Above Photo Caption: Elise and other Fellows in her cohort pictured with Senator John Lewis.
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
From QVS to Pursuing a Legal Career
MaryGrace Menner served at Metrowest Worker Center – Casa del Trabajador during the 2017-2018 QVS year. Check out the following QVS Alumni Spotlight to learn about MaryGrace’s vocational path and how the key pieces of a QVS year stayed with her.
Deploying to the Oregon Bootleg Fire
Adrian Nelson served at L’Arche Atlanta during the 2015-2016 QVS year. Five summers later, Adrian was deployed with a medical team to the Bootleg Fire in southern Oregon. Check out the following QVS Alumni Spotlight to learn about Adrian’s vocational path and the...
“QVS made me such a better teacher.”
Abby Brown served at Germantown Friends School (GFS) for her 2014-2015 QVS year in Philadelphia, and has continued working in education ever since. “QVS was asking us every week to be incredibly self-reflective, and in tune with our work and ourselves... [Topics] we...