We refer to ourselves both as the Catholic Worker Community and as the Catholic Worker House. Since opening our house in 1985, we have sought to provide care, comfort, and support to individuals who are homeless, poor, marginalized and in need of food and other basic services. We do our work following the philosophy of the Catholic Worker Movement which emphasizes faith-centered action, personalism, community building, nonviolence, simple living, and a respect for the environment.
Our primary purpose is to offer "hospitality of the heart" (according to Matthew 25) to anyone who is homeless, poor, lost, and/or marginalized for any reason.
As an independent and faith-based community, we do our work with the belief that God will provide for our needs through the community surrounding us - people of different faiths, races, and economic conditions. We do not accept government funding, and we are not under the auspices of any institutional church or diocese. We rely on volunteer labor and the donations of those who believe in what we are doing.
We strive to provide a friendly, cozy day-home and courtyard to anyone in need of a safe haven to rest, enjoy a meal, engage in conversation, garden, do laundry, watch a movie, play a board game, obtain travel size hygiene supplies, receive postal mail, and make/send and receive phone calls or email messages.
We also have free WIFI.
We are not an overnight shelter.
Must be homeless and 50 years or older to receive services other than Coordinated Entry referrals.
Free.
In our attempt to build communal ties with various groups of people, our community building takes on a number of forms. These groups are the resident volunteers, outside volunteers, the support community, the families, and the wider San Antonio Community.
Resident Volunteer:
For those individuals who wish to experience the volunteer lifestyle for a year or two, there is the option of becoming a resident volunteer. Resident volunteers dedicate a minimum of 6 months to 2 years as a full-time volunteer. The resident volunteers are the ones who keep everything running and are in charge of all day-to-day operations.
Resident volunteers all share common living space at Faith House. They participate in and oversee the physical work at the Catholic Worker House. Because they live and work together as a team, it is important that they communicate with one another, share common recreational activities and meet regularly to discuss business and philosophy.
Day Volunteer:
Many volunteers commit themselves to help out on on specific day each week which gives them a good opportunity to be a part of what goes on in the Catholic Worker Community without having to live the lifestyle of a resident volunteer.
Support Community:
The support community is a group of San Antonians who commit to using their individual gifts and talents to meeting the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of the resident volunteers and House Coordinator. The support community meets monthly to find out about these needs and plays a big part in the welcoming and orienting of new volunteers, as well as hosting a celebration/congratulations at the end of their time of service. In addition, the support community members acquire donations for specific needs that arise and who serve as a think-tank to offer creative advice to the volunteers.
Drivers Needed:
We need volunteer driver(s) for Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM to pick up donations at Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Heavenly Gourmet, and churches. It is usually a 2 hour task. We are raising funds to repair the ministry's truck, so if you have a vehicle you can use temporarily that would help us very much. If you are interested, please click here and sign up.
If you are interested in becoming a resident volunteer, please give us a call at: (210) 224-7736 (you can leave a message if no one answers).