Room.

Volunteers are needed to provide support and encouragement to residents of transitional housing as a member of a mentoring team. You can assist with move-in, drive to school or medical appointments, outings for children, research service options, etc.  Participate in the Fall Walk-a-Thon for the Homeless as a fundraiser and/or walker.  You’ll receive needed training. Time involved is 1 – 4 hours per month long-term.

Before Christmas, names are obtained of children whose father or mother is in prison.  Names are put on Paper Angels; parishioners buy toys or clothing.  Gifts are delivered to the child in the name of the parent who is in prison and not able to be there for his or her children on Christmas.   Help is needed to give out names, collect gifts, and call caregivers.

This program provides hot meals to shut-ins and the elderly.  You'll contribute as a driver by picking-up prepared meals at Washington Adventist Hospital and delivering them to handicapped and elderly residents.  Volunteer must have own personal transportation and the ability to carry food to apartments and homes. Time involved is every other Wednesday, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM

The Gabriel Project is an activity of the Maryland Right to Life Education Foundation.  It provides an alternative to abortion for women in crisis pregnancies by providing immediate physical and spiritual assistance. Various types of support are needed – prayer, transportation, meals, clothing and baby products; opportunity to provide “a shepherding home,” which is a loving and stable environment and befriend a woman in need. Time involved varies according to assignment and need; periodic orientation sessions are provided and written materials are available. There is a biannual statewide training.

This committee supports the local, state, and national efforts to protect life from the womb to natural death and provides leadership and coordination for the annual “Right to Life” march. It is involved in the spiritual, educational, fundraising, and lobbying support.

Our mission in Langley Park offers a whole host of volunteer opportunities.  There is a need for after-school English-speaking tutors for children Mon to Fri 3 to 4:30 PM, as well as persons to teach basic computer skills to adults and young people.  Professionals with a few hours each week/or month can provide invaluable services.  In particular there is a need for the gift of time from registered nurses for basic health screenings, doctors to do physical examinations for children, financial consultants, such as accountants and bankers, to give basic financial advice (e.g. opening bank accounts, beneficiaries, etc.) and family counselors for family counseling and discipline and cultural adjustment issues.  Also needed is a bilingual (Spanish and English) person to help lead an Alcoholics Anonymous program.

Visit people who are confined due to illness, age, or other life circumstances. Share the kindness, peace, and joy of God’s love. Training will be provided. This ministry is in need of people willing to serve as coordinators.

You can combine spiritual caring, practical help, and special love, joining with other women and men of St. Camillus Parish to minister to fellow parishioners experiencing the difficulties of a death or serious illness in their lives. You can offer to help make funeral arrangements, prepare liturgies for the funeral Mass, act as servers or pall bearers if desired, prepare and serve a meal after the funeral, or perform any other service that would be helpful to the family at the time of death, or support during a long illness.  Needed gifts are listening skills, compassion, desire to help console those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, and the art of food preparation.

This is a direct service ministry whose goal is to ensure that all members of the St. Camillus family have access at all times to safe, adequate, sufficient, and culturally appropriate food. The largest activity of this ministry is the operation of the Food Pantry, which provides emergency food supplies to needy families on a once per month basis. Free nutrition classes are given in Spanish. Plans are being made to improve self-sufficiency and sustainability by establishing a Community Garden, setting-up a Gleaning Project, and sponsoring a small-scale Farmer’s Market. In 2004 we will again sponsor a yearly “Fast” on the Thursday before Thanksgiving to raise money for a hunger related project.  You can collect food from the USDA warehouse in Rockville, pre-bag food items to be given away, coordinate or participate in the Thanksgiving food drive, coordinate volunteers for food distribution, shop for special needs, or deliver emergency food supplies to shut-ins or the elderly.

Would you like to join a group of volunteers who come to the aid of those who are in serious and immediate need of basic necessities? You will help by providing assistance with food, shelter, clothing, furniture, medical attention, transportation, and links to employment and by coordinating with other local helping organizations to assure a full scope of assistance. All of the money from the poor boxes in the church and from specified collections is used to help the poor. Help is needed throughout the year.

Would you like to become part of a small faith community and share a journey of discovery of the teaching of the church on social justice?  Would you like to learn more and to become transformed by our church’s rich social justice tradition?  If so: JustFAITH is an education program that meets weekly from September to May , focusing on social justice issues through books, videos, guest speakers, discussion, prayer, retreats, and hands-on experiences. 

As a member of our Social Concern's board you will facilitate direct service to those who are poor, homeless, hungry, hospitalized, homebound, or imprisoned. You also have an opportunity to help through your involvement and advocacy for justice through public policy issues, legislatures, coalitions, and community organizations.  The group meets on the second Monday of the month at 7:30 PM in the friary basement.