Why You Should Volunteer

Minister to those who need it most!
The significance of your service year is reflected in the hope, meaning and purpose you offer people who for various reasons find themselves in impossible circumstances. Your commitment is an undeniable indication of God’s love and call to serve others with the blessings you have been given.

The natural disasters along the Gulf Coast have heightened Americans’ awareness of the broadening gap between the rich and poor in the United States. In 2003, 1.2 million Pennsylvanians lived below the official poverty line, including more than 400,000 children (U.S. Census Bureau). With a growing need in our own cities, communities and neighborhoods, your commitment to faith-based service with the poor will make a difference.

Our program is unique because:
We are a small program. We are able to offer each one of our volunteers individual support and attention, helping to train, mentor and prepare them for their year of service. Our program staff attend the volunteer’s house meeting and retreats. You will not feel isolated and unsupported in this program!

We are unique in Pittsburgh, which has only three full-time volunteer programs. Our program is the only one that offers volunteers an experience in which they can minister directly with a poor and vulnerable population aged infant to elderly.

We allow volunteers to help choose their ministry. We don’t have specific volunteer ministry placements that we are obligated to fill each year. Instead, we respond to the changing needs in our community, take into account a volunteer’s gifts and education, and place each volunteer in a ministry position working with a population of his or her interest. It is a good match for both the volunteer and the sponsoring agency.

Volunteers for Urban and Rural Ministry Needed!
Search our volunteer database to find a ministry that matches your interests. When you find a suitable volunteer opportunity, inquire about possible placement via e-mail with your name, contact information and areas of interest. The MFVP director will contact you to further discuss the program. If you do not see what you are looking for but want to volunteer, send your inquiry because we may be able to make a connection with an agency with your area of interest.

Check out our program’s video, which highlights former volunteers sharing about their experience in the Change A Heart: Millvale Franciscan Volunteer Program.