Catholic Network of Volunteer Service's Notes

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Congratulations to Brian Sheehan who served as an AmeriCorps volunteer with the Colorado Vincentian Volunteers (CVV)! Brian is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, and completed his service with CVV in June. I had the opportunity to chat with Brian about his service and his future goals. “[During my service], I encountered myself in a way that I didn’t anticipate,” Brian stated. With this in mind, we would like share Brian’s own story of service with you below.

Sherpa
By Brian Sheehan

He asked me what I was looking for.
‘Frankly,’ I said, ‘I’m looking for the Pearl of Great Price.’
He slipped his hand into his pocket, drew it out, AND GAVE IT TO ME. It was just like that! I was dumbfounded. Then I began to protest: ‘You don’t want to give it to me? Don’t you want to keep it for yourself? But…’
Well, now I have it. I don’t tell anyone. From some there would just be disbelief and ridicule. ‘You have the Pearl of Great Price? Hah!’ Others would be jealous, or someone might steal it. Yes, I do have it. But there’s that question – ‘Is it better to have it, or to give it away?’
How long will that question rob me of my joy?

-The Pearl of Great Price by Theophane the Monk

I might as well have been a Sherpa carrying so much baggage. As our volunteer group arrived for a spring retreat at St. Benedict’s Monastery, tucked cozily beneath Mount Sporis looming 13,000 feet above, it wasn’t Samsonite I carried either. No, that kind of luggage strains joints and muscles. Memories, aspirations, longings, and a story to tell: Tightly encased in a heart, these items strain seams of a more intricate, delicate tissue. I needed to share the burden; I needed understanding not to burst.

The monks, as we learned, have a tradition where, gathered at table during meal times, each community member elects to eat in silence while a designated person reads aloud to their attentive ears. It’d hardly be fair to call my ears attentive as we honored this tradition during our evening meal in the retreat house. As it stands, my generally stomach governed mind seems to recall attaining the perfect ratio of butter to French bread more vividly than many of the passages we took turns reading.
Eventually it was my turn to read, and from my immediate right came a demure soft cover book pushed gently over the highly varnished, thick wooden table by the hand of a fellow volunteer. “The Pearl of Great Price” read the title of a passage I was to narrate. So I began reading, and after adjusting to the odd sensation of hearing someone else’s sentences projected from my vocal chords, I paused. I think I started to listen.

Later in the month, I longed to be immersed in the crisp air of St. Benedict’s. There, the star studded sky painted softly with a stroke of Milky Way galaxy was fresh, and the moon brought snow blanketed shrubs to a pleasant glow. Back at the shelter, scenery is slightly suffocating. Sometimes you can see the dumpster across the alley from the greeter’s post inside, but no further. The shelter’s a sacred place, just not handsome.

So at the greeter’s post I sat, executing tasks familiar enough to be reflexes. Answering phones, verifying IDs, telling folks where the bathrooms are; it was all part and parcel of a day in the line of volunteer duty. A colleague asked a man to leave the premises for his disruptive behavior that day, and even the ensuing non-violent confrontation between them was somewhat routine procedure. Before leaving, the man passed the greeter’s post en route to the exit, and standing to my immediate right with his few belongings, he turned, made eye contact, and began to speak.

“No, it no matter. Pero Dios, Dios know my story.”

I paused. Something in his uncommon mixture of Spanish and broken English roused my attention from its waking slumber, and for an instant his features grew lucid. In his round Latino face glowed a pair of eyes glazed with fatigue, laden by some unknown weight. Though he said nothing more, I listened for a moment, and in a curious way, the silence between us spoke of something uplifting: ‘You are not alone.’

…Then he left.

I never actually uncovered the story this man referenced, but does that matter now? As for my own luggage, it’s still there. I hope to shed it completely some day, yet in the mean time it doesn’t seem quite as heavy. Maybe the sinews holding the luggage have been strengthened, or maybe some unneeded bags simply fell off the pile. Whatever the case, something happened in that moment of shared silence, but should I be most grateful that the burden is more bearable or that I heard Him? Things might be different if I forgot how to listen.
CNVS Awards the 21st Annual Fr. George Mader Award to Urban Ministries of Durham

Each year CNVS honors individuals or organizations that have made great strides to foster faith-based volunteer service. The 2009 award was given to Urban Ministries of Durham (UMD) during the CNVS National Conference.

With leadership from the faith community, UMD was founded in 1983 with a mission “to provide food, clothing, shelter and supportive services to our neighbors in need”. By striving to offer a welcoming, caring, and compassionate environment, this organization aims to affirm the dignity of guests, volunteers, and staff. As the primary point of entry to prevention, re-housing and emergency services for a large percentage of the homeless and poverty-stricken population in the community, UMD plays a critical role in the community’s homeless continuum of care network.

From July 1, 2008-June 30, 2009, UMD provided assistance to over 7,600 people and on an average night, 140-150 people receive emergency housing, including nine rooms designated for homeless families. The Community Café serves three meals daily. Service numbers in the Food Pantry and Clothing Closet are up 39% from the previous year and a staggering 113% from five years ago. UMD staff members, supported by partner agencies, interns from local colleges and volunteers are an integral part of the journey.

Through UMD and partner organizations, visitors can receive medical care and enter addiction recovery programs. Domestic violence victims receive safety and assistance. Information on job searches, housing, financial assistance, and education programs are available. Bread for the Journey, a non-sectarian program offering spiritual support is offered to help people endure the hardships of homelessness, as well as to help them find the inner resources to leave homelessness.

Dedicated volunteers and generous donations of food and supplies help UMD meet the increased demand for services. In 2008-2009, over 4,100 volunteers offered their time, talents and treasures in ministry at UMD. The majority were from diverse groups of faith communities. At UMD, those who come to offer support rarely leave without receiving inspiration, encouragement or some other blessing in return.

CNVS commends Urban Ministries of Durham for their exemplary service to their community.
CNVS Honors Urban Ministries of Durham for their commitment to faith-based volunteer service at the 2009 CNVS National Conference.
CNVS/AEAP is pleased to announce the first ever CNVS AmeriCorps photo contest!

We want to capture AmeriCorps members in service and give a voice to the great work our members are doing across the country. We are asking programs to submit photos of their members in ACTION, as well as a brief service story to capture the moment. Select entries will be featured in our monthly newsletter ‘How Can I Help?’ and on the CNVS website. The top three winners will also be featured in the ‘New Service’ blog at Idealist.org (found here: http://thenewservice.wordpress.com/ - now featuring a piece on CNVS/AEAP member program ICTC Volunteer Teaching Corps). Second and Third place will receive a gift from the AEAP staff to be presented to the Program Director at the AEAP Annual Training meeting.

The grand prize winner will have the Opportunity to shine in service on the BWBRS website for all of our members and programs to see and WIN A GIFT CARD!

Please email kwolford@cnvs.org to request an application and photo release form! Entry deadline October 16th DO YOU WANNA BE ON TOP!
We are excited to announce that on April 21, 2009 President Obama signed the Serve America Act into law. This legislation dramatically increases support for full-time service programs, specifically increasing the number of AmeriCorps positions from 75,000 to 250,000 by the year 2017. During the signing ceremony Obama called more U.S. citizens to respond to the great need for volunteer service saying,

"“We need your service, right now, at this moment in history. I’m not going to tell you what your role should be; that’s for you to discover. But I am asking you to stand up and play your part. I am asking you to help change history’s course, put your shoulder up against the wheel. And if you do, I promise you your life will be richer, our country will be stronger, and someday, years from now, you may remember it as the moment when your own story and the American story converged, when they came together, and we met the challenges of our new century.”

You can read more about the historic event here:

"National Service Act Continues U.S. Tradition" by Scott Neuman, NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103336035&ft=1&f=1001

"Obama Signs Volunteer Bill with Nod to Kennedy" by Peter Baker, The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/22/us/politics/22service.html

"Obama Signs Bill Expanding National Service Programs" by Rebecca Cole, Los Angeles Times: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-service22-2009apr22,0,5559222.story

"President Signs $5.7 Billion Measure to Boost Volunteerism" by Susan Milligan, The Boston Globe: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/04/22/president_signs_57_billion_measure_to_boost_volunteerism/

"New Legislation Triples Service Program" by Nia-Malika Henderson, Politico: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0409/21527.html



Catholic Network of Volunteer Service (CNVS) is seeking former volunteers who will be attending graduate school in the fall of 2009 to participate in our campaign of campus specific volunteer recruitment. In this position, Campus Recruitment Associates enhance their professional skills in networking, marketing strategies, and communication, while executing a high-publicity campaign to give CNVS a strong and visible presence on their campus. Associates will work closely with campus ministry, career services, and community service departments to plan and promote activities on campus centered on long-term service options. In addition, coordinators will maximize available technology by utilizing web resources including campus-based sites and listservs.

It is expected that CRAs will dedicate 10-15 hours to this work each month. They will be awarded a stipend of $750 for the year and will be provided with funds to carry out their campus-based activities. Furthermore, CNVS will provide a three-day training in Washington D.C. in late July, and enable Associates to participate in the CNVS National Conference November 12-15 in Durham, North Carolina.

Qualifications – must be a former volunteer from one of CNVS’ nearly 200 member programs and pursuing a graduate degree at a college or university in the United States. Candidates must be out-going and self-motivated and dedicated to promoting the culture of service amongst students and faculty on their campus.

To request more information or an application, please contact Katie Mulembe at kmulembe@cnvs.org or 301-270-0900 ext. 14

Deadline for application submissions is May 29, 2009.
Senators Edward M. Kennedy and Orrin Hatch - with support from 19 other Senators, both Republican and Democratic - have been working hard to pass the Serve America Act to bring about a new era of citizen service in our nation (they will hold hearings this week). The House, led by Rep. George Miller, is also working on bold service legislation, and has already held hearings. And on February 24th, in his first address to Congress, President Obama (who was a co-sponsor of the Serve America Act when he was in the Senate), called for the Serve America Act’s passage.

We’re closer than ever to reaching a major goal that would strengthen communities across America – and you can help make it happen. New service legislation will be debated and voted on within weeks, and it’s time for us all to stand up, take action, and let our leaders know that America is ready to unite in service and solve problems, and that this new legislation MUST pass.

Here’s what you can do. Just as members of Congress can “co-sponsor” a bill to say they’re strongly behind it, we’d like you to step up as a “citizen co-sponsor” and be a part of the movement that will get this law passed.

Are you ready to help usher in a new era of service that will build a better future for America? Become a citizen co-sponsor of the Serve America Act:

http://www.servicenation.org/take_action/cosponsor

Thank you for lending your voice to this great cause!!

Change is in the air - and we know that volunteer service is one of the best ways to bring about social and economic change. I thought many of you might be interested in this press release from the Corporation for National Service


Washington D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives added its voice to the growing call for Americans to serve on the King Holiday by passing a resolution promoting the holiday as a day of national service.

The bipartisan resolution, which passed the House unanimously last night, was introduced by Rep. Todd Platts (R-PA) along with Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Rep. David Price (R-NC).

The House action takes place as thousands of nonprofit, community, and education groups are gearing up for what is expected to be the largest King Day of Service in history, fueled by a growing desire for Americans to give back and a strong call to service by President-elect Obama.

The President-elect has made service a centerpiece of his Inauguration, and the Presidential Inaugural Committee last week unveiled a new website http://www.usaservice.org where Americans can post or find volunteer opportunities on the King Day weekend.

As of this morning, more than 8,600 projects had been listed on the website, and the number is growing by the hour. Last year, there were 5,000 projects involving more than 500,000 volunteers.

The House resolution noted the key role played by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that engages four million Americans in service each year through AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Learn and Serve America.

In 1994, Congress charged the Corporation with leading the national day of service on the King Holiday, and the agency is hoping to translate the enthusiasm around this year’s King Day into long-lasting commitments to service throughout the year. The Corporation is working closely with the Presidential Inaugural Committee on the website and the larger call to service.

“I urge my fellow Members of Congress and constituents to take time out of their daily lives and give back to their communities,” said Rep. Platts, Co-Chair of the House National Service Caucus. “I can not think of a more appropriate way to honor the heroic life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King than by serving my community and encouraging others to do so as well.”

“As we embark on a new era of optimism and hope for a better tomorrow, we should start our journey by not only observing change, but by honoring the legacy of Dr. King and actively creating it,” said Rep. Matsui, who serves as Co-Chair of the National Service caucus. “This year’s national day of service promises to be larger than ever before. And I look forward to a new era of service in our country"

For full press release and complete text of the resolution, please visit http://www.mlkday.gov/about/newsroom/releases_detail.asp?tbl_pr_id=1191
There are some very exciting events coming up that we want to let you know about. If you are there, please visit our table and say hello!

February 3, 2009 - Idealist.org Global Volunteering Fair:
Individuals considering volunteering in another country can learn more about programs and global opportunities offered by over 30 volunteer-sending organizations. For more info visit: http://www.idealist.org/if/idealist/en/CareerFair/Viewer/default?career-fair-id=215

March 6-9, 2009 - IMPACT Conference:
National Student Conference on Service, Advocacy, and Social Action. This year's conference will be held at the University of Maryland. To learn more, or to register, click here: http://www.impactconference.org/

March 13-16, 2009 - Ecumenical Advocacy Days:
Ecumenical Advocacy Days is a movement of the ecumenical Christian community, and its recognized partners and allies, grounded in biblical witness and our shared traditions of justice, peace and the integrity of creation. This conference will be held in Washington, DC. Special student rates and scholarship are available. Visit their website at: http://advocacydays.org/
Walking around a college campus at this time of year you will probably overhear a lot of conversations about finals, christmas presents, and road trips - but lots of people are also talking about post-grad volunteering! Curious to find out which campuses are buzzing about service? Check out these links:

University of Dayton: http://flyernews.com/articles/volume/56/issue/20/id/4588

Loyola Marymount University: http://www.lmu.edu/Page50309.aspx
RESPONSE 2009 is the latest edition of our printed directory of full-time volunteer opportunities. Click here to request a copy free of charge: http://www.cnvs.org/aboutus/order.php

You can also access the online version of RESPONSE at http://www.cnvs.org
RESPONSE 2009