–Update provided by Wellstone House Through the claustrophobic winter of 2020/2021 those of us in LVC’s Wellstone House have been the proud parents of a windowsill full of vibrant leafy vines, succulents, and flowering amaryllis bulbs. On days when we were stuck working from home and snow blanketed the ground, our small indoor garden provided evidence that the seasons would turn and new life would come again. With Easter now behind us, we’re looking forward to tilling the soil in our backyard plot and transplanting the indoor vegetable seedlings we’ve started. Our namesake, Paul Wellstone said “We all do better when we all do better”. That symbiotic wisdomRead More →

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) joined LVC as a Placement partner in 2021, and is already a top choice for applicants with immigration mission and career interests. Kristin Witte, director of outreach, shared thoughts on the impact she hopes will blossom from the new relationships with LVC. LVC: Why did you join as an LVC placement?  Witte: We joined LVC as a placement because we know how impactful and formative a program like this is firsthand! Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service’s VP of Development and Outreach, Andrew Steele, and all of the LIRS Outreach team, were participants in an organized service program after college.Read More →

Before making it to the half-year mark of her LVC service year, Samrawit Stoner already had ideas for how her Placement could innovate. Serving as Volunteer Coordinator at Bread for the City in Washington, DC, she shared with LVC’s president that she had a few ideas. LVC’s president contacted Bread’s CEO, award-winning community activist and highly regarded George Jones, who catapulted Bread for the City by expanding it ten-fold in response to poverty, homelessness, and food insecurity. Jones said yes to meeting with Samra to hear her ideas. Samra proposed to incorporate bike courier grocery delivery into Bread’s food delivery service, part of the wrap-aroundRead More →

Alumni couple Katie and Jeremy Schroeder probably did not expect their LVC year of service to end in marriage and children, with both of them continuing to serve LVC years later. But here they are! Katie (Chicago ’03-04) was corralled in 2020 into serving on the LVC Board of Directors, and shortly thereafter was asked to serve as vice chair. She also chairs the external relations committee; leads orientation for new Placements; organizes recruitment of new LVC Volunteers at Gustavus Adolphus College where she has a full-time job as director of the Gustavus Fund; and joins other engagement events, like the fireside chats. She alsoRead More →

Local Support Networks (LSNs) are coming to an LVC city near you! In April we’re kicking off the start of the RE-BUILD: rebuilding LSNs in program cities, creating more structured networks for supporting Volunteers, providing more opportunities for alumni to reconnect, and garnering support for national efforts. Ready to pull together your network? Register to join the kickoff Zoom meetings position us all for the Volunteer year that begins in August. Twin Cities, MN #1 Wednesday, April 14, 1:30-3:00pm (central): REGISTER HERE. For questions, contact Rachel Kennedy, rkennedy@lutheranvolunteercorps.org. #2 Thursday, April 22, 5:30-7:00pm (central): REGISTER HERE. For questions, contact Rachel Kennedy, rkennedy@lutheranvolunteercorps.org. Baltimore, MD Tuesday,Read More →