Community Outreach and Kinship Opportunities
Welcome to the world of Outreach at Old St. Patrick’s Church! Our overall objective is to educate and motivate people to become more involved at the volunteer and service level in our community and in the world. Old St. Pat’s is a caring, compassionate community whose commitment to Volunteerism and Service has withstood the test of time. Below, you can find ways to become directly involved in Outreach at Old St. Pat’s. We offer volunteer opportunities that encompass using your personal gifts along the road of this mission of giving back. Please peruse the following information to obtain a glimpse of what we offer at Old St. Pat’s. We look forward to working with you on a fulfilling and fruitful journey in this expression of Christ’s Love.
Caring for the Community
|
In May, the Old St. Pat’s Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society brought together over 50 volunteers and West Loop community neighbors for the first monthly Near West Community Care Night. It was an evening of restorative care, connection and support for the unhoused and needy in Chicago’s West Loop at the outdoor lot at the corner of Washington and Ada Streets. The gathering provided visitors with much needed resources of food, hot showers, haircuts, shaves, hygiene items, basic health screenings, mental health and social service referrals, and gift cards from the 2026 Old St. Pat’s Christmas Giving Tree, all in one convenient location. Many thanks to our partners: The Encompassing Center, ShowerUp, UIC College of Dentistry and the North Lawndale’s Young Men’s Education Network who contributed to the wonderful evening!
The next Near West Community Care Night will take place Tuesday, June 16th from 5 – 7 PM in the same location. If you’d like to support this effort, donations may be made at bit.ly/St-Vincent-dePaul To learn more about the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Old St. Pat’s or to get involved, email: [email protected]. |
Bread for The World Offering Of letters
|
Sunday, May 3rd | After the 9 AM & 11 AM Masses
Our Kinship Initiative is asking Old St. Pat’s members and friends to help take action to write brief letters to Congress about domestic and global nutrition programs which are vital to food justice for hungry people. Use this link bit.ly/Write-Letter-Now to send your letter. Questions? Contact Vince at [email protected] | To learn more, watch our video or visit bit.ly/Letters-Video |
Kinship Potluck
|
Saturday May 9th | 11 AM –1 PM | Dennis Deer Center | 1449 S. Keeler Avenue North Lawndale, Chicago
This is more than just a meal, it’s an opportunity to come together in community. As Old St. Pat’s breaks bread with our North Lawndale neighbors, we also walk alongside the seven young residents of the center and their staff mentors. The young men are in pursuit of self-discovery, employment, career growth, and new opportunities and we are here to be of additional support to them. Through this shared commitment, we’ve also created meaningful experiences beyond the table in recent months, called Exposure Experiences. These free, eye opening events such as Bears games, magic shows, dance competitions and professional networking brunches are designed to inspire connections and possibilities by getting residents of North Lawndale outside their community and into real world experiences. We hope you will come to the potluck to hear more about these free, eye-opening and mind broadening events and consider hosting an Exposure Experience in the future. Questions? eMail Vince at [email protected]. |
|
St. Vincent de Paul Volunteer OpportunitiesWe are excited to share that we have officially begun the process of re-establishing the St. Vincent de Paul Conference here at Old St. Patrick’s Church—the very place where the first conference in Chicago was founded. This full-circle moment is both meaningful and inspiring, and we are grateful for the growing momentum behind this important mission.
Here’s a brief update on the progress we’ve made so far:
As we continue to lay the foundation for this ministry, there are several ways for you to get involved:
For more information or to express interest, please contact Johnny Jones at [email protected]. Thank you for your continued support as we work to reestablish this vital ministry and extend the mission of St. Vincent de Paul in meaningful ways. |
|
Greater Chicago Food DepositorySecond Tuesday and Saturday | 9:00 - 11:30 AM | 4100 W. Ann Lurie Place
Saturdays: December 13 | 2026: January 10, February 14, March 14, April 11, May 9 Tuesdays: January 13 | 2026: February 10, March 10, April 14, May 12 Join Old St. Pat's members as they serve with the Greater Chicago Food Depository on the second Tuesday and Saturday of every month. For complete information, please contact the coordinators and provide your email address and phone number(s). Weekday: Sally Anderson - [email protected] or 202.243.9414 Saturday: Mary Beth Riley - [email protected] or 630.460.7889 |
|
Academic EnrichmentTuesdays | 6:30 PM | Harmony Community Church
Harmony Community Church is seeking volunteers for their "Academic Enrichment Program" for this Fall. Last year, volunteers from Old St. Pat's made a significant impact, and we hope to continue that tradition by providing support again this year. Tutoring sessions will be held at Harmony Community Church every Tuesday, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. |
|
My Brother's Kitchen3rd Saturday of the Month | 8 AM | 1241 S. Pulaski Rd. Join Old St. Pat’s team of hosts on July 19th to help set up eating areas, prepare a hot, healthy meal, serve, clean-up and provide cheerful hospitality for over 100 guests from the North Lawndale neighborhood. Volunteers are needed on the 3rd Saturday of every month. All are welcome!
Questions? Contact Vincent Guider, North Lawndale Kinship Initiative Director at [email protected]. |