For Students

SVdP welcomes students, age 14 or older, to complete mandatory or voluntary service hours at the downtown Oakland Community Center (2272 San Pablo Avenue). Students do not need a parent or guardian to accompany them, though we love to have families volunteer together!

If you are a high school or university student and would like to volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County, please:

• Complete the volunteer application
• Contact the Volunteer Team to schedule orientation, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Gather all relevant paperwork from your school and bring it with you to orientation

For Educators

SVdP has developed a Service Learning Guide for those working with young people. The guide makes volunteer experience more meaningful by providing context and lessons. The lessons in the Service Learning Guide coupled with powerful volunteer experiences at SVdP Alameda make for unforgettable and meaningful service learning for your students.

Scheduling Student Groups at SVdP

There are several service options for groups of 5 - 20 students at SVdP. Larger groups can be accommodated on a limited basis, depending on the time of year and requested dates. Please contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. one month in advance to schedule your service learning group.

Options for student group service:

• Tour the SVdP Warehouse to see how many tons of materials are diverted from the landfill each year, then help SVdP sort donations (books, textiles). A great lesson for those students interested in reuse, recycling and environmental impact! Available Monday through Friday between the hours of 9am and 3pm.
• Serve in the SVdP Free Dining Room & Community Center, providing direct services to clients and helping program staff sort give-away items. Tour the center to learn more about how SVdP is providing pathways out of poverty for our neighbors. Dining Room available five days per week, from 9am to 1pm. The Community Center is open Tuesday through Saturday between the hours of 9am and 3pm.

Go farther with a multi-day Immersion at the SVdP Community Center. Your students will stay overnight and have a chance to rotate through multiple volunteer activities. Group reflection, led by SVdP clients and staff, will deepen their learning and challenge perceptions. Immersions must be scheduled 12 weeks in advance and require 1 chaperone per every 5 students. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out more about scheduling an immersion!