Thank you to every member of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps community who participated in our comprehensive “Imagine IVC” survey. Your valuable insights have helped paint a vivid picture of where we stand and where we need to go. Here’s a concise overview of what you’ve shared and what it means for our future.
What draws you to IVC? You joined IVC because you shared a desire to serve, grow spiritually, and connect meaningfully with others. Our core values of service, spirituality, and community resonate deeply, driving our collective mission to use our unique life’s experience, skills and talents to accompany and serve people working to overcome poverty and marginalization while fostering community and personal growth.
Inspiration to Stay Connected: Your commitment to IVC is fueled by a strong alignment with our mission and the impact of our work. The spirituality, community bonds, monthly reflections, and opportunities for personal and communal growth keep our mission vibrant and vital that fuels positive actions and engagement in service.
Opportunities for Growth: You’ve identified key areas to ensure more social service nonprofits have the help they need to meet the needs of their constituents, including:
• Expanding recruitment and raising awareness
• Enhancing diversity and inclusion
• Deepening connections with the Society of Jesus and their apostolates/educational institutions
• Adapting to changing demographics with flexible service options
• Increasing recognition of IVC as a pivotal resource for local nonprofits
Visioning Our Future: In our visioning sessions, you emphasized the need for thoughtful growth that builds on our strengths to be of service to the world’s greatest needs. Future initiatives are being focused to include:
• Strengthening IVC’s Spiritual Foundation: By deepening our roots in Ignatian Spirituality, IVC must form and support individuals who are transformed by compassionate love and a desire to serve, characterized by faith that promotes justice and reconciliation.
• Expanding Community Engagement: We envision a future where more people are empowered to engage with and contribute to our mission of service and spirituality. By fostering awareness, building impactful partnerships, and nurturing a collaborative spirit, we aim to expand the opportunities for mission service.
• Building Organizational Capacity: To effectively expand our service to people overcoming poverty, IVC must strengthen our organizational structure and financial capacity. This includes growing our network of partners, service corps members, staff, and donors.
• Investing in Sustainable Growth: To support long-term resilience and growth, IVC must invest in our mission staff, infrastructure, and recognition models. This will ensure that both our national and regional teams are equipped to thrive in carrying forth this valuable mission.
What’s happening now: Board and staff members are working together to identify goals for the plan to be discerned at the June National Board Meeting.
Looking Ahead: I’m excited to share with you over the summer how the goals get developed. The insights from across our regions highlight a community that is grateful, dedicated, and eager to invite more into the IVC experience. As we move forward, we’ll keep these values at the heart of our vision and planning. Stay tuned for more updates on the Imagine IVC process this summer, leading up to the unveiling of our new strategic initiatives this fall.
Thank you for your participation and support. Together we will continue to grow and engage the gifts of IVC service as a source of healing, justice and reconciliation. You are light for many in places of need. May our shared work be abundantly blessed.
Mary McGinnity
President & CEO, Ignatian Volunteer Corps