Jesuit Volunteer Corps

The Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) is a national and international program based in Baltimore and operated by five local program offices. Thus local JVC staff can continue to understand community needs, retain regional ties and provide the strong personal and programmatic support to the volunteers that is the hallmark of JVC. Jesuit Volunteers make a commitment to serve where the need is greatest, to work with people who are marginalized by society and to live in apostolic community with other JVs. In all, about 300 JVs each year work in the United States and
in six countries around the world.

Hundreds of grassroots organizations across the country count on JVs to provide essential services to low-income people and those who live on the margins of our society. JVs work for and with people who are homeless, unemployed, refugees, people with AIDS, the elderly, street youth, abused women and children, the mentally ill and the developmentally disabled. Since the first Jesuit Volunteers traveled to Copper Valley, AK in 1956, JVC has become the largest Catholic lay volunteer program in the country.
JVC is more than just a job. Based in four core values, social justice,simple living, communityand spirituality, JVC provides the cornerstone for living out a commitment to faith and justice.

Men, women and children in the United States are in need of adequate housing, quality education, good jobs, and affordable health insurance. People around the world need assistance to meet their basic needs of food, housing and education.   Each year, the Jesuit Volunteer Corps helps to support the service agencies and schools that help people meet those needs by providing Jesuit Volunteers. Right now, JVC is also in need.  JVC is looking for talented and dedicated people who have a desire to answer the call to apostolic service and community as Jesuit Volunteers. You can share your gifts and skills with the agencies who serve men, women and children in need as a Jesuit Volunteer.

Jesuit Volunteers make a year long commitment domestically and a two-year commitment internationally to live out the four values.  Communities of Jesuit Volunteers are found in large metropolitan areas and smaller cities across the US and in urban settings and smaller rural communities internationally. JVs work in a variety of placements, as teachers and community organizers, in health and legal fields, with the elderly and people who are physically and mentally challenged. JVs placed internationally work primarily in education, health care, social services and pastoral ministry. In the United States, Jesuit Volunteers have close ties with local JVC staff and support people who work collaboratively to provide volunteers with a comprehensive formation program. The presence of local staff allows JVC to better understand community needs, maintain local connections and provide the strong personal and programmatic support to the volunteers.   Volunteers also benefit by attending retreats and interacting with the larger communities of JVs. Internationally, JVC staff maintains regular communication with JV communities, site supervisors, and in-country coordinators throughout the year.  Staff members also visit JV placement sites and facilitate annual retreats with the JV communities.  JVs placed intenationally are also supported by the local Jesuit, or Catholic communities and in-country coordinators.www.jesuitvolunteers.org