Core Values
Intentional community – Aligned with Luther Place's mission of hospitality, LVC Volunteers live together in intentional community. This idea is inspired by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and encourages open communication and shared diversity. LVC housemates are required to convene at least once a week for an evening of community, and once each month this evening should focus on spirituality, however that may be understood by volunteers.
Social justice – Volunteers are placed in direct social service agencies or public policy organizations, working together for people and justice. Issue areas that are addressed through LVC include: AIDS/HIV, Addiction and Recovery, Anti-Racism, Children and Youth, Education, Employment, Environment, Food and Hunger, GLBT/Sexual Minorities, Health Care, Housing and Homelessness, Immigration and Refugees, Peace and Non-Violence, People with Disabilities, Seniors, and Women.
Some example placements at which Lutheran Volunteers have served in the past are: N Street Village in Washington, DC, the Midtown Greenway Coalition in Minneapolis, MN, and the East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy in Oakland, CA.
Simplicity & sustainability – the idea of living simply and finding ways to be more environmentally aware as well as working towards simplicity of time and a focus on deepening relationships. The stipend of Lutheran Volunteers, which is well under $200/month, encourages volunteers to abandon materials wants and seek fulfillment elsewhere in their life.
Though LVC is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, only about half of the volunteers are Lutheran. The remainder of volunteers come from various faith backgrounds. In all cases, faith discussions and spiritual reflections are encouraged to introduce new perspectives and enrich dialog.
Read more about this topic: Lutheran Volunteer Corps
Famous quotes containing the words core and/or values:
“For books are more than books, they are the life
The very heart and core of ages past,
The reason why men lived and worked and died,
The essence and quintessence of their lives.”
—Amy Lowell (1874–1925)
“What we often take to be family values—the work ethic, honesty, clean living, marital fidelity, and individual responsibility—are in fact social, religious, or cultural values. To be sure, these values are transmitted by parents to their children and are familial in that sense. They do not, however, originate within the family. It is the value of close relationships with other family members, and the importance of these bonds relative to other needs.”
—David Elkind (20th century)