05/29/2019
Former Hunthausen Center student worker Kelly Taft has just completed a year of service with Mercy Volunteer Corps. Here she shares why you should consider doing the same. Thank you, Kelly, for your service.
Hi friends! I am hoping to reach someone who is seeking a counter-cultural experience through a year of service with Mercy Volunteer Corps. My position at St. Mary’s Community Center will be vacant soon, and I am sad that someone will miss out on this amazing opportunity to spend a year doing service.
Here are some things you may do as a Mercy Volunteer at St. Mary's:
- Help out with GED classes
- Assist with resume writing, job searching, finding and keeping a job
- Assist people applying for SNAP (food stamps)
- Direct people to the right places--ex, when people come in looking for food, we give them food (if we have some) or we tell them where they can get food.
- Help people see!! (Literally, we have an eye clinic program)
- And, why I really want someone to be in my place next year--we just started a senior story project! We started recording some of our seniors’ life stories, and we are hoping to make a book to give to the local African American history museum. It is so cool, and easy to do!
Basically, we try to fill the gap for whatever someone might need that day--whether it is food, a hug, a word of encouragement, or a person to sort out their bills.
Here are some perks:
- You get to work with AMAZING people!
- You get free food--like, all the time!!
- Mercy Volunteer Corps provides you with housing and food, gas & a simple living stipend
- You get to grow in community with other volunteers
- You get to live in a beautiful city in a warm climate by the beach!
- You learn A TON about the south
The ideal volunteer is:
- Excited about new experiences
- Compassionate, or tries to be compassionate
- Able to use google
- Open to spiritual growth
If you know of someone who is seeking a year to do something meaningful (whether a college grad or a retiree), I hope you can tell them about this opportunity! Feel free to directly message me, or pass along my name. I cannot recommend volunteering at St. Mary’s Community Center enough!!
To apply, visit https://www.mercyvolunteers.org/
PS... The pic is of me and a client during tax season! If you want to learn how taxes work, APPLY!!
