Local Resources In Pennsylvania

Gatherings
	• Former Jesuit Volunteers meet for various gatherings throughout the year. Contact the FJV Coordinator at 215-232-0300 or email jvceast@jesuitvolunteers.org for more information on former volunteer gatherings.
Volunteer programs headquartered in Pennsylvania
	• One way to get connected with current and/or former volunteers in the area is to plan *intercommunity volunteer gatherings* such as prayer groups, game nights, meals/picnics, etc. • The following programs are headquartered in Pennsylvania: Augustinian Volunteers (Philadelphia), Cabrini Mission Corps (Radnor), Change a Heart: Millvale Franciscan Volunteer Program (Pittsburgh), DeSales Service Works (Center Valley), Franciscan Volunteer Ministry (Philadelphia), Mercy Volunteer Corps (Gwynedd Valley), Mission of Friendship (Erie), Providence Volunteer Ministries (Allison Park), Redeemer Ministry Corps (Huntingdon Valley), and Response-Ability (Drexel Hill).
Parishes that current and former volunteers have recommended
	• Archdiocese of Philadelphia Cathedral is a great parish to meet young adults. • St. John the Evangelist Parish also in Center City has a very active young adult group. See Jack's Yacs below. They have masses the second and fourth Sunday of the month at 6 p.m. Afterwards they have a social at a local bar or at the church. • St. Vincent De Paul's Parish in Germantown, Philly is highly recommended by former volunteers. See www.saint-vincent-church.org for more information.
Retreat opportunities/spirituality centers
	• Cranaleith Spiritual Center in Philadelphia www.cranaleith.org • Dominican Retreat House, Elkins Park, 215-782-8520. • Franciscan Spiritual Center in Aston www.fscaston.org • IHM Spiritual Renewal Center, Cresco, 717-595-7548. • Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth in Wernersville www.jesuitspiritualcenter.org • St. Emma Monastery in Greensburg, 724-834-3060. • Villa Maria Community Centerin Villa Maria hosts retreats. Call 724-964-8861. • The Passionists run the St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center in Pittsburgh 412-381-7676. • SSJ Center for Spirituality in Philadelphia www.ssjphila.org
Social Justice organizations, communities and events
	• Brandywine Peace Community www.geocities.com/brandywinepeace • Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation http://www.paprolife.org/ • Catholic Leadership Institute in Philadelphia www.catholicleaders.org • Catholic Peace Fellowship -Philadelphia's Pax Christi Chapter Contact torphila@aol.com for more information. • Catholic Social Agency, 2141 Downyflake Lane, Allentown, 610-791-3888. • Archdiocese of Philadelphia Catholic Human Services, Msgr. Timothy C. Senior, LSW, MBA Secretary for Catholic Human Services, 222 North 17th Street, Philadelphia, 215- 587-3903. • Catholic Social Services,33 E. Northhampton St., Wilkes-Barre, 570- 822-7118. • Secretariat for Catholic Human Services2141 Downyflake Lane, Allentown, 610-791-3888. Oversees and coordinates responsibilities for all institutions, agencies and program activities in the Diocese which provide human services. • The Peace and Justice Commission of the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese, Charles W. Leiden, Chair 814-946-9291. • University of Pennsylvania Newman Center Community www.newman.upenn.edu • Stewart's Alliance Young Adult Group offers an array of service opportunities and programs. Contact Michelle Edwards Brown at medwards@adphila.org for more information.
Volunteer opportunities
	• The Hands On Network works to connect people with volunteer projects around the United States. The local affiliate, Greater Philadelphia Cares is located at 100 South Broad Street, Suite 630. They can be contacted at (215) 564-4544 or by email at volunteer@gpcares.com. If you are in the Pittsburgh area, contact Pittsburgh Cares at pgh-cares@pgh.cares.org or (412) 471-2114. • Catholic Charities
Music, film, and other cultural events
	• First Friday: The Art Galleries in Olde City Philadelphia are opened free the first Friday of the month from 5:30- 9:00 p.m. with music and refreshments at different galleries. It's great to see local artist's unique contemporary works. • The Philadelphia Art Museum (from the infamous rocky movie) is open free until noon on Sunday mornings. Every Wednesday night from 5-9 p.m. the museum has themed events that include dancing, movies, talks and food. Visit www.philamuseum.org for more information. • Eastern State Penitentiary is either free or two for one on Sunday mornings. It was the prototype for the US prisons and is a pretty creepy old prison surrounded by lovely town houses. It is in the Fairmount Section of Philadelphia. • The Kimmel Center, the brand new home of the Philadelphia Orchestra, has many events including free ones. It is located at 260 S. Broad Street in Philadelphia.
Diocesan resources
	• Archdiocese of Philadelphia Office of Youth and Young Adults is located at 222 N. 17th St. Philadelphia, PA 19103. Phone: 215-965-4635 email: rstracqu@adphila.org. Please contact Rosey (Stracquatanio) Lester for more information. The office of Young Adult Ministry supports parish young adult groups in the Philadelphia area and helps connect young adults from different parishes. They publish a quarterly newsletter, the "Philly Focus" which highlights all the happenings for young adults. Their website, www.oyya.org, is informative too! • Diocese of Allentown • Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown • Diocese of Erie • Diocese of Greensburg • Diocese of Harrisburg • Archdiocese of Philadelphia • Diocese of Pittsburgh • Diocese of Scranton
Other valuable resources
	• Jack's YACS as they are called also have Bible studies on Wednesday nights. Have monthly talks about issues in the Church today or Catholic related topics. It was called "Catholic 101." They regularly volunteer at Ronald Macdonald House and a local nursing home and occasionally with Habitat for Humanity. They also sponsor retreats. Father Paul is a Franciscan priest who is involved with Jack's YACS, and he is very down to earth and active with the young adult community. Visit their website www.jacksyacs.com. • White Dog Cafe and Black Cat Gift Shop -is a socially conscious restaurant and gift shop. www.whitedog.com

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