2019 Response

Continuing the Journey– Resources for Former Volunteers

Tell Your Story Former volunteers, we want to hear from you! Service stories bring to life the opportunities we promote in RESPONSE. CVN offers many ways for former volunteers to share about their service experiences. • I CHOSE SERVICE

Although the service term may be a week, a month, a year, or more, any former volunteer or missioner will tell you that the experience lasts much longer than that. Full-time service is an experience that lasts a lifetime. Volunteers leave their programs greatly changed by the opportunity they’ve had to walk with the poor and vulnerable, nourish their faith, and live simply in community with other volunteers. CVN helps volunteers continue to live out these values long after their time of service is complete. Everyone who has served with one of our member programs is welcomed into our family of volunteer alumni. In partnership with the Catholic Apostolate Center (See page 5 for more information), CVN provides a number of resources to help former volunteers continue their service journey. To learn more about these services, please visit the resources section of our website. Alumni resources include: • The What’s Next Notebook – a reflection guide to help you process the ways that you have been changed by service, and also look ahead to decide what your next steps will be. • Various publications, including the alumni newsletter, Staying Connected; regional networking listservs; and weekly Job Bank. • Seasonal reflection guides, including our annual Advent and Lenten Reflections – written by current and former volunteers. • Online resources on transitions, vocational discernment, graduate programs, and leadership development. • Networking opportunities, retreats, webinars, workshops, and more!

Participate in our “I Chose Service” campaign! By sharing about your own process of choosing a volunteer program, you can help thousands of people who are still on the fence about whether or not to serve.

• SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Are you interested in representing CVN at an event? We are always looking for volunteers who can share about their experiences with a live audience! • BECOME A CVN BLOGGER

If you enjoy putting your experiences into words, we encourage you to share your stories with us. Every week we feature new volunteer reflections on our blog and social media.

Graduate School Opportunities In addition to offering opportunities to grow in your faith and live simply, your volunteer experience will also provide you with hands-on professional experience. Many volunteer positions – from teacher to medical assistant, camp coordinator to social worker – are the perfect stepping stone from undergraduate degree to graduate studies, offering

CVN Graduate School Partners

you an opportunity to discern your future career or vocation. A diverse group of graduate schools, located across the country, specifically seek out former volunteers, because they know that your service experience provides you with a unique and valuable perspective on the crossroads of faith and service. More than 1 in 5 CVN volunteers who serve nine months or longer attend graduate school after finishing their volunteer commitment. If you choose this path, you will be in good company! Former volunteers enter graduate school in a variety of disciplines, including theology and ministry, social work, education, law, and medicine. We are proud to highlight six Graduate School Partners who support Catholic Volunteer Network and offer advanced degrees to former volunteers. You can learn more about the programs they offer (and scholarship opportunities) at catholicvolunteernetwork.org/resources .

9 CATHOLICVOLUNTEERNETWORK .ORG | RESPONSE 2019