Releases

Volunteer, Donor, and "Kitchen Queen" 

Laura Elkins (Washington ’89, ‘90) and her husband, Andy Catanzaro, support JVC and the local Jesuit Volunteers from their home in Washington, D.C. They have two children, Ella, 5, and Kyle, 7.

Q: Why did you first donate to JVC?

After Andy and I got married, we thought about the organizations we wanted to give to. We've both been given a lot and wanted to give back to the things that made a difference in our lives. For me that was certainly JVC. Eventually it was for Andy, too, because we both became so involved. JVC is important on many levels both providing agencies with volunteers and giving young people a life-changing experience. We gave small amounts in the beginning, but consistently each month sometimes more, sometimes less. Ironically, we gave to other organizations that we encountered through JVC. I consider that an indirect gift, since it helps agencies have a JV.

Q: What are some of the ways you give?

Besides financially, we give of our time and talent. I am the support person for the LeDroit Park JV community in D.C. It's a weekly commitment on all of our parts because my family supports me being out, or will sometimes come along. Five of the seven D.C. JV s came for Thanksgiving dinner at our house this year. I try to make sure they have a place to go on holidays. I came from California and going home wasn't a possibility, so I'm sensitive to that. And, I was the "kitchen queen" for many years.

Q: How did you earn that title?

For 10 years, I went to Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania, for disorientation and orientation to run the kitchen. I took a few years off when my kids were born, but I went back this past summer. After so many years, people constantly asked for recipes. That led to the creation of the JVC cookbook we sold as a fundraiser for the 25th anniversary of JV C East in 2000.

Q: How do you continue to live out the JVC values?

The values have permeated our lives so much that I can't separate them out. Every Saturday, we try to have someone over for dinner to share community. We made the choice to home school our kids and keep our lives focused on what's important to our family. Andy and I are both committed to homegrown and regional foods—we support local farmers and joined a CSA. We garden in our yard and took over part of our neighbor's yard, too. We feel more connected to the environment and to each other because we spend time together while gardening.

Q: What are your hopes for JVC?

My hope is that JVC can help the JV s better understand sustainability. JV s struggle with the question, "Should I buy organic vegetables or stick to my budget?" How do you help people learn to live out the JVC values in their life without feeling guilty about the choices they make?