Support

JVC by the numbers:
300+ - amount of women and men serving as JVs each year 
$7,000 - amount to recruit, screen, place, and provide ongoing support for one volunteer (like me!)
$20,000 - amount each agency saves per volunteer each year
$4 million - JVC's budget for 2010

$6 million+ - total amount saved each year by nonprofits and schools aided by JVs

As an incoming volunteer, JVC asks that we each fundraise to not only help meet the operating budget of the organization, but also to spread the word about our work and about the mission of JVC.  Even though I knew fundraising would be a part of JVC, I still was dreading the e-mail with more information about the process.  Whether it was selling Girl Scout cookies in grade school, magazines and calendars in high school, or towels and Cards tickets in college, I have always hated having to ask people to buy things from me.  JVC kept emphasizing that this was an opportunity though, to be able to raise awareness of my future work, allow others to do something good, and create connections with people in my community and family.  At first I thought this was a way of sugar coating the task, but I soon realized I was wrong.

During the process of creating my Send Me to Serve page, composing my letter to potential donors, and creating a "flyer" about myself and my placement, I was forced to put into words why I am so excited about my upcoming year, what JVC means to me, and why I am passionate about this program.  Just like with the theme of this blog, "finding meaning", I had to reflect on ideas and experiences that I take for granted and explain them to others, allowing me to clarify and gain a deeper understanding of my formative experiences and the four values of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps.  Also as I was researching, trying to find statistics about Boyle Heights (the neighborhood of East LA that I'll be in) and about Dolores Mission School (DMS), I had multiple nights of staying up until 3 or 4am because I became so interested in the wealth of information on the internet and in books.  Ranging from the Jesuits in Boyle Heights to gangs in East LA (read about in this amazing book) to community statistics (found here and here) to videos of DMS, the information I found continues to make me more and more excited for this experience.  So, as I began to ask for support and share my information, I was actually enthusiastic about fundraising, a complete first for me.

Long story short, I was completely overwhelmed by the amount of support from family and friends!  I was not only able to surpass my goal amount, but I also was able to raise awareness about my work and the organization.  I could not believe how willing people were to give money and support to JVC.  Knowing that I have this encouragement and aid from so many people (especially since many of my family members and friends are already inspirations for me!) has really helped to boost my confidence in what I will be doing and in my abilities.  For me personally, more important than the financial aid, has been the personal contact with donors and non donors alike.  I loved telling people about what I'll be up to all year, about my community and school and hearing their interest and well wishes has been extremely motivating and heartwarming.   

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 'support' means "to hold up or serve as a foundation for" and I could not think of a more descriptive word for what so many people have been doing for me and JVC.  This year is joining to be a journey, with challenges and successes, relationships to be made and continued, and countless lessons to be learned, but thanks to so many people that I am lucky enough to call my family and friends, I have an extremely stable and well-built foundation from which I can embark.

Thank You!