Send Me To Serve! with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps Cecilia Strauch

The Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) is an organization that seeks to transform the lives of young people who seek to transform the world I will be one of those fortunate people who will journey with them next year

I’ll be working in Milwaukee, WI at Aurora Walker’s Point Community Clinic But it won’t be a walk in the park…

I’ll be serving the poor— Living simply as they do and living among them

Because in order to stand for someone, you have to stand with them!

Now how did I get involved in this?

Last year I didn’t feel ready to start applying to med school…

So I made the decision to delay for a year

But what was I to do in the gap year…?

I knew I wanted it to be something meaningful and my thoughts turned to volunteering since that had become a big part of my life

I heard about JVC and its challenging program and mission…

So I took a leap!

(I may have been a bit mad)

And I joined the ranks of JVC! After weeks of searching, I was placed at this clinic where I’ll spend my year as a medical assistant evaluations…interviews,

Now, JVC is a big operation with a great, yet humble vision So of course, that means…

They are in need of funds to support their volunteers and the people they serve

Your donation is essential for the continuation of their work (and mine, too!)

JVC’s work is important because it helps partner agencies reach out to those in society who are most vulnerable and most burdened

The people I will serve at the Aurora Clinic, much like those I help now at the Leahy Clinic, face many hardships and injustices…

Homelessness, difficultly accessing basic health care, fear of being unable to support themselves and their families, and—especially in Milwaukee—

the weight of racism mounted on top of and underlying all of that

I’ll see the hurt reflected in my community’s faces and will have to share it with them

However, I believe I’ll be able to bear it…

I’ll be with other Jesuit Volunteers who are of the same mind and who’ll care for each other

with little thoughts little words little actions to keep one another smiling

I know they and my other friends will always keep me afloat through hard times So overall…

I’m excited! The spirit and mission of JVC resonates well with me in a strong, meaningful way

My year will be tough, but I’ll grow…

Through the people I serve and those I live with

I’m ready to give what I can give, to charge ahead and…

Go on this new adventure with the aspiration of creating “a more just and hopeful world”!

However… To keep up its momentous effort…

JVC needs YOU!

So thank you for helping to Send Me To Serve!

Thanks for watching, and I hope you enjoyed learning more about JVC and the service I’ll be doing alongside them!