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CHANGING LIVES FOREVER

Volunteer

Have you ever wanted to make a lasting impact on someone’s life?

Consider volunteering with our Changing Lives Forever program to help others learn to change their lives. The program is open to anyone who wants to live a self-sufficient life—financially and emotionally. And we could use your help.

The Changing Lives Forever program is a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of generational or situational poverty. The principles employed are part of SVdP’s Systemic Change Initiative designed to help people realize their true human potential as opposed to relying on others for basic needs. To learn more about the program, click here to hear Sheila Gilbert, President of St. Vincent de Paul-National, speak about this important work.

Volunteer

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him forever.

~ Anne Isabella Thackeray Ritchie, English Writer (1885)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v30poDIUnVQ

Our program graduates explain the journey best. Hear this graduate explain how her life was transformed and what she learned about herself during this program.

Play Video

Launch video
CHANGING LIVES FOREVER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

A truly gratifying way to spend your time and talents, this important program thrives because of volunteers like you who can offer encouragement, patience, good listening skills and a giving heart.

Community partners also offer growth opportunities, including skills training and mentorships. CLF graduates have found employment, been able to continue their education, and overcome addictions, while others have significantly transformed their lives in other ways.

Facilitators

Facilitate an 18-week program in your local parish after participating in training at the national and local level. Facilitators lead discussion as class progress through the program workbooks and materials.

Child Care

When made available by the host conference, provide childcare at a specific location for one or more three-hour sessions during the 18-week program.

Subject Matter Experts

Share knowledge of specific areas such as finances, health and fitness, job search strategies, education and other topics of need.

Transportation

Transportation is often a barrier for participants. Help provide transportation for a participant to/from one or more sessions.

Helping Hands

Volunteers bring lunch to one or more workshop sessions. Other areas of help could include bringing fresh fruit or snacks, setting up/tearing down and cleaning up. Help is also appreciated on graduation day, which may include food and cake preparation, decorations, set-up/tear-down and clean-up.

Mentors

Provide practical support and encouragement to a program participant for 12-16 months after graduation. Skills needed include patience, persistence, empathy, good listening, motivation, compassion, sincerity and commitment. Trusted Mentors, a long-time SVdP Indy partner, provides training and support to equip mentors with the best mentor-mentee pairing to ensure success.

Volunteer Expectations

  • PROPER DRESS
    Slacks, jeans, no shorts, modest tops. No sandals/flip flops.
  • BE RESPECTFUL OF PARTICIPANTS/OTHERS
    We strive to see the face of Christ in those we serve and serve alongside.
  • MAINTAIN PRIVACY/CONFIDENTIALITY
    Participants and volunteers deserve for their privacy to be honored.
  • BE AWARE OF HAZARDS
    Keep work areas safe and free of trash.
  • REPORT INCIDENTS/ISSUES
    Please notify CLF leadership about issues of concern.

Volunteer

If no email is available, please submit your request via phone: (317) 985-2149
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