me and the JVC

The Jesuit Volunteer Corps if based on four pillars or core values; community, spirituality, social justice, and simplicity. To explain my experience over the last month, I'll use these core values.



COMMUNITY:

I live with 6 other volunteers.

-Sarah: from Vermont, graduated to Fordham U, Majored in Sociology, wayyy feminist, works at 15 Place (a center that serves hot lunch everyday and provides services to the homeless population

-Kate: from Canton, Ohio, graduated from Walsh University with a degree in Theology, probably knows more about the catholic church than most of the priests I know, oldest of 10 children, wayyy boy crazy, works at 15 Place

-Michael: From Laguna Nigel, CA. graduated from UC Davis, majored in biology, the one boy in our house is currently completely consumed in his med school applications, works for Health Care for the Homeless

-Grace: From Portland, OR. graduated from University of Puget Sound with a degree in psychology, has a really cool last name and is legit french (LeChavallier), works for L'Arch (a center and living communities for disabled adults)

-Liz: From Lowell, Massachusetts, graduated from Immanuel college with a degree in elementary education, absolutely is loving her job right now and is working at L'Arch

-Ashley: from Latrobe (just outside of p-burgh), PA, graduated from Dayton University with a degree in music, she's a real mama bear who loves to clean and organize, works for LegalAid/Volunteer Lawyers Program



community is fun. community is hard. It's difficult to come home everyday from very exhausting jobs and have to share our emotions and feelings. once a week we have to have a community night, in which we do something that brings us together.



SPIRITUALITY

who knew joining a religious organization could make you question your religion so much? Countless hours of discussion about religious practice to theological idealism can drive a girl to question her catholic identity. It is also extremely difficult to see the poor and marginalized in your face everyday and still believe in a God that provides.

Prayer and meditation have become an important part of my lifestyle. Quiet reflection allows for me to comprehend and take in all of the things I see and experience from day to day. Our community, beyond our organic discussions on spirituality and religion, plan a spirituality night once a week. Spirituality night is lead by one person and there is usually some sort of activity/discussion that allows us to further discover our theological/religious/spiritual understandings.



SOCIAL JUSTICE

I see the poor everyday. I see black poor. I see white poor. I see generational poverty. I see circumstantial poverty. It is easy to talk about the declining economy in a classroom among white upper-middle class students, but it is extremely difficult to see the declining economy through the people it truly effects. I have clients who have been professional roofers, siders, and painters who have all lost their jobs or had extreme cuts in pay or hours because of the way the housing market is doing.

Sometimes I feel that my job is putting a band-aid on a bullet hole, because we don't really change the system that creates the horrific poverty, rather, we assist with the funds we have to keep the people of Mobile County afloat. Because my job deals with charity rather than systematic change, I have had to find other outlets to work towards social justice. As a community we've been to see speakers on immigration, participated in fundraising, and even been to see documentaries about social justice within Alabama.

SIMPLICITY

simplicity seems to feel like a lot of living without. living without brand names, living without air conditioning, living without starbucks, or manicures, or buying new shoes. We've given up a lot, but it's really so we can live with. Live with strong friendships and the value of relationships over material possessions. I will not lie and say that living simply has been easy, but it has given me so many things. I'm reading more, being more creative about how I spend my time, and growing closer to my community members.