Each LVC Placement City has a staff coordinator, Local Support Committee, and sponsoring congregation that are available to offer support and assistance to the LVC Volunteers. Volunteer houses are located as close as possible to the placement organizations, but the commuting time varies for each volunteer. Some volunteers live next door to where they work, some have more than an hour commute on the bus or rail, and other volunteers have work that requires a car. The following are general descriptions of LVC locations, including the year it became a LVC city and the names of the volunteer houses in that city:
Washington, DC – LVC Placement City since 1979 - Emmaus, Dag Hammarskjöld, and Bonhoeffer Houses
From its beginnings as an undeveloped rural area, to its initial planning as the nation's capital, to its growth in size and infrastructure at the turn of the 20th century, to its place today as a political, economic, and cultural center, Washington, DC, has engaging stories to tell about the people and places that have helped shape Lutheran Volunteer Corps…and the Nation! LVC began in Washington, DC, as a ministry of Luther Place Church. Over the years, the program has continued to expand and develop, partnering with several cities across the United States. Despite being the capital of our nation, Washington, DC, faces the same challenges that most urban areas in the US face: homelessness, poverty, affordable health care, public education, gentrification and more. An example of this reality can be seen daily on the streets close to the White House where homeless men and women sleep on heating grates. While some of LVC’s advocacy positions are in DC, there are also many placements and positions that work directly with people to serve their immediate needs. Finally, spattered with Smithsonian museums, events on the National Mall, Gardens, Monuments, Zoo, Parks, Theaters, DC residents are spoiled (even overwhelmed!) by the plethora of activities one could attend (for free!) on any given day.
Wilmington, DE – LVC Placement City since 1982 - Martin Luther King, Jr. House
Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, and with an economy based in the financial sector and chemical giant DuPont, its downtown demonstrates the sophistication of other East Coast cities. At the same time, Wilmington is small enough to be accessible, with much of the city in easy walking distance. Because of its location on the eastern seaboard, Wilmington has plenty of “big city” issues; drug addictions, homelessness, mental illness, housing shortages, and poverty are but a few of the serious problems. Wilmington also exceeds national averages in the rate of teen births, unemployment, and cancer. Volunteers in Wilmington appreciate the many free or low-cost cultural opportunities in Wilmington and nearby Philadelphia, and Wilmington’s caring, enthusiastically supportive LVC community. Be ready to learn what it means to have Delaware pride!
Baltimore, MD – LVC Placement City since 1983 - Casa Caritas and Simunye House
Known as “Charm City,” Baltimore has the quirky, distinctive feel of a city that combines Southern influences with industrial working-class roots. Films by Baltimore native John Waters highlight neighborhoods like Hampden, where the locals call you “hon,” and where a giant pink flamingo hovers over The Avenue. Baltimore also has a proud African American heritage. Birthplace to Frederick Douglass and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, Baltimore is home to the NAACP headquarters and features the East Coast’s largest African American history museum. The Inner Harbor and many large in-town parks add to the city’s beauty and interest. Some of Baltimore’s key struggles include drug addiction, homelessness, and the woes caused by a national economy that has transitioned away from domestic industry. Volunteers will appreciate the many cultural festivals, the excellent library system, and the multiple sports opportunities that Baltimore offers.
Chicago, IL – LVC Placement City since 1983 - Casa Romero, Sojourner Truth, and Carter Heyward Houses
Third largest city in the USA, Chicago, (aka "The Windy City," "The Second City," and "ChiTown") is gritty, energetic, and full of opportunities to experience the best and the most challenging of urban living. Chicago is located on the shores of Lake Michigan and in the heart of the nation and the Midwest. Chicago has 46 museums, more than 200 theaters, 29 miles of lakefront, 552 parks, and 18 miles of lakefront bicycle paths. It is a city of immigrants from around the world. Ironically, ChiTown is also one of the most segregated cities in America. It stands to reason that this city is rich in history with people working within their communities for change. The Hay Market Riot (commemorated worldwide on May 1st) and prominent national organizers Saul Alinsky, Jesse Jackson, and Jane Addams are some examples.
Milwaukee, WI – LVC Placement City since 1985 - Dorothy Day House
With a metro area of 1.5 million, Milwaukee offers the attractions of a big city without feeling like one. During the warmer months, Milwaukeeans enjoy a full calendar of outdoor festivals and concerts, while picnics, community gatherings, and neighborhood pick-up games are regular happenings in the City's numerous parks. Volunteers can make use of the city's award-winning bus system. There is also easy access by bicycle to most parts of the city, including the Lake Michigan beachfront. Milwaukee has numerous theater venues, university-sponsored speakers, a new art museum, and yes, beer tours! Milwaukee suffers from severe residential segregation and the disparities in jobs, education, crime, and housing that this produces. More than one in four Milwaukee residents lived in poverty in 2006, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Milwaukee has the 8th-highest poverty rate of large U.S. cities. In the face of daunting social needs, Milwaukee’s community groups have intensified their efforts to promote social change. MICAH, an interfaith group of congregations in Milwaukee, sets a nationally-recognized example for faith-based organizations working for social justice.
Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul), MN – LVC Placement Cities since 1991 - Winona, Imani, and Beth Shalom Houses
The Minneapolis-St. Paul area, collectively called the Twin Cities, forms the progressive heart of the upper Midwest and is one of the best places to live for nature lovers, musicians, and activists. There are almost 200,000 acres of public parkland in the area, dotted with lakes, criss-crossed with bicycle paths, and offering recreational opportunities during all seasons. Many bicycle-commuters use a combination of public park bike paths plus on-road bike lanes to get to work, or take their bike on the bus or light-rail system to ease the trip. Numerous co-op grocery stores further enhance the possibility for a sustainable urban lifestyle. Minneapolis is said to have one of the best local music scenes, while visual art and theater are also abundant in the area. Many refugee and immigrant groups call the Twin Cities home, bringing East and West African, Southeast Asian, and Central/South American influences. While there is significant diversity in the Cities, it is far from being an interdependent multicultural community. By living in diverse neighborhoods and working in antiracist ways on critical issues like housing, workers rights, education, and full GLBT inclusion in churches, volunteers can participate in changing the Twin Cities from being merely progressive to being a just place to live.
Seattle, WA – LVC Placement City since 1995 -- Ubuntu and Sula Houses
Situated on the waters of Elliot Bay, Seattle is a vibrant meeting place of diverse cultures: Native American, Asian Pacific, Hispanic, African, African American, Eastern European, and others. This diversity is reflected in the art, the restaurants, and the languages you hear on city buses. The city that brought us the $4 coffee, Seattle is home of Starbucks, Amazon.com, and Microsoft and has become increasingly corporate as these upstarts have grown into giants. Although the rapid redevelopment has put the squeeze on working class residents, Seattle still retains quirky local flavor in its neighborhoods. The city has cleaned up since the days of grunge in the 90s, but the live music scene is still lively and wildly experimental (read: sometimes brilliant…well, at least it’s never dull). Free entertainment and recreation are easy to come by, with festivals at the Seattle Center (in the shadow of the Space Needle), fish mongers and artisans at Pike’s Place Market, and an amazing parks system that showcases the many lakes and forests within the city.
Tacoma, WA - LVC Placement City since 1996 – Nelson and Winnie Mandela House
The city of Tacoma, on the South Puget Sound in Washington State is a small (pop. 215,000) and beautiful city. Its name is drawn from the Native American word for Mt. Rainer --“Tahoma” meaning “Mother of the Waters”-- the spectacular volcanic peak which emerges from the clouds on clear days to inspire awe even in lifelong residents. Tacoma’s bustling downtown sits right on Commencement Bay. Traditionally a blue-collar mill and port city, Tacoma is also home to several universities, including Pacific Lutheran, University of Puget Sound, and a branch campus of the U of Washington. Residents enjoy miles of parks, great museums (including an art museum, the State History Museum, and the Glass Museum, where you can watch live demonstrations of glass-blowing), and plenty of cozy local coffee shops. Volunteers also have access to lots of great art, music, and other culture via a bus trip to Seattle, an hour to the north, or day trips to go hiking in the nearby Cascade Mountains.
Bay Area (Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco), CA – LVC Placement Area since 2003 – Father Bill O’Donnell, Joel Workin, and Ella Baker Houses
The East Bay (Berkeley and Oakland) and San Francisco area is one of the most ethnically diverse urban areas in the United States, reflecting the diversity of California as a whole, and greatly influenced by its position on the Pacific Rim. Known for its technological innovations, the area has also set progressive precedents in GLBT and disability rights. Volunteers live and work in Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco. There is great contrast between the cities and also within them, as housing and living prices continue to rise dramatically across the region. While costs are lower in the East Bay, more than twenty percent of all families in Oakland (where both parents are present) are living below the poverty level. That percentage almost doubles in single parent homes, making Oakland one of the poorer cities in America. Volunteers can enjoy many outstanding parks, museums, and historic neighborhoods, as well as an enthusiastic support community.