Dear Friends and Family
These past few months have been an important culmination of bittersweet endings, exciting beginnings, and a crucial period of discernment as I move into the next phase of my life. Just a few weeks ago in May, I graduated from Saint Joseph’s University with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Latin American Studies. My four years at Saint Joe’s have proven to be some of the most profound and impactful years of my life; having been exposed to people, places, and ideas that have shaped myself and what I ultimately stand for. As many of you know, volunteer work has become a central tenant to my time at Saint Joe’s, and is something I am hoping to pursue further in my post-graduate year and in my life.
I am happy and excited to announce that I will be serving as a Jesuit Volunteer (JV) in New Orleans for the next year! The discernment and reflection process to join JVC (Jesuit Volunteer Corps) has been both challenging and rewarding; I am forever grateful for all of you who have journeyed with me through this process and I invite you to celebrate with me as I prepare for the next year! While I am in New Orleans, I will be working as a Client Services Fellow at the New Orleans Public Defenders Office. During my time in New Orleans, I will live in community with other Jesuit Volunteers and practice the four core values of JVC: spirituality, community, social justice and simple living. By utilizing over 300 volunteers in 39 cities and 6 countries, JVC helps the organizations they serve by saving them over $6,000,000 annually. In order to achieve this bold undertaking, each Jesuit Volunteer is asked to raise $600 to adequately benefit and support their placement and other participating organizations across the country. The money raised includes everything from providing JV’s support, to facilitate a formation program for JV’s, to providing health insurance and covering travel expenses.
Thank you again for your continued support
Emily Smith
To donate via Snail Mail, you can send a check made payable to JVC:
Jesuit Volunteer Corps, 801 Saint Paul Street, Baltimore MD, 21202
*be sure to put Emily Smith in the Memo.
OR you can donate online:
http://jesuitvolunteers.myetap.org/fundraiser/smts13/individual.do?participationRef=37.0.826152710
