Hometown: Garden City, NY

Age: 22

Alma Mater: University of Scranton

Favorite Books: Go Ask Alice, The Catcher in the Rye, The Alchemist, Little Women, The Last Lecture

Hobbies: Photography, Playing Basketball, Listening to Music, Hanging out with Friends and Watching Movies

What attracted you to GSV? The four tenets of social justice, community, spirituality and simplicity originally attracted me to Good Shepherd Volunteers. However, it was their focus on service to women and children that also drew me to GSV. Ultimately, the personal touch from the GSV staff and site supervisors helped me know that this is the right place for me.

Where are you serving/what kind of work are you doing? I am serving Collier Youth Services in Wickatunk, New Jersey. My specific placement is Collier High School, an alternative high school. I am working with emotionally disturbed adolescents who have been dismissed from their public high school. In addition, I tutor at the Collier Group Home. I ended up choosing this site because of Collier's focus on adolecents with a large counseling component.

How have you seen personal growth thus far as a result of your experience (site placement/community) with GSV? I have a better understanding of adolescents. I have learned creative ways to deal with their decisions. I am now considering Social Work as a profession which is something I never thought about before volunteering at Collier. I am also learning how challenging it is to live in an intentional community with people you live work with as well. What's one funny/meaningful story or one thing that has surprised you from your year thus far (site placement/community/etc)? I am surprised by all the support I have received from my family, friends, community, other GSVers, the GSV staff, the Collier Staff and the students. I feel that working with this population can be difficult, but when you are surrounded by people who love what they are doing, after twenty years, you also begin to love adolescents. Even after only being here a few months, I have been forever changed by volunteers, by students and by staff both GSV and Collier.

Anything else you want to share? Definitely take time to discern where you will be serving because you want to be in the right place.  

Hometown: Corpus Christi, TX

Age: 25

Alma Mater: Texas A&M Corpus Christi

Favorite Books: No Greater Love; The Great Divorce

Hobbies: road trips, cooking, volleyball, concerts, volunteering, Rock Band, scrapbooking, reading

What attracted you to GSV? I felt called to international service my junior year in college. I knew that I wanted to be part of an organization with a Catholic foundation. I told a good friend of mine, Sister Rosa Ortiz, and she gave me some resources to start researching. With graduation soon approaching I started planning the next step however now I felt I should look for a domestic placement. What attracted me to GSV was their mission of serving women, children, and adolescents and especially the social justice tenant.

Where are you serving/what kind of work are you doing? My placement is at Good Shepherd Foster Boarding Home Adolescent Services in the Bronx. I work in an office with supervisors, case workers, specialists, a nurse, and other office personnel. We work as a team so that our young people can have a successful future as independent adults. We accomplish this through establishing relationships, a variety of workshops at the agency, going on home visits, taking youth out in the community, and sometimes I go to court.

How have you seen personal growth thus far as a result of your experience (site placement/community) with GSV? I came from having a supportive group of people with whom I could share & discuss various topics regarding life as young Catholic adults to a place where spirituality was very private. It was difficult at first not having someone to share the Mass, Eucharist and prayer. However, it was because of this that I was challenged in new ways and able to focus on my daily life by examining where I needed to improve as a Christian.

What’s one funny/meaningful story or one thing that has surprised you from your year thus far (site placement/community etc)? Prior to moving to NYC I had not lived in any other place other than the great state of Texas. I’ve encountered more variety in people, transportation, food, activities/festivals and the overall feel of the city is unique. What surprised me is how quickly and easily I adapted to all the changes.

Anything else you want to share? The GSV staff, sisters, and former volunteers are wonderful people! They made me feel comfortable and welcome from day one and have continued to be supportive in every way.

Hometown: Toledo, OH (the REAL glass capital of the world)

Age: 22

Alma Mater: Canisius College

Favorite Books: anything by Nicholas Sparks or Stephen King (kidding!)

Hobbies: trying to “accidentally” run into celebrities in NYC

What attracted you to GSV? The program was the only one I saw that REALLY placed importance on the advocacy and philosophical discussions that can arise from direct service. They acknowledge not only service but the discussion of WHY we serve and why our service matters.

Where are you serving/what kind of work are you doing? I am at the Chelsea Foyer in New York City working as an Independent Living Counselor. There’s plenty of casework, paperwork and mostly hard work.

How have you seen personal growth thus far as a result of your experience (site placement/community) with GSV? Somehow I feel more mature and professional. Plus I am learning a lot about how to better work with others.

What's one funny/meaningful story or one thing that has surprised you from your year thus far (site placement/community/etc)? I only gained the trust of residents at Chelsea Foyer after making a flyer that said, “I see you"

Anything else you want to share? I miss Buffalo Wings!

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