Father Joe’s Office Building Doubles as "Hotel" for Visiting Volunteers
Virginia Youth Group Mixing Philanthropy and Fun

   SAN DIEGO — Those employees arriving early at St. Vincent de Paul Village’s corporate office (located at 3350 "E" Street) this week are becoming accustomed to seeing sleepy-eyed teens wandering the halls with towels flung over their shoulders and toothbrushes in hand.

   "I thought maybe we ran out of space at the Village and were taking people in here," says St. Vincent’s employee Anthony Griffin. "I never expected to see our conference room transformed into a campground."

   But Reverend Hentzi Elek of St. Francis Episcopal Church in Great Falls, Va., a chaperone of the group of 10 youths ranging in age from 9 to 16, says the accommodations are exquisite.

   "Last year we traveled to New York City to do our outreach and slept on the floor of a church," he says. "There was no air conditioning and no shower – we bathed on an open-air patio with a hose."

   Their day starts at 6:30 a.m. as the five chaperones rouse the youngsters who are nestled warmly in sleeping bags on the floor of the office’s conference room.

   Out of the office by 8 a.m., the group grabs a quick breakfast before beginning its volunteer work at the St. Vincent’s homeless rehabilitation center at 1501 Imperial Avenue.
"The kids work hard," says Elek. "We serve lunch in both dining rooms, clean floors, clean doors and prepare the food."

   By 3 p.m. the volunteers have washed the last dish and have a snack before getting in some sightseeing.

   "We’ve enjoyed the beaches and downtown and plan to go to the zoo this weekend," says Elek.

   After the free time, the group gathers to remember what it has accomplished for others that day.

   "The outreach gives the kids a chance to learn and grow and blossom into Christian leaders and reflection offers the opportunity for it all to sink in," says Elek.
The group’s nine-day volunteer effort will end Monday when it boards a plane bound for the East Coast, but not before its objectives have been met.

   "It’s all about service, worship, fun and good food," says Elek, "and we’re grateful we have a place to shower."

   For more information on the youth group and its volunteer efforts at St. Vincent’s, please call (619) 525-1608.

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