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.

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!

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.

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.

Your commitment as part of the Companions Circle serves as the cornerstone of our mission, allowing us to plan effectively and respond with agility to those who need us most. By giving monthly or quarterly through the Companions Circle, you: