In the past two months, I - like all recent college graduates - have been asked innumerable times, in one form or another, "so, what's next?"
I feel fortunate to have an answer (at least for the short term), but I have found my answer can be somewhat confusing for those not familiar with the landscape of voluntary service programs. So, here is a picture of what I will be up to next.
On August 4th (so soon!), I'll board the greyhound and head south to Oregon to begin a year of service with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest (JVC NW). Every JVC NW volunteer (JV) is placed in a community with other JVs and assigned to a full-time position at a local social service agency. A year with JVC NW is intended to be a holistic experience grounded in the values of spirituality, community, simple living, and social & ecological justice. These values are to be lived out in volunteer work as well as in play, rest, and the ordinary stuff of day-to-day life.
I will be living in Gresham, OR in a house (actually, a former convent) with five other JVs (Maria, Majo, Cecelia, Erica and Ember). We will share our experiences together, learn from each other, share a household budget and responsibilities, and meet weekly for community and spirituality gatherings. We also commit to living simply which will look differently for each community and individual but will include bringing a limited amount of possessions, not bringing a car, and foregoing internet at the house.
I will be working at the not-for-profit JOIN as the "Immersion Coordinator." I will be responsible for organizing and facilitating an experiential learning program for student groups. The immersion experience varies in length and provides the opportunity to engage with people living on the streets and learn about poverty and social injustice. In addition to leading this program, I will also help to run and serve at "the House" which is a day center offering basic services (e.g. a place to be, showers, an address, etc.) every weekday. I hope that this aspect of my work will allow me to build relationships with, support and learn from guests.
I hope this year will be one of challenge, learning, and formation. I resonate with the four values of JVC NW and hope to embody them in my life with the ultimate desire of living a life totally consecrated to loving God and loving people.
No promises on how often, but I hope to use this blog as a space to explore these values (as well as fifth I'm focusing on, but that's for a different post) and share my experiences in what is sure to be an adventurous year ahead!
While JVC NW is covering my expenses for the year, I would love your support especially in the form of prayer. At the moment I am excited but also fairly nervous and not feeling entirely ready for this whole thing. I'd appreciate prayers for peace, transitioning to a new place, building relationships with new people, the courage to be vulnerable, growth, wisdom, finding a new church home, and faith.
If you happen to be in the Gresham area in the next year, let me know, I'd love to visit with you!
love,
Scott
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*The content of this blog is solely that of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of JVC NW*
