Welcome, volunteers! After reviewing these FAQs, please let us know if you have further questions or need more information by emailing us at volunteer@ccab.org.
How do I find volunteer opportunities?
To get a sense of our current volunteer opportunities, you can click the "Opportunities" button on the left-hand menu. If you'd like to connect with a Volunteer Programs staff member to discuss these opportunities, please complete our volunteer inquiry form here. We do require you to complete the onboarding process before you begin volunteering with us. For more information on that process, see below.
What is the onboarding process?
The following onboarding steps take place once you have been matched with a program and a volunteer role.
Onboarding Process for All Roles EXCEPT in Child Care
Individual Volunteer Required Onboarding
Defined as volunteers who are not part of a special event or a one-time group opportunity.
- Register on our volunteer portal (Get Connected):
- Create a volunteer account at https://volunteer.ccab.org/ and select the Individual track.
- Respond to your specific volunteer opportunity(ies).
- If the volunteer opportunity is shift-based, you can sign up for shifts all at once or as you go, as long as you sign up for shifts at least 24 hours BEFORE attending.
- Complete a CORI:
- You'll complete a short CORI authorization form (we have both electronic and hard copy versions) and present a valid government-issued photo ID to a Catholic Charities Boston staff member, who will verify your identity in person. Your information will be used only for the purpose of conducting the required background check and will be handled confidentially in accordance with Massachusetts law and Catholic Charities Boston policies. This can happen at your first shift, but you will need to be fully supervised that first shift until your CORI clears.
- Any volunteer who has experienced a break in service of more than 60 days may need to be re-CORIed.
Event/Group Volunteer Required Onboarding
Defined as volunteers participating in a one-time volunteer opportunity for a CCAB event or as a part of a group (including school and parish groups).
All Adults: Register on our volunteer portal (Get Connected):
- Create a volunteer account at https://volunteer.ccab.org/ (Adults should select the Event/Group Volunteer (Adult) track)
- Respond to your specific volunteer opportunity
If the group contains minors, minors should either:
1. Option One: Create a volunteer account here and respond to the specific volunteer opportunity.
2. Option Two: The adult point person for the group can send the CCAB the names and email address of all minors in the group so that we can register each person. If the group contains minors, the adult point person in the group should complete the Waiver Form for Groups with Minor Volunteers which will be sent directly via email and can be signed electronically
Onboarding Process in Child Care
Youth-facing volunteers in our childcare programs are legally required to complete the background check process through the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC-BRC), which includes:
- a Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check through the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS);
- a Department of Children and Families (DCF) check for supported findings of abuse or neglect;
- a Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) check through the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB);
- a fingerprint-based check of state and national criminal history databases; and, when applicable,
- a search of the National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) database or out of state records for any known criminal history, child welfare, and sex offender information where applicants have lived in the past five years.
Please note, fingerprinting typically costs $30-$35 and the volunteer is responsible for this cost.
In addition, the Early Childhood Education department requires volunteers and interns who spend extended time in childcare centers to provide documentation of a recent physical examination. Volunteers should submit a copy of a physical completed within the past two years. If you have not had a recent physical, documentation of a scheduled appointment may be accepted. Volunteers must also provide proof of MMR vaccination or an approved exemption.
Orientation
All volunteers should be oriented to their program and role by their supervisor.
How can my group volunteer with you?
We would be happy to partner with you to create a group volunteer opportunity; please complete our brief group volunteer inquiry form here. Group volunteer opportunities do not typically require background checks.
My child is a minor; can they volunteer?
Currently the minimum age to volunteer is 14, though there are some exceptions to that policy for children volunteer WITH their parents at events where clients are not present. All minors under the age of 18 must have a parent/guardian sign a Minor Waiver before starting service (this is integrated into the process of creating an account). Opportunities for minors are limited, please look at the minimum age when signing up for the opportunity.
Why am I not receiving any emails about volunteering for Catholic Charities Boston?
Please check your spam or junk mail. Many times emails from us will go straight there!
Need help navigating this site? Here are a few guides to help you navigate this site as well as other helpful information. Click to learn more on each topic:
How to create your Get Connected account as an individual ADULT volunteer
How to create your Get Connected account as an individual MINOR volunteer
How to create your Get Connected account if you are volunteering with a group of ADULTS
How to create your Get Connected account if you are volunteering with a group of MINORS
How to respond to an opportunity
How to track your hours by checking in and checking out on site
How to track your hours on your volunteer account (if volunteering remotely)
How to sign volunteer policies and waivers as an existing volunteer
