The JVC Northwest community is celebrating 40 years of Jesuit Volunteer service in Yakima this summer.
If you served in Yakima, live near Yakima, or simply want to celebrate and support the JVC Northwest community in “the Palm Springs of Washington,” then we invite you to join us from June 21st-23rd, 2024 for a weekend reunion.
Can’t make it to the reunion but still want to share your memories? Email jvcnwyakima40th@gmail.com with photos or written stories from your time in Yakima. We would be happy to share them during the program!
A full itinerary and hotel information is below.
Travel Scholarships Now Available
UPDATE: Thanks to the generosity of the Foundation of Mercy, we now have funding to help defray travel costs for those who need assistance getting to Yakima. You may request up to $100 per individual, and funding is first come, first serve. If you would like to request a travel scholarship, please fill out this form.
Weekend Itinerary
COVID Note: Rates of COVID are on the rise. If you are not feeling well, please avoid that day’s events. Masks will be available at all events.
Logistics Note: If you are lost or unsure what’s happening next and need more info, you can call or text Matt Fairbank (509-823-0945), Faith Payson (202-747-4390), or Kathy Tierney (509-952-3689).
Thursday (6/20)
- Micah Potluck at the Tierney-Jach Household
- Time: 6PM
- Location: 107 N 31st Ave
- Details: This event is held monthly by the Micah Community – Yakima’s JV support community. In June, support family Kathy Tierney and Michael Jach will be hosting. They will provide a main course and beverages. Attendees bring sides.
Friday (6/21)
- Drinks at BaleBreaker Brewery
- Time: 6PM
- Location: 1801 Birchfield Rd.
- Details: No host food or beverages, but there will be a food truck onsite and you are permitted to bring in your own outside food (no outside beverages). There is an outdoor space for kids. Pets also welcome.
Saturday (6/22)
Morning:
- Social time at the Hilton
- Time: 8:30-10AM
- Location: Hilton Garden Inn Yakima Downtown, 1st floor meeting room (Rainier Room)
- Details: Socialize with other reunion attendees. Breakfast available for purchase in Hilton Garden Inn restaurant (no offsite food or beverage allowed). This is where the Zoom reunion will take place at 10:30.
- Zoom Meeting with Br. Fred Mercy and Others Unable to Attend in Person
- Time: 10:30-11:30AM (following the Social Hour above)
- In-Person Location: Hilton Garden Inn Yakima Downtown, 1st floor meeting room (Rainier Room)
- Zoom Details: Join Zoom here (Meeting ID: 853 5546 0000; Passcode: 486935)
- JV House tour
- Time: 10AM – 12PM
- Location: 404 N Naches Ave.
- Details: The JVs have set aside time in their schedules to be home for visitors. Feel free to drop by during this time or the Sunday morning time (see below).
- Free Admission at Yakima Valley Museum
- Time: 10AM – 3PM
- Location: 2105 Tieton Dr.
Afternoon:
- Community softball game
- Time: 1PM (Lunch on your own)
- Location: Holy Redeemer Church ball field, 1707 S 3rd Ave
- Details: BYO snacks and drinks!
Evening:
- Reflection Service
- Time: 4:30PM – 5:30PM
- Location: Mother Joseph Chapel at Catholic Charities
- Details: Everyone is welcome to a JVC Northwest values-themed spiritual service, organized by Faith Payson (Yakima ’22-23) and others. Enter from the parking lot behind Carroll Children’s Center at 5201 Tieton Dr.
- Dinner and Program
- Time: 6PM – 8PM
- Location: Holy Family Church Social Hall
- Details: Join us for a catered dinner from El Porton and time to re-connect with friends old and new, followed by story sharing from Former Yakima JVs. There is no cost for dinner! Optional happy hour to follow.
- After Party
- Time: 8:30PM – ?
- Location: The Pub (basement of Glenwood Square) at 5110 Tieton Dr
Sunday (6/23): Options for various activities
- Tree Planting
- Time: 10AM
- Location: Casa Grande JV House at 404 N Naches Ave.
- Visit the JV House (10AM – 12PM) at 404 N Naches Ave.
- Yakima Farmer’s Market (Sunday, 9am – 1pm)
- Hike Burnt Mountain – If you’d like to hike with Matt and Michele, meetup information will be available Saturday evening.
- Float the Yakima River (tube rentals/shuttles available at Red’s Fly Shop)
- Tour a local brewery or winery
- Meadowbrook Mall Fun Center
- The Yakima Valley Visitor Information Center has great suggestions
- YMCA Aquatic Center (they have slides!)
- High Steppe Climbing Gym
- Toppenish Murals
- Yakama Nation Cultural Center – has a museum, gift shop, and restaurant
- Yakima Greenway – for walking or biking
Hotel and Lodging Information
We have reserved a hotel block at the Hilton Garden Inn, 401 East Yakima Avenue, Yakima, WA, 98901.
The deadline to reserve a hotel block has now passed. However, a few local support people have offered to provide free lodging to those who need it. For this option, you may indicate your lodging needs in the RSVP form.
Questions? Contact the planning team at jvcnwyakima40th@gmail.com.
Can’t wait to see you soon! Your event planning team,
-
- Matt Fairbank (Seattle ’81-82)
- Faith Payson (Yakima ’22-23)
- Danielle Morin (Yakima ’22-23)
- Jill Sherwood (Yakima ’22-23)
- Patty Houts-Hussey (Cornelius, OR ’73-74)
- Kathy Tierney (Yakima Support Person)
- Laura DaCruz (JVC Northwest Staff Liaison)
