Number of graduates sign up for the Jesuit volunteer corps
By Annie Cheung
Thirteen Santa Clara alumni have committed to serving in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps for the next year.
Nine of these alumni will be working for one organization, Jesuit Volunteer Corps, which includes most of the easter United States. The other four alumni will be working for the similarly-titled Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest.
The Jesuit Volunteer Corps is a nonprofit organization that challenges volunteers to incorporate the Christian faith in their life and work with the poor and less privileged. Volunteers live and work with other JVC members based on four core values: spirituality, social justice, simple living and community.
JVC volunteers receive a stipend during their year-long commitment for housing, utilities, food and personal expenses.
Mary Georgevich, class of 2009, started her volunteer work for JVC with Homeboy Industries, a Los Angeles gang intervention program, on Aug. 17.
Georgevich is a case manager for the company, which means she helps individuals navigate all of the different programs within Homeboy and also some outside programs.
She said she assists her clients "if they need help applying for food stamps, if they're having issues with their green card and helping them sign up for junior college."
Krista Frankovic, class of 2008, is in her second year of service for JVC. Her work involves planning community service projects for inner-city teenagers at the Jesuit Verbum Dei High School in Los Angeles. Last year, she worked as a part time teacher at a Jesuit high school in Harlem, NY.
"It's a great program," Frankovic said, "but obviously there's ups and downs to living in a central community."
Frankovic participated in a few immersion trips during her time at Santa Clara, but says that prior experience isn't necessary to get involved with JVC.
Georgevich, unlike many of the JVC volunteers, did not do much volunteer work in college. Both graduates agreed that it is worthwhile to look into JVC regardless of college experience.
"This is definitely a very interesting experience, in that I'm living very differently than I ever did growing up," Georgevich said. "You don't go running at night, you're conscious of what you choose to do and where you choose to go."
According to Frankovic, "It's such a wonderful year of growth. You get a chance to directly help people while you're learning more about yourself and your spirituality."
Sophomore Kathleen Carlsen, program coordinator for Santa Clara Community Action Program, was interested when she heard about JVC.
"It seems like a good opportunity for people who are looking to volunteer through the eyes of their faith because the Peace Corps isn't affiliated with any religion," she said.
The JVC welcomed 293 volunteers this past July to work in various cities around the U.S. and in seven other countries around the world.
The JCV Northwest is comprised of volunteers who work throughout Alaska, Montana, Oregon and Washington, in nineteen different locations.
Work in these areas includes advocating for refugees, teaching, assisting in shelters and nursing in clinics.
Contact Annie Cheung at (408) 554-4546 or accheung@scu.edu.