Bon Secours Volunteer Ministry is a service-focused, faith-based year of ministry where volunteers serve full time in various public health, education, and social service roles ministry placement sites that sponsored by the Sisters of Bon Secours in Baltimore, MD. Directly serving people who suffer from economic injustice and who are, therefore, underserved and vulnerable. Be a compassionate presence and build relationships with people encountered through service. Provide presence that otherwise would not be possible or which expands the mission of the school and healthcare system.
Service Activities
As a Bon Secours ministry volunteer, in Baltimore, MD, your daily life will settle into a pattern that combines your own routine with the rhythm of the volunteer community. There is a mix of independence and intentionality, of both having and letting go of control, of structure and spontaneity! Though you’ll realize that not much about our year of ministry is “normal” compared to what has come before or what might come after, here’s a look at what you might call a normal day: https://bonsecours.us/volunteers/what-we-do/a-day-in-the-life/
Specific duties at your ministry site may include:
• School: Tutor individual or small groups of students, reinforcing instruction as directed by the teacher
• School: Support faculty and staff in supervising students
• School: Facilitate after-school clubs
• Urban Farm: assist with community supported agriculture program, assist with healthy food access initiatives
• Housing and Community Development: support projects, events, and initiatives while providing a compassionate presence.
• Overall, serve as a ministry of presence to collagues, students, and families with whom you serve.
Community Need Addressed
Ministry placement sites range from aiding classroom teachers at a local school; to supporting community housing development initiaitves, urban farming, and a wide variety of other opportunities in between. In filling these roles and directly knowing, loving, and serving with their neighbors, Volunteers confront injustices like poverty, racism, and other forms of oppression, and chip away at them in pursuit of healthier, stronger neighborhoods.
Position Outcomes
Unique to our volunteer ministry, all ministry placement sites are sponsored by the Sisters of Bon Secours, which means that every volunteer, at every site, is surrounded by colleagues working for the same mission. Furthermore, it means that there is a seamless connection between the pillars of volunteer formation and the placements where volunteers are called to live out these pillars. Each volunteer is tapping into his or her unique gifts and stepping into different responsibilities, but working under the same banner that dates back centuries: to provide good help to, and in turn, promote good health of, those in need.
Benefits
Health coverage, Housing, Stipend
- Support from community and staff
- Well developed spiritual formation program
- Transportation (each community is provided a shared vehicle)
> Applications are accepted on a rolling basis from late fall through spring, with an early decision deadline of December 1st and submission deadlines on the 15th of each month thereafter. (bsvm.org/joinusapply)
Education Benefits
Any needed certifications are provided
Skills you will gain
compassionate presence, intentionality, spiritual growth, empathy
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment