The 2016-17 year might be over, but we’re still basking in the glow of this past year’s LVCers, including Charlie Platt, a St. Olaf College alum from St. Paul, MN.

“I just finished my year with LVC as a member of Casa Oscar Romero in Chicago. My placement was Lincoln Park Community Shelter, where I served as a case manager. One of the biggest things I learned during my LVC experience is that there are so many more possibilities in life than I thought previously. I was terrified at the thought of leaving my home town or my beautiful college campus, and going to a totally unfamiliar place like Chicago. Moving in was very scary for me, but I soon discovered that an amazing support system was available to me, in the form of my housemates, my co-workers, and a whole city that was welcoming me in. This support system helped me to thrive in my new home, with a new found confidence that I can go to new places and do things that I never imagined before.”