Community
Known for its towering arch, St. Louis is a welcoming city rich with history and character. Many neighborhoods have retained their unique qualities while becoming revitalized with new restaurants and venues, and a mix of peoples, cultures and foods. Within walking distance of the MVS house you can find Ethiopian, Vietnamese, Thai, and Middle Eastern cuisine, and several international grocery stores. The presence of numerous universities in the city provides opportunities for shows, lectures, and a sense of young energy and a rejuvenated arts scene.
St. Louis has everything a big city has to offer: museums, pro-sports teams, public transportation, dining, concerts and festivals, including many free activities. In addition to having the opportunities of any big city, St. Louis is also small enough that it is very welcoming and manageable. You can really feel a part of a particular neighborhood, and will often run into familiar faces. The city can be covered relatively easily on bicycle or with public transportation. Many consider St. Louis to be a great mix of big city and community all in one, and are proud to call St. Louis home.
In the heart of the city, the St. Louis MVS house has a few added bonuses. In addition to being less than a block from Grand Boulevard, with its plethora of eateries, The Missouri Botanical Gardens is just a few blocks away, as is Tower Grove Park. One of many beautiful parks in St. Louis,Tower Grove Park hosts fields for games, barbecue pits, tennis courts, great running and biking paths, a farmer’s market in the summer, and big trees and beautiful gardens to enjoy much of the year.
For 30 years, MVSers have found purpose working within the broken places in this historically segregated city. Both the struggles and beauty of this city contribute to a meaningful experience for VSers.
Service
St. Louis Mennonite Fellowship (SLMF), the sponsoring congregation of St. Louis MVS, is committed to building community by making connections between volunteers, the surrounding neighborhoods, and members of SLMF. Some service placements connect MVSers to ongoing ministries of SLMF. Other service sites connect MVSers to communities near the MVS house and the church. Several SLMF members work or volunteer at agencies that also have MVS positions. MVSers can be a part of these connections in the following service opportunities:
- HeadStart: Early childhood education with a diverse population. Spanish a plus.
- Service with one of the strongest Habitat for Humanity affiliates in the country. The St. Louis affiliate is a major LEED-certified builder in the state.
- Fair-trade management with Plowsharing Crafts.
- Health Literacy with Casa de Salud
Times of reflection, often guided by members of the church, are incorporated into the service experience.