Most of the work performed to enrich the lives of our guests is done by volunteers – we have very few paid staff. This important work would literally cease without volunteers! We welcome you to work with us, at any level, in any program. Here are some of the possibilities available to you.
Individual service
Volunteer in any program (check out all our programs using the navigation buttons on the right), at any time the program is open. You can come in once, or share the love on a regular basis. We need greeters, good listeners, potato peelers, sandwich makers, floor sweepers, resume writers, database managers, you name it! You make the time, and we’ll make sure you have an experience of life and love like no other. Students and mandated community service candidates are welcome.
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Faith-based and community service groups
Volunteer with a group that is currently serving by clicking here.
Service Learning
"Today's young people are coming of age in a complex, confusing, and often frightening world. In order to construct their lives and make their way, they need a mixture of qualities: idealism and realism, a clear sense of themselves and their personal boundaries as well as devotion to something larger beyond their sole selves. Above all, they need hope that the world can be made better and confidence that they can contribute to that process. Experiencing folks at Dorothy's Place helps give them such hope. May the way of Dorothy's Place be blessed and supported – until there are no more hungry and homeless people, until the world has truly become our Home."
Rabbi Susan Laemmle, Ph.D.
Dean of Religious Life, USC
Students from California State University Monterey Bay's Service Learning Institute serve at Dorothy's Place throughout the school year, assisting in both the Kitchen and the Day Room. Students have used Dorothy's Place for their capstone projects. In the spring of 2006, a CSUMB theatre class met frequently at Dorothy's Place and they presented several DVD projects at a special gathering for our guests. The community "partnership" between the Franciscan Workers / Dorothy's Place and CSUMB is of particular importance because of the University's commitment to civic engagement and social justice, and the "goal" of Dorothy's Place to ultimately go out of business.
Many other schools, elementary level through high-school level, have incorporated Service Learning in their educational curriculum. Please contact the school of your choice and ask if you can experience Service Learning at Dorothy’s Place.
Service Learning opportunities tend to be more focused on our daily work schedule. We welcome inquiries!
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Immersion Experiences
We call a group of people so dedicated to social justice and working with the poor that they immerse themselves in our work an Immersion Group. Immersion Groups are usually students, but we’ve also hosted family groups. Immersion Groups live and work with our Companions of the Way Community for one or two weeks.
Through the course of many years, Immersion Groups have traveled the country to volunteer at Dorothy's Place: USC, Ohio State, Kansas State, Moorhead, UC Irvine, a youth group from South Dakota, another youth group from Ohio, and nearly every local school in Monterey County has connected with Dorothy's Place in some way.
Students and other young people are especially welcome to join with the Franciscan Workers in volunteering, service learning, or in Immersion Experiences, because of our dream of a world in which compassion is the norm of personal behavior and justice the policy norm of governments and institutions. The only way we are going to arrive at that place and time is by young people experiencing the "revolution of heart" that Dorothy Day constantly spoke of, and then committing their lives and work to social change.
Immersion Experience groups will either "camp out" at Dorothy's Place (sleep in the Kitchen on the floor) or stay with our community of Companions at our Mercy Center. Groups join with us in our daily work, sharing in both food prep and service. Oftentimes they also enjoy playing chess, checkers, cards, or other games with our guests as well. Groups also enjoy going to Margaret's Place or other activities for children. All-in-all, Immersion Groups have a wonderful and powerful learning experience with us.
Immersion Experiences can be structured (or not) to fit the goals of particular groups. We welcome your contact!
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Companions of the Way Community
The primary staff for all Franciscan Workers programs are the Companions of the Way. The Companions live and work with the poor and marginalized as volunteers in an intentional community, centered in a small housing complex at 715 Jefferson Street in Salinas (‘Mercy Center’). They receive their housing at no charge and a small stipend for unmet living expenses.
Our quest is to “Imagine Paradise, Practice Beauty”. The quest is not just a means for us, but an end in itself – to live lives of “holy daring”, with grace, gentleness, enthusiasm and joy. We are challenged to grow in a passionate commitment to God, one another, and to the world through a sincere practice of meditation and the “Fourteen Mindfullness Trainings.” We have a communal commitment to the “Declaration Toward a Global Ethic” and to the “Earth Charter”, both of which lend themselves to an expansive vision of personal and social possibilities.
Who are We?
Mandy! Mandy works as a pediatrician, and loves
to find time for projects with the Companions. She is especially
active with Women Alive!, Youth Alive!, and the Peter Maurin Work Co-Op.
She likes being outside with Mia, riding a bike, Mindfulness Trainings, and
playing with Macy!
Mia! Mia is a full-time volunteer who
loves Mandy, creating art, and spending time at the Peter Maurin Work Co-Op
and Women Alive!. She brings joy to all she meets--in the day room or
anywhere she goes--with her beautiful smile and warm, welcoming heart!
Dana! Dana is a family practice doctor and medical
missionary volunteer. She helps out at Women Alive! and is a great
listener. Dana loves good books, quiet time, and people of all kinds.
She is a great friend to many.
Erik! Erik works at a campus minister in
Salinas. He loves spending time at Youth Alive, Camp St. Francis,
Cooking, and eating fried chicken! Erik plays guitar and ukulele and
is a big fan of the Open Mic nights at Dorothy's.
Margarita!
Margarita is a full-time volunteer whose presence fills the
day room with good vibes and a joyful spirit. Margarita loves creating
art, working with kids, and counter-recruitment. She is active with
Youth Alive!, Women Alive!, and everything at Dorothy's!
Michelle!
Michelle works at a teacher in Salinas. She loves
playing with Donovan and Devin. She has been involved with many
projects, especially Youth Alive and Camp St. Francis! Her loving
kindness and laughter bring warmth and joy to the community.
Robert! Robert spends time at Dorothy's,
going to meetings, and making delicious soups. He loves writing poetry
for Michelle. He enjoys cooking, listening, and smiling. Robert
is known for the great love he has (and continues to) spread throughout the
Salinas Valley and beyond. 
Donovan! Donovan loves to
run, painting, and eating or drinking Chocolate! Devin's favorite
Mindfulness Training is #13.
Devin! Devin loves making Tiger
Noises and Blocks, Trains, and Chocolate Soymilk. Devin's favorite
Mindfulness Training is #4.
Ask a Companion of the Way member about Michael,
Michael, Macy and Maggie!!!
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Wanted: POSSIBILITARIANS
The Companions of the Way intentional community in Salinas is looking for new members. Formerly known as Franciscan Workers, Companions members live simply and work to promote social justice in our community, in a manner similar to VISTA volunteers.
Are you looking for a way to put your social justice values into action?
Are you a ‘POSSIBILITARIAN’ at heart, and looking for a way to practice peace and justice and still afford to live in Monterey County?
Companions of the Way Community might be your answer. Our work includes Dorothy’s Kitchen, the Women Alive! shelter, a silk-screening micro-enterprise and after-school programs for farm worker youth. Internships are welcome, as well as permanent community members. Contact Mandy Jackson at
831-776-8038 for more details. LIVE OUT YOUR OWN POSSIBILITIES!
Companions of the Way Community members are committed to social and environmental justice and living simply. They are one of hundreds of intentional communities nationwide that perform service with very little compensation. The current Community has resident members that include an accredited elementary school teacher, two physicians and a Masters in Public Health Administration.
Companions of the Way service allows us to keep personnel costs very low in comparison to other organizations.
Goals
• Develop a new community recruitment action plan.
• Revise the welcome packet/information materials to include a digital version.
• Expand community to include four new members living at Jefferson Street.
• Solicit Internships at local and other colleges.
• Develop a plan for installing solar panels.
• Develop plans for and implement an improved (compared to 2006) community garden.
• Expand to the Green Gold Inn with hospitality program upstairs.
Celebrations!
We have added two community members in the past year. We also had two Internships over the summer that proved to be very helpful with operations. We are growing slowly- but-surely into a cohesive group of committed and dedicated individuals with an emphasis on social justice!
