Agency Testimonials

Take a moment to read a few words submitted by previous and current Jesuit Volunteer (JV) placement agencies. You are encouraged to speak directly with any of our current placement agencies. To find an agency that is similar to yours, or for agency contact information, please contact Chris Peraro, area director, at the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) Northwest office at (503) 335-8202 or cperaro@jvcnorthwest.org.

"The volunteers who have come to St. Labre have been a big part of the success we have had serving the Native Americans of southeastern Montana. They have served as reading clinicians, dorm attendants and academic support people in the high school and reached our students in ways we simply could not have without them. A bonus for us has been the number of volunteers who have returned to St. Labre as staff members. The connection has been special for us and we hope for them."

Russ Alexander
Director of Schools, St. Labre Mission School, Ashland, Mont.

"Each year in August, we excitedly await the arrival of our new Jesuit Volunteer. Who will it be? How will they join our humble yet powerful community of men, women and children who are experiencing homelessness and their housed allies? Our new JV always brings a joy and hope that lifts our spirits and helps us to remain fresh and hopeful ourselves. Each one touches us and our community in a unique way and each one is moved and transformed by the daily experience of Sisters Of The Road - serving and being served by letting our hearts and minds be moved and changed to use our privilege and our gifts to make a better world. Ruined for life in a very good way. Thank you for the gift of the JVs."

Monica Beemer
Executive Director, Sisters of the Road, Portland, Ore.

"The need for JVs has never been greater - especially here in Spokane. We have typically had five to six annual placements here at Catholic Charities of Spokane for many years, but in reality, we could easily support a second full house/community of JVs here. The needs of the most vulnerable seem to be growing exponentially... JVC answers that need for our agency. Here at Catholic Charities, we have never discussed what we would do without the JVs because it is simply not an option. The need for JVs is only growing here. Without the creativity and commitment they bring, we would not be the same organization. The core values of JVC are precisely the core values we look for in our staff, our volunteers and our agency as a whole. The JVs who have been a part of who we are for so many years are truly a blessing to the work that we do and the people we serve."

Rob McCann
Executive Director, Catholic Charities of Spokane, Spokane, Wash.

"Jamie is a very passionate woman who is and will continue making a real difference in the lives of many who are victims of oppression. Proyecto UNICA and our clients have greatly benefited from the many contributions Jamie has made while working with us. Her work will leave a lasting legacy that will assist in our efforts to end domestic and sexual violence in the Latino community."

Rut Martinez
Program Director, Proyecto UNICA, Catholic Charities, Portland, Ore.

"Marcus has been a wonderful addition to the Bridge Adult Day Program staff. Over the past year, we have experienced changes in client population and staff, and Marcus has been a steady, consistent presence throughout these changes. In a program where the participants need routine and structure, Marcus has helped all of them through these changes, as well as the inevitable changes in their own lives.

"Marcus makes each of the program participants feel unique and special. Whether it is in helping a 38-year-old man with a recent traumatic brain injury feel comfortable coming to the program filled with "older women," or bringing back memories and feelings of youth when dancing with these same older women during our music program. He is sensitive to their changing moods and emotional states, and provides appropriate responses to cheer them up or calm their fears."

Mary Miller, Bridge program Supervisor, Juneau, Alaska

"For most of the 20 years Sitkans Against Family Violence has served southeast Alaskan families, JVC participants have been part of SAFV's team. SAFV provides services to families affected by domestic violence, including shelter, legal advocacy, sexual assault response, children's programs, safety planning, outreach and education, and comprehensive systems advocacy. As a non-profit organization, SAFV has relied on JVs to take many different roles.

"JVs play a particularly strong role in SAFV's Children's Program. Just over the last year, JV Caitlin Reichelderfer has presented personal safety information to hundreds of school-aged children in Sitka and Kake. JVs in SAFV's Children's Program make annual visits to Sitka's preschools to teach students and staff about safe and unsafe touch. Each week, Caitlin also provides many hours of respite childcare, and facilitates children's support groups. Caitlin has made especially strong connections with SAFV's child residents through art. She organizes ongoing art projects, fosters the kids' healing through encouraging creativity, provides a safe space and facilitates many spontaneous art projects and outings with the children.

"SAFV is fortunate to have Caitlin signing on for a second year with JVC and SAFV. Although SAFV's residents move on, Caitlin will be able to be a consistent and positive presence in their lives through the weekly school support groups she facilitates. It is always encouraging to watch the transformation of children, who at first may be reserved and guarded, have their eyes light up when they see Caitlin."

Sitkans Against Family Violence, Sitka, Alaska

"Having a JV in my office has been the difference between children and parents being permanently separated, or children being reunited with healthy parents. Our JV is a Client Advocate in the child-in-need-of-aid section of the office, which represents Eskimo parents who have their children taken into state custody. Usually, this is due to the parents' alcohol abuse - a common problem among Native Americans. Often, all the parents need is substance abuse treatment and a lot of support to show the children, and the state, the love they have for their children. Unfortunately, in a place as remote as western Alaska, there is little treatment available, and long waiting lists for what does exist in the cities. As the sole lawyer representing almost all of the families in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, I do not have the time to provide the emotional support and friendly ear so many people need to maintain sobriety while they wait, lonely in an empty household, for treatment options.

"Eileen, our Client Advocate, fills that role, and so many others. She calls and speaks to the clients on a regular basis, following up to see if the parents are getting the help they need, and, when necessary, advocating to the child welfare agencies to get the resources the parents need to succeed. Sometimes, she is the only person telling that parent that they do have the skills to make it, and that she believes in them, even when the more jaded case workers are ready to give up. When necessary, she flies on small planes to remote villages to hold a client's hand, be a friend, bring cookies or even investigate a housing situation in preparation for the return of children to a successful, now sober, parent."

Angela Greene, Attorney, Alaska Public Defenders, Bethel, Alaska