It might be the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year," but the need in our communities is still great.

As the cold weather settles in and the end of the year approaches, many local ministries and apostolates find themselves in need of extra support to continue to serve others. Whether through service to the homeless, elderly or infirm, to women in difficult pregnancies, or to families across Northern Colorado, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved this holiday season and beyond.

Though this Advent and Christmas season might be busy, consider a few ways to get involved, give back and help our neighbors in need!

Catholic Charities of Denver

Catholic Charities of Denver has a number of volunteer opportunities at their various ministries across Northern Colorado! From assisting single mothers and children to serving homeless women, families and veterans, from supporting women and families experiencing difficult pregnancies to teaching life skills courses, there are plenty of options for adults and groups.

For more information on how to volunteer with Catholic Charities, visit https://ccdenver.org/volunteer/.

Christ in the City

Christ in the City is a local Catholic non-profit that strives to encounter and serve the homeless on the streets of Denver. Christ in the City missionaries walk the same routes through Denver in order to build friendships with those they encounter through their consistent presence. Through those friendships, the missionaries are able to walk with their homeless friends toward greater healing and toward re-integration into society.

Volunteers — even young volunteers! — are welcome to join Christ in the City's mission by helping serve lunch and encounter guests at the organization's weekly Lunch in the Park and by waking with missionaries on their street routes.

For more information on how to get involved with Christ in the City's mission, visit https://christinthecity.org/get-involved/.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Many local parishes have established St. Vincent de Paul conferences to support neighbors in need, within the parish's boundaries. Members of the society come together to form "a network of friends, inspired by Gospel values, growing in holiness and building a more just world through personal relationships with and service to people in need," as their website reads.

Through the funds each conference raises and the dedicated work of their members, the society provides support to neighbors in need in parish communities across Northern Colorado.

For more information on how to get involved with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the Archdiocese of Denver, visit https://svdpden.org/.

The Rosary Team

St. Teresa of Calcutta once said, "The poverty in the West is a different kind of poverty — it is not only a poverty of loneliness but also of spirituality. There’s a hunger for love, as there is a hunger for God."

The Rosary Team seeks to alleviate that communal, spiritual poverty through their faithful presence at local assisted living facilities and nursing homes. By dedicating the time to visiting our elders and praying with them, they bring much-needed compassion, hope, faith and joy to an oft-forgotten population.

Volunteers of all ages generally commit to praying one hour per week at the same facility on the same day and at the same time, with a teammate. For more information on how to get involved with The Rosary Team, visit https://therosaryteam.org/volunteer/.

Annunciation Heights

The archdiocesan camp exists to be a place of transformative encounter with God, creation, community and self at the foot of Mt. Meeker in scenic Allenspark. Throughout the year, Annunciation Heights receives guests and campers of all ages, "fostering experiences of authentic connection immersed in the beauty of God's creation," and providing "youth and family programming, outdoor education, group retreat space, a missionary program, community engagement opportunities and Camp St. Malo ministries," as their website reads.

To accomplish such a great task, the camp often needs volunteer support to maintain their facilities and accomplish a slew of other things! For more information on how to get involved in supporting Annunciation Heights' mission of transformation, visit https://annunciationheights.org/get-involved/volunteer/.