We as volunteers will live in communities of 6 or 7. We are placed into our houses based on proximity to our respective service sites. Some are within walking distance, others are easy to get to via public transit and other community members may use a community vehicle. Housing with basic furnishings and utilities will be provided by VSC. We will all receive two monthly stipends: the first is $100 for food and the second is $125 for personal expenses. There is a focus on simple living and community. Each week we have a community night. Each household determines when and what will happen during this time.
We are also provided with Health insurance and Loan Deferment. Each volunteer will also be connected with a liason from the agency to help volunteers with any problems or concerns they have and to support them through the year of volunteering-particularly the first couple of months.
Vincentian Service Corps West is a Catholic-based program that does not require volunteers to be Catholic. It is named after St. Vincent de Paul whose work was with the homeless and impoverished. There is a focus on spiritual growth and development. There are 5 retreats during the year.
I have recently been contacted by my service site coordinator, Gilda. She gave me some basic information about my service site and a few things I need to get done. I will be at St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, CA. I will receive more information about my specific placement soon.
I fly out of Minneapolis August 9th at 6:30am. We will be at a retreat in Montebello for the first week. We will move into our communities during the weekend. I begin general orientation at SFMC on the 16th.
My contact information is below. Please feel free to write or comment on this blog!
Address
840 N Garfield Avenue
Montebello, CA 90640
E-mail
amos.restad@gmail.com
840 N Garfield Avenue
Montebello, CA 90640
amos.restad@gmail.com
