Justin - How I got here

How I came to JVC still remains questionable in my and a lot of my family’s minds. How/why does one actively choose a “Life of Ruin” shortly after graduation? Well, during March of my final semester of St. Edward’s University, life was going nowhere fast – so a ruined life seemed an upgrade. Just to give you an idea of how clueless I was moments before graduation, I was a Theology Major with a Minor in English Writing & Rhetoric who had little to no interest in:

Law School

Priesthood

Waiting Tables

Construction

Becoming a Full Time Writer

Pursuing a doctorate

Going into Sales

So how does a guy who is seriously challenged in thinking ahead or intentionally come across JVC and actually go through with it? Well I digressed for a moment but I now take you back to March. So I go into a job fair put on by student “ambassadors” (too bad they never go anywhere – so why that title I’ll never know). I come equipped with no resume or any inkling that I’ll find any short term or long term path. While at the fair, I stumble upon a JVC booth.

“Hey, I went to a Jesuit High School in New Orleans. Cool, huh?”

“Umm, so are you interested in this at all?”

“OK I’ll take some brochures.”

Well it was a little more than that but this blog entry is supposed to be 250 words… So for the rest of the semester I sat staring at the bag which contained the JVC information. And as graduation approached, the more and more I thought a year of service would be the thing for me. So finally, a month after graduation, I made up my mind. I was gonna do it!!! And by “it” I mean actually start an application. I waited until almost the last second, aced my phone interview, and realized that orientation was a week away. Whoops. The family was angry, perplexed, but most of all worried that I was getting into this in too much of a rush without any thought. “Don’t worry. I’ve been mulling this over since March.” And it’s true, whether or not I made a list of pros and cons (I didn’t), talked to peers and former JV’s about the idea (I didn’t), got permission from my mom (no shot) I had been intentional in my decision. As a theology major, you get a lot of theories about God and your place in the world. As far as God goes, it’s a Mystery folks. Hate to give away four years of study that quickly. And as far as your life goes, well my life at least, I like to keep my ear to the ground (or the sky if that’s where God lives) and be pulled into the direction I feel I’m sent. Not overly religious, not over-thinking, just willing to go blindly into the realm of transcendence, and begin anew. Welcome to JVC…

Others blindly heading into their year of service and a Life of Ruin.

Being "whooshed" into my new St. Louis community. I'm a lot happier than I seem, I swear . . .

Welcome our new bloggers

Though we get to hold on to Dermot through December, we welcome new bloggers from some of our other regions!
From the Midwest, meet Justin:

Justin grew up in Arabi, LA, a city in St. Bernard Parish located next to the lower 9th ward of New Orleans. He was raised by his perfectionist dad Anthony, a New Orleans policeman, and selfless mom, Karen. His older brother, Anthony Jr., currently works for Cintas Uniform Co. in Pensacola, FL, and his younger brother, Vinnie, is a freshman at Southeastern Louisiana University. Justin attended Jesuit High School in New Orleans and is a graduate of St. Edward’s University (Austin, TX) with a BA in Theology and a minor in English Writing & Rhetoric. Despite dealing with two major hardships over the past several years, the loss of his father to cancer during his senior year of high school and the loss of his home to Hurricane Katrina during his sophomore year of college, Justin enjoys finding humor in all things. He has performed as a stand-up comedian and co-hosted an internet radio show in Austin. Justin currently resides in St. Louis, MO, with four other Jesuit Volunteers. He works for Franciscan Connection, performing home repairs and renovations for senior citizens and low income families.

From the South, meet Lauren:

Lauren Carpenter is from East Hartford, Connecticut. In May 2008, she graduated from Smith College in Northampton, MA with a major in anthropology and a minor in Spanish. While at Smith, she rowed on the crew team, spent her junior year studying in Puebla, Mexico and was an active member “the Radical Catholic Feminists of Smith.” This year she is working at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in San Antonio, Texas. At Our Lady of Guadalupe, she runs the Social Services Office which provides groceries and financial assistance to families in need. She also works with the youth ministry program and other parish activities.

From the Southwest, meet Matt:

Mathew Carroll was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts and graduated from Boston College in 2008 where he studied Philosophy and English. With none of Wall Street’s top Philosophy firms hiring, Matt decided to pursue a career as a contemplative in action at Homeboy Industries, the nation’s largest outreach center for gang members, located in Los Angeles, CA. This is the first time living away from Boston for Matt, so a little homesickness is natural. Fortunately, Southern California’s recent futility against New England sports serves as an easy reminder of home. When he’s not working as a case manager at Homeboy, Matt enjoys “practicing” guitar, writing, sports, reading, the outdoors, and 90’s boy band music (perhaps just a bit too much).