Alumni

The highlight of the pilgrimage to South Africa for me was the opportunity to vist with local people, both Black and White, who have lived in apartheid and who continue to live in the South African culture. We overlook racism as white people and just go on with our lives not thinking about the privilege that we have. The whole trip struck a chord with me that I’ll have to think a lot about when I get back home.

The First Mennonite Church community of San Francisco is so amazing. They are very supportive of the MVS program and put energy into building relationships with us. The church is a beautiful place to think in new ways about my Mennonite faith and build connections with people.

We came face to face with some harsh realities in South Texas. Every day, we met people who are working hard to quench thirst, clothe, and provide shelter and dignity to people who desperately need it.

We went to La Posada, which is the only long-term shelter for migrants to safely live in the area. Coming together as a group to work hard and meet new people was definitely an encounter with God and a positive experience.

My year of serving with RAICES through the MVS program strengthened the idea of the importance of helping populations that need assistance as well as my desire to go into law. I became more aware of both the rewarding aspects of the work and the arduous, difficult parts in a legal position.

I was placed in a nonprofit organization that serves refugees, and I found myself falling in love with the work and the people. I also really like San Antonio and all the opportunities that it has to offer young people like me willing to do service. I am very happy to stay with my placement organization and work with them for this amazing cause.

My MVS experience has greatly influenced what I will do next. Throughout my two years at Tucson Community Food Bank, I have learned more about how I function in a workplace as well as what skills, strengths and weaknesses I bring to a job. My time in Tucson, through my housemates, my placement, and the community, has been formational in learning how and who I want to be in the world.

I saw skills forming that I never knew I had. My true self finally felt seen. I entered the year being a shy kid who felt overlooked and left as a leader.

To this day I still credit my term with Service Adventure as one of the most influential experiences in my life. It not only led me to my current career, but opened many doors for me, gave me a new ‘family,’ and ultimately changed the way that I view the world.

I chose MVS because I was excited about serving God in a new city that I get to explore every day.