In Vienna, Virginia, IVC partner agency Belong! is making a real difference in the lives of underserved children and youth from the local community. At the heart of its mission is a weekly, individualized mentoring program in reading, math and emotional development offered to over 80 students in grades K-8. But there’s much more!
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IVC member Beverly Consilvio is delighted to bring her background as a teacher and principal to support the second grade class at partner agency Saint
Francis International School (SFIS) in Silver Spring, Md. Once a week she assists in the classroom by performing a variety of tasks, including organizing paperwork, working individually with students and periodically teaching a lesson. “St. Francis is a warm and welcoming environment,” she says. “They do a lot of responsive instruction, so the students feel validated, especially when learning new concepts.”
Solidarity is built into every aspect of the work done at Refugee Women Rising (RWR) but it is not without challenge. RWR’s programs flex to accommodate women born in 25 different countries speaking 30 different languages. “Our work is welcoming, relational and as unique as our collaborators,” as stated in Refugee Women Rising’s Impact Report for 2024.
“Lent is indeed the “favourable time” to return to what is essential, to divest ourselves of all that weighs us down, to be reconciled with God, and to rekindle the fire of the Holy Spirit hidden beneath the ashes of our frail humanity. Return to what is essential. It is the season of grace when we put into practice what the Lord asks of us at the beginning of today’s first reading: “Return to me with all your heart” (Jl 2:12). Return to what is essential: it is the Lord.”
Pope Francis Daily Message, February 14, 2025.
A detailed look at what the Ignatian Volunteer Corps accomplished in 2024, from fundraising to membership to programming.
