Ignatian Volunteer Corps:
Lead with Us

by John W. Green

On July 29, 2019, I found myself on my knees in prayer. It was the night before my interview with Mary McGinnity and Becky Ehrman from the Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC). I was interviewing for what I believed would be my dream job. IVC provides individuals age 50 or older with opportunities to serve as “women and men for others,” addressing social justice issues and creating a community of service corps members to convene in prayer, study and intentionality. They needed a Director to grow the corps in Philadelphia and South Jersey and I wanted to take on the task. But there was one problem: the position was part-time, and I needed a full-time position. So, the night before my interview, I fell to my knees and offered up my need, desire and hope to God. I asked for guidance and direction, and a message that made my next steps clear, knowing that sometimes the answer God provides is no.

Since October 2019 I have navigated a dual role with IVC. In addition to growing the corps as director of Philadelphia/South Jersey, I am proud and humbled to oversee the Currie Alumni Partners for Service (CAPS), a university/college partnership between IVC and Jesuit schools named after Fr. Charlie Currie SJ. Father Currie advocate for IVC to be the catalyst to connect folks educated in the Jesuit tradition back to their roots as they prepare to retire. The idea for CAPS was developed in direct response to Jesuit colleges and universities looking to provide their alumni with opportunities to re-engage with a sense of the institution’s mission.

Of course, COVID-19 has impacted our organization. Schools closed, soup kitchens scaled back, services were shuttered and changed to keep our community safe. For the second time since embracing the IVC community, I found myself on my knees. How will this work? What will community look like? Can we survive as a service corps?

This time, God’s answer came from the members of IVC. In Philadelphia/South Jersey, and across the country, IVC service corps members stepped up and stepped forward. Locally our partner agencies include Esperanza College, Sanctuary Farm, Augustinian Defenders of Rights of the Poor (ADROP), Community Center at Visitation Parish, St. John’s Hospice and Old St. Joseph’s Church. Teachers shifted their curriculums to online. Community garden staff masked up and gave produce away for free in struggling communities. Tutors continued to support students by making phone calls or switching to Zoom, as did ESL teachers. Right here at Old St. Joe’s, Debbie Hluchen kept Faith Food and Friends going by guiding volunteers to prepare take out lunches and foster community in a safer way. Our local service corps members have continued to meet, utilizing Zoom for prayer, support and connection.

God’s answer was to remind me that IVC is comprised of community leaders. Folks that intend to serve and use their skills to bring healing to our suffering community. We are not going to stop, and we need you. Are you retired or finished raising your family? Lead with us. I am available by phone, Zoom, or a distanced cup of coffee to begin the process of discernment. Come and lead with us and be a part of IVC’s mission to transform our city and help all those in it to heal. We can fall on our knees together.

John W. Green is a parishioner at Old St. Joseph’s. He is also the Director of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps’ Philadelphia/South Jersey Region and its Vice President of Partnership Engagement.