IVC Stories
Building Homes and Hope with Habitat for Humanity
Jesse Coronado receives inspiration from Pope Francis’ words, “Works of love directed to one's neighbor are the most perfect external manifestation of the interior grace of the Spirit,” from The Joy of the Gospel. Jesse is an Ignatian Volunteer in Los Angeles, serving...
Shedding Light in the Dark
by Mike Galbreath Dark. Pitch black. No power. No lights. Basement waters now four inches and rising… Days and days of winter rains and melting snows. Is this why I volunteered? Slipping face-down into the dark, oily water. Nothing to pull me up. Am I gonna drown in...
“It’s Snack Time!”
By Linda Wihl Click for Printable View. I end each tutoring session by yelling, “It’s snack time!” And, if allowed by their tutors children come running to the circle to get a snack. It’s a reward for good work—we operate on the “Little Red Hen” principle: do the work...
The Meaning of Friendship
This blog post, by Volunteer Pat McCourt, originally appeared on the IVC Chicago Footprints blog. Click for printable view My friend, Kevin, describes himself as a “70-year-old hippie bachelor.” He retired on disability about ten years ago and has lived in his...
Mercy and Compassion to Refugees – the IVC Way
“Sayid (name changed to protect privacy) is a heart surgeon from Syria who is very well educated, speaks three languages, is a well-known and well-respected doctor in his community,” describes Bob Sliney, Ignatian Volunteer serving with Catholic Charities Refugee...
IVC Partner Grateful for Their ‘Right-Hand Man’
Ignatian Volunteer Bill Stieglitz “mans” the front desk and teaches Life Skills classes to clients of OAR of Fairfax, an organization in Northern Virginia whose mission is “to rebuild lives and break the cycle of crime with opportunities, alternatives, and resources...
Making Good Teaching Great Teaching
Phil Rivera brings a full career in education – as a Teacher, Department Head, Supervisor, and Assistant Principal in Baltimore County Schools – to his Volunteer position at the Esperanza Center. “Phil serves a tremendous need here,” says Diana Siemer, English...
A Lesson Learned
This reflection from Ignatian Volunteer Kate Kniest was originally posted in IVC Chicago's Footprints Blog. On a routine day at Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep, I learned a profound lesson from a colleague who is deeply concerned about students and their families,...
Encounters through Philanthropy
IVC is blessed to have several individuals and foundations who have given tremendous support to the growth of our work. The Raskob Foundation is a benefactor that has enabled IVC to grow significantly by our being the recipient of a high impact three-year grant. ...