MercyWorks volunteers live in an intentional community focused on the program’s five core values of social justice, community, spirituality, simple living and professional development.
Social Justice
MercyWorks volunteers work directly with the children of Mercy Home. Volunteers develop healthy relationships and draw on their life experiences, skills and motivation to advance the goals outlined by the Home’s mission. Our work on behalf of social justice takes place in the context of our faith. In the Christian life, no distinction can be made between the giver and the receiver. Even when it appears that one person provides a service and the other receives the benefits of that service, the “giver” often receives the most benefit from such acts of justice.
Community
MercyWorks volunteers live in community with one another. Community living emphasizes the interconnectedness among persons, things and events and helps its members recognize that the development of gifts in each person enriches the life of the community. Living in community also gives volunteers others who will support and understand them as they face the challenges of working with troubled youth. Sharing dinner, discussion, prayer, and fun, they renew and encourage each other to continue their service. Community living at Mercy Home differs from group living, roommates, and families, because the common goals are to foster spiritual growth in each other and support one another in the service to the Home.
Spirituality
MercyWorks volunteers are presented with numerous opportunities throughout the year to explore, develop and enhance their personal and communal spirituality. We recognize that volunteers will come to Mercy Home with various experiences of spirituality. Our hope is that each volunteer intentionally seeks to deepen both the reality and the awareness of their relationship with God and others so that one’s life in thought, word and deed reflects the love of God.
By accepting, celebrating and loving self and others within the day-to-day reality of community living and service at Mercy Home, volunteers are able to reflect upon their personal and communal faith journey, celebrating growth and achievements.
In MercyWorks, faith and life are integrated through prayer, theological reflection, sacramental worship and Christian witness. The program supports and leads volunteers to a deeper and more intimate relationship with God, with members of the volunteer community, and with the larger community.
Simple Living
MercyWorks volunteers are called to lead a life of simplicity. The central purpose in calling volunteers to a simple lifestyle centers on helping one find meaning and purpose in all that they do…and a heightened appreciation of the simple pleasures of life.
Powerful social, economic, and cultural forces encourage us to draw back from our neighbor into lifestyles of individualism, excessive consumption, and “me-first” politics. The Gospel, in contrast, urges us to be persons for others, deeply committed to the well being of all members of the human family.
Choosing to simplify your life leads you to begin asking questions like “What’s important?,” “What do I really need versus want?,” “How do my choices affect the quality of my life?,” “How do my choices affect the well-being of others?,” and “How are my everyday choices linked to the planet upon which I depend for survival?”
Learning to live a more conscious, simple, healthy and restorative lifestyle provides the volunteer with the time and energy to focus on their personal, spiritual, communal and professional development.
Professional Development
MercyWorks volunteers are given a variety of professional- development opportunities that reinforce their on-the-job training. Training occurs both within the specific program to which you are assigned as well as in large-group forums involving all childcare departments.
All volunteers will receive professional supervision and periodic evaluation throughout the year. Post-service employment opportunities, including a sign-on bonus, may be extended to those volunteers who successfully fulfill their MercyWorks commitment.
Financial assistance for education is available for those volunteers who accept the invitation to join Mercy Home as full-time regular employees after their year of service.
