Dominican Volunteers USA

3 days ago

These are our 2017- 18 Dominican Volunteers!

On this National Volunteer Week, we hear our from some of current Dominican Volunteers, who reflect being a volunteer in their own words.

“Having that time to simply sit and read or stare out the window or meditate has really been a blessing in disguise. It has forced me to slow down and not feel like I need to be doing something all the time. Gabrielle Smith, 2017- 18 Dominican Volunteer San Francisco California, reflecting on the role of The Dominican Pillar of Study during her daily commute to her ministry.

“I’ve found that if I come to work with the intention of being present to each and every resident daily that it not only creates a relationship, but from there I can share in the one human journey. At this point it doesn’t change the whole system, but I’m hoping that I do some good each day.” Niki Klco, 2016- 18 Dominican Volunteer Bronx, New York, on her work with families who are homeless.

“The difference between sisters and the rest of us is that they choose to dedicate their lives to living in community. They dedicate their lives to living with a large group of other women, with all the problems that that entails, and still live in communion and loving relationship with each and every one.” Jennifer Doering, 2017- 18 Dominican Volunteer, San Francisco, California on living in community with Dominican Sisters

“I shared my story with my students, I shared with them where I came from, where my parents came from, and what it meant for me to grow up as Mexican-American in this country. I quickly bonded with my students over similar cultural interests in food, music, art, and traditions. Speaking Spanish helped me communicate with their parents directly and has given me the opportunity to actively listen to their stories.”

Diana Hernandez, 2017-18 Dominican Volunteer, on connecting with her fourth grade religion students in Redwood City California.

“I’m trying to live a life of Joyful Gratitude, because otherwise there will always be another force pulling me with it, like the moon pulls the ocean.” Kateri Sullivan Golbiw , 2017-18 Dominican Volunteer, San Francisco California

“Fellow Dominican Volunteer) Niki Klco and I work very intentionally to form respectful and genuine relationships. We are honest about our limitations to help, we practice active listening, and we honor the women’s struggles understanding how survival tactics manifest themselves in a world that marginalizes poor, Black and Brown women.” Steph Zavala-Guzman, 2017- 18 on her work with young homeless mothers in the Bronx New York

“It’s the little things like watching "NA" use a sewing machine, or hearing words of encouragement from T that truly make this job so great and remind me that no matter where you are, you can feel at home.” Elizabeth L Drake,2017-18 Dominican Volunteer, on her ministry as a refugee employment specialist in Chicago Illinois

“This year has really taught me though that change is alright. It’s ok to change your dreams, because something bigger may be waiting for you at the end. No matter what, there will always be someone to encourage you in this transition and to tell you that it will all be ok in the end. Thankfully I have found that person in my fellow volunteer, Sean, in my family, and still in my Xavier friends. I am confident in my new decision to become a social worker and the future that lies ahead." Sydney Boyer 2017-18 Dominican Volunteer, Huntington Station, New York

“I continue to keep my heart and mind open as I know that working for justice is about working for someone you love. “ Zachary Kenneth Moeller, 2017-18 Dominican Volunteer Chicago Illinois

“I have to be honest and candid and share that I got quite the gamut of reactions when I explained what I was doing. “Are you crazy,” “Are you sure,” “Does this mean you want to be a priest,” “Does that mean you have to give up having fun?” Well to answer those questions: yes, yes, no, and no!” Sean Puzzo, 2017-18 Dominican Volunteer , Huntington Station, New York

“I thought living in intentional community with sisters would be difficult when I first started out my volunteer year. There was an obvious age gap. We come from different generations, and we come from different cultures. Now, I see that living in this kind of environment is crucial to my spiritual and emotional growth.” Viviana Garcia-Blanco, 2017-18 Dominican Volunteer, on living with Dominican Sisters
“I’m hopeful. For every child I meet in my work who struggles to dream, I meet many dozens more whose dreams are vivid and beautiful despite their struggles. For every child I meet who struggles to dream, I have a coworker working dutifully to help that child generate the optimism necessary for dreams. Without a doubt, I have hope for a world in which dreaming comes naturally for every child. What a wonderful world it would be. :)” Julia Lorraine Butts, 2017-18 Dominican Volunteer on her work as a teacher in Redwood City California.

DVUSA invites you to join us in honoring these remarg volunteers this coming Saturday at Caritas & Veritas: Continuing the Journey! We hope to see you. If you cannot celebrate with us, please consider making a donation at the link below in support of one of our volunteers
Caritas & Veritas: Continuing the Journey, DVUSA’s annual event is Saturday, April 21 6 to 9 pm at Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois. River Forest Illinois. You can buy tickets or donate here. dominicanvolunteersusa.salsalabs.org/caritasveritas/index.html ... See MoreSee Less

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Dominican Volunteers USA

4 days ago

This chart below shows how your generous donation directly supports our volunteers by funding their monthly stipend, transportation costs, food, and other essential components to a successful year of service.
Could you give $3100 to fund a year of health insurance for one Dominican Volunteer? Or $150 for 1 DVs monthly stipend? How about $50 for a full day of retreat for one DV?

Last year’s Dominican Volunteers completed over 30,000 hours of service. Our DV’s served in five states for 12 different organizations and helped over 2,000 individuals in a wide variety of settings. Their service contributions were valued at over $660,000. This year’s volunteers are on pace to accomplish the same.

100% of your donation funds the committed volunteers of DVUSA. Your gift gives us hope that our mission of service will remain strong and continue to grow. We cannot thank you enough for your belief in this mission and your support!

If you feel called a Torchbearer, a regular monthly contributor to Dominican Volunteers USA please sign up here. dvusa.org/become-a-torchbearer/

DVUSA invites you to join us in supporting our volunteers this coming Saturday at Caritas & Veritas: Continuing the Journey! We hope to see you! If you cannot celebrate with us, please consider making a donation at the link below in support of one of our volunteers
Caritas & Veritas: Continuing the Journey, DVUSA’s annual event is Saturday, April 21 6 to 9 pm at Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois. River Forest Illinois. You can buy tickets or donate here. dominicanvolunteersusa.salsalabs.org/car…/index.html ... See MoreSee Less

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Dominican Volunteers USA

5 days ago

As part of our annual event on April 21, DVUSA is honoring the work of Sarah's Inn, one of our long standing ministry partners. Sarah’s Inn mission is to support survivors, perpetrators, and family members affected by domestic violence and to break the cycle of domestic violence in our society. 2013-14 Dominican Volunteer Erin Hallagan, reflects on her experience with Sarah’s Inn.
"I am so incredibly grateful for my experience with Sarah's Inn. I started at Sarah's Inn as a Dominican Volunteer fresh out of college. Sarah's Inn provided me with the skills and training that I needed to educate survivors on the cycle of violence and their rights. Liz Figueroa-Serrano and my other colleagues taught me by example how to facilitate Spanish-speaking support groups and gave me the confidence to do so. Through my work as a Dominican Volunteer, I met so many incredibly strong survivors, who each day to create a better, safer life for themselves and their children.

As I neared the end of my Dominican Volunteer year, I was lucky enough to be hired on to work for Sarah's Inn full time as a Legal Advocate at Chicago's Domestic Violence courthouse. There, I received invaluable training from Tere Lozano, who taught me how to support survivors who are so often frustrated and confused by the legal and cultural barriers involved in obtaining an Order of Protection during what is often the scariest time of their lives.

Sarah's Inn has shaped and influenced my life journey in countless ways both personally and professionally. I could not imagine a better place to start my career with colleagues and supervisors that were supportive and patient, and with clients that are so deserving. My experience as a Legal Advocate led me to applying to UCLA for law school, where I have continued working with survivors of violence to obtain immigration relief through U-visas, VAWA petitions, and asylum applications. I hope to continue this work with survivors in the immigration field throughout my legal career. And I never could fully leave Sarah's Inn behind; fortunately, they've allowed me to keep volunteering for their 24 hour crisis line, even from all the way in California.”

We hope you can join DVUSA on April 21 in honoring Sarah's Inn. Partnerships like this one, are invaluable to the mission of DVUSA. If you can’t join us, we invite you to make a donation. Register and donate here.
dominicanvolunteersusa.salsalabs.org/caritasveritas/index.html ... See MoreSee Less

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