The Scoop on MVC

For those who haven’t received my texts, twitter, or seen my facebook status, this will be big exciting news:

I have been accepted into Mercy Volunteer Corps for the 2009-2010 school year. I am ecstatic because this is something I wanted…something I feel I need…and something which will combine both my skills and experience from the past as well as experience needed to pursue a career in my field of choice.

I received the phone call today while both girls were napping- perfect timing. Marie is the woman who I’ve been working with on this entire process since the start, so we had a nice long phone conversation. We again discussed my placement choices as well as the fact that MVC wants to be as supportive as possible in the things that I need to work with. She then said that the site in Detroit where I would be working is :

Detroit Cristo Rey High School
www.detroitcristorey.org
Mission: To provide excellent college-preparatory Catholic high school education, in the Cristo Rey model, to students from economically disadvantaged families in Detroit.
Detroit Cristo Rey High School is part of a national organization of Cristo Rey high schools that provide Catholic, college prepatory education to urban young people who live in communities with limited options. The school integrates classroom experience with real-life work experience by partnering with businesses and corporations in metro Detroit. Volunteers are needed to serve as teachers (Math, Latin, History & Science), school counselor, school nurse, campus minister/service coordinator, lunch coordinator, or driver to and from the student’s workplaces.

She explained to me that the school is new (they began after many schools in Detroit were shut down) so they need someone who basically does a little bit of everything. She is going to talk with the supervisor there, whom she knows very well anyways. My concern with this situation is that if they want someone who does a little of everything, I won’t really be working with the kids, and I don’t want to just be sitting in an office doing paperwork or coordinating lunch schedules, I would rather put my skills to use and work with the kids or their families. Marie is going to find out more for me, and I am also going to have a phone or a face-to-face meeting with the supervisor to see if it is a good match. If it’s not, there are two options in Baltimore and one in Philly.

Mercy Medical Center
www.mdmercy.com
Mission: Rooted in God’s healing love for all people, Mercy Medical Center, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, provides and promotes health services for the people of Baltimore of every creed, color, economic and social condition.
Mercy Medical Center is a 235-bed community hospital located in downtown Baltimore serving the healthcare needs of persons of every race, creed, and economic/social condition. A volunteer is needed to serve as an art practitioner, working with primarily adult patients in several clinical areas (outpatient chemotherapy, radiation oncology, etc.) engaging them in a creative personal process through the use of the visual arts as a medium for healing

This would be my frist choice for Baltimore---It is not listed on the MVC website, but they are in need of someone to help with a new program- providing outreach for homeless children who are ill. I would LOVE to do this, so if the Detroit sitatuion does not include me working directly with the students, I am hoping for this.

AIRS (AIDS Interfaith Residential Services)

www.airshome.org
Mission: To provide comprehensive supportive housing services to enhance quality of life, emphasizing self-sufficiency for low-income and homeless individuals living with or at risk of HIV/AIDS and other disabilities.
AIRS provides support services and housing to low-income adults, individuals and families with children, youth and young adults, ex-offenders, Spanish-speaking populations, and those who require 24 hour compassionate care and supervision, all of whom are living with or at risk of HIV/AIDS and other disabilities. Two volunteers are needed to serve with AIRS. One volunteer is needed to serve as a residential aide with the Don Miller House Program, providing compassionate, personal and direct care to low-income adults living with HIV/AIDS in a residential setting. A second volunteer is needed to serve as a residential counselor with the Carriage House Program, supervising and guiding homeless youth ages 18-21 in building and practicing life skills.

This was the second Baltimore site where they are in need of a volunteer, which would definatley give me experience. I would be working with the 18-21 group.

Finally, the Philadelphia option:
Project H.O.M.E.
www.projecthome.org
Mission: To provide permanent solutions to homelessness and poverty through housing, education, employment, health care, and the revitalization of a low-income community.
Project H.O.M.E. provides a continuum of services for children, youth and adults who are homeless/chronically homeless. These include: street outreach; supportive, transitional, and permanent housing options; community-based supportive employment and education opportunities for youth and adults. Project H.O.M.E. also provides education and advocacy to the larger community on behalf of and with homeless and low-income persons for more just and human public policies. Two volunteers are needed to serve in the Outreach Coordination Center of Project H.O.M.E. One volunteer is needed to assist case managers in carrying out consumer goal plans and providing outreach services to homeless individuals. A second volunteer is needed to develop relationships with neighborhood, civic and business associations in an effort to promote understanding of the process of helping individuals break the cycle of homelessness.

So that’s the whole situation. As soon as I find out more about Detroit, I will be a step closer to knowing my placement. As of right now I am just ecstatic that I was accepted and ready to take on this new experience. The rest is in God’s hands. I just have to learn to know that and trust that instead of worrying . My sister and Dave are in Europe right now, and they gave me their house key incase I wanted to stay over there while they are gone- I’m not going to spend the night tonight, but def taking some quiet time to myself.

I would like to thank everyone who has provided me with support over these past few months regarding the application process- especially my parents and those who were so willing to write me a letter of recommendation. I love ya’ll so much and you are the best friends in the world.