Since its foundation in 1964, the Center has had the help of volunteers in all aspects of the mission’s service of the most vulnerable. From Peace Core volunteers to many a BVM sister, the Center’s work has flourished because of our volunteers’ passion to serve and accompany our “Family of Families!”

The Center’s own Year Long Volunteer (YLV) Program began in 1985, and we have more than 600 people who make up our volunteer family! The Center’s YLVs are involved in all aspects of the mission’s services and play a key role in assisting the Ecuadorian staff with our integral family programming.

1. SERVICE DURATION:
   Volunteers are asked to give a minimum of one year of service to the Center and their primary role is project-based to best serve our community’s needs.

2. AGE:
   Applicants must be individuals of at least 21 years of age and in good health.

3. LANGUAGE:
   Persons interested must be able to speak and understand the Spanish language with a functional proficiency.

4. EDUCATION:
   Our program accepts interested parties that are a) college graduates or b) have an equivalent work experience.

5. EXPENSES:
   Room and board is provided for all Center volunteers. The C4WF will reimburse YLVs for the cost of the visa and health insurance processes. There is also a $100/month stipend provided, beginning after the first month of service. Volunteers are expected to pay travel expenses to and from Quito, and all miscellaneous expenses whilst in the country.

6. SPIRITUAL COMMITMENT:
   All volunteers are expected to respect the faith traditions of the Center – as a Jesuit organization, we hold Catholic values – and agree to participate (e.g. be present) in spiritual activities to be “in communion” with Center families and staff.
   IMPORTANT NOTE: It is not necessary for a volunteer to be of any specific faith denomination to join our community.

7. MORAL CONDUCT:
   All volunteers are expected to serve as role models for the people they serve. In keeping with this status as role models, we expect our volunteers to conduct themselves in a respectful and responsible manner.
   *We reserve the right to dismiss a volunteer who breaks the Center Volunteer Code of Conduct agreement.

To apply to the Center’s Year Long Volunteer (YLV) Program, please follow the steps below:

1. Contact our Community Director, Olivia Young, to discuss your reasoning for wanting to serve, to review the YLV requirements and what the next steps are for your application process.

2. After your conversation with Olivia, if you remain interested in the opportunity, you will receive an e-mailed application. Please return your filled out application along with your resume and cover letter to give us greater insight into your qualifications, passions, and life experiences.

3. Upon reviewing your submission to verify that you are a qualified candidate, Olivia will reach out to schedule two phone conversations: 1) in English and 2) a shorter call to gauge your Spanish speaking abilities.

4. After conferring with the Center’s Executive Team and ensuring that you will be a positive addition to the Center team, Olivia will send you a “Volunteer Agreement” & “COVID-19 Waiver” to be signed should you commit to being a Center Year Long Volunteer. All potential volunteers should read this document carefully and thoroughly. If you understand & assume the responsibilities and commit to abiding by all terms in the agreement and believe the Center is the right volunteer experience for you, please sign and return the documents to Olivia.

5. Upon receipt of your signed agreement and waiver, Olivia will send you more volunteer information and the instructions needed to begin your visa process. At this point, you are considered a confirmed Center volunteer.

Please note: the application process is not officially finished until all four steps have been completed.

A Center YLV is to promote the economic and social inclusion of the Center - A Family of Families’s population within a community-based service experience. Your participation in community accompaniment will be through organizational plans, programs and projects.

As a YLV, you’ll be assigned a project based on your experience and likes. This project will fall under the following categories:
- Preventative Health, Psychology, Promotion of Rights
- Food Security, Nutrition, Entrepreneurial Ventures/Economy
- Community + Environment + Mother Earth
- Pastoral
- Communication

Your year of service will be from September to the following September.

There will be days off for local holidays/celebrations & should you want to visit family during the time between Christmas & New Years, we can coordinate those dates once Center programming is set.

The yearlong volunteer workday will begin at 8:30AM and it will end between 4:30 - 5:30PM.

If a team lead needs additional hours to complete activities/projects, the yearlong volunteer will comply.