Volunteering with Catholic Charities is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals and families in our community. By sharing your time and talents, you help provide critical support to programs that address housing, education, immigration, senior services, early childhood development, and refugee assistance.

When you volunteer with us, you become part of a mission-driven organization dedicated to compassion, dignity, and hope. Together, we can create positive change and build stronger, more resilient communities.

Join us in making a difference today!

Learn More About Our Mission

Adult Education

Refugee Support

Immigration Support

Childcare Center

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There are six centers within Catholic Charities. Each center has different programs that focus on the needs of our community. To most effectively run our programs, we need a variety of volunteers with specific skill sets, availability, and backgrounds.

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CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY & CAREER PATHWAYS

MISSION

The Center for Educational Opportunity & Career Pathways is committed to providing high-quality educational and career training opportunities to adults in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to learn and grow, and we are dedicated to helping our students achieve their goals.

VISION

Our vision is to create a community where all adults have the opportunity to reach their full potential. We believe that education is the key to success, and we are committed to providing our students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their careers and in life, regardless of their background or circumstances.

PROGRAMS & CLIENTS

The Center for Educational Opportunity & Career Pathways serves adults (aged 16 and above) who are looking to improve their lives through education and/or career training. The center offers a variety of programs, including:

• ✔ High school equivalency exam preparation (HiSET or GED)
• ✔ English as a Second Language (ESL)
• ✔ Citizenship ESL classes
• ✔ Career training in fields like heavy machine operation, childcare, roofing, and office skills
• ✔ Digital literacy
• ✔ Plaza Comunitaria offers beginning literacy classes for adults from Spanish-speaking countries

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."
- Nelson Mandela Learn More

CENTER FOR REFUGEE SUPPORT

MISSION

Our Mission is to put faith in action to improve the lives of refugee people in need. We're all about creating opportunities for refugees to actively participate in their new community!

VISION

To provide a warm and welcoming environment for refugee families who have resettled after the 90-day government program, help refugees live safe and fulfilling lives contributing to their new environment, and offer educational programs to help them gain new skills, knowledge, and language proficiency.

PROGRAMS & CLIENTS

The U.S. Department of Justice screens and authorizes persons designated by the United Nations as political refugees to come to the United States. These refugees are fleeing military conflict, political or religious persecution, and may arrive separated from their families with only the clothes on their backs.

The Center for Refugee Support provides a wide range of services to help newcomers adjust to their life in Albuquerque. We serve all refugees (adults, youth, and kids) who speak Arabic, Dari, Pashto, and Swahili. We provide the following programs and classes:

• ✔ Community Circle meetings
• ✔ Speaker Series
• ✔ Computer Classes
• ✔ Breaking Bread ESL conversational classes
• ✔ World of Wellness program
• ✔ 1:1 tutoring session
• ✔ Storytime for kids ages 4-11 years
• ✔ Financial Literacy classes
• ✔ Summer Camp

"The world is not divided into 'us' and 'them.' The world is divided into 'we' and 'we.' We are all refugees, displaced by war, by fear, by poverty, and by despair."
- Zainab Salbi, humanitarian and author

CENTER FOR IMMIGRATION & LEGAL ASSISTANCE

MISSION

CICLA is committed to providing professional, trustworthy, community-based, affordable legal services for under-served immigrant families in our community.

VISION

We believe that everyone deserves equal access to justice and we are committed to advocating for the rights of immigrants and refugees in our community.

PROGRAMS & CLIENTS

The Center for Immigration and Citizenship Legal Assistance (CICLA) provides a variety of services from our offices in Albuquerque and Santa Fe—though we can serve those living anywhere in the state. Our services include legal representation in family-based immigration cases, assistance with consular processing, DACA renewals, permanent residence applications, and naturalization proceedings.

We are proud to be recognized by the Department of Justice as a trusted provider of low-cost immigration services in the Albuquerque and Santa Fe areas. Our experienced attorneys and legal staff work diligently to ensure that our clients receive the support and guidance they need to navigate the complex and often challenging U.S. immigration system.

• ✔ Adjustment of Status and Green Card Renewals
• ✔ Naturalization and Certificates of Citizenship
• ✔ DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)
• ✔ Family Petitions
• ✔ Consular Processing
• ✔ Removal of Conditions

"Immigrants are not just part of the story of this country—they are the story."
- Julián Castro, former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

CHILDREN’S LEARNING CENTER

MISSION

The Children’s Learning Center provides care for children ages 6 weeks - 5yrs. At our center, children explore, discover, grow, and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment.

VISION

Honoring children’s dignity.

PROGRAMS & CLIENTS

The Children’s Learning Center provides care for children ages 6 weeks - 5yrs. At our center, children explore, discover, grow, and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment.

As a five-star licensed and accredited early learning program through ECECD, we strive to give young children the necessary foundation for a successful transition to kindergarten.

• ✔ Five-star licensed and accredited program
• ✔ Bilingual curriculum
• ✔ Multicultural learning materials
• ✔ Encourages creativity & critical thinking
• ✔ Warm and welcoming environment

"Children are born with a hundred languages, but the school and society suppress ninety-nine. The task of education is to awaken and respect the child's full potential."
- Loris Malaguzzi

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CENTER FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

MISSION

The Center for Community Involvement is dedicated to empowering and engaging the community, collaborating with various organizations & partners, supporting families, and fighting poverty.

VISION

Every child, adult and senior’s needs are met so they can do more than survive, they can thrive.

PROGRAMS & CLIENTS

Volunteer Outreach - Provides agency-wide recruiting, training, and screening of volunteers, and maintaining a centralized registry of agency volunteers. During the year, volunteers and key program staff attend community events through tabling and sharing valuable information about the programs, services, and resources available throughout the organization.

Senior Transportation Services (STS) - Community of volunteers provide door-to-door transportation services to specific destinations for seniors who lack reliable transportation, are homebound and isolated, and/or who may be at risk of losing their independence. Our goal is to help seniors maintain their dignity, independence and ability to remain productive citizens in the community.

In-Kind Donation Center - Collects donations of furniture, home goods, and hygiene items, using them to set up new homes for clients of Catholic Charities through a trauma-informed approach. We provide families with fresh and healthy food boxes, including produce, dairy and meat items. Throughout the year, the In-Kind Donation Center hosts a variety of events such as The Giving Tree, Backpacks to the Future, Halloween Boo Buckets, and more!

• ✔ Volunteer Opportunities
• ✔ Senior Transportation Assistance
• ✔ Community Events
• ✔ Food Distribution
• ✔ Donation Drives

Learn More