St. Martin de Porres Volunteer Corps / FAQ

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
General Program Information
Living Arrangements
Financial Information
Personal Benefits of the Volunteer Corps
Nature of Service

GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION

When and where does the program begin?
The volunteer year begins with Orientation on July 22, 2006, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Who can apply?
St. Martin de Porres Volunteer Corps welcomes all recent college graduates to apply, regardless of faith tradition, ethnic origin, gender, physical challenge or sexual orientation. Teacher certification is not required to participate. Qualified volunteers are committed to community, social justice, simple living, and spirituality.

Does the St. Martin de Porres Volunteer Corps consider international applicants?
We welcome international applicants who are proficient in the English language and have the appropriate immigration status to fulfill a two year-long volunteer experience in the United States.

What is the application process?
We will begin to review applications in January on a rolling basis. Selected applicants will then be contacted for a phone interview.

How long is the time commitment?
All volunteers are asked to commit to a two year term of service. The first year emphasizes ministerial, communal and spiritual mentoring and guidance. Volunteers are then able to serve the St. Martin de Porres community more fully during the second year by using the skills and resources they have developed.

LIVING ARRANGEMENTS

Where do volunteers live?
Volunteers are provided with a furnished, community house within close proximity to the school in the city of Cleveland. The St. Martin de Porres Volunteer Corps would never house volunteers in potentially dangerous settings. However, as crime can be an issue in any urban setting, volunteers are encouraged to take the proper precautions to ensure their own safety.

What is ‘living simply?’ How ‘simply’ will I be living?
In an effort to deepen a sense of solidarity with those they serve, volunteers are asked to ‘live simply.’ ‘Simple living’ is as much a mind set as it is a financial practice. Volunteers are asked to look at what is essential, and not what is extra in their lives. While the Volunteer Corps provides all of the basic necessities, volunteers live within a modest budget, and are not permitted to utilize outside sources of income. Emphasis is on community and interpersonal relationships rather than on material possessions.

How is living in community different from another year of college or in the professional world?
Volunteers live with two to five other Volunteer Corps members. Each volunteer has his or her own room, and shares common living space and kitchen with their community. All members of the community share the responsibility of running a household, including:

• deciding the community budget
• meeting together in social and spiritual community on a regular basis
• dividing household responsibilities

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

What expenses are covered through the volunteer program?

Room and Board
St. Martin de Porres will cover costs for housing and utilities, and provide volunteers a stipend for food and other household needs. Together, volunteers will determine the grocery budget each month.

Transportation
Volunteers are responsible for the initial travel expenses to Cleveland. St. Martin de Porres High School will provide transportation for all school-related responsibilities and functions, and volunteers will have use of a community car. In addition, volunteers receive travel stipends home at the end of their service.

Insurance
Like any employee of St. Martin de Porres High School, all Volunteer Corps members are provided with full medical insurance. The school will also pay deductibles and/or co-payments for medical needs. In addition, volunteers receive car insurance for school-related transportation.

Living stipend
All volunteer corps members receive a modest personal stipend for individual expenses in line with the program’s emphasis on simple living.

What about my student loans?
In most cases, volunteers can receive for forbearance or deferment on their college loans, until the duration of their volunteer program is completed. St. Martin de Porres will assist you in the forbearance/deferment application process.

PERSONAL BENEFITS OF THE VOLUNTEER CORPS

What opportunities are provided for personal and professional growth?
The St. Martin de Porres Volunteer Corps encourages the mental and spiritual development of each of their members. Therefore all volunteers benefit from the following:

Spiritual Development
Volunteer Corps members participate in several opportunities for personal growth through an extensive orientation, various retreats throughout the year, and the opportunity for spiritual direction.

Professional Development
As a method of providing support and guidance during their volunteer commitment, each Volunteer Corps member receives a mentor from the St. Martin de Porres High School community. Volunteers can also participate in several professional development opportunities, including those chosen by the school as well as those revolving around their own development interests.

How can the St. Martin de Porres Volunteer Corps impact the rest of my life?
Members of the Volunteer Corps have the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally as they develop leadership skills and compassion. During their two years as a volunteer at St. Martin de Porres High School, volunteers are challenged to be innovative and flexible as they think of creative ways of helping urban youth achieve success. All of these skills are transferable will make the volunteer a strong candidate for graduate work or a career, or wherever the future beckons after this volunteer experience.

Regardless of the field and professional opportunity volunteers pursue afterwards, their service with the St. Martin de Porres Volunteer Corps will transform urban Cleveland and their hearts.

NATURE OF SERVICE

How is my volunteer placement determined?
All volunteers bring unique talents and interests to the program. We will work with you to identify these abilities and interests and match them with areas of need within the school.

What is the typical duration of a volunteer’s day?
Volunteer schedules and responsibilities depend on individual placement and job description. Although this may vary, the typical day begins at 7:30 a.m. and finishes 4:30 p.m. Volunteers are asked to be flexible as they are called to serve the school’s mission as needed.

How much vacation time will I receive?
St. Martin de Porres Volunteer Corps members participate in various retreats and workshops throughout the year. In addition, as the volunteer corps operates on the school’s schedule, every volunteer receives a break for both Christmas and Easter, and one month of summer vacation.