Full Application

The full application for our 2023-2024 ministry year

is now available!

Be sure to go over the timeline and process for applying before beginning your application. Note that it is preferable that you have already submitted your Interest Form and completed a Preliminary Discussion over the phone before moving to the full application.

Your application consists of five sections:

I. Discernment Statement

II. Resume

III. Reflection Questions

IV. Three References (Employer, Mentor, Peer)

V. Transcript

When you’re ready, please fill out your application below. You do have the option to Save and Continue Later if you prefer not to complete in one sitting. Thank you for your time and interest!

Name
First Last
Email
Phone
I. Discernment & Sharing
While you are at the beginning of the application process, we ask you to start this journey by actually looking ahead to the end of the application process. In order to fully invest yourself in the application process, please begin to consider the statement of commitment that accompanies an invitation into the community. Each member of Bon Secours Volunteer Ministry signs this statement when they agree to commit to the program for a year of service. An example of this statement follows for your careful consideration. Please check below to indicate that you have read the following sample.
Confirmation of Discernment*
Bon Secours Volunteer Ministry
Statement of Commitment

This is to affirm that, having received a letter of acceptance into Bon Secours Volunteer Ministry for the 2023-2024 year of service, I intend to fully participate in all aspects of the program for the period beginning late August/early September 2023 and ending by July 31, 2024.

From the people I will serve and my future co-workers to my fellow community members and the staff of Bon Secours Volunteer Ministry, I understand that my decision to commit to the program impacts the lives of many people. For this reason and others, I understand that I was carefully selected to participate in Bon Secours Volunteer Ministry. With this in mind, I have carefully considered my decision to fully participate in Bon Secours Volunteer Ministry and have determined that:

• Living in an intentional Christian community differs from living with roommates. I am prepared to open myself to community life and to work at building relationships through service both with and to my community members. _______ (initial here)

• My financial obligations as well as my family’s financial obligations will not prevent me from living off, and only off, of the modest monthly BSVM stipend from late August/early September 2023 - July 2024. __________ (initial here)

• I understand that Bon Secours Volunteer Ministry does not receive funding from AmeriCorps, including the AmeriCorps Education Award, and I confirm that I will still be able to fully participate in the program. _______ (initial here)

• I understand that, to correspond with its mission, the Bon Secours Volunteer Ministry residence is located within the neighborhood in which it serves. In this neighborhood most residents face economic injustice and, therefore, live in poverty. I have thoughtfully considered how my move to
Baltimore, MD or Richmond, VA will be a transition for me. I will prepare myself to be flexible to this transition and open to the many opportunities to learn from my new neighbors. ______ (initial here)

• Through safety training at the beginning of the year, Bon Secours Volunteer Ministry will assist me with this transition. I agree to become and remain informed about my personal safety as well as the safety of my community and I agree to take personal responsibility for my safety as well as the safety of the community. ___________ (initial here)

• I will open myself to learning and growing through each pillar of the program in order to experience compassion, healing, and liberation, the charism of the Sisters of Bon Secours, and to be transformed through service with others. _______ (initial here)

• I understand that the location of my year of service may be in Baltimore, Maryland or Richmond, Virginia. I am open to the opportunity to serve in either location. ________ (initial here)

By signing below, I am indicating that I have carefully discerned this commitment and, with a full heart, I am able to commit my whole self to participating in the community of Bon Secours Volunteer Ministry.
I have read the sample Statement of Commitment and I am beginning to carefully consider what it would involve for me to commit to a year as a Bon Secours Volunteer. I am encouraged by the sincerity and the degree of commitment each member makes to Bon Secours Volunteer Ministry.
Sharing About Other Opportunities*
As we seek to shape our community for next year, we aim to be as transparent and communicative as possible, and it helps us if applicants do the same. Please tell us about any other post-college opportunities that you are pursuing in addition to BSVM, i.e. other volunteer programs, graduate schools, or employment opportunities that you are considering.
II. Your Resume
Please submit a copy of your resume (no more than two pages) which includes the following: • Contact Information (please include both permanent and school mailing address) • Education: Include schools, fields of study, and graduation date. • Work experience: Include brief description of positions and dates of employment. • Service experience: Include brief description with frequency and dates of service.
Upload Resume Here*
Max. file size: 8 MB.
(preferred format: Microsoft Word document)
III. Reflection Questions
In this section, we are interested in learning about you. We want to read about who you are and who you are becoming. Please share about 300 words (approximately half a page, single spaced) for each question, although feel free to use more or less space as needed.
Upload Responses Here*
Max. file size: 8 MB.
1) Please describe some of the major people and experiences in your life that have shaped both who you are today and who you are becoming. 2) What have these people and experiences taught you about your strengths and weaknesses? 3) Please describe your past experiences of service. How did you grow and learn? 4) How do you see yourself participating in the Sisters of Bon Secours’ commitment to justice in radical solidarity with the poor, the suffering, and those most in need? 5) When you think about who you are becoming, what are your hopes for a year with Bon Secours Volunteer Ministry?
IV. References
Please provide BSVM with the names and emails of 3 references. Then email (you may copy and paste) the corresponding links to each reference to fill out at their earliest possible convenience. IMPORTANT NOTE: Your application is not considered complete until all three references have been received, and interviews will not take place until all references are in. Please plan ahead and allow appropriate time for references to be submitted.
Employer Reference
An individual who has supervised you in a paid position for at least six months.
First Name Last Name
Employer Email

Email this link to your employer reference: https://bonsecours.us/volunteers/bsvm-employer-reference/
Mentor Reference
An individual who knows you well and can speak to your personal values and character as well as your experiences with service. Examples of a mentor include an adviser, a past volunteer coordinator, a youth minister, a campus minister, a pastor, or a professor.
First Last
Mentor Email

Email this link to your mentor reference: https://bonsecours.us/volunteers/bsvm-mentor-reference/
Peer Reference
An individual (someone other than a relative or significant other) with whom you have lived for at least a year.
First Name Last Name
Peer Email

Email this link to your peer reference: https://bonsecours.us/volunteers/bsvm-peer-reference/
References*
My three references (employer, mentor, and peer) have been sent the link to their respective forms and aware my application is not complete until the references have been submitted.
V. Transcript
How are you submitting your official university trancript?*
- Electronic Copy: Emailed to volunteer@bonsecoursusa.org
- Physical Copy: Mailed to Bon Secours Volunteer Ministry, 1525 Marriottsville Road, Marriottsville, MD 21104

Save and Continue Later