JVs Prepare for BIPOC Retreat and White Accountability Meetup | | |
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This weekend's retreat will be facilitated by FJV Colleen Brady (San Jose '16-17). After her JV year, Colleen became a teacher, earned her M.Ed in Literacy, and now works as a literacy specialist.
Colleen craved affinity spaces during her JV year. To help, fellow BIPOC JVs cultivated a community themselves by creating a Facebook group called “Tender’n Tough JVs of Color” (titled from a line from a poem one of the JVs wrote), which provided a meaningful space to feel safe, comfortable, and at rest. Colleen is excited for BIPOC JVs to have the opportunity to come together for retreats and looks forward to facilitating.
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Meanwhile, JVs who identify as white will be attending this weekend's virtual White Accountability Meetup, focusing on racial self-awareness. Racial justice leaders from Layla Saad to Rachel Ricketts continuously highlight the importance of white people’s self-reflection in the work for racial justice. We cannot work for justice by just “doing doing doing,” as that can cause more harm than good. Rather, there is a cyclical partnership between reflection and action that this work requires of us.
Please hold the JVs in your hearts and prayers this weekend as they engage in these opportunities!
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Service Opportunities for the '23-24 Service Year | |
Our final deadline is May 23, and we still have positions available at some amazing partner agencies throughout the Northwest, including: | |
- Tundra Women's Coalition (Bethel, AK)
- The Poverello Center (Missoula, MT)
- Terry Reilly Health Services (Boise, ID)
- St Labre Indian School (Ashland, MT)
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- Partners for progress (Anchorage, AK)
- Alaska Literacy Program (Anchorage, AK)
- Covenant House Alaska (Anchorage, AK)
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Do you know someone who would be a great fit for one of these positions? If so, encourage them to apply! Learn more about these positions and others on our website. | |
Upcoming Week of Giving Events | |
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Event Opportunity
Virtual Book Discussion with Fr. James Martin
JVC Northwest is excited to host Fr. James Martin, SJ to lead our community in a live, virtual discussion about his book Learning to Pray. This book was also our Spring Ruined Readers selection. All are welcome to attend this special online event!
Date: Tuesday, June 6
Time: 5pm PST / 8pm EST
Register here.
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Event Opportunity
Virtual Reunions for Milestone FJV Anniversaries
If this year marks your 1st, 5th, 10th, 25th, 40th, or 50th year-anniversary of completing JVC Northwest, you're invited to attend a virtual reunion celebration!
Date: Thursday, June 8
Time: 5pm PST / 8pm EST
Who: FJVs who served in '21-22, '17-18, '12-13, '97-98, '82-83, or '72-73.
Registration links will be sent to members of the cohorts mentioned above. If you're interested in being a cohort representative, reach out to Laura Keating.
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Relationship Building
Become a JV Mentor
Want to connect with and show support to JVs in a meaningful way? We are looking for members of our community who would like to be a one-on-one mentor with a JV during the '23-24 service year.
To learn more about these opportunities and to sign up, click here.
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Bend JV EnCorps Lifts Up St. Vincent de Paul | |
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The Bend JV EnCorps group has been convening and serving for nine years under the leadership of Patty Christopher. Just recently they began gathering for their monthly community meetings at the St. Vincent de Paul of Bend where five of the JVEs serve. Patty reports that, “This year at our community meetings we have been exploring the core values of JVC Northwest. We are also reading Falling Upward by Richard Rohr and connecting it to our spiritual path and our volunteer work during the second half of life.”
The JVEs are excited to meet at St. Vincent’s because the organization connects them directly to their work with social justice. St. Vincent de Paul of Bend has an active food pantry for clients. They also provide ID, prescription drugs, propane, and assistance with clothing and utilities. And this year they opened a 10-unit transitional housing program to help combat chronic homelessness within the community of Bend, Oregon. Featured in the photo are two of the tiny houses in their low-income housing village.
Visit jvencorps.org to learn more about continuing the Ignatian journey!
If you are curious about starting a JV EnCorps group in your area, please contact Karen at kbeal@jvcnorthwest.org. We are now open to adult members of all ages!
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Honoring Activist, Singer, and Actor Harry Belafante
Harry Belafonte passed away on April 25 at the age of 96. Beyond his recognition as the "King of Calypso," Belafante is remembered for his lifelong devotion to social justice, whether exemplified by marching alongside Dr. Martin Luther King or funding the movement from behind the scenes. In a reflection by Sharon Johnson, a member of the Portland JV EnCorps group, she recounts Belafonte's relationship with her friend, who was a fundraiser in the early days of the civil rights movement. Click here to read Sharon's reflection.
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Job Opportunity
Director of Faith/Campus Ministry
La Salle Catholic College Preparatory
Milwaukie, OR
Apply here
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Job Opportunity
Part-Time CLA Coordinator
Contemplative Leaders in Action (CLA)
Seattle area
Apply here
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Job Opportunity
Community Engaged Learning Coordinator
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA
Apply here
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Job Opportunity
Architect or Architectural Graduate
MRV Architects
Juneau, AK
Apply here
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In Memoriam: Chris Flanagan | |
Chris Flanagan (Portland, OR '95-96) passed away unexpectedly on Monday, April 24. Chris worked as the Principal at Madeira Elementary School in Cincinnati, OH and was known throughout the community for his kindness and commitment to service. Chris and his family recently helped organize an FJV happy hour in Cincinnati with Executive Director Greg Carpinello. We join the community in mourning his loss. Read Chris Flanagan's obituary here. | |
We acknowledge and honor the Clackamas People as the traditional inhabitants of the land upon which our office resides and this newsletter is published. We pay respect to Elders both past and present. We are committed to deepening our knowledge and perspectives of this land's history as the first step toward a future of justice and understanding. To learn more about the history of where you live, visit Native-Land.ca.
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