Ignatian Volunteer Corps of New Orleans

The Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC) of New Orleans provides mature men and women the opportunity to serve the needs of marginalized groups to work for a more just society, and to grow deeper in their faith by reflecting and praying in the Ignatian tradition.

Ignatian Volunteers are recruited and supported by IVC's dedicated New Orleans staff. Each member commits to serving 8 -16 hours per week with a partner agency for 10 months a year, and most renew that commitment year after year. IVC's partner agencies are community organizations that work directly with people who are materially poor or address systemic injustice.

Currently, Ignatian Volunteers of New Orleans are:

- Mentoring kindergarten students at The Good Shepherd School
- Assisting shoppers at ReStore; mentoring first time homeowners in basic maintenance and repair; organizing disaster recovery efforts; and reorganizing organizational financial records and processes with New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity
- Helping guests navigate available services at The Harry Tompson Center
- Managing inventory and assisting shoppers at Iggy's Cupboard at Loyola New Orleans
- Teaching life skills and offering companionship to people living with HIV/AIDs at Project Lazarus
- Advocating to end capital punishment with The Promise of Justice Initiative
- Tutoring adults in basic math and reading through YMCA Educational Services

IVC's corps members are guided through a reflection process based on The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. This process helps them discover the deeper meaning of their service. Reflecting and praying in the Ignatian tradition, individually and communally, deepens the experience of service and is a unique feature of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps.

Testimonials

"It's rewarding to work, to serve. It's a different time of your life; a second journey. You get to remake yourself. IVC provides you with a community of others in the same station in life, and it's satisfying to be able to serve others."
- Frank Resignola, Ignatian Volunteer, Iggy's Cupboard

"We are so happy to have Shirley serving with us. She is learning great new computer skills in order to be able to assist with in-person and remote tutoring. It is nice to have more mature volunteers because they are more settled and have more experience."
- Andrea Gazaway, Instruction Coordinator, YMCA Educational Services NOLA

"I never thought I'd be in a learning and growth process at 65 years old. It's astonishing me!"
-Charles Surbeck, Ignatian Volunteer, Raphael Village

"One of Tom's passions that has been put to great use is fixing up our community bikes, while teaching the process, so that participants both have usable transportation and learn some transferable skills."
- Hamilton Cerrone, Clinical Director, Project Lazarus

"The bravery of these students gives me courage to be brave."
-Shirley Trusty Corey, Ignatian Volunteer, YMCA Educational Services