Social Outreach  

1. There are two feet of social justice that the Catholic Church stands on: charitable works and social justice.  Oftentimes there are many ways to engage in charitable works but less likely are the ways to engage in social justice.  There is a new Advocacy Network opportunity available for those who would like to learn more about legislative advocacy and might also be open to an opportunity to assist in a greater capacity in advocacy work. The next meeting is July 15th, 2026 from 6 pm until 7:30 pm and will be a virtual meeting . Come and See if this work is for you.  All are welcome.  Register by emailing osm@richmonddiocese.org, Subject: OSM- Advocacy Network; with your Name, Parish or Organization and a best email to receive the meeting link in the message body.

2. Catholic Social Teaching Training Certificate- Unlock the richness of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) and empower your ministry! This Fall, the Office of Social Ministry and the Office of Hispanic Ministry will co-facilitate the CST Certificate Program. Created by the USCCB, this formation and advocacy training is designed for all ministry leaders and volunteers (English and Spanish-speaking) looking to deepen their impact in their community. Participants will gain practical tools to use in ministry and address modern social, political and economic challenges. Join us!

   Wednesdays, Sept 30, Oct 7, Oct 11, Oct 21, and Oct 28 (Fall 2026), 7-9pm, Online via Microsoft TEAMS, 5 Week Course: $100 (scholarships available). For registration information, see the link or contact the Office of Social Ministry: osm@richmonddiocese.org

The Virginia Catholic Conference has created an e-mail advocacy network for parishioners, Catholic-school parents, and others interested in legislative advocacy with a focus on Catholic schools and prolife issues. Please go to http://www.vacatholic.org to sign up.

If you or someone you know are having a diificult time, please be sure to connect with resources available to you here in our RVA community.

• For the current RVA Street Sheet- a quick quide for housing, food and other immediate needs- please click here
• If you are pregnant and looking for assistance to local resources for support- please access healthcare or pregnancy suport centers through moms.gov
• If you live outside the City of Richmond and need resources in adjacent counties (Henrico, Hanover, Chesterfield, etc.)- please see the latest Community Resource Guide.
• If you are experiencing a mental health Crisis- please conatct 804-819-4100 here in Richmond or call 988- available 24 hours and day, 7 days a week.

Please reach out to Jo Ellen Schneider at jschneider@saintbridgetchurch.org if you need help connecting with the right people or would like other assistance.

Saint Bridget Parish is partnered with the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in a twinning relationship with the village of Carissade in Haiti. Donations to provide elementary education and health care are sought in the second collection during the second weekend of every other month.

Little Hands relies on big hearts in the community. Our organization collects new and gently-used items on an ongoing basis through regular donation hours, donation drives, and crowdsourcing. We also purchase needed items to keep our shelves stocked, and have developed strategic partnerships with national organizations and companies including Baby2Baby and McKesson.

When one of our over 60 partners submits a request on behalf of a child, we bundle up the items and deliver directly to the family’s door using our incredible army of over 200 volunteers.

The Salvation Army Central Virginia celebrates 140 years of service in RVA and has been meeting needs across 16 localities since 1885. Their work includes Men and Family Emergency Shelters with meals, showers, and case management, Men and Women Inclement Weather Shelter, food assistance, rent and utility assistance, mentorship programs at the Red Shield Youth Center and ministry outreach at the Corps/Church. Their Corps (church) on Richmond’s Southside, offers free music and art lessons, community dinners, outreach ministries, weekly services and more. The Red Shield Youth Center in the East End provides children and teens (ages 6–18) with educational support, recreation, life skills, spiritual enrichment and swim lessons.

Saint Bridget parishioners serve meals to the shelter on the first Tuesday of each month. This year’s Human Concerns grant helped replace washers and dryers for visitors to the emergency shelter. T o help with meals, please see the following link for information and to sign up for an opportunity. 

Our conference began in 2019, with the desire to grow spiritually and to serve the greater community. Our conference consists of Catholics whose life and service in the Church is inspired by St. Vincent de Paul, who lived to evangelize and serve the poorest of the poor. We are a community of believers from St. Bridget, Holy Rosary and St. Elizabeth parishes who strive to see Christ in the vulnerable and the marginalized. The needy we serve are our brothers and sisters.

Our neighbors who we assist are “our friends.” We meet personally with them, pray with them and establish lasting relationships with our friends and families who value our support, guidance and prayers. SVDP works as a team with full and associate members. Our members return calls from the needy, make home visits in teams, recruit new members, and grow spiritually. Our associates members help with fundraisers and recruitment events, provide occasional data entry assistance, and support the mission as they are able. 

ACTS tackles homelessness before it begins by addressing sudden housing instability that leads to eviction. We work with individuals and families that have faced an unexpected setback that threatens their finances and housing.  ACTS’ Emergency Financial Assistance Program (EFA) provides funds and connections to community resources to individuals and families with children who are at risk of losing their housing due to temporary financial hardship. ACTS receives referrals for assistance from our partnering agencies and congregations in the City of Richmond and the counties of Henrico, Hanover, Chesterfield, Goochland, Powhatan, Charles City, and New Kent.

Bloom by PRC Richmond is a nonprofit pregnancy resource center offering free medical confirmation of pregnancy, limited ultrasounds, options consultations, and ongoing support. We’re here to provide a safe, compassionate space for women navigating an unexpected pregnancy. All services are free and confidential, provided in a respectful environment. Your privacy is a top priority. They provide parenting education, continued support, and access to material assistance like diapers, wipes, baby clothes, and more if you choose to be involved in our Seeds of Success program. They can also connect you with local resources to help you for any of the needs that develop during pregnancy. 

Boaz and Ruth, founded in 2002, has served the Highland Park neighborhood for over 20 years. We remain committed to commercial revitalization and affordable housing. From its beginning, the organization has worked beside residents who are underemployed, unemployed and often carrying the challenge of former incarceration, providing opportunities for stability and growth. Today Boaz and Ruth continue to address the needs of affordable housing for individuals earning at or below 50% of HUD’s Area Median Income- ensuring that the most vulnerable neighbors have a place to call home. Monthly rent for a fully furnished space including utilities, internet and free laundry is $475.00 a month. Boaz and Ruth raises an additional $170 per unit per month to keep the rent affordable. As we approach our 20th anniversary, the full renovation of the Benefield Building and addition of affordable housing will launch Boaz & Ruth into the next chapter here in RVA.

Mary’s Choice RVA provides an expectant mother with no-cost housing for up to four years in order to further her education and/or secure employment. The residents at Mary’s Choice RVA receive counseling, attend in-house parenting and life-skills classes and adhere to the program covenants which offer structure, self-discipline and guidance. Each resident works with a case manager to develop an individualized plan and is blessed with a mentor to provide hands-on support, compassion and guidance. The program provides guidance to our mothers to develop the skills and confidence to lead productive lives and to be nurturing and loving mothers to their children. You can support this organization through our Walking with Moms program here at Saint. Bridget. Look for our monthly meetings and special events for more information.

Millie’s Home provides the expectant mother and her children, housing for up to 18 months where we will assist her with creating a life plan that includes a mentor that will provide structure, support, and encouragement in the process. Our Vision is to create a world where every woman facing pregnancy finds sanctuary, support, and strength to rise above adversity. We strive to ensure that our program participants have the tools and knowledge necessary to work toward their goals and provide for themselves and their children. We will celebrate with them each step on their journey to independence. You can support Millie's Home through our Walking with Moms group here at Saint Bridget. Look for the monthly meeting and special event opportunities in parish communications. 

Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity exists to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope. We believe that affordable housing is the cornerstone of strong, resilient neighborhoods—and that everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home. Their mission is carried out through two primary programs: the Affordable Homeownership Program and the Home Repair Program.  Please consider joining our Saint Bridget Serves work team for opportunities to volunteer as a group with other church members. Events will be posted in all parish communications. You can also see their website for current projects and links to volunteer with an onsite project or at one of their ReStores. 

Preschool is offered free of charge to at-risk children in the Glen Allen and Lakeside areas. Volunteer opportunities include cooking and serving lunch, tutoring K-3 after- school care students, light office duties, serving as a teacher assistant or offering IT support.

Cross Over Ministries seeks to provide quality healthcare, promote wellness, and connect community talents and resources with people in need. This faith based organization ministers to those who are in need of healthcare, but are lacking access to medical insurance.  Contact jgrumblatt@saintbridgetchurch.org to find out how you can become involved! Volunteer needs are listed below:

• Healthcare Providers
• Mental Health Providers
• Opthamologists                  
• Dentists                      
• Nurses
• Pediatricians
•  Women's Health Providers         
• Nursing Support
• Administrative Staff/Special Event Support
• Scribes
• Translators 
• Interpreters 

Housing Families First assists homeless women with chil-dren build their capacity to live productively within the community. Volunteers are needed to lead and sponsor group activities for children; lead life skills sessions for women; cook and serve food in a team the first Fridays of the month (children to age 4 welcome) or provide clerical support on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thurs-days from 10 AM to 2 PM.