Links to Chaplaincy Opportunities
(in alphabetical order)
These are listings of ministry opportunities. If you’re interested in becoming a chaplain, these are good places to start asking questions. If you’re already a chaplain, we would suggest that you discuss this additional volunteer opportunity with your own department prior to applying for the additional chaplaincy work listed below.
· The Alhambra Police Department
The Department is seeking individuals with professional training in chaplaincy to volunteer as police chaplains. The Alhambra Police Department Chaplain Corps is comprised of dedicated multi-faith individuals who work closely with the police department to provide spiritual and emotional support, counseling, offer services and resources, and give comfort to members of the police department and community.
Individuals inspired to meet challenges and respond to the needs of others are encouraged to apply for Volunteer Police Chaplain by contacting Lieutenant Edith Lopez at (626) 570-5121 or email at elopez@alhambrapd.org
· Chino Valley Independent Fire District
Currently recruiting to fill a vacant volunteer chaplain position. A brief job description follows:
- one of four volunteer chaplains
- uniforms provided
- expected to ride out at least 4 hours per month
- available one week per month for emergency call out
- must be ordained
- response time and availability are high priorities in considering applicants
Please email Chaplain Rob De Partee at rdepartee@chofire.org.
· Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Currently recruiting to fill volunteer chaplain positions. A brief job description follows:
- Minimum eight (8)-hour-per-month commitment for ride-a-longs and attendance at briefings and other unit activities, special events, and ceremonies, with preparation of monthly activity logs, reading of on-line monthly continuing education articles, and attendance at quarterly Chaplain training meetings
- Ecclesiastically certified persons in good standing (i.e., licensed, ordained, etc.), endorsed for the law enforcement Chaplaincy by a recognized religious body
- At least five (5) years experience in the ministry (previous law enforcement experience may substitute for some portion of ministry experience)
- Required to function within an ecumenical, interdenominational framework when providing chaplain services
- Finger print clearance, background investigation, and selection interview
Contact Steve Sultan, Ph.D., Acting Director, Employee Support Services Bureau, LASD at 213.738.3500, or sesultan@lasd.org.
· O’Connor Mortuary (South Orange County)
Chaplains in the South Orange County area are needed from time to time to officiate at memorial services. Please email Patricia A. Kolstad, Director of Community Relations at patricia@oconnormortuary.com.
· Orange County Sheriff’s Department
Currently recruiting to fill volunteer chaplain positions. A brief job description follows:
- Complete OCSD Chaplain Training Academy
- Ride along at least 16 hours per month, and be available for emergency call out
- Uniforms provided
- Must be ordained, licensed, or commissioned and then pass extensive law enforcement background check
- Bilingual ministers highly desired
Call Chief Chaplain Sandy Otsuji(949) 300-2588.
· Pacific Youth Correctional Ministries
Helps bring hope to thousands of incarcerated youth by providing Chaplains to youth correctional facilities. If you feel that the Lord is calling you to serve as a Correctional Chaplain, Para-Chaplain or Institutional Volunteer, Pacific Youth Correctional Ministries would like to assist you in your training and placement.
· Police Outreach
Ministers to the police in Sudan (near Egypt), develops police chaplain programs, and trains officers in subjects such as officer safety, ethics, police management, community policing, and child protection. To begin to get a feel for the impact of the ministry, please watch a five-minute video: click here.
· State Military Reserve Chaplain
With almost all of the Chaplains for the California National Guard on deployment, there are shortages here at home. Volunteer one day a month to provide services to soldiers stationed locally.
Links to Other Chaplain Resources
(in alphabetical order)
· The Charlie Sears Foundation
“Inspired by retired Los Angeles Police Detective Charlie Sears’ strength and courage, it is our organization’s mission to provide financial assistance, physician referral and advocacy services to those law enforcement officers and firefighters diagnosed with brain cancer.” (from their website)
· C.O.P.S.
“Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. provides resources to assist in the rebuilding of the lives of surviving families and affected co-workers of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty as determined by Federal criteria. Furthermore, C.O.P.S. provides training to law enforcement agencies on survivor victimization issues and educates the public of the need to support the law enforcement profession and its survivors.” (from their website)
· National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
“Provides peer counseling, training, and technical assistance for the families and coworkers of firefighters who were killed in the line of duty. Some of their specific activities include developing and disseminating publications and reference materials for survivors and senior fire department managers and creating a public awareness strategy to promote the fire service and its critical role in public safety.”
· Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Program
Federal, state, and local law enforcement officers; firefighters; public rescue squads; ambulance crews; and chaplains of these departments may be eligible to receive death benefits under the Hometown Heroes Survivors’ Benefits Act following a death while on duty, under certain conditions. See the website linked above for specifics.
· Ten-Four Ministries
Gives practical and spiritual support to the law enforcement community.
· The Unforgettables Foundation (TUF)
Fulfills the mission of providing families who have little or no financial resources modest financial assistance to help assure dignified final arrangements for their child.
· Working Wardrobes
Working Wardrobes empowers men, women, young adults and veterans overcoming difficult challenges to confidently enter the workforce and achieve self-sufficiency. We provide career training, job placement assistance and wardrobe services in an environment of dignity and respect.
· Literature suggestions:
- The Work of the Chaplain co-authored by Naomi K. Paget and Janet R. McCormack. This book uncovers the historical and biblical foundation for chaplaincy, and then explores the universal issues that chaplains face of accountability, privacy, personal ethics, spiritual assessment and self-care. It will hit home with you and enhance your role as a Chaplain.
- The “Grief Resources” tab lists a library that contains a myriad of articles ranging from helping yourself through grief to helping caregivers, a list of support groups, an annotated list of books and other literature, online resources, downloadable grief brochures that are pamphlets providing educational information about handling different types of grief (baby, child, senior, holidays, etc.).