Volunteers live together in communities of four to six people.  Currently, the communities are located in the urban mideast (Ohio and Kentucky), with one community in Queens, New York.  Each community rents a house or an apartment, generally in low-income neighborhoods.  Being residents of the neighborhood, whether Hispanic, Appalachian, Black or integrated is key to knowing first hand the poverty that exists in the United States.

Volunteers are placed with secular and church agencies serving disadvantaged and marginalized people in urban areas.  Application to the MVSC is a thorough process that will help to shed light on your work interests and job skills, enabling a good match between job and you, the volunteer.

Volunteers are paid by the placement agency a minimal stipend of $5,400 to cover expenses necessary for the year.  The gross monthly salary (before taxes) for a volunteer is approximately $450 leaving approximately $375 in take-home pay.  Out of the take-home pay, the volunteer contributes to room and board, transportation costs, personal expense items, extraordinary expenses such as a trip home, and return travel home at the end of the volunteer commitment.  Your medical and hospitalization converage is paid for by the agency that you work for.  NOTE:  Remain on your own medical coverage plan until notified by the placement agency that you are covered by their plan.

There are two full-time directors in Dayton, OH as well as (a) part-time local coordinator(s) in each of the cities where our volunteers are placed.  The role of the directors includes arranging job interviews, while the local coordinator(s) act as support persons for the volunteer community, and is present for the volunteers throughout the year. 

Other sources of support include members of the Marianist family (consisting of lay men and women as well as professed Marianist brothers, priests, and sisters) who live in each of the cities where the volunteers are placed.  Volunteers will also enjoy the support of former volunteers who live and work in the vicinity, and peers in other ministries related to MVSC ("Friends in Ministry" program).

Community, or "come-unity" doesn't just happen.  It is not an instant process.  It takes time, and involves change and growth in each individual.  Communities share meals, chores, prayer, and vision.  The balance between self and others is precarious, yet the experiential knowledge gained is priceless and adds to the flavor of each community.  Blending our talents, weaknesses, gifts and limitations will bring about joy, struggle and growth. 

An initial orientation in mid-August prepares volunteers for their year of service, and three retreats and bi-weekly developmental programs throughout the year help to sustain the volunteer in his or her commitment.

Volunteers who have a college Guaranteed Student Loan (GSL) or National Direct Student Loan (NDSL) can receive up to a three year deferment on the loan during their volunteer service time.  The volunteer must be doing "secular work" (i.e., cannot be religious instruction, although you can work for a church institution).  Other student loans are deferable based on "economic hardship."  Contact the directors at: MVSC@udayton.edu for details on the procedure for a loan deferment.

The passage of the National Service Act in 1993 allows faith-based programs to access and provide the AmeriCorps post-service education award to volunteers who complete 1700 hours of direct service in compliance with AmeriCorps regulations.  Recipients of this award recieve over $4,000 upon completion of service.  The award may be used toward future education or repayment of educational debt.

To be a MVSC volunteer, you need only be a mature Christian,  over age 20, single, married or divorced (without dependents) and interested in living a simple lifestyle in Christian community while serving the needs of the poor. 

Some placements may require one or more of the following:

• special certification
• ability to speak Spanish
• access to a car
• background check
• formal agency application
• computer literacy

MVSC offers both one year and two year service opportunities.