San Joaquin County is comprised of seven cities that sit as the corridor between Sacramento and San Francisco, California. Although there are many volunteer opportunities in the area, this article highlights 3 amazing non-profit organizations that offer volunteer opportunities in 3 of the areas seven cities: Manteca, Stockton and Tracy.
Love INC (Manteca)
This organization pools together the resources and services of the various churches in the area and administers those resources and services to individuals and families in the community that may be in need. With an emphasis on serving the poor and individuals or families in distressing situations, the overall goal of the organization is to extend the love of Christ beyond the four walls of the church building and into the city of Manteca. A few of the volunteer opportunities include: transportation to and from medical appointments, food delivery, prayer ministry coordinator, etc. More information is available at: www.loveincmanteca.org or call: (209) 825-9131.
Ambassadors of Christ (AOC) (Stockton)
Come rain or shine, on the 1 st Saturday of each month, you will see AOC all geared up and ready to serve the hundreds of homeless men, women and children in Stockton alongside the road under the freeway. By way of serving hot and hardy home cooked meals, providing crafts and story-telling for children, offering live entertainment and hugs galore AOC shows the love of Christ through cords of human kindness reaching out to the community. Affectionately known as “drive-by” meals, AOC chooses a different culinary or cultural theme each month for their outings. Past themes include “Drive-by” Fiesta “Drive-by” Picnic and even a “Drive-by” Luau in which the menu items included pineapple rice, chicken katsu, roasted pig and many other luau favorites. Each “Drive-by” menu reads like a meal fit for royalty. Volunteer opportunities include: event set-up/ take-down, food preparations, entertainment and several others. Donation and volunteer information may be found at www.ambassadorsofchrist.us or by contacting Grant Hawes at: [email protected].
McHenry House (Tracy)
With it’s 8-12 weeks crisis intervention program, this homeless family shelter actively meets the immediate needs of families in financial distress. With the goal of empowering families toward self-sufficiency, McHenry House offers their clients financial planning, job placement services, mental health services, homework assistance for children, family enrichment programs and stress and anger management programs. Donation and Volunteer information are available at: www.mchenryhousetracy.org or contact Helen Jansma at (209) 835-2328.