Residential Quaker Volunteer Service Program in Chicago
Posted March 16th, 2009 by emilys
Full Description:
Give One Year … as a Quaker Volunteer
“What canst thou say?” “Was thee faithful?” These traditional queries call Friends to
listen for and be led to serve by the voice of the Spirit. This is the Seed of Quaker activism,
grounded in the testimonies of simplicity, stewardship, peace, integrity, community, equality—as
vital and contemporary today as ever.
For early Friends, Spirit-led service commonly entailed considerable sacrifice. When
called to ministry, they depended on others to support their families and help with their
livelihoods. Faithful sacrifice and support continue to be required of Friends today. This is the
genesis of the Quaker Volunteer Service Committee: to assist Friends seeking to heed their
callings within a contemporary urban setting.
QVSC, organized with support from the 57th Street Meeting of Friends in Chicago and
other Friends Meetings, supports Volunteers in fulltime work for peace, justice and community
within a scaffolding of Friends’ spirituality. Quaker Volunteers serve for at least one year with
community-based organizations or individually tailored arrangements, doing peace and justice
work and community-building. QVS service emphasizes work with the poor, the oppressed and
those most at risk.
Volunteers receive guidance and support from QVSC and a liaison committee
representing participating Quaker meetings. QVSC assists in arranging and supporting
placements consistent with Volunteers’ leadings, as well as connections with other volunteers,
activists and community resources within the greater Chicago area.
Volunteers live in community in Quaker House in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood,
and have extensive opportunities to participate in the activities of 57th Street Meeting (a unity
meeting with membership in both Illinois and Western Yearly Meetings), other Friends meetings
and programs, and in community efforts that supplement their full-time assignment. Beyond
room and board, volunteer support includes health insurance, a small living stipend,
transportation to Chicago at the beginning of the year of service and back home at year’s end,
local transportation costs, as well as orientation to the city and Quaker Volunteer Service.
For further information, please contact QVSC@QuakerVolunteers.org.
Application Instructions:
All applicants must be 21 years of age or older, and generally will have a college
degree or specialized skills that can benefit the community. Applications for QVS
should include:
1. a completed application cover sheet (available at
www.Quakervolunteers.org/QVSApplication.pdf),
2. a typed introduction to the applicant’s life experience and spiritual journey
(approximately 2-3 pages),
3. three letters of reference including a letter of support from the applicant’s
local Meeting, and
4. a detailed statement of the applicant’s experience of the leading to service
(approximately 2-3 pages).
All materials should be submitted to QVSC, c/o 57th Street Meeting of Friends,
5615 S. Woodlawn, Chicago, IL 60637. Open until filled; we currently have
openings for a Fall, 2009 start, but there is some flexibility regarding dates of
service.
For further information, please contact QVSC@quakervolunteers.org.
www.QuakerVolunteers.org
degree or specialized skills that can benefit the community. Applications for QVS
should include:
1. a completed application cover sheet (available at
www.Quakervolunteers.org/QVSApplication.pdf),
2. a typed introduction to the applicant’s life experience and spiritual journey
(approximately 2-3 pages),
3. three letters of reference including a letter of support from the applicant’s
local Meeting, and
4. a detailed statement of the applicant’s experience of the leading to service
(approximately 2-3 pages).
All materials should be submitted to QVSC, c/o 57th Street Meeting of Friends,
5615 S. Woodlawn, Chicago, IL 60637. Open until filled; we currently have
openings for a Fall, 2009 start, but there is some flexibility regarding dates of
service.
For further information, please contact QVSC@quakervolunteers.org.
www.QuakerVolunteers.org
Post new comment