How It Works and Description of Services Offered
A year with Catholic Volunteers in Florida is spent in service, spiritual development, growth, and community. We are dedicated to providing people of all ages and experiences the opportunity to live out their faith by serving economically poor and marginalized communities throughout the state and in the Dominican Republic. Our goal is to support and accompany emerging leaders as you “become who you are” and live out your purpose and passion.
CVIF has full-time positions available in a variety of places and interests – from youth development and community engagement to farmworker and immigrant services and criminal justice reform. We would love to talk with you to see where your talents and interests and the needs of our services sites intersect!
To get the conversation started, email us your resume: volunteer@cvif.org; you can then fill out our online application form. Our staff will review your application materials and connect with you to schedule a phone interview. After acceptance you will have a final interview with a potential service site. Most placements start in August and end in July, however we continue to place volunteers throughout the year to meet community needs, so dates can be flexible. Communication during this application process is incredibly important to us, so feel free to ask any questions you might have!
CVIF Pathways to Success AmericCorps Program
The Catholic Volunteers in Florida Pathways to Success Project provides coaching and mentoring services to increase student success and college and career readiness for students in urban-core high schools in Miami Dade County. Student success and career readiness coaching is provided in partnership with the Florida International University Education Effect.
The program also includes a pilot project in Wimauma, located in rural Hillsborough County. Members provide job readiness training and coaching to students and adult learners through a community partnership with Enterprising Latinas, Inc. In both cities, members provide coaching and mentoring that focuses on goal setting, problem solving, critical thinking, self-esteem, communication, leadership skills, community engagement, and awareness of opportunities for postsecondary education. Members also provide career readiness training in the areas of resume writing, interview skills, business planning, and more.
Full-time and part-time positions are available August 2021 through July 2022. Benefits include a living allowance of up to $1,400, health insurance for full-time positions, childcare, loan deferment, professional development, training, and an AmeriCorps education award of up to $6,345 upon completion of service. For more information, contact Valarie Amica at volunteer@cvif.org or 407-426-7771 or click here to apply!
This program is sponsored by AmeriCorps Florida and Volunteer Florida. Volunteer Florida is Florida’s lead agency for volunteerism and national service, administering more than $47 million in federal, state, and local funding to deliver high-impact national service and volunteer programs in Florida. Volunteer Florida promotes and encourages volunteerism to meet critical needs across the state. Volunteer Florida also serves as Florida’s lead agency for volunteers and donations before, during, and after disasters. For more information, visit: www.volunteerflorida.org.
Volunteer Benefits
As a volunteer with CVIF, you will receive a monthly living allowance (up to $1,500), health insurance (including dental and vision coverage), and travel reimbursement for program sponsored events. The AmeriCorps Education Award is also available for volunteers in qualifying positions. Upon completion of the full service year, this award can provide up to $6,345 to pay off past student loans or fund future education. If this is something that interests you, let us know!
In addition to providing needs for basic living, CVIF supports members in their spiritual, personal, and professional development. To that end, volunteers go on quarterly retreats, and are given monthly coaching and opportunities for professional and leadership development. Retreat workshops also include training on cultural competency, leadership, advocacy, wellness, and social justice. Catholic Volunteers in Florida thoroughly invests in each and everyone of our volunteers; we believe our job is to provide avenues and spaces that challenge, strengthen, and encourage you to “become who you are” as you spend a year sharing your time and talents, living out your values, putting faith into action, and serving people on the margins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to be Catholic to volunteer with Catholic Volunteers in Florida?
No! While our program is based on Catholic Social Teaching and is grounded in the Catholic faith, we encourage people of all faiths, or no faith, to apply. Our goal is to build a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive faith community and to accompany young adults on their spiritual journey, wherever they find themselves. On average, 30-50% of our volunteers each year would not identify as Catholic.
What are the requirements for applicants?
Applicants must be 21 years of age. A college degree is not necessary, but helpful with many placements. Access to a car (public transportation in Florida is limited) is helpful but not required in all placements. Candidates with dependents and married couples are welcome to apply. We are looking for applicants who have a heart for service, a hunger for justice, an openness to learning, and a commitment to building community. It helps to have a sense of humor, flexibility, and patience!
What will my work schedule be? Will I have vacation time?
Your schedule at your service site will be full time (approximately 40 hours per week) and time off will be based on the needs of the service site. While you serve as a “Catholic Volunteer”, you will function as a full-time team member of the organization where you are placed, and follow the policies and procedures of the service site organization, in addition to being part of CVIF. All volunteers are excused from service to participate in the quarterly CVIF retreats.
How does the site placement process work?
CVIF’s goal is to match each volunteer’s skills, education, and interests with those of the service sites participating in the program. The CVIF program staff are well equipped to understand your gifts and talents and how they would align with our nonprofit and ministry partners. You will be accepted into the program with a few options for sites, and the final determination is made once you interview with your site placement. We ask for flexibility in the process. At the end of the day, we ask that volunteers be open to serving communities with the greatest need.
How does CVIF help prepare me for what I want to do next?
Your CVIF position will provide you concrete skills and experiences which will make you a desirable candidate for graduate schools and many professional fields. CVIF retreats provide leadership, team building, vocational discernment, and professional growth. Many of our volunteers are offered a full time position at their service site upon completion of the program; some CVs attend graduate school; some remain and are accepted for a second year of service, and others move home and continue to pursue a full time job. If you are eligible for the AmeriCorps Education Award, you will be able to apply that award to past student loans or toward future tuition.
Recent Press
Catholic Volunteers expand God’s kingdom
BY GLENDA MEEKINS | June 18, 2019
ORLANDO | Since 1983, an estimated 400 volunteers have served with Catholic Volunteers in Florida. Their service transformed their lives and those they served. Partnering with more than 40 agencies through the state, these men and women of all faiths continue to answer God’s call to serve “the least of these” (Mt 25:41).
“One of the greatest gifts of CVIF is the building of relationships,” said Elizabeth Buckley, executive director. “The CVIF family crosses the boundaries of race, religion, gender, age, economic background, and life experience, and builds bonds that every day remind me of what I imagine the kingdom of God must look like.”
Catholic Volunteers in Florida help clean the retreat center at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse in St. Augustine. The volunteers try to do service projects at each of their quarterly retreat locations. Far left is Edson Jean. Third from the right is Lara Orsini. (COURTESY)
Volunteer at CVIF
There are countless benefits to becoming a Catholic Volunteer. We look forward to speaking with you personally to discuss all the ways a year of service can transform your life!
A volunteer year will:
- Help to expand your social circle … everyone could use one more friend!
- Enhance your social and communication skills
- Give you greater self-confidence
- Allow you to explore your vocational calling and help you sharpen your skills and discover your talents
- Combat depression- it is SUNNY and WARM in Florida even when it is 30 degrees everywhere else!
- Provide career experience and help you build your resume
- Teach you to explore and reach new personal and professional goals
Applications Are Now Being Accepted! Adults of All Ages Are Encouraged to Apply!
DEADLINES for 2020: All applications for early acceptance must be received by March 31, 2020. After that time, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Interviews will continue until all service site placements have been filled by the best candidate. We look forward to seeing your application soon!
