The Ritual of Washing Feet
Every Holy Thursday I hear the story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, and I just love it. The humility of Jesus, the intimacy of washing another’s feet, and the shock of the disciples remind me of the…
Loving the Person in Front of You: A Message from Guyana
Dear Prospective Volunteers, Over the past few months, I have felt incapable at times. I have felt immensely under-qualified. I have felt so ignorant of the world and lost trying to understand systems I see failing people I've come to…
Alumni Reflection: How My Volunteer Year Influenced My Professional Career
Born and raised in upstate New York, my first exposure to Philadelphia was through Mercy Volunteer Corps where I completed a volunteer year at my service site, Mary Howard Health Center. Mary Howard is a federally qualified health care center…
Why Do We Serve?
I don’t think many people know that a year of service can exist as an option, let alone know why someone would voluntarily take a position that pays $210 a month. Especially when half of that is allocated specifically for…
Building Relationships and Practicing Solidarity
Life with Mercy Volunteer Corps has been full of love, growth, adventure, challenges, and learning. When I came to San Francisco to work with the poor and marginalized, I had no idea what to expect or even what exactly I…