Lasting Effects of Service

By Jennifer Holak

Franciscan Volunteer Ministry, Camden 2010-2011

I discerned my current career during my FVM year. I remember being at a community scripture study and one of the discussion questions asked where/in what ways did I shine light in the darkness, and I realized that I did that most through listening, attentive presence and compassion for others. I applied for a counseling program and decided to focus on community mental health with clients of all ages and backgrounds.

This seems like something small, but it had big impact on me. During my program year, we took the MBTI and through discussion I discovered a lot about myself (for instance, that I was introverted!). This knowledge of self and how I related to others has helped me pace how I care for myself and boundary myself so I can remain open and supportive of others in the ways that matter, but also ensure that I have enough resources to not drain myself dry. One cannot pour from an empty cup!

Additionally, the triumphs and challenges of living in community - both in my micro community of other FVM volunteers, and my more macro community of Camden - truly stretched me and changed how I see and interact with others in the world. I take pride that I am able to meet my current clients where they are, and I do my best to try to shine light in my small corner one client at a time.

Know that you do not have to do it all, and also that you are enough. Take care of yourself and treasure the moments you have in the program. It is a really, really unique time in your life.  Recognize that lessons can come at you big or small, and you may not realize their impact until years later. (Hey, remember that MBTI? A few years later I ended up at a job where I was the one giving the test!) Oh, one more thing - I highly recommend that you document your year with pictures and notes and names of those who impacted you during your year! Folks in Camden made me a Shutterfly book and I went through and labeled all of the moments and memories and names of those in the pictures and that album is something I cherish. 

I am extremely proud of the work I did in my FVM year and unspeakably grateful for the relationships I developed and the lessons I learned in the program. It helped me figure out how to model love lived through service in other aspects of my life - FVM continues to reverberate and resonate throughout my life. I pray for each volunteer class and the communities that they serve. To paraphrase Mother Theresa, you are a little pencil, and God will use you to do the writing. I sincerely hope you all enjoy the story.