IVC New England Service Corps members are in the final months of their pandemic year of service. Incredibly, despite the psychological and physical limitations caused by the coronavirus, the financial and logistical challenges to our partner agencies, and the need for constant adjustment and adaptation to a virtual environment, our IVC New England 2020-2021 volunteer contingent actually grew in strength and wisdom, and even numerically, during this very unusual year.

Twelve IVC New England volunteers did not return to service this year, some because of health concerns or program closures due to the pandemic. Yet, thirteen new recruits joined 32 returnees in contributing their talents and life experience toward addressing human needs in our area. As we near the end of our service year in June, a record 45 IVC New England Corps members assisted 30 area nonprofits in ten New England cities and towns.

And, now we start to look toward the coming year, one in which we hope there will be more opportunity for in-person service. IVC New England continues to reach out to the nonprofit organizations in Boston, Worcester, Providence, and surrounding communities for opportunities for impactful service (see article below), and hopes to reunite with old partners whose programs were cut back because of the virus.

We are now welcoming volunteer applications for 2021-2022. As we identify needs we will begin interviews and placement of applicants. We expect to be actively matching the gifts of our talented applicants with the needs of our nonprofit partners beginning May 10. Please spread the word to women and men, 50 years of age or better, interested in a year of service and spirituality. Contact us at newengland@ivcusa.org for more information or an application.

On April 11, IVC New England celebrated its ninth Madonna Della Strada Award Ceremony. It was our first virtual production, and early feedback from attendees has been very positive. Speakers motivated. Awardees and their presenters inspired. Slides and videos gave a glimpse of IVC life in the midst of a pandemic. The gathering was captured on You Tube. Click here to watch it now.

IVC New England Regional Director Dave Hinchen paid tribute to the Core Community of IVC - volunteers, spiritual reflectors, and regional council members, and named and singled out for special praise the 30 nonprofit partners with whom IVC works in New England.

IVC President/CEO Mary McGinnity thanked IVC New England for its "wonderful work" and the night's awardees for "letting us lift up your lives to show what it means to serve." Mary praised the "heart, soul, and grit" of the IVC Service Corps, and noted that a new IVC is emerging from the pandemic - an IVC serving in new ways, providing opportunities for service for many more people.

The evening's keynote speaker, Jesuit USA East Provincial Father Joe O'Keefe, reflected that in a deeply divided world and country, Jesuits and lay colleagues are called to be "ministers of reconciliation and justice." IVC volunteers, he stated, are on the front lines - providing food for families, shelter and safety for people evicted, the light of learning for youth and adults, and companionship to immigrants, refugees, and the elderly.

Highlighting the evening were award presentations to honorees Shannon Carroll (Providence), Anne and Kevin Kane (Worcester), and Jonathan Scott (Boston),

IVC Regional Council member Sandy Yates, Matthew 25 founder/director Father Fred Enman, SJ, and Boston College Project Pulse founder Pat Byrne introduced the awardees who touched all with their heartfelt words of thanks.

Following the ceremony, viewers were able to visit with the awardees and their family members in Zoom reception rooms - another IVC New England first!

The celebration was a financial success, too. Thanks to donations from more than 110 contributors, IVC New England easily surpassed its $25,000 goal and will continue to thrive. Our sincere gratitude goes out to all who contributed to the evening - whether financially, through participation in the program, or through behind-the-scenes planning, coaching or technological assistance.

Again, you can watch it all on You Tube by clicking here.

IVC New England is actively seeking partnerships with nonprofit agencies for its 2020-2021 service year. Schools, churches, and community groups can contact us now.

This year's Service Corps members have worked on site, virtually, and in a hybrid manner. Our hope is that in the fall, with a vaccine widely distributed, old and new partners will be able to open up their schools, offices, and programs to more on site involvement.

Incoming Service Corps members begin submitting applications in April for fall placement. Nonprofits interested in potentially contracting with IVC can contact us directly at newengland@ivcusa.org. This year we have had 45 volunteers working with 30 nonprofit partners in Boston, Worcester, Providence, and beyond.

Please check out the following events of interest in April and May:

Naming the Wounds, Beginning to Heal, a presentation on polarization in religion, politics, and culture, will be hosted by IVC Chicago, on Sunday, April 25, from 4:00 - 6:00pm. This program will document the depth of this national epidemic of contempt and to begin to unravel why it has such a hold on us and how we can seek out remedies for tolerance and respect. For more information or to register, click here.

Join A Faith That Does Justice for A Pathway to Citizenship: the Role of the Community, a discussion about the challenges facing immigrants in the United States and the current proposed legislation to create pathways to citizenship. Learn how you can support the immigrant community. Register here. The discussion is from 6:30 - 8:30pm, on Tuesday, April 27.

On Wednesday, May 19, from 7:00 - 8:30pm, IVC New York/Metro ls sponsoring a Zoom Celebration and Discussion on the Person, Politics, and Passion of Dorothy Day, honoring the Dorothy Day Guild with the Madonna Della Strada Award. For more information and to register, click here.

Refugee Immigration Ministry (RIM) provides community-based support to asylum seekers, helping clients to adapt to and integrate into their new communities. Join RIM for its annual Music of Hope Concert on Sunday, May 23 at 7:00pm, for an evening of song and music for hope. To register for this concert, click here.