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Fr. Virgil Cordano Center is a collaborative ministry of the Franciscan Friars at the Old Mission of Santa Barbara and the Daughters of Charity at St. Vincent's that is rooted in the Gospel and the Social Teachings of the Catholic Church. Faithful to the traditions of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Vincent de Paul, we provide a place of welcome and support for human and spiritual well-being for our sisters and brothers in need.

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Volunteer

Following the FVCC’s required closure, we expanded our program by providing community outreach services. Our Community Outreach Program consists of our Program Director, Friars, Sisters, and volunteers going out into the community and meeting our members where they are located. We were able to purchase a van that is used for community outreach with the support of the Knights of Malta, Montecito Bank & Trust, and The Berry Man. We distribute over 300 meals per week at local parks on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. We distribute meals, water, mail, solar chargers, hygiene kits, face masks, and sleeping bags. We also meet our Members at a local laundromat. They can do their laundry while we can provide assistance with job and housing applications. Most importantly it’s a time to check in with our members and let them know we are here for them during what could be the most difficult and uncertain time in their lives.

The Center is currently being used as a distribution center where volunteers are able to assist with the packaging and assembling meals. Volunteers then meet at local parks to help with the distribution. We are looking to expand our current volunteer base and the information below summarizes the ways you can help our program:

  • Preparing brown bag lunches that include a sandwich, granola bar, water, and cookie. Dropping off these brown bag lunches at the Center.

  • Purchasing water bottles and dropping them off at the Center.

  • Purchasing granola bars and other food supplies that are used for the food distribution.

  • Personal hygiene products to be used for the hygiene kits.

  • New white socks to be included in hygiene kits.

  • Donations of $50 to be used to purchase sleeping bags.

  • Donations to be used for the laundry program which includes the purchase of detergent, and paying for the use of washers and dryers at our local laundromat.

  • Distributing packages at the local parks Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm.

  • Assembling packages at the Center Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.

  • Cleaning up after the distribution process at the Center Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.

  • Volunteering at the laundromats to help with the laundry service. Laundry service is currently being offered Wednesday and Thursday from 9 am until 11 am.

With this support, we can continue to provide essential services to our Members until we can re-open the Center in the near future. The Center may not be able to operate with the services that we normally provide, but we will modify our services in order to adopt the safe and healthy measures that are recommended by our local Center for Disease Control (CDC) office. We will update you with more news when the Center is allowed to safely re-open. Please contact Cynthia Estrada if you would like to coordinate to drop off items and/or brown bag lunches or if you would like more information about volunteering. Her phone number is (805) 689-0910.

Again, thank you very much for your continued support and prayers for our homeless brothers and sisters. May God watch over you and keep you safe and in good health. We are looking forward to the time when we can be together again in support of our Companionship Club Members at the Fr. Virgil Cordano Center.

VOLUNTEERS APPLICATION

 

After applications are reviewed, potential volunteers will be contacted by email or phone to set up an appointment.

 

To be considered for St. Vincent’s Volunteer Program, please complete the appropriate application form below and return it by mail or in person to:

Volunteer Application
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QUESTIONS ABOUT BECOMING A VOLUNTEER?

For additional information, please fill out the form below or call (805)563-1051 for information.

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