Volunteers in the Lutheran Volunteer Corps program will be placed within organizations like Habitat for Humanity, women’s shelters and environmental groups.
Volunteers generally perform the tasks and functions of a paid staff member, but receive ongoing support from an LVC staff member stationed in the placement city, as well as the extra support of living with other volunteers and attending retreats three times per year.
Volunteers don’t need to have any special skills to apply to the LVC, and do not necessarily need to be Lutheran, but rather should have an open mind and a desire to live in a world where people are encouraged to give back. In many cases, work placements though LVC will be eligible for credit through your undergraduate or graduate program, and some graduate programs, like Carnegie Mellon’s Public Policy program, actually give special consideration to those who have completed a year in the corps.
Start your application process by downloading the application instructions from the Lutheran Volunteer Corps website and reading everything carefully. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with placements starting in August. Be prepared to fill out quite a bit of paperwork, submitted both electronically and via snail mail. You’ll also need at least one letter of reference.
Learn much more about this program at: www.lutheranvolunteercorps.org/.