Volunteers International for Development Education and Service
A non-profit organization promoted by
The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians,
Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco
A Non-Government Organization (NGO) in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the Department of Public Information (DPI) of the United Nations
One way to figure out where a person comes from is to study what direction that person is going. Jesus came from a God of love and went to where that love could be made visible: in the lives of the hurting and needy, in the hearts of the lonely and despairing, on the streets of the illegal and immigrants, in the home of sinners and saints… Our road became his path; our exile his home. Wherever we find the poor and persecuted, we will find Christ. From the outside, not a pretty picture, but within, sheer radiance. [See Morneau, Ashes to Easter]
Our Volunteers are Missioners striving wholeheartedly to follow Jesus’ lead. They venture at home and abroad to make a difference in people’s lives especially youth and women trapped in cycles of poverty, hunger, and lack of opportunities. Our Missioners are mostly lay young adults who share of their time, talent and treasure with others less fortunate.
Many great things have been happening at our US VIDES that make our hearts overflow with joy. The Lord does marvels for us! One of these events changed our VIDES West USA name to VIDES+USA. In a historic meeting in NJ, the two US FMA Provincials—S. Phyllis Neves and S. Sandra Neaves, our San Antonio Director—S. MaryGloria Mar, FMA, and the two new East USA Directors—S. Antoinette Cedrone and S. Denise Sickinger met to open up the doors to a new missionary collaborative ministry between the two provinces. Result: VIDES+USA was formed and VIDES East USA was born on January 1, 2006, the feast of the Maternity of Mary. Now we are VIDES+USA, the Central Office in San Antonio, with two Satellite Offices: Haledon, NJ and San Antonio, TX (functioning as both central and satellite offices). www.vides-usa.org
VIDES+USA provides national and international service opportunities for young adult missioners that build leadership skills by emphasizing the values of solidarity, respect of the human person, striving for social justice, and incorporating Christian spirituality into everyday life. VIDES+USA missioners serve together with members of a worldwide Salesian family, joining efforts to be transformational leaders in society by meeting the needs of others through service.
VIDES+USA missioners serve worldwide including North, Central and South America, Asia, Europe, Africa, and Australia. Length of service is from one month to two years. Types of service assignments are usually youth-orientated and include, but are not limited to teaching, recreational activities, community outreach, caring for orphans, and relief programs.
VIDES+USA missioner Requirements:
- Male or Female
- 18-35 years of age
- Single (Married Couples without children are accepted pending accommodations)
- Catholic or non-Catholic open to Community living within a religious family
- USA citizen or resident
- Knowledge of language spoken in the mission
- Attendance at annual Formation Service Camp
- Possibly experience in the desired area of service
VIDES+USA missioners must also possess:
- A willingness to be open to the differences of others
- Flexibility and motivation to meet unexpected challenges
- Spirit of free giving and a sense of good humor
- Love for youth, an eagerness to serve, and most important, a desire to bring Jesus Christ to others, especially by making his love and compassion visible in the world
(left) VIDES Missioners in Honduras
VIDES+USA provides missioners with room and board and basic health insurance is usually available. Missioners are responsible for transportation costs to and from the service site and the formation service camp and all personal expenses incurred during service.
This wonderful VIDES+USA project cannot be ours only!
You, the reader, can be part of it. You can also help make it happen! Be a part of it. See the different levels of involvement at www.vides-usa.org
Volunteers International for Development Education Service
www.vides-usa.org
|
VIDES+USA Central Office
Sister MaryGloria Mar, FMA
director@vides-usa.org
(210) 435-1919
5630 W. Commerce St.
San Antonio, TX 78237 |
VIDES East USA Office
S Antoinette, FMA or S Denise, FMA
east.director@vides-usa.org
(973) 790-4408 or (973) 790-0602
655 Belmont Avenue
Haledon, NJ 07508-2398 |
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