QVS Summer Lab: Philadelphia

Position Description: 

Quaker Voluntary Service Summer Leadership Lab

Community Living | Social Justice | Transformational Spirituality

Are you a young adult seeking a short-term immersive experience in intentional community, social justice, spiritual deepening, and personal growth this summer? This is an opportunity for young adults aged 18-20 in July 2025.

Quaker Voluntary Service (QVS) invites you to participate in the inaugural year of our summer program! With five virtual spring sessions for collective decision-making, you will learn through practice what values and goals your community will focus on and which experiences you want to engage in with your peers. During the course of this 5-week summer experience you’ll dive into meaningful community work, build intentional connections, and explore themes of spirituality, personal growth, and social justice. It is a summer program, by young adults for young adults. 

About QVS: Quaker Voluntary Service is not just a fellowship; it’s a transformative experience. 

As a QVS Summer Resident, you’ll work on projects with social change agencies addressing a spectrum of critical issues such as economic justice, racial equity, housing and homelessness, education, immigration, environmental sustainability, human rights, mental and physical disability, and youth justice.

Program Highlights:

• Hands-on activities in which the outcomes are clear and impact is visible
• Engaging workshops in which you will dig deeper into systems change and theory
• Living in community with other young adults in a similar life-stage
• Having the opportunity to make decisions about the kind of experience you’ll have
• Connecting with local Quakers through conversations and amazing potluck dinners!
• Opening and closing retreats to build relationships with housemates
• Participation stipend of $600 
• Getting to work with experienced QVS staff member Rai Carter!

Applications due March 1, 2025. Interviews will start the week of March 31, 2025. The first date of the pre-sessions will be the week of April 13th, 2025. 

Program Basics: 

• Location: The 2025 summer program will be in Philadelphia, PA in our spacious Philadelphia QVS house complete with kitchen, 2 ½ baths, and in-home laundry.
• Stipend: Summer Fellows will receive a personal stipend of $600 for participating in the program, dispersed as two payments ($300 at the beginning and $300 at the end). 
• Potential partner organizations: 
  
  • MANNA 
  • Mt. Airy Trash Team 
  • Philadelphia GOAT Project
  • American Friends Service Committee
  • Asian Food Collective 
  • Germantown Fridge Team
  • Books through Bars 
  • Ujima Friends Peace Center
  • And so many more! 
    
• Holistic Care: QVS provides housing, utilities, a public transit pass, and groceries in accordance with dietary needs (in addition to the $600 stipend). From securing healthy food to exploring the city, we’ve got you covered.
• Prioritizing Your Interests: With pre-sessions to support decision making, retreats as bookends, and weekly workshop and debrief time, the QVS summer program is focused on your interests and needs

Staff Support: Local QVS staff and facilitators will be available to you as you live together, volunteer at local agencies, engage with local Quakers, and explore Philadelphia. Should challenges arise, staff are there for you.