Contact: Christine Gerety  |  (310) 566-1531  | 

As part of our outreach to the local community, St. Monica regularly contributes to and volunteers at four local centers that serve the local poor, particularly the homeless in our midst.

PATH- People Assisting the Homeless

On the first Sunday of each month, St. Monica volunteers spend the afternoon at the P.A.T.H. Transitional Shelter in West L.A. to connect with the residents of the shelter and to provide them with a hot meal WE need 4-5 volunteers each month to help with food preparation and serving. In addition to helping with cooking and serving, we also need volunteer leaders who are would like to occasionally plan a menu, shop, and help guide volunteers. P.A.T.H. has several offices, programs, and facilities throughout the Los Angeles area. At the West L.A. shelter, they help residents find work, secure housing, and create a more stable life for themselves. Learn more at http://www.epath.org/site/main.html

Samoshel

Each month, volunteers prepare and serve a hot meal for shelter residents at Samoshel, a 70-bed shelter for people transitioning from homelessness to a more stable situation. We need about 5-6 volunteers to participate from 12:30 to 5:15 pm. In addition to helping with cooking and serving, we also need volunteer leaders who are would like to plan a menu, shop, and help guide volunteers.

Samoshel is supported by the Ocean Park Community Center (OPCC) and offers emergency and transitional housing, provides 12 step meetings, housing referrals and employment assistance. To enter Samoshel and receive all the benefits and assistance that OPCC can offer, residents have committed to taking steps to improve their situation, including being abstinent from drugs and alcohol. Learn more at www.opcc.net/?nd=samoshel_location

Turning Point

On the third Sunday of the month, we need 5-6 volunteers to help with food preparation and serving. In addition to helping with cooking and serving, we also need (1) volunteer leaders who are would like to plan a menu, shop, and help guide volunteers, and (2) individuals who are willing to donate food. Learn more at www.opcc.net/?nd=turning_point

Catholic Charities at the St. Robert’s Center

Every six weeks, we partner with Catholic Charities at the St. Robert’s Center, helping to prepare and distribute meals, toiletries and clothing to the homeless in our community. The St. Robert’s Center fills a very critical need in our area—since its inception many years ago, the St. Robert’s Center is the only weekend food pantry on the Westside. Every six weeks, volunteers serve on Saturday, preparing sack lunches for people in need, and distributing clothing and toiletries as needed.  We also distribute "Sunday Snack Packs" so the Center's clients will have food to eat on Sunday. 

We have two volunteer shifts (8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.).  We can also use your help with donating non-perishable food for our "Sunday Snack Packs" and with assembling the Packs.  At particular points during the year, we may collect items that the Center especially needs.