727 Harvard Ave, Swarthmore, PA 19081
(610) 543-4712
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Volunteer Needs
Current SPC Volunteer Needs:
H. O. E (Holy Order of Environmentalists)
Thursday Mornings beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Whether you help for a single day or decide to stay, our Holy Order of Environmentalists will appreciate your efforts! Each Thursday morning from March until November, volunteers gather to weed, prune, clean up fallen branches, divide overgrown perennials, and add a few new pieces of greenery here and there. Whatever the state of your gardening skills or interest, there is a place here for them to flourish. Given a property this size and a season this rainy, the task is daunting; every pair of hands makes a difference! If you would like to help but Thursday mornings don't suit your schedule, please be in touch with leader Jessie Chew (church directory - login required). She will gladly help you make arrangements.
Broad Street Ministry Menders Needed
Thursday Mornings - once monthly
There is a niche ministry springing up within Broad Street Ministry. It is a ministry of mending. While that may sound a bit strange, there really is a need for clothing repair - from tasks as small as sewing on a button to replacing zippers. Every Thursday during the "Breaking Bread" meal at noon, there are many helpful services available such as legal help, basic health screenings, haircuts, and the clothing closet. And now there will be kind women (or men) who sew to provide mending. A sewing machine has already been donated and we have a cadre of volunteers that take turns in pairs on Thursdays traveling to BSM for about 3 hours to do whatever mending is needed. Call Barb Lappen (membership directory - login required) if you have an urge to join this ministry. Broad Street is an amazing ministry and hospitality is a big part of this outreach in Philadelphia. You may find your own spirituality mended as you repair worn clothing for others. There are some specific needs for materials as well: black or blue denim for patching, iron on patches, buttons, especially larger ones for coats, thread, needles, tape measure, scissors, pins, pin cushion, standard metal bobbins, small sewing kits, a divided plastic box for sorting buttons, a heavy duty extension cord and a power strip. Bring donations to the church office any time it is open. And please call Barb if you are able to help (or even be a sub) on Thursdays. Thank you.
Teaching Children's Education Classes
Sunday mornings, schedule flexibile
If you are interested in teaching others and further developing your own faith, children's ministry coordinator Ashley Kuly would love to hear from you! Needs are great as we try to nurture the children of our church through our Sunday morning church school programs. To learn a little about each class, visit the Children's Education page. To discuss possibilities with Ashley, either call her at at 610-543-4712 x118 or email her at spcchildren@swarthmorepres.org.
Shawl Ministry
Volunteers work on their own time to knit or crochet shawls that might provide some tangible warmth to members for friends and relatives of members in need of a little uplifting. The prayers, we often say, are knitted right into the shawls! Patterns for your work are available at the Shawl Ministry website; hard copies can be found on the bulletin board outside the church office. Finished work can be brought to the church office at any time. Associate Pastor Lisa Day, in collaboration with deacons and input from members that pass on concerns, ensures that shawls get to those who will benefit from their warmth. Visit our Shawl Ministry page for more information.
Chancel Choir
Thursdays 7:30 p.m. September through May
Our Chancel Choir, which rehearses Thursday evenings at 7:30 in Loeffler Chapel, welcomes newcomers interested in being part of this ministry. For more information, visit our Music page. Questions? Contact our Director of Music, Jeff DeVault.
Volunteer Needs of Local Organizations:
Most organizations are supported by SPC's Outreach budget.
Our Local Outreach webpage provides information on many of these organizations.
A Better Chance - Strath Haven
Seeks host families, academic advisers and drivers for evening and weekend student events.
For more information, call 610-690-4421 or visit www.abcstrathhaven.org.
Broad Street Ministry
See article above.
Career Wardrobe
Seeks help in their boutique and with skills building.
For more information, call 215-568-6693 or visit www.careerwardrobe.org.
Chester Eastside Ministries
Seeks volunteers for their after-school program and food pantry.
For more information, call 610-872-4812 or visit www.chestereastsideministries.org.
John Gloucester House
For over 15 years John Gloucester House (JGH) has been one of our local outreach partners, serving at-risk children and youth in the Point Breeze neighborhood in Philadelphia. One of their most important programs they offer is after-school tutoring for (mostly) elementary school children. It begins Monday, September 10, and they are in urgently in need of volunteers. Times and responsibilities are as follows:
1) Reading Lab Tutors – Mondays, 4:30-5:45 p.m.
Sit with 1-2 students, guiding them as they read aloud to you.
2) Computer Lab Monitors – Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4:30-5:45 p.m.
Ensure that each child gets an opportunity to work on a computer. When necessary, assist with information-gathering on the current event topic of the day.
3) Arts and Crafts Helpers – Mondays, 4:30-5:45 p.m.
Help students creating crafts relevant to the culture being studied stay on task.
Most helpful, of course, are those who can volunteer several weeks in a row, but single days as your calendar permits are appreciated as well. If weekday afternoons don’t work for you, there are other ways to be of help: a Saturday Academy, administrative and clerical support, health and family life programs (with Jefferson Hospital), and –always – prayer partners.
Contact: Willie Keaton, Jr. 215.389.5504 or jghouse@verizon.net.
Location: 2147 Manton Street, Philadelphia 19146
For more information, call 215-389-5504 or visit www.jghouse.org.
PRIME-ECR
Seeks clerical and legal help for their immigration assistance program.
For more information, call 610-259-4500 or visit http://prime-immigration.org/VolunteerOpportunities.html.
The Achievement Project (TAP)
Seeks individuals to work with students as on-going mentors and/or tutors for their high school achievement program. One-time activities such as taking one or more students to dinner, on trips and other activities that encourage social interaction and conversation. Doing a workshop on a subject you know about. Working with director and staff on management skills such as -- assisting effort to incorporate TAP as 501(c)3 non-profit; helping build and maintain TAP website; supporting transportation efforts; offering expertise on insurance matters; identifying contacts for speakers; recruiting volunteers; helping with fund raising.
For more information, call 484-995-0828 or visit www.tapofchester.org.
The Learning Tree at T.M. Thomas
Seeks individuals to read to children in their preschool program.
For more information, call 610-874-3168.
