To become a Rostro de Cristo Volunteer, young people can begin by reviewing the information about our program on our website and request an application to be submitted to the Associate Director. Rostro de Cristo approaches this process with intentionality and mutual discernment- there are many ways to serve, and this process helps us to determine if the program is a good match for the applicant. The application season opens in December and the priority deadline is February 15th. To request an application, please review the steps below and send an email with a short introduction to apply@rostrodecristo.org.

The following is the general profile of an RdC volunteer highlighting the qualities that we look for in our applicants: 

Spiritual Life

We look for evidence of an active faith and prayer life in the applicant; that the decision to volunteer flows from a sense of God’s calling; a sense from one’s personal history that this choice is “logical” in a spiritual sense – that it reflects a demonstrated commitment to your faith journey, community, service, and an open and positive engagement with the world we live in.

Personal Development

We seek applicants who have: a healthy sense of self; an ability to live comfortably with others; a sense of humor; an ability to deal with ambiguity; openness to the unplanned and unknown; a healthy sense of the role of authority and belonging to an organization; a respect for individuality; and an appropriate integration of self-reliance and independence with a desire for mutuality and accountability with others.

Spanish Language and Intercultural Competency

Competence in Spanish is important as RdC does not provide language training. Competency can come from experiences of intensive study and/or immersion in Spanish and is demonstrated when an applicant is able to carry on a basic conversation in Spanish. An applicant should show evidence of the ability, interest and commitment to continue to grow in competency in Spanish. Furthermore, applicants should demonstrate a respect for other cultures and ways of being in our diverse world; and openness to learning from people of another culture other than their own.

Physical and Mental Health

Applicants should be: in good physical and mental health; free from illnesses which would cause difficulty in extreme heat, dirt, dust, noise and humidity; without severe dietary limitations; approved by a doctor or physician’s assistant as to general health and fitness of the applicant.

Applying to Rostro de Cristo:

1. Review the website and volunteer program information. Reach out to Ana, Associate Director, with any questions at ana@rostrodecristro.org.

2. Email apply@rostrodecristo.org with a short introduction to request an application. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled. The priority deadline is February 15th for priority admission.

3. Participate in the interview discernment process with Rostro.

4. Invitations to serve with Rostro are sent out by mid-April.