Above Photo Caption: Elise and other Fellows in her cohort pictured with Senator John Lewis.
Elise potting plants on a QVS Day when she was a Fellow
Damon and Elise served as QVS Fellows the same year and then served on the QVS Board together.
With gratitude,
Elise Riley, Recording Clerk of the QVS Board
More about Elise
Why participate in QVS instead of applying for a job directly with a nonprofit?
QVS Fellows are also offered greater wrap-around support in their QVS city (housing and intentional community, training in conflict resolution and anti-oppression work, spiritual accompaniment) to help them engage in service long term and avoid burnout.
One QVS Alum from 2016-2017 shared:
“QVS gave me a sense of direction — I learned at the end of the year that I needed more education, and more critical thinking around the best space for me to make long-term impact in a community. I found out what my strengths and weaknesses were, and gained clarity towards my next steps…
In my year-long position, I did a lot of typical first-job-out-of-college evaluation, but in my community I think I arrived at those conclusions faster because I had folks at home I could talk to about my experiences and feelings. It also unprogrammed the definition of success I maintained for myself before QVS; now, success is more than work, but also about how I am able to care for myself and listen to my feelings. I owe QVS thanks for more holistic visioning.”
More Quaker Service Stories
Spirit in Action
Last year, three current Fellows and a QVS Alum sat down and shared their stories with Spirit In Action, a weekly radio program. They shared reflections about discerning vocation, why they chose to do QVS, and the impact of living in intentional community with strangers.
Why Support Quaker Voluntary Service?
Click the video below to learn from three Friends and QVS Alumni sharing about why they feel led to support the transformative work of QVS. Below are a few excerpts from the video: Why do you support QVS? "[QVS] affords young people an opportunity at a very critical...
“on the side of the rebel jesus”- Alumni Reflection from kt glusac
As we come into the holiday season, one of our QVS Alum from the inaugural Minneapolis house, kt glusac, sent a piece of writing from her QVS year. It's a piece of reflection about Christmas, liberation theology, and spiritual openings she explored in community and...
