Rev. James R. Conroy, SJ, Named Purpose Prize Fellow Jim Conroy Recognized for Work and Service at Age 60 Rev
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Winter 2008, Volume X, No. 1 Rev. James R. Conroy, SJ, Named Purpose Prize Fellow Jim Conroy Recognized for Work and Service at Age 60 Rev. James R. Conroy, S.J., founder of the Ignatian “The IVC program Volunteer Corps, has been named a 2007 Purpose Prize integrates Jesuit Fellow by Civic Ventures, a think tank and program principles of service, incubator based in San Francisco, CA. The Purpose reflection, and Prize, now in its second year, is a three-year, $9 million education by developing program investing in social innovators over age 60. partnerships with Jim was nominated for The Purpose Prize by the Ignatian community nonprofit Volunteer Corps for his commitment to the power of organizations and mature adults to change their communities, and, in the working together to process, change themselves. The Ignatian Volunteer ensure volunteers Corps (IVC), now in its twelfth year, gives men and women age 50 and better the opportunity to meet the needs of people who are poor, to work for a more just society, over 50 years old the and to grow in through discussion and reflection in the Ignatian tradition. opportunity to serve the poor while having a “IVC is a community service ministry of volunteers and for volunteers,” says Jim. meaningful learning and “Ignatian Volunteers are committed to putting their faith into action, to give back and make a difference in their communities.” life experience.” As a Purpose Prize Fellow, Jim participated in an invitation-only Innovation Summit for Americans over 60 in November 2007 at Stanford University. The national summit Civic Ventures, The 2007 connects Purpose Prize Fellows with thought-leaders, scholars, activists, and funders. Purpose Prize Fellows According to Civic Ventures, “The Summit helps attendees develop their capacity, links them with funders and venture philanthropists, and works to combine individual efforts into a wave of social innovation that could transform America.” The idea for IVC was sparked by parents of young men entering the priesthood with whom Jim worked. The parents, both men and women, were looking to have the same meaningful experiences their sons were having. In 1995, IVC opened its doors to eleven men and women in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. Today, more than 250 Ignatian Volunteers are working in thirteen metropolitan areas across the country. These men and women will provide more than 160,000 hours of service to 213 community organizations nationwide. Table of Contents From the Executive Director . 2 Save the Date . 4 Changing the World . 3 Friends and Supporters of IVC . 5 Abandon No One . 3 Make a Difference in the Future . 11 The Tent of IVC . 4 IVC Regional Programs . 12 Emma Grayeb, IVC Washington DC/ IVC Website . 4 Northern Virginia, at the Bryant Early Learning Center of United Community Ministries in Virginia From the Executive Director Today my mind was wandering. I decided IVC Mission the perfect symbol for the Ignatian Volunteer The Ignatian Volunteer Corps is a Corps would be a mirror because what’s most national community service organization of volunteers and for volunteers, and distinctive about us is … (get ready) spiritual is affiliated with the Society of Jesus. reflection. Ideas for the back of the mirror began Ignatian Volunteers, men and women age to surface: 50 and over, come together to serve the needs of people who are poor; to work for There’s nothing like Ignatian reflection... Join IVC. a more just society; and to grow through discussion and reflection in the Ignatian May you reflect like St. Ignatius did... Join IVC. tradition. Are you the “I” in IVC? Join IVC. Probably wise I never wasted my time pursuing a career in advertising, right? Board of Directors Chair, William Anderson We survey our partner service sites, the nonprofits where Ignatian Volunteers Vice-Chair, Kitty Higgins work, and ask what has been most helpful about being a partner to IVC and Secretary, Mark Hallinan, SJ Treasurer, Chuck Krambuhl having an Ignatian Volunteer. Answers are sometimes general: “Mary has been a Executive Director, Suzanne Geaney Sharon Browning great addition to our work,” sometimes enthusiastic, “We could use several more William Buckley Ignatian Volunteers like Jose” and sometimes quite specific, “We would not have James R. Conroy, SJ Frank Dicello the (name of program) without Pat’s services.” Robert Harper Bernie Long As you probably know, an Ignatian Volunteer commits to serving 2 days a week Pam Lucey Paul McElligott for 10 months a year. That’s a big part of why partners treasure their Ignatian John McLaughlin Ed Plocha Volunteers. IVC provides the programs with mature, competent, consistent and Kathleen Polk professional help. Ignatian Volunteers bring a variety of skills and experience Richard Ralphson Barbara Schubert to the people and programs they serve, and the programs are as varied as the Sheila Smith Bill Whitaker Volunteers – schools, prisons, shelters, immigration and refugee services, adult education, job training, day care and child care, food banks, hospice care, nursing IVC Staff and healthcare, English as second language, counseling, parenting programs. Suzanne Geaney, Executive Director Tamara Zavislan, Director of Development One program director said of his Ignatian Volunteer: Jennifer Anthony, Director of Operations His ability to bridge the gap of age, culture and lifestyle helps the students Regional Directors take a risk and try something new. This man shows genuine care and Sean Agniel concern for the lives of the men and women of this program. This is all Margie Carroll Catherine Duer done without judgment and without prescription. The fact that a major Eileen Harding Jerry Heinrichs component of the IVC program is indeed reflection, is what I believe has Jim Kelley led to the success he has had with our students. Liz McMahon Bill Macsherry Jennifer Mangali Maybe my mirror analogy isn’t completely wacky after all. What IVC seeks to Meg Mannix Terri Nelson do is reflect to others the love of Jesus – as St. Ignatius directed: Sam Schloemer George Sullivan “Love consists in sharing what one has and what one is National Office with those one loves. Love ought to show itself in deeds more than in words.” 801 St. Paul St., Baltimore, MD 21202 410-752-4686 • 888-831-4686 www.ivcusa.org Sincerely, 2 • WINTER 2008 WWW.IVCUSA.ORG WWW.IVCUSA.ORG WINTER 2008 • 3 Changing The World, One Person At A Time Chris Swift, Ignatian Volunteer, IVC Washington DC/Northern Virginia Ignatian Volunteer Chris Swift has served at the District All the effort you put in will never be in vain. The attention of Columbia Detention Facility as a certified pastoral you gave me and all the other things you did to help my chaplain since 2002. “I worked with one of self-esteem blossom will be passed on to other the women over a period of months to get people I meet. When I think about you going her into a two-year rehabilitation program in to court for me, it leaves me with another North Carolina,” says Chris. The woman was reason (among many) to stay clean. If I ever incarcerated at least three times during Chris’s even thought for a minute of turning back the time at the Center. After much work, she other way all I would have to do is remember was finally accepted into the rehab program. your face, because the thought of hurting you Chris received the following letter from the would be unbearable. Words will never be woman after she completed her first year of good enough, so therefore my actions will rehabilitation. speak for itself. Thank you for helping me learn how to really live again. Because only June 7, 2006 can I live an enriched life, after I learn how Dear Mrs. Swift, to completely surrender to Jesus, and make a solid commitment to enhance my life and enjoy I wanted to write you this letter because it’s photo by Alex Harris it. I no longer let myself or anyone else decide very important for me to let you know the my destiny. My past is over. One way I can impact you had on my life and recovery. I cannot remember right my wrong is to do the work that my Father puts before the last time anyone had any faith in my ability to change me. This will be your payment in full. my life. Everyone had lost all hope. Thank you for being nonjudgmental, and for showing me unconditional love. I love you, M. Abandon No One Richard Reilly, Ignatian Volunteer, IVC New York My assignment as archivist at the New York Foundling mid-town Manhattan. Through discussions with managers (NYF) in Manhattan was a fortunate confluence of the goals at NYF, they learned I was a New York City history buff, of the Foundling, and my personal interests and business collected old printed materials about New York, and had experience. work experience that included automating large paper based depositories. So my personal interests and business The Foundling, founded by the Sisters of Charity, has been experiences meshed nicely with a longstanding goal of providing needed family services to New Yorkers since 1869. NYF. The records of their rich history include tens of thousands of admission records for abandoned babies, baptismal records, While categorizing and reading thousand of documents, adoption records, and other evidence of a constantly one comes to understand the skill and absolute love the changing array of services as the Foundling responded to Sisters of Charity brought to the challenge of saving and the needs of an evolving New York City population. The caring for thousands of helpless infants and young children. reach and depth of the New York Foundling is so extensive These dedicated women were helping Christ.