by Abigail Adams (she/her) Spokane, WA ’24-25
As a teenager, I always dreaded New Year’s Eve. I thought “nothing is going to change”. I am going to go back to my same school, same grade, and same teachers. What’s the point? When I was a college student, New Year’s Eve became a reason to party and wear glitter. I also partook in pledges to “change” something about myself, be it exercise, skin care routine, or eating habits….all superficial and frankly meaningless external vanities.
I decided to apply to be a Jesuit Volunteer in December of 2023 in a pitch to change my life. I was sitting on the floor of my college apartment with the terrifying realization that I did not like the direction my life was headed. I began to rapidly google “programs like the Peace Corps”. Via a third-party website, I learned about becoming a Jesuit Volunteer. “Dare to Change” loaded onto my screen, and I knew I had found the right place. I put all my eggs in one basket and clicked apply.
I applied and was soon matched with Vanessa Behan. I won’t lie and say I knew anything about Spokane or Vanessa Behan, my service site. I trusted Zayna, the program coordinator. I googled Spokane images and said “YES!” Spokane has a waterfall running through its city. I was sold. Eight months later I would be across the country in Spokane, Washington, serving at Vanessa Behan.
Vanessa Behan provides immediate safety and support to children and families. Originally a crisis nursery, Vanessa Behan has become a staple in the Spokane community. As a JV, I am a Certified House Parent and Community Service Specialist. In lay terms, I love, support, and care for children aged 0-12 three days a week. Two days a week I answer phones, go over resource sheets, and handout diapers and formula to families in need. I love my service site. Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest has helped me realize my passion of working with and advocating for children. I’ve found that the best feeling in my world is walking into service and a kiddo running up to me to give me a hug, say hi, or grab my hand to play.
One of the many aspects of being a Jesuit Volunteer that makes this year of service unique is that I get to live in intentional community with women who have become some of my close friends. My community is more than roommates. We have become a family. Most nights at dinner, we sit around the table discussing our day and service. We budget, travel, laugh, clean, and watch the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives together. We spend intentional time with each other, and it’s been a privilege to get to know these outstanding change makers.
Reflecting on the decisions that brought me to Spokane is dizzying. Every time I meet someone new, after explaining what the JVC Northwest is, I am asked why I chose to give a year of my life to a year of service. I always have the same answer “I wanted to change my life.” The New Year gives me time to reflect on the past year. The first half of 2024 was tough. There was a lot of turbulence in my personal life that consumed me. But something changed when I arrived in Spokane, WA. I found that immersing myself into a new community, social justice, spirituality, and simple living healed something in me. Entering JVC Northwest changed everything about my life. It changed me.
I look to the New Year and 2025 with excitement. The changes in my life have been immense. Reminiscing on previous New Years, this year I chose to celebrate with gratitude for my past and joy for my future.
Photos: At the top – The ’24-25 Spokane JVs, left to right, Janie Thomson (she/her), Maeve Sutula (she/her), Abby Adams (she/her), and Jaycie Calvert (she/her); Middle – Abby at her service site; Bottom left – hike down Mt. Spokane; Bottom middle – the Spokane JVs at the top of Mt. Spokane, Bottom right – Finishing a half marathon together.
