IVC’s Joe Ludovici likes to describe his role in Workforce Development at IVC partner agency DC Central Kitchen (DCCK) as helping those who need it most – students enrolled in DCCK’s Culinary Job Training program. “They find compassion and love here, and that we care about their journey to career stability,” he says. “They are doing the work, and we coach them on skills to be successful.”

My rewarding Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC) journey supporting Catholic Charities Wyoming (CCWyo) began with a piece of paper from that file. Many of us have that file, tentatively called retirement ideas. These ideas come from years of collecting newspaper articles, church bulletins, LinkedIn ideas, emails, and friend’s notes about what to do in retirement with our free time. I never expected to use that file. Ultimately, health challenges curtailed my executive career leading me back to that file.

Recently, four new IVC Members (Anne Egan, Maria Krick, Veronica O’Neill, and Teresa Bautista, pictured with Principal Gina Olsen) attended an orientation and training at St. Rita’s School. For over 73 years, the school has provided a nurturing environment for the children of the Southeast San Diego neighborhood.

IVC NCA member Thomas Jacob brings a lifetime of expertise to a role he loves: teaching construction mathematics at IVC partner agency the Spanish Catholic Center to Hispanic immigrants seeking employment. “Every time you teach you are impacting people and investing in opportunities,” says the retired PhD in statistics. “We are facilitating to get them a job. They also learn English, become familiar with digital literacy, and learn how to respond to email, among other skills.”

Jon Braley had to retire from Hewlett Packard much earlier than he expected because multiple eye diseases affecting both eyes had left him unable to work, to drive or even to read a newspaper. Fortunately, a team of Boston eye specialists performed a half dozen delicate surgeries over a four year period and most of Jon’s eyesight was restored. With a profound sense of gratitude and a desire to give back, Jon began searching for volunteer roles.