Jesuit Volunteer Corps

alumni feature, jvc magazine, public policy

Former Jesuit Volunteer Runs for Congressional Seat

By Senator Bob Casey, Jr.

(Philadelphia 1982-83)

Senator Casey, Jr. (Philadelphia 1982-83) gives speech in front of supporters.

As a JV, I taught fifth grade and coached basketball at the Gesu School in North Philadelphia. It was a challenging year: I learned the basics of teaching on the job and learned a lot about myself in the process. Teaching is difficult even when you’re focused on it as a career, and even more so when you feel like you’re unprepared and you have to learn as you go. After that year, I felt I could do just about anything.

While the experience was a challenge, I learned so much from my students and from the struggles of their families. Now, when I’m working on defending Medicaid or another program that helps people in low-income communities, they are not abstract policy matters. They are more real because of my experience in JVC, working with families who struggled to make ends meet. It also helped me understand the trauma many communities confront and overcome alongside economic challenges in declining neighborhoods.

My daughter, Julia, recently finished her year as a Jesuit Volunteer. Obviously for a parent, it is inspiring and a source of great validation when your child chooses a similar experience to your own. She took on a tough assignment, and I’m grateful she was willing to commit part of her life to service. We’re blessed to share that experience.

092617 ff2 201
092617 ff2 110

READ MORE

  • DANNY O’CONNOR (NEW YORK CITY 2009-10), 2018 Democratic candidate for Ohio’s Twelfth Congressional District.

    alumni feature, jvc magazine, public policy

    “As a JV, I saw the law can be impactful on individuals, on families, and folks who don’t have a voice. There’s power in the law and in our justice system when we have people who fight to make sure that folks have their rights protected.”

    LEARN MORE ABOUT DANNY'S COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE
  • While working at Everytown, Liz planned and ran an advocacy day and press conference with grassroots volunteers and gun violence survivors in Mississippi.

    alumni feature, public policy, housing insecurity

    “Whether organizing a community meeting around losing section-8 status or advancing legislation within state government, I have connected with people. To this end, I definitely got a great deal of practice and learned a lot from my experience of JVC.”

    Learn more about Liz's former job in gun reform policy