| | JULY 2023 Greetings Friends: Lots to read here! As LVC gears up for the excitement of a new program year in August, we're celebrating the glow of community from the May hikes -- and wondering how alumni engagement and financial support can sustain the LVC experience. This coming fiscal year starting in September, staff will cut back to half-time, and will invite your feedback and action on LVC's future. Look and listen for more on this in the days ahead. |
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| SECOND ANNUAL HIKE-A-THON May 19-21, LVCers met on trails across the country for the 2nd annual outdoors event and fundraiser, with arboretums a popular theme. Barry in Boston gets the prize for doubling participation in the region with the least amount of alumni and supporters! And Bethany in Asheville, for being our newest hike location! A BIG THANK YOU to ALL hike leaders for stepping up to lead, and to everyone that came out, rain or shine, to value LVC community and demonstrate the importance of financial support for ongoing social justice fellowships. |
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| | | LVC: A PIVOTAL YEAR AHEAD In a recent conversation with an LVCer, the alum shared that his LVC experience was so formative and impactful, he thought LVC could move along just fine without his help. He was surprised that the number of volunteers had been reducing so drastically over the last decade, and his help is, indeed, greatly needed. LVC is not able to sustain without the engagement and financial support of alumni, organized to actively support recruitment and fundraising. We know from our campus ministry connections that Lutheran Colleges are becoming less Lutheran, without the active champions on campus sending graduates to LVC. Volunteers' first choice for location has shifted to Washington, DC. Volunteers used to join for intentional community; now the Placement position drives their commitment. Applicants used to apply by the February deadline; now most applications come May-July, late in the year for decision making. Applicants join, then withdraw due to family financial pressure to start earning. Engagement with religious institutions continues to decline in general. Fewer Lutherans join the program (see chart below). Fewer participants are from the Mid-west (see chart below). LVCers share how critical the experience was in their lives; many volunteers get hired into their first jobs and lifelong careers; 3 of 16 volunteers are doing a second year; and alumni often commit to service and anti-racism, and friendships, for a lifetime. Consider how you can help LVC thrive, and look for discerning conversations on LVC's future, this Fall. |
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| | | ALUMNI & SUPPORTERS NEEDED Help us onboard new LVC fellows for August. - Pack-the-Pantry August 7 Week (and beyond) -- Can you or your faith institution help pack the fridge and/or food pantry for Bon house in Washington, DC, or Winona House in Twin Cities -- once in August or quarterly? Let us know!
- Mental Health Resource Group -- We're so pleased with current alumni serving to support LVC fellows' mental health challenges over the service year, and that we've seldom needed to call on them. If you're a mental health professional and can be a resource on a case-by-case basis from August 2023 to July 2024, let us know.
- Community and Spirituality Mentors -- Are you an LVCer or spiritual guide, or both, that can serve as a community or spirituality mentor for DC or Twin Cities starting in August? Let us know.
- August 14th New Fellow Orientation: LVC Values -- Are you an LVCer excited about sharing best practices with new service year participants for a) living simply and sustainably, b) intentional community, c) exploring spirituality, or d) food budgeting? If you can lead a 30-min segment, 10:00am-12:00pm (EST) for orientation, we would love to have you join the agenda. Let us know!
- Local Support Network -- Can you visit LVC houses in DC or Twin Cities to check in on LVC fellows; to treat them to a home cooked (or store bought) meal or pizza; to respond if they are in need? Let us know, so we can maintain the circle of support locally, so critical for the success of the service year.
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| LIBERATORY LENS: RESTORATIVE JUSTICE LVC's Program Days, the first Friday of each month, continue to distinguish the LVC experience with the anti-racism/liberatory lens on areas of civic life. We were pleased to have LVC Board chair Cynthia Prosek of Restorative Justice Community Action, supporting LVC Volunteer Jake Mier, as they presented on restorative justice in May, expanding Jake's service year leadership experience. Program Days help shape social justice alternatives for the emerging leaders that join together to explore for a year. As Jake anticipates a second LVC year -- bringing second year fellows to three for August -- they and other fellows will play an increasing role in program day leadership and learning. |
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| LVC IN CHICAGO! We have one fellowship position for a Teen Program Coordinator with Girls in the Game in Chicago! LVC has been invited to share housing with Amate House in Chicago (tour fellow housing HERE), and if we can find a fellow to fill the spot, they can share housing with others in service. Spread the word about this onsite, in-person position, with housing attached. Contact us if interested asap -- the fellowship position starts in August. |
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| ALERT! LVC Board and staff will be deliberating in the coming months about next steps for the program, already unable to sustain full-time staff this year for a small group of LVC fellows. You don't have to wait for an invitation to galvanize support. If you have ideas and effort, let us know. And thank you, in advance. |
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| | CAMPAIGN $10/mo Please don't leave without donating $10/mo as part of LVC's $10/mo campaign, if you are not already a donor. Can you support $100/mo instead? Can you ask other alumni to do the same? If so, thank you in advance. LVC BOARD AND COMMITTEES You can still submit your candidacy for LVC's Board of Directors, and for working committees, at a pivotal time in LVC's history. LVC alumni are encouraged to help drive the sustainability of the program. APPLY HERE. TESTIMONY Did you miss alum Katie Maxwell's (LVC '18) video testimony about her LVC experience? You can view it HERE. |
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| | Lutheran Volunteer Corps
1226 Vermont Avenue NW | Washington, District of Columbia 20005
202-387-3222 | operations@lutheranvolunteercorps.org |
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