FAQ's | Placement Sites | Jesuit Volunteer Corps

Frequently Asked Questions

Before Applying to JVC

Q: What information do I need before applying to have a Jesuit Volunteer in the U.S.?

A: We have a lot of information and printed materials that we would like to share with you regarding our organization and our program. We also want to explain the application process and tell you about our criteria when selecting agencies.

Please contact David Bowles- dbowles@jesuitvolunteers.org| 410-244-1744 for additional information:

Q: What information do I need to apply for a Jesuit Volunteer outside of the U.S.?

A: To learn more about the application process for international JVs, contact the international program office at internationaloffice@jesuitvolunteers.org. Please include the following information.

Name of Agency/Organization/School
Year it was founded
City and country
Mission Statement
Description of the services provided
Description of the population served
Description of the need for a JV
Description of the supervision that would be provided for a JV
Financial capacity to assist with living costs of the JV

Q: Do I need to do anything before applying?

A: Yes, one of the requirements of the application is a site visit to your agency. If a JVC representative has not visited your organization in the past year, then please contact your local office immediately to schedule a tour.

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Financial Obligations:

Q: What will be the annual cost of a Jesuit Volunteer?

A: Financial responsibilities vary regionally based upon local housing markets and cost of living. Please contact your local program office for a sample budget for your particular city.

Placement sites are responsible for paying a screening and placement fee, an assessment fee, and volunteer health insurance costs. Other expenses include the JV's potion of monthly rent, a food stipend, a personal stipend, work-related transportation costs, travel costs to JVC retreats, and relocation expenses at the end of the year. In the U.S., these costs can total between $12,000 - $18,000.

Q: How is having a Jesuit Volunteer affected by minimum wage laws?

A: The volunteer stipend is less than minimum wage, which is fully acceptable by law. The minimum wage law, by establishing a reasonably just and fair income, is intended to stop competition by companies paying less than minimum wage, as well as unfair competition for jobs caused by those willing to work for less.

The purpose of JVC is not to encourage unfair competition or to deprive anyone of the opportunity to work. JVC's purpose is to serve others by helping agencies do good work and to provide JVs the opportunity to work for justice and develop spiritually.

A JV should not replace an employee earning the minimum wage or more. A JV should also not be used to fill a position that would normally be filled by a regular employee if the JV were not available.

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Non-Financial Obligations

Q: What does the JVC program require regarding agency participation?

A: The agency needs to share in the spirit of the JVC program, cooperating in good faith with the JV and JVC, especially in the case of conflict between the JV and the agency.

Work time should not inhibit the JV's ability to participate in their community, which includes time for evening meals and weekly community gatherings. Agencies are required to allow JVs time away from work to attend every retreat in the JVC program calendar. This time away from work is not to be considered vacation, holiday, or compensatory time.

Agencies and/or JVC staff collaborate to organize a local orientation for the JVs. This includes a welcoming social gathering and tour of the city, including the locations of each placement site and local sites like churches, the library, the post office, parks and recreational areas, etc.

Q: What are the site administrator's responsibilities during an area visit?

A: The person at a placement site responsible for the relationship with JVC—typically the JV's supervisor and/or the JVC administrator—meets with the JV's program coordinator during area visits, which take place twice a year in the U.S. or once a year at international locations.

These visits may also include meetings with all the local agency administrators together to plan logistics. During these visits, the program coordinator evaluates the progress of the JV, at work and in the community, and gauges the development and suitability of the position for JVC.

Administrators and/or supervisors are also asked to complete evaluation forms to be shared with the JVs and reviewed by the program coordinator.

Q: What is the housing like for Jesuit Volunteers?

A: Housing should be simple and is traditionally located in a lower-income neighborhood to provide opportunities for the JVs to live in solidarity with the people they serve.

Residences should have adequate bedrooms and communal living space for the expected number of JVs. There should be one full bathroom for every four JVs. They should be readily accessible to placement sites, the transit system (where applicable), a shopping district, and other resources. Housing should be ready for occupancy (furnished, with utilities in service) when the JVs arrive at the beginning of their year of service.

In locations where a JVC community is already established, it is assumed that housing will not change unless the JVC staff—in consultation with current JVs and site administrators—determines that a move is necessary. If this occurs, all administrators within the administrators group are expected to take responsibility for finding appropriate housing.

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