Returning to Joy
Claire Weber reflects on the Advent theme of Joy, noting beautifully that joy pushes us away from our comfort zones and towards the people we are called to become.
Spokane
Reflecting on Spirituality – Advent 2023
by Becca Townley, Spokane, ’23-’24 As we approach this advent season, we anticipate Christ’s birth. It can feel mundane. We listen to the same Christmas songs, see the same colors, light the same candles…but each year is different. Every year we approach advent as new people with new challenges, new careers, and maybe a new … Read more
Pumped for Produce
Stories of Connecting Families with Fresh Food Over the past year, Melissa Mardo has been serving as a JV AmeriCorps member in Spokane with Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington. Focusing on food access, her tales of cooking, teaching, and interacting with youth weren’t quite what she had initially envisioned when she began her service. At Catholic Charities … Read more
Restoring Dignity through Open Mic Night
JV AmeriCorps member Scott Woodward (Spokane, WA ’16-17) serves as the Operations Specialist with Catholic Charities of Spokane in Washington. In our latest blog, Scott describes the Open Mic Night project he started, which provides patrons at the homeless shelter opportunities to express themselves creatively and allow their voices to be heard. Creative expression: something most … Read more
Lessons in Love
Our latest blog post is written by FJV AmeriCorps member Heidi Hanson (Spokane, WA ’15-16) who served as the House Support/Care Giver with L’Arche Spokane in Spokane, Washington. Below, Heidi shares her experience forming relationships and growing in love and compassion with her Core Members and community of L’Arche Spokane. The celebration of love and compassion was an ever-present … Read more
Shattering Mental Health Biases
In our latest blog post, JV AmeriCorps member Karilynn Cooper (Spokane, WA ’14-15, Seattle, WA ’15-16) shares her experience identifying and overcoming her mental health biases through her service with Community House Mental Health Agency. Before beginning my service to adults with severe mental illness, encountering an individual on the streets who appeared to be talking to someone … Read more
