Our History
The seeds of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps were planted in 1956, when a small group of college students began serving the native people of Alaska’s Copper Valley. Five decades later, more than 12,000 Jesuit volunteers have served tens of thousands of individuals and families at hundreds of sites around the world. They’ve worked tirelessly for social justice, while exploring their spirituality and faith through a framework of Catholic, Ignatian values. In 2009, four regional Jesuit Volunteer offices and Jesuit Volunteers International united to form JVC. Bringing together groups with shared history, values, and mission, this merger gives us additional resources and capacity.
It is looking back on our past that makes us confident of our future. Decades of experience have given us insight into the challenges of serving people who are poor in an ever-changing world, and leave us well equipped to meet them head on. Our longevity and stability bring deep institutional knowledge to the organization, and fresh, innovative thinking to service and social justice. But our greatest impact can be seen in the thousands of Former Jesuit Volunteers living and working around the world. Transformed by their JVC experience, they are committed to a life of putting their faith into action, and they continue our work every day.
