Mercy Volunteers Serve in: |
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Education: Teaching (Elementary, secondary, special education, vocational technology), Tutoring (literacy, ESL, GED, U.S. citizenship, life skills)
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Health Care: Nurses, doctors, OT, PT, speech therapist, home health aides, community health educators |
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Social Services: homeless and abuse shelters, soup kitchens, transitional housing, elderly outreach, HIV/AIDS hospice, counselors, case managers, legal and community advocacy, assisting those with developmental disabilities, youth program coordinators, grant writers/fundraisers, public relations, volunteer coordination
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Mercy Volunteers Must Be: |
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21 Years or Older |
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Committed to serving for one to two years |
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Single or Married with no dependents |
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High School Graduates (Some ministries require a college degree) |
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Able to begin in July (International applicants) or in August (U.S. applicants) |
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Motivated by the Gospel Invitation to Serve |
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Comfortable with the Catholic Church |
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In Good Health |
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Flexible and Adaptable |
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Gifted with a Sense of Humor |
Please note that some sites require fluency in Spanish. |
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Mercy Volunteers Receive: |
• Housing
• Food and personal living stipends
• Medical insurance
• School loan deferment
• AmeriCorps Education Award (U.S. sites only)
• Transportation to and from the site of service
• Orientation and retreat opportunities
• Professional and personal growth
• The opportunity to live simply within a prayerful community
• Inspiration which lasts a lifetime |
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Service, Simplicity, Spirituality, Community |
To commit to a year of Mercy Volunteer Corps is to dedicate oneself to compassionate service, a simple lifestyle in community, and spiritual growth. While each of these aspects is equally vital, for many the heart of MVC is the service. From teaching to social work, health care to parish work, volunteers of all ages and backgrounds can find a way to honor God through day-to-day ministry with others. Caring for those living with HIV/AIDS, teaching music to children, reaching out to men and women living on the streets, providing life-skills instruction for those in recovery from addiction, developing after-school programs...whatever their talents and abilities may be, Mercy volunteers have the opportunity to share their lives with those around them.
One of the powerful realities of the Mercy Volunteer Corps experience is the recognition that all three aspects of the year are so intertwined. In truth, the service cannot be separated from the community and the spirituality. Therefore, Mercy volunteers have the unique opportunity to broaden their perspectives and gain new insights into the ways in which God moves through everyday life experiences. Volunteers see God in those with whom they work, they develop a richer understanding of ministry and service through the challenges of living and working within faith-filled communities, and they learn to value their community members in a more profound way through the sharing of prayer and spirituality. The year provides Mercy volunteers with not only the experience of working in a particular ministry, but also with the opportunity to develop deeply meaningful relationships with God, each other, and those with whom they work. In addition, many come away with a new direction for their lives-both in terms of living out their faith, as well as their vocational calling. In the spirit of Catherine and her Sisters, Mercy volunteers truly strive to center themselves in God as they work together to serve the poor and marginalized of our world. |
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