How you can help - volunteer

Volunteer opportunities

CFCA offers many opportunities to volunteer internationally, locally in your own community and at the Kansas City headquarters.

Volunteer at CFCA headquarters

CFCA in Kansas City gladly accepts individuals, youth groups and service organizations willing to assist with operations at CFCA headquarters. Our local volunteers help process those precious letters from sponsored friends. Contact us for more information about volunteering at the

Kansas City headquarters.

Volunteer in your own community

CFCA advocates help spread the word about how people of good will can promote dignity for all by building a relationship with a sponsored child, youth or aging person. Read more about opportunities to help within your own local community or contact our advocacy coordinator for additional information.

"Everything is God's to give and to take away, so share what you've been given, and that includes yourself."

                                                                                                                     - Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Volunteering abroad is a wonderful way to answer the Gospel call to serve the poor and experience everyday life in another culture. CFCA seeks to place volunteers at project sites according to where we have a need and resources to support volunteers. For this reason, we have a limited number of volunteer positions available in Latin America, Asia and Africa.

CFCA international volunteer requirements

Overseas volunteers must serve a minimum of one year. Because it usually takes some time to become accustomed to a new culture and to learn the work of the project site, we do not offer short-term or summer volunteer opportunities.

The most important skill required to serve as a CFCA volunteer is a desire to serve and live with the poor. CFCA volunteers strive to walk with the poor and understand the obstacles they face. Responsibilities may include teaching, translating (Spanish - English), child care, health care or other work supporting the sponsorship program. Previous volunteer experience is helpful, and Spanish language skills are required for projects in Latin America.

Expenses and living arrangements

Volunteers are responsible for travel, health insurance and personal needs. The average cost for a 12-month period in Latin America would be about $3,500. These costs increase for Asia and Africa. Most volunteers recruit their own sponsors through family, friends, church communities, schools, etc. Room and board is sometimes provided by the project, often in a religious community, in parish or retreat housing, or with families. While Catholic affiliation is not required, a volunteer must be comfortable living in Catholic religious or lay communities.

How to become an overseas volunteer

To become a volunteer you must complete and return CFCA’s volunteer application and submit references to the CFCA international volunteer coordinator. Once your application is received, you may be contacted for a phone interview. After the phone interview, volunteer candidates may be invited to an additional interview and two-day discernment and orientation program at CFCA headquarters in Kansas City. There volunteer candidates will visit with the CFCA staff, learn more about CFCA's work and the volunteer program. Volunteers are responsible for their own travel to the Kansas City office. For an application or more information, please contact the volunteer coordinator at 1-800-875-6564 or 913-384-6500 or online.

Current volunteer opportunity in Guatemala

Our Hermano Pedro project in San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala, has a volunteer position available. This volunteer position requires a one-year commitment.

Responsibilities: Teach English classes to project staff, support translators in improving English skills, review letters for translation quality, assist with mission awareness trips and individual sponsor visits, assist with activities for the sponsored members and their families, and assist with other activities and responsibilities as assigned by the project.

Qualifications: Mature adult— preferably with teaching experience, computer knowledge and experience working with people of other cultures. Fluency in Spanish and English required. Previous volunteer experience or international relations experience is helpful. Desire to serve and live with the poor.

For more information about this position, contact our overseas volunteer coordinator. To apply for this position, complete the overseas volunteer application and mail it to CFCA, One Elmwood Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66103, or fax it to 913-384-2211, Attention: Overseas Volunteer Coordinator.

Download the application in PDF format.

Read letters from current and former volunteers >