2019 Response

About Catholic Volunteer Network Catholic Volunteer Network is a national membership organization of Christian volunteer and mission programs that fosters and promotes

Established in 1963, Catholic Volunteer Network is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. It has promoted and facilitated the establishment of hundreds of volunteer and mission programs that have helped thousands to experience personal transformation by serving those in need throughout the world. Catholic Volunteer Network’s operations are supported through program membership fees, grants, and personal contributions. Our Core Values: • We work from Gospel-based principles. • We promote social justice for all, standing in solidarity with the poor. • We advocate on behalf of faith-based volunteerism. • We strive to be inclusive and collaborative. • We commit to excellence in the quality of our services. • We steward our fiscal resources with care and gratitude.

full-time domestic and international service opportunities for people of all backgrounds, ages and skills. Catholic Volunteer Network supports and enhances the work of its membership by providing training and resources, networking opportunities, and national advocacy.

Connect The Catholic Volunteer Network National Office staff is eager to assist you! If you are searching for a volunteer program and have questions you would like to talk through, please reach out via phone at 301-270-0900 or email at info@catholicvolunteernetwork.org . For inquiries related to CVN membership for existing or developing volunteer programs, please contact Sarah Hammel at shammel@catholicvolunteernetwork.org .

Social Media Another great way to stay connected is through social media. We are active on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and would love to have you join our conversation about faith-based service! Follow along as we share about our latest events, resources, volunteer stories, and much more! facebook.com/catholicvolunteernetwork 

If you would like to invite Catholic Volunteer Network to speak at your parish, school, or event, please contact recruitment@catholicvolunteernetwork.org .

@CatholicVolNet @CatholicVolNet

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Our Services Programmatic Support

Volunteer Formation A unique benefit of serving with a CVN program is the opportunity for personal and spiritual growth. Through community living, shared prayer, and ongoing reflection, these programs help volunteers develop lifelong leadership skills while also engaging in direct service to those in need. We support our programs in this work by offering formation opportunities and resources for volunteers to utilize during and after their service program. We partner with regional groups to offer retreats, workshops, and social events to build a sense of community between volunteers of various programs. VOCARE Catholic Volunteer Network, through the support of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, has taken a closer look at the connections between volunteer service and vocational discernment in our VOCARE initiative. This initiative strengthens communities of women religious through the development of new volunteer programs and service opportunities— giving more young adults the opportunity to work alongside sisters, share in their way of life, and discern their own calling to a vocation. Additionally, through reflections, resources, and a series of discernment opportunities, we give volunteers many helpful tools and opportunities for ongoing discernment.

As the national leader in faith-based service, Catholic Volunteer Network strives to promote best practices in volunteer management and endorse transformative service opportunities for people of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities. We have a vibrant community of 185 member programs, whom we support in a variety of ways including: programmatic resources, staff training, webinars, newsletters, networking opportunities, brokered services, and much more. Every fall, CVN convenes the National Conference on Faith-Based Service. Recruitment An important part of our mission is to increase awareness about faith-based service. We distribute thousands of these RESPONSE directories to schools, churches, communities, and individuals – always free of charge. Our brand new website provides an online program search and many other useful resources to aid in the search process. Additionally, every year we make in person visits to more than thirty parishes and eighty college campuses across the country to share about the opportunities to engage in faith-based service. We provide individualized support to help prospective volunteers discern if faith- based service is right for them, and help them through the process of identifying a program that fits their needs and interests.

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