An Update From the Director of Glenmary's Volunteer Office

April 2007

March Spring Break Extravaganza and More!

As you can imagine, spring has brought the usual round of busy-ness to the Farm. We had a little cold snap (a big cold snap, actually), but it seems that spring has gotten back on track here, just in time for May!

March is completed—kudos to all! Thanks to the following schools that participated for our annual March Spring Break Extravaganza: St. Edward’s University (Austin, Texas), Creighton University (Omaha, Neb.), Marian College (Indianapolis, Ind.), University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, Ind.), Loras College (Dubuque, Iowa), Loyola University of Chicago, Fairfield University (Fairfield, Conn.), Roncalli Newman Center (LaCrosse, Wis.), St. Vincent-St. Mary High School and the St. Martha Youth Group (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio). It was a productive month with a lot of exciting happenings at the Glenmary Farm and in Lewis County. We served at our regular sites and participated in new activities like the “Where I Am From” conference in Greenup County.

“Where am I from?” Volunteers from the University of Notre Dame, Roncalli Newman Center, St. Edward’s University and Fairfield University participated at this uniquely named conference in which Greenup County High School students spend the day reflecting on the unique features of their Appalachian culture. A small group of volunteers, led by Farm managers Jill Collet and Julie Stith, helped students in an English class write essays that answered the question: “where am I going?” The volunteers shared their own experiences with the Greenup County students and were treated to a lunch of traditional Appalachian cooking. The volunteers also received an Appalachia cookbook with recipes from local families as a gift.

During the afternoon session of the conference, the students read their essays and we heard music from a local Bluegrass band and participants also learned about the different eras of Bluegrass music. A retired teacher and renown storyteller talked about the significance of stories in Appalachian culture and told some great stories. Finally the director of the Jesse Stewart Foundation, an Ashland, Ky., foundation whose purpose is to promote and distribute Appalachian literature and support the authors who write such literature, talked about the uniqueness of the local culture. The conference was excellent and the day was a nice change from our normal routine.  

Farm managers needed. One Farm manager spot is filled for the 2007-08 season, but as Jill, Julie and Laura wind down their terms, I am searching for two more individuals to become Glenmary Farm managers. Last year was the first time that the Farm managers were all women, at least the first time that I’m aware of. It has been a joy and a privilege to work and serve with Julie, Jill, and Laura. I hope that the next crop of managers can live up to the examples of Christ’s love these three have provided.

Our long-term volunteers, or Farm managers, act as a catalyst to volunteer groups and to the community. They not only help serve the needs of the poor of Lewis County, but also the needs of the volunteers who come from a multitude of places in the United States to serve at the Farm. Being a Farm manager is a unique experience, one that allows the volunteer to see the growth of individual volunteers and be a part of the life of Lewis County. We who work at the Farm try to illuminate problems in the areas of social justice to live simply in community. Glenmary provides long-term volunteers with an opportunity to live these simple values away from the hectic pace of society.

The Glenmary Farm provides room, board, a stipend, and health insurance to Farm managers. Through the Catholic Network of Volunteers Glenmary Farm managers are also eligible to receive an Americorps Education Award. If you are interested contact me at 606-796-3421 or jgrosek@glenmary.org. Or you can use snail mail and contact me at PO Box 7, Vanceburg, KY 41179.

Peace,

Joe Grosek
Glenmary Volunteer Director
jgrosek@glenmary.org

And if you missed previous Vanceburg Views, check them out.

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