Volunteer Opportunities in Our Community:
In these extraordinary times, we cry out for justice and peace and care for our neighbors affected by unrest in our community. We are also attentive to health and well-being in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While we currently do not have volunteer opportunities on-site at The Basilica and have suspended our SVdP outreach ministries until further notice, there are many organizations in our community that welcome your volunteerism.
We strongly recommend social distancing, face masks, and refraining from in-person volunteer activity if you are in a higher-risk category, have any symptoms of illness, or have been in proximity of anyone with symptoms of illness.
Volunteer
These are some of the area organizations and houses of worship are organized and mobilized for direct impact. We are not endorsing any organization or house of worship, and encourage you to research the organization and their COVID-19 hygiene protocols before signing up.
Support the Cities (CityJoy) lists volunteer opportunities and in-kind collection sites in South Minneapolis, North Minneapolis, and other impacted neighborhoods on their Facebook page daily.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church located near Lake St and 31St St. They have volunteer opportunites are accepting in-kind donations, with daily opportunites posted on their Facebook page.
Supplies and In-Kind Donations
For safety and hygiene, The Basilica is not accepting in-kind donations of food, supplies, clothing or housewares.
In addition to Support the Cities and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, other local churches and organizations may be accepting donations of supplies/food items. Please check their websites for hours, locations, and items accepted.
CTUL Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en Lucha (Chicago Ave. and 37th, near the memorial site where Mr. Floyd was killed)
Sanctuary Covenant Church (North Minneapolis)
St Vincent de Paul Thrift Store (Accepting in-kind donations in St. Paul, but not yet in Minneapolis)
Financial Donations
Many organizations are accepting financial donations to assist with rebuilding. We are not endorsing any organization and encourage you to research the organization's mission and tax-deductibility before making financial gifts.
George Floyd Memorial Fund: Managed by George Floyd's brother, Mr. Philonese Floyd.
Rebuilding Hope Minneapolis: GoFundMe managed by former Basilica vicar Fr. Joe Gillespie, O.P., to assist families near his parish St. Albert the Great in the Longfellow neighborhood of Minneapolis.
West Broadway Business and Area Coalition: North Minneapolis coalition recommended by former Basilica vicar and current pastor at Church of the Ascension Fr. Dale Korogi, to assist stores and businesses that were damaged in North Minneapolis.
Rebuilding Funds- Community Organiztions For Multiple Businesses
Non-Profit Organizations
CANDO- Central Area Neighborhood Development Organization
Little Earth Residents Association
Habitat for Humanity
Our annual Basilica "work camp" week has been suspended for Summer 2020 in an abunance of caution. Individual volunteers can sign up directly at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity website here.
Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities is working closely with their public and private partners, including the Minnesota Department of Health, to prevent and limit the spread of the Coronavirus in their sites. Their top priority is the health and safety of volunteers, guests and staff. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old and they must be accompanied by an adult (1 adult per every 5 minors) at meal sites and the Distribution Center. Opportunities include:
2. Volunteer at the St. Paul Distribution Center to assist with sorting and packing non-food donations, sorting and storing large quantities of food as well as helping with composting and recycling tasks, processing sizeable amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables, making sandwiches and/or other food service preparations
Memorial Blood Center
There is an urgent need for blood donations of all types. Get information here.
Additional Volunteer Resources
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry have volunteer information at mnresponds.org.
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Advocate for our Neighbors in Need
Email your State Senator and/or State Representative
Suggested email to copy and paste. Please be sure to include your first name, last name, and full home address so they know you are their constituent. Look up your state officials here.
"As the entire state monitors and prepares for the developing COVID-19 virus, emergency shelter and service providers for people experiencing homelessness like Catholic Charities are working around the clock to maintain critical services while protecting a vulnerable population and front line staff.
It is urgent that as budget and other responses to COVID-19 are developed that emergency shelters and services are considered as part of an integrated system which includes other health care providers, skilled nursing facilities, and others who serve and support high-risk, vulnerable populations. This funding will help Minnesota continue to serve this vulnerable population, many of whom are older and with underlying health conditions, and keep our emergency shelter system from being overwhelmed by the added pressure of COVID-19."
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Other volunteer ministries are suspended to protect people from possible exposure to the Coronavirus and for the common good and welfare of our community.
Interested in Getting Involved - But Not Sure How?
Join us for Volunteer Orientation to learn more about Volunteer Ministry at The Basilica - at each session Staff and Volunteer Leaders will help you find a ministry that compliments your passion, skills, and interests.
Register online to join us for an upcoming session.
Explore our many volunteer opportunities.
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Current Open Needs - ministries that need volunteers now
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Family Friendly - ministries suitable for the entire family
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Search by schedule - find opportunities that will fit your availability
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Search by interest - find opportunities that fit your interests and skills
- Search by talent and spiritual gift
Safe Environment Information
We are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all members, guests, and those who participate in our ministries. To that end, we conduct background checks and require VIRTUS training for all persons who volunteer in positions involving risk, particularly those serving children, youth, and vulnerable adults.
A driving record check is completed on all volunteers who drive as part of their responsibilities and a credit check on those who handle large sums of money. Every three years volunteers are required to go through a re-credentialing process.
If you have questions about any of these policies or how to complete any requirements please contact The Basilica's Safe Environment Coordinator, Melissa Streit. For information on the specific requirements you will need to complete, and instructions on how to complete every requirement, please log into your MyBasilica account and navigate to the MyMinistry page.
Adult Volunteer's Code of Conduct - All adult volunteers (those 18 and older) are required to read and sign this form annually, regardless of their role at The Basilica
Youth Volunteer Code of Conduct - The Basilica asks our children and youth who serve our community to sign a Code of Conduct crafted specifically for them annually
Volunteer Policies, Procedures & Forms - The why and how of background checks
Principles for Child Protection Catechesis - theological grounding for our efforts
Office for Ministerial Standards and Safe Environment - From the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis - how to report suspected abuse plus other valuable information and resources