Catholic Community Services is proud to serve low-income elders and adults with disabilities in thirteen counties across our Southwest region. From the Olympic Peninsula to the Columbia River, between the Pacific Ocean and the Puget Sound, our volunteers provide a variety of services to those who need a little help in their lives to remain safely at home for as long as possible.
The counties we serve
Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Thurston, Skamania and Wahkiakum.
The people we serve
Low-income elders (those age 60 and over) and adults with disabilities (temporary or permanent) who cannot pay for services, do not qualify for state-paid services and do not have family and friends available to help them.
“This service takes the burden off my children; it makes them feel good to know I am safe with this service.”
– client comment
Our volunteers
Over 1,000 volunteers of all ages, cultures and backgrounds serve our clients. They may volunteer individually or in groups, twice a month or every day. The skills and abilities brought to our program by these volunteers are numerous, and their gifts of time and talent are invaluable to our clients.
“Volunteers grant our community continuity. The service fills in the gap between home services and the real needs of individuals at home.”
– client comment
If you are interested in volunteering, click here to complete our online volunteer registration!
What we do
Volunteers may help clients with a variety of tasks that help the client live an independent, safe, fulfilling life.
Housekeeping
A volunteer will visit a client every one or two weeks to assist with light housekeeping duties to include vacuuming, dusting, doing dishes and laundry.
Volunteer Transportation
Click here for more information.
Bus Buddies (Thurston County)
We are looking for additional bus buddy volunteers to service Thurston County. Bus Buddies is a free program matching experienced riders with people who need a little extra help riding the bus. The buddies also take clients on free trips to locations like Tacoma, Seattle, Port Townsend, Puyallup and Centralia. Volunteers must provide three references and pass a Washington State Patrol background check. READ MORE
Grocery shopping
Many clients need a volunteer to assist with grocery shopping every two weeks. A volunteer may take client to the store or go shopping on behalf of the client to ensure they have adequate food supplies in their home.
Yard Care
With limited mobility due to age or disability, many clients find it a challenge to maintain their yard which can result in neighborhood blight and/or unsafe access to their home. Volunteers can help with lawn mowing, weeding and brush clearing to make sure the client’s yard is safe and tidy.
Home repair/accessibility options
Many clients need minor repairs performed in their home, such as changing light bulbs, fixing leaky faucets or installing grab bars and railings. Teams of volunteers also build wheelchairs ramps to ensure safe access for the client.
“The ramp built by volunteers is wonderful; helps me get in and out of the house.”
— client for whom a wheelchair ramp was constructed
Wood provision
Many clients depend on woodstoves or fireplaces to heat their homes. Volunteers participate in chopping and transporting wood so that these clients can stay warm and safe during cold weather.
Monitoring
Volunteers can support isolated or home-bound clients by making regular phone calls to check up on the client’s health and wellbeing.
Why we do it
Here’s what some of our clients have said about the difference our services make in their lives.
“The program is wonderful!”
“You are a gift from God.”
“The volunteers have changed my life.”
“There’s no way I could get to my doctor without your services.”
A VS Success Story
Jeannie came to VS seeking to help someone. Jeannie is a single mother of two children. She wasn’t sure what exactly she wanted to do. She did know that she wanted to set a good example for her children by helping someone in need. We matched her with Joan, an 84-year-old woman who lives by herself in a senior apartment complex. Joan doesn’t have any family in this State and she was having a very hard time keeping up with her housework and laundry. Joan has macular degeneration which causes her to have a hard time matching colors when doing laundry.
Jeannie goes to Joan’s home every other Saturday for three hours and mops her floors, vacuums her carpet, cleans her bathroom and kitchen. Jeannie has also come up with a way for Joan to tell what colors her clothes are by using different textures on the label. This has helped Joan keep her independence and makes her feel more secure about her appearance.
How to get involved
You can start the online volunteer registration process now! Registration forms may also be downloaded from this page by clicking on one of the county office names below. Application information includes providing three personal references, completing a Washington State Patrol background check and a disclosure form due to the vulnerable population served by VS. Please print the forms, sign and mail the completed forms to the appropriate region:
Pierce & Kitsap Counties 
1323 S. Yakima Ave.
Tacoma, WA 98405
Clallam & Jefferson Counties
630 D East Front St.
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Cowlitz & Wahkiakum Counties
676 26th Ave.
Longview, WA 98632
Clark & Skamania Counties
4809 NW Franklin Street
Vancouver, WA 98663
Grays Harbor & Pacific Counties
P.O. Box 1734
Aberdeen, WA 98520
Lewis, Mason & Thurston Counties
3545 7th Avenue SW
Olympia, WA 98502