As part of IVC San Diego’s Center City Schools Initiative, our dedicated Ignatian Volunteers are preparing to “go back to school” in the coming weeks. IVC Members will be serving in essential support roles at St. Rita’s, St. Patrick’s, Our Lady’s School, and St. Katharine Drexel Academy, K-8 Catholic Schools located in San Diego’s inner core. IVC Members will serve as tutors, instructional aides, librarians, and assistants in art, music, athletics, and more.
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.
Veronica O’Neill is thrilled to serve as the volunteer Librarian at St. Rita’s. During the summer months, Veronica and a team of high school students worked hard to revitalize the library through deep-cleaning, organizing books, and decorating. “To volunteer at a school is fulfilling my childhood dream of becoming a teacher,” remarks Veronica. “I intend to bring the joy of reading to the students. My plan is to create a welcoming environment for all grade levels and for students to have a creative space to read their books.”
Veronica also finds a clear connection between IVC’s spiritual underpinnings and her volunteer work at the school, commenting: “I joined IVC because it aligns with my spiritual values that ‘God is in everything.’ To be able to bring those values to St. Rita’s School is so rewarding.”
Altogether, 16 Service Corps Members will be serving at the four partner schools as the school year begins, with more interested candidates on the way.