Adult Volunteer Opportunities

Adult Volunteer Opportunities

Adult Volunteers play a vital role in helping Catholic Health team members carrying out the mission of “Providing the healing love of Jesus to those in need.” Volunteers provide support to associates and service to patients, residents, and their families. In return we offer a number of benefits to volunteers in appreciation of their service.

For Volunteer Application Form Click Here

What do Volunteers Do?

NICU Baby Cuddlers

The NICU Cuddler Program supports the development and growth of premature babies by providing advanced volunteer “cuddlers”. The volunteers are hospital-trained to interact with premature babies during times when their parents can’t be with them at the hospital.

Our cuddlers go through extensive training beyond what is required of a typical volunteer at the hospital. You must be a hospital volunteer in good standing for a minimum of six months prior to being considered for the cuddler training program.

Available at Sisters of Charity Hospital and Mercy Hospital of Buffalo only.

Volunteer Express

Volunteers are dispatched from the express center to participate in a variety of helpful activities throughout the hospital ministries and departments. The Volunteer Express is open between the hours of 8am and 4pm Mon-Fri. Volunteers typically commit to 3-4 hours once per week.

Hospital Lobby Ambassador

Volunteers in this service area are often the first and last impression of our ministries and play a critical role in creating warm welcomes and fond farewells in addition to directing visitors and families to their proper locations in the hospitals. They also provide a physical escort to help reduce the anxiety of visitors trying to navigate the busy hallways of the hospitals. Information is open 7 days a week and volunteers typically commit to 4 hours once per week.

Gift Shop

The Gift Shops at all of our locations are vital to hospital fundraising. Gift shop volunteers are required to be members of our various community auxiliaries. 

Patient Experience Companions

This late afternoon/ evening volunteer visits assigned in-patient units and provides patients with comfort and relaxation activities such as evening turn-down service, noise reduction devices, soft music, companionship and conversation. It is a very rewarding experience!

Emergency Room Ambassador

If you enjoy a dynamic and fast paced experience, then becoming an ambassador in one of our many emergency rooms is the volunteer opportunity for you! One day is never like the next in an ER. Volunteers assist both patients and associates with non-clinical activities that keep everyone on-track, updated, comfortable, and not feeling like they are lost in the shuffle!

Eucharistic Ministers

We are always looking to add to our wonderful crew of certified Eucharistic Ministers. These dedicated folks are scheduled as needed by our wonderful spiritual care team and receive special training for providing Catholic Communion throughout our hospitals and adult residences.

Mail Delivery

Mail delivery volunteers assist with delivering mail within a hospital.

Benefits of Volunteering

Besides the feeling of personal satisfaction of knowing you are making a positive difference in the lives of others their most vulnerable time, volunteering at Catholic Health offers other tangible and free benefits too!

  • A delicious and nutritious meal with each day of service
  • A modern and stylish embroidered logo shirt that you will be proud to wear anywhere
  • Recognition during National Health Care Volunteer Week
  • Christmas luncheon and summer picnic
  • Discounts for local vendors including entertainment venues
  • Invitations to a variety of associate and foundation sponsored social events
  • Service hour verification (as needed)
  • Opportunity to build new or utilize current skills and education
  • Friendship and comradery
  • Catholic Health Volunteer Services partners with the Retired Senior Volunteer Programs (RSVP) that offer additional benefits in exchange for your service. We are happy to review those with you at your orientation!

Need More Information?

Please Contact Volunteer Services at (716) 862-1106.