Where do volunteers come from?
LVC recruits people from across the United States who are self-motivated, mature and committed to doing a year of service. All volunteers are required to be 21 years of age at the start of the program year and many are recent college graduates. There is no upper age limit; older volunteers and/or married couples are welcome to apply.
How much will a volunteer cost?
Agencies are responsible for the volunteer’s monthly expenses, which include rent and utilities, transportation, medical insurance, $85 for food, and a personal stipend of $100 per month. Agencies are also charged an placement fee and travel fee at the beginning of the LVC program year (late August). The placement fee is figured from a sliding scale based on the amount agencies budget for salaries and benefits. Please request a financial worksheet if you have questions about funding a volunteer.
How does LVC place volunteers?
Volunteers are screened by the LVC staff through a written application, educational transcripts, reference letters, and a phone interview. After applicants receive initial acceptance into LVC, they choose three agencies to interview with. After completing these interviews, both volunteers and placement agencies are asked to give feedback to LVC. Using this input, LVC staff makes the best possible matches that are mutually agreeable to both the applicant and the placement agency. The matching process begins February 1 and runs through July. All volunteers begin work in late August/early September.
What is the application process for agencies?
Agencies must submit an application and have a site visit by the local coordinator. Then, the Local Support Committee in that city will determine which agencies to approve for that year. Approval does not guarantee a match. Agencies must reapply every year, even if they have hosted volunteers in the past.
LVC places a high priority on agencies with the greatest need and least available financial resources
LVC does not approve placements at organizations that can afford to hire a salaried employee for the position. LVC looks for agencies that can offer the volunteer an opportunity to do meaningful social justice work. The volunteer should be either working directly with people in need or in an organization that addresses the root causes of injustice.
Will LVC come to my city?
LVC was created as a program that focuses on placing volunteers in the inner city areas of the United States. Currently, LVC accepts applications from agencies located in Baltimore, Chicago, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Milwaukee, Oakland/Berkeley, CA, Seattle, Tacoma, Washington, DC and Wilmington, DE.
Does LVC only place volunteers at faith-based organizations?
Are all volunteers Lutheran?
While LVC does place people at faith-based agencies and churches, volunteers work in a variety of settings including shelters, youth programs, environmental organizations, medical and legal clinics, alternative high schools and education programs, housing agencies, food banks, and advocacy groups. Through LVC these organizations receive talented and committed full-time staff—workers they could not otherwise afford.
Volunteers are not required to be Lutheran. LVC is open to people of all faith traditions and perspectives. About two-thirds of volunteers come from Lutheran backgrounds. Some may not identify with a particular faith or denomination. LVC asks volunteers to be open to exploring and experiencing their faith with others.
What do volunteers do after the program ends?
For many, the LVC experience is the beginning of a life-long commitment to working for justice and peace. Some volunteers continue on as salaried employees at their placements while others seek positions in other social service agencies. Others go on to graduate school to pursue careers of service (social work, education, law, medicine, seminary). There is also the opportunity for a second year of volunteer service. In general, volunteers gain valuable work (and life) experience that is well respected and helpful in whatever they choose to do next.
Where does LVC get funding?
The LVC operating budget comes from many sources. Approximately 33% of LVC’s total budget comes from placement fees for placement agencies. Additionally, individual donors give 32% of the budget, congregations give 16%, and ELCA divisions give 9%. The remaining 10% comes from miscellaneous sources.
LVC is a Reconciling in Christ organization.
LVC does not discriminate due to ethnicity, race, creed, age, culture, disability, economic class, gender, or sexual orientation. As a Reconciling in Christ organization, LVC strives to be actively welcoming and supportive of volunteers who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender and asks that our placements join us in this effort.