Community
The Washington, D.C., unit is located just three miles north of the Capitol and two miles north of the White House in the Columbia Heights neighborhood. A diverse and transitioning neighborhood of many income levels, Columbia Heights is in the middle of a rich tapestry of neighborhoods and communities that makes DC a vibrant urban sea of cultures. The unit house is conveniently located close to many nonprofits that serve the community, providing a quick walk, Metro, bus or bicycle ride to work for volunteers. In addition to an easy commute, convenient transportation options enable volunteers to explore the wider city as well, including countless free events and the more typical tourist sites. The unit house is a three-story row house and can accommodate up to six MVSers, each with their own bedroom.
Essential to life in the DC unit is enrichment. The year consists of several seminars and discussions focused around issues that VSers are confronting on a daily basis at their placements. Some of the issues we discuss during the year include race, simple/sustainable living, and living in community. In addition to unit educational activities, there are numerous opportunities at various community venues for personal enrichment as well focusing on a wide variety of topics related to social justice.
Service
Service options in D.C. offer quite a bit of variety. MVSers can work with intergovernmental and human service organizations in areas including health, education, homelessness and poverty, advocacy, policy and law, immigration, religion, the arts, and with issues of race, gender and class. Each year we have openings at 10-15 organizations serving a variety of populations. Some of the organizations we have worked with recently include Mary's Center, Joseph's House, For Love of Children, Academy of Hope, UNHCR, and Bread for the City.
To learn more on the DC unit, visit us on Facebook at Facebook.com/DCMVS