WHO are Loretto Volunteers?Loretto Volunteers are young women and men who are committed to social change. The program is rooted in Catholic social teaching, but volunteers come from different faith traditions. They are open to exploring spirituality, social justice politics, and community life. Most volunteers are recent graduates of undergraduate or master's programs. All Loretto Volunteers should be ready to form some meaningful intergenerational relationships with Loretto Community folk.
WHAT do they do? Volunteers can work in a range of placements, from a gay-positive Catholic ministry to a women's transitional home to the United Nations. We pride ourselves on placing volunteers at the front lines of struggles for equality and justice - through direct service and advocacy. See our
full listing of sites. Volunteers also participate in occasional retreats throughout the year, and are frequently invited to informal Loretto gatherings in their placement cities.
WHAT is the Loretto Community?The Loretto Community is an order of vowed Catholic sisters and lay co-members, women and men who align themselves with Loretto values without taking formal vows. Founded in central Kentucky in 1812, the Sisters of Loretto opened schools to serve the rural poor. Two hundred years later, they are still committed to social justice through education, but have taken on many other causes as well. Loretto Volunteers walk with the Community in their mission to "work for justice and act for peace."
WHERE do volunteers live? Volunteers cawork in a few cities around the country: Washington, DC, Denver, St. Louis, El Paso, rural Kentucky and New York City. We operate a volunteer house near Washington, DC where Loretto Volunteers live together in community. In other cities, where there may be only one volunteer, we place her in other community living arrangements.
WHEN do they serve? Most volunteers do a year of service, beginning in late August and ending mid-August the following year. Dates are flexible, and can vary by placement. Summer volunteers generally work June through August, for 2-3 months.
WHEN are applications due?We accept applications on a rolling basis. We begin accepting applications in January and will begin placing volunteers in early March.
HOW do volunteers live?Loretto Volunteers explore the simple life by living on a small monthly stipend. Volunteers often find that a lifestyle with minimal expenses can be healthy, sustainable and life-giving.
My organization is interested in receiving a Loretto Volunteer. What do I do?Great. We are interested in expanding our volunteer placement sites in Washington, DC, St. Louis and Denver. Email
Katie Jones for more information.