Below are some questions and answers about LVC, provided to us by our executive director – Pastor Mike! Any other questions? Just ask!
What is LVC’s mission?
Lutheran Volunteer Corps, a community of faith, unites people to work for peace with justice.
What does LVC do?
A national, volunteer service program, LVC partners with full-time volunteers and over 100 social justice organizations and ministries in nine urban areas in the US. In addition to working for justice, LVC volunteers live together in intentional household communities of 4-8 people, explore their spirituality, and encourage simple, sustainable living.
What is LVC’s religious affiliation?
LVC was founded by one Lutheran congregation and is now an official social ministry organization affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. LVC is a member of Lutheran Services in America, the largest network of religiously affiliated non-profits in the nation. As a Reconciling in Christ organization, affiliated with Lutherans Concerned/North America, LVC welcomes and encourages the full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
What about the Volunteers’ religious affiliation and spiritual practices?
Like other Lutheran social ministry organizations, participation in LVC is open to people of all faiths; LVC does not discriminate on the basis of religion. LVC volunteers and placements have a variety of religious affiliations and individual spiritual practices. Since its beginning, LVC volunteers have come from a variety of religious traditions. Today, a little more than half the LVC volunteers are Lutheran, another 40% are affiliated with other Christian communities, and others have no religious affiliation or are Jewish, Buddhist, Pagan, or Muslim.
What was LVC’s operating budget this year?
Just over $1.4 million.
What are the largest expenses for LVC?
The largest expense for LVC is volunteer housing and travel (55%). Next is staff salaries (35%) and benefits (9%).
What are the top sources of financial support?
LVC must raise nearly $400,000, or approximately $4,000 per LVC volunteer, September 1 to August 31. Of that, 60% is from individual donors; 15% from congregations, and 12% from ELCA Churchwide or synods. A few foundation grants and miscellaneous income accounts for the rest. Placement fees average $3,000 per LVC volunteer. Volunteer living expenses, transportation and health insurance are also paid by the placements.
Who governs LVC?
As independent non-profit ministry, LVC is governed by a 150-member Board of Directors that meets three times per year. The board is composed of representatives from the general community, five Sustaining Congregations, and the LVC Council of Local Support Committees.
How are placements selected?
Non-profit organizations and ministries must apply each year for a LVC volunteer. The applications are reviewed and approved by the city coordinator and the Local Support Committee (LSC), a group of local leaders.
What else do Local Support Committees do?
Local Support Committees have four responsibilities: 1) Find and furnish volunteer housing, 2) approve placements, 3) provide personal support to LVC volunteers, and 4) develop local relationships and fundraising.
How did LVC get started?
LVC was founded in Washington, DC, by Luther Place Memorial Church in 1979. Since its beginning, the Lutheran Volunteer Corps has placed over 1,800 volunteers in social justice organizations in nine urban areas across the US.
What are the qualifications for being a volunteer?
LVC welcomes applications from persons who have a high school diploma or GED, are 21 or older, and are self-motivated, mature and stable. Volunteers are committed to full year working for social justice, building community, deepening their spirituality and encouraging simple, sustainable living. People of color, GLBT persons, those in retirement or approaching a career change, as well as married and committed partners are welcome and encouraged to apply. LVC does not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, race, religion, age, physical ability, economic class, gender identity or sexual orientation. Volunteers often find themselves in new and unexpected situations, so flexibility, compassion, courage, and a sense of humor are essential.
What are the financial arrangements? Do volunteers get paid?
Placement organizations (where volunteers work) provide medical insurance and pay for housing, utilities, food ($95 a month), and transportation to and from work (usually a bus pass). Volunteers receive a small personal stipend of $100 a month and two weeks paid vacation. Volunteers are reimbursed, up to a certain amount, for travel to orientation and the city where they will serve. LVC provides funds for transportation to and from retreats during the year and transportation home at the end of the year. Many LVC volunteers also qualify for the AmeriCorps Education Award of $4700 and deferment of government guaranteed student loans.
Where do volunteers live and work?
Volunteers live in household communities of four to eight people. They live in low to middle income, racially diverse neighborhoods which are chosen with regard to safety, access to public transportation, and proximity to work sites.
LVC volunteers and placements are currently working in:
Washington, DC, Baltimore, and Wilmington, DE on the East Coast;
Chicago, Milwaukee, and the Twin Cities, MN in the Midwest; and
Seattle, Tacoma, and the San Francisco Bay Area on the West Coast.
Volunteers may share bedrooms, but in some cases have their own rooms. Homes are adequately but simply furnished with donated kitchen supplies and furniture.
Placements are varied and include schools, environmental organizations, shelters, programs for women and youth, medical and legal clinics, refugee services, public policy organizations, community organizers, senior service providers, food banks, and general social service agencies.
How is LVC different from other volunteer programs?
LVC has a long history of offering a unique program that combines a faith dimension, volunteer service, and solid local support for volunteers. An LVC staff member serves as a support person to volunteers and placements in each city. This staff person is a listening ear, conflict mediator, and facilitator of communication between volunteers and staff. In addition, each city has a Local Support Committee (LSC) composed of former volunteers, pastors and other interested individuals. LSCs support volunteers, arrange housing, raise funds, and approve placements. Each community works with an LSC support team on community issues throughout the year. This is especially helpful as communities set goals and expectations for the year. In addition to a weeklong orientation, LVC also provides three regional retreats each year. These retreats provide time for personal reflection, discussion, and recreation. LVC’s affiliation with the Lutheran Church and the diverse spiritual practices of the volunteers living in intentional community set LVC apart from other programs.
What do most volunteers do after their LVC year?
Volunteers do many things after their year. For many, the LVC experience is the beginning of a life-long commitment to working for justice and peace. Many volunteers continue on as salaried employees at their placements while others seek positions in other social service agencies. Some take positions in the private sector or government and gain new perspectives on complex issues. Others go on to graduate school to pursue careers of service (social work, education, law, medicine, and ministry). There is also the opportunity for a second year of volunteer service. In general, volunteers gain valuable work experience and a lot of life experience that is well respected and helpful in whatever they choose to do next.
