IVC Stories
IVC National Capital Area Member Profile: Bob Brady
Bob came to IVC following a long career as a Ph.D chemist in the federal sector, primarily in a leadership position with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. Following retirement, he obtained a master’s degree in spirituality and pastoral care. At his parish, St. Rose of Lima in Gaithersburg, Md., Bob served as a pastoral associate and continues to serve in many volunteer ministries.
IVC National Capital Area Member Profile: Joe Ludovici
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 Spiritual Journey in the Cowboy State by Lynda Kelly, IVC Virtual Member
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.
IVC San Diego Members Go “Back to School” to Serve Local Youth
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 National Capital Area Member Profile: Thomas Jacob
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.”
Meet IVC New England Member Jon Braley – Employment Coach Changing Lives
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.
On the Joys of Being a Spiritual Reflector with IVC NCA’s Rebecca C. Ruiz
IVC-NCA’s Rebecca C. Ruiz has served as a spiritual reflector in Northern Virginia since 2016. We asked her a few questions about her role with IVC, and what she enjoys most working with our Service Corps members!
Meet IVC Milwaukee Service Corps Member Melita Biese
About a year ago, Melita Biese embarked on an IVC service journey with the Thrive for Life Prison Project (TFL).
This organization is dedicated to offering spiritual development and educational resources to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals. Operating across New York State and New Jersey, the nonprofit serves a pivotal role in supporting incarcerated persons held in correctional facilities across these communities.
Meet Joe Lorenzo – IVC New Orleans Service Corps Member
The blueprint for a potential Service Corps member to join the Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC) usually starts
with a source of information that peeks the candidate’s interest, who then makes a phone call or website inquiry about the program, followed by a period of discernment before the potential member joins and commits to an assignment through IVC. During that discernment period, great effort goes into finding the appropriate assignment where the talents and skills of the candidate can be put to best use. Such was the case with Joe Lorenzo, a new Service Corps member who just finished his first year assignment with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul New Orleans.