Live-in Volunteer Opportunity: Wallyhouse, Honolulu, Hawai’i
We are looking for one or two people to join Wallyhouse, a Catholic Worker
community that welcomes volunteers dedicated to the spiritual and corporal works of
mercy. Wallyhouse is the only CW house of hospitality in Hawaii. It is located in the
former rectory of St Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church, surrounded by public housing and a
number of homeless folks living in tents.
Submitted by Wally Inglis of Wallyhouse Catholic Worker
We are looking for one or two people to join Wallyhouse, a Catholic Worker
community that welcomes volunteers dedicated to the spiritual and corporal works of
mercy. Wallyhouse is the only CW house of hospitality in Hawaii. It is located in the
former rectory of St Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church, surrounded by public housing and a
number of homeless folks living in tents. Our multi-ethnic neighborhood has been an
immigrants’ gateway for over a hundred years.
First, we seek an individual or couple to serve as full-time house manager(s) to
oversee a variety of daily activities. Ideally, this will be a long-term commitment. Our
current resident couple will be leaving on December 15. We also accept short-term
volunteers for a minimum of two to three months. Our spacious house has two good-
sized bedrooms, small meditation chapel, and a backyard peace garden.
Our main activity is distributing non-perishable food bags six mornings
a week to dozens of homeless and low-income neighbors. A number of volunteers pack
the bags in the church food pantry and help distribute them at our front gate. We serve
a hot lunch on Tuesday and Thursday to a hundred or more people. Breakfast is served
on Saturday at the parish hall. Our house is closed each afternoon and all day Sunday.
In addition, we charge electronic devices and offer hygiene and first-aid products.
We distribute used clothing and provide a mailing address for people living on the
street. We try to help as other needs arise. Committed to the Catholic Worker mission
of peace and justice, we participate in a monthly vigil at the state capitol to support
nuclear disarmament and oppose local and global militarism.
Since the onset of Covid, we have temporarily discontinued hot showers, laundry
service, and large indoor gatherings. There is monthly outdoor potluck for volunteers.
Resident volunteers receive a small stipend, along with room and board.
If this appeals to you, please contact Wally Inglis at wallyinglis@yahoo.com or
phone him at (808) 734-2313
