Ignatian Volunteer Corps seeks to share ministry with retired seniors

WILKES-BARRE — Teddy Michel, director of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps of Northeastern Pennsylvania, said Saturday he wants to “get the word out” about the organization that gives people age 50 and older the opportunity to serve at local social service organizations, schools and nonprofits.

Michel said IVC is a national community service organization affiliated with the Society of Jesus – the Jesuits.

Michel said the Ignatian Volunteer Corps of Northeastern Pennsylvania is a unique nonprofit organization providing men and women age 50 and better with meaningful opportunities to serve others. He said IVC also provides membership in a faith-sharing community united by a desire for spiritual development in the tradition of Ignatius Loyola.

“Inspired to give back and partner with nonprofit agencies working with the poor and disenfranchised, IVC members utilize their inherent gifts and acquired skills to provide hope and stability to individuals and families marginalized by the economic, educational and political realities impacting their lives,” Michel said.

Volunteers serve two days per week and Michel said IVC members meet monthly to prayerfully reflect on their service and to deepen their spirituality in the Ignatian tradition

Michel said IVC began in 1995 and today, more than 400 IVC corps members serve in 16 states (19 IVC affiliate regions) and the District of Columbia. In April 2017, IVC NEPA started in Lackawanna County with 19 IVC corps members presently serving at local nonprofit agencies in Lackawanna County. IVC will have service opportunities for retired adults in the Wyoming Valley starting in September 2022.

To learn more about the Ignatian Volunteer Corps of Northeastern Pennsylvania, visit the website at — www.ivcusa.org/nepa — or email or call IVC Northeastern Pennsylvania Director, Teddy Michel at — jmichel@ivcusa.org — or call 570-941-4264.

“Our program is all about inviting retired individuals to share their gifts and talents with our community via direct service at local area nonprofits,” Michel said. “At the same time, we provide a faith reflection program for our members, which serves as a conduit for personal and spiritual growth — or as our IVC members say, we learn the most from one another. It’s really kind of amazing.”

Michel said the Ignatian Volunteer Home office is located in Baltimore and IVC is located in 20 cities across the country. Locally, IVC of Northeastern PA turns 5 years old April 3, however, its 20 IVC members serve in Lackawanna County.

“We worked to bring our program into the Wyoming Valley back in 2019, however, COVID kind of shook things up for a bit,” Michel said. “Our goal now is to have IVC members serving in the Wyoming Valley by September 2022.”

From the IVC website:

• IVC is a unique national nonprofit organization providing men and women age 50 and better with meaningful opportunities to serve others. IVC also provides membership in a faith-sharing community united by a desire for spiritual development in the tradition of Ignatius Loyola.

• Inspired to give back and partner with nonprofit agencies working with the poor and disenfranchised, Ignatian Volunteers utilize their inherent gifts and acquired skills to provide hope and stability to individuals and families marginalized by the economic, educational and political realities impacting their lives.

• IVC’s communal and spiritual experiences set it apart from other volunteer opportunities. Transformation occurs for Ignatian Volunteers when they serve others and take time to reflect and share with each other about their service experiences.

• Important fact pertaining to the IVC program: Financial sustainability for our IVC program arises from partner agencies paying a modest fee for IVC service corps members. The partnership fee for an 8-hour per week IVC member for 10 months is $2,500 or $250 per month.