lasallian volunteers
The Lasallian Volunteer Program of the USA/Toronto Region of the De La Salle Christian Brothers provides dedicated, well-trained volunteers for 1 or more years of service to schools and agencies of the Brothers whose mission is to serve the poor. Acting out of Faith, rooted in the Gospel, and sharing community with the Brothers and other Lasallians, the Volunteers empower the poor by personalized service primarily through education. Lasallian Volunteers change the world for the better and discover themselves transformed in the process.
The Lasallian Volunteer Program connects talented volunteers to the poor in Lasallian Missions throughout the United States so that both will be positively transformed. Volunteers work and live in association with the De La Salle Christian Brothers for 1 or more years of service. An effective movement has developed over the years. It includes the LV staff, Brothers, former volunteers and Lasallian Partners, and donors, all of whom offer their prayers, mentoring, and financial support.
Faith: Praying with the community which the volunteer lives and works cultivates both the spirit of faith, needed to accept the daily challenges of the work, and the spirit of zeal to continue enthusiastically despite setbacks and challenges. Prayer for those served is a vital part of the mission. Each volunteer is invited to integrate faith with the daily activities of the work.
Service: Through the Lasallian schools and social service agencies at which thy serve, volunteers encounter thousands of America’s poorest people. Volunteers enrich these centers as caring communities in which he poor can develop their God-given potential and lead productive lives. In neighborhoods with few positive influences, they are present daily as models that embody the value of education and self-improvement. Offering their friendship and support to students and families most in need, they provide real hope that life with dignity and constructive choices are possible. In addition, volunteers serve through the specific duties according to their job description.
Community: Living in community gives the volunteer full access to the world of the poor and to the school/social service agency. Community life sustains the volunteer in their mission through shared meals, friendly support, much laughter, friendship with former volunteers, and community socials and outings. Community provides the forum for mentoring by talented professionals on how to adapt 1 ’s talents and enthusiasm for effective results with students or clients. The local community and the community of volunteers past and present provide support for the arduous work.
