Quaker Voluntary Service opened a QVS house in Philadelphia, PA in August 2013. We love welcoming new Fellows to the city of brotherly love, where there is an abundance of Quaker History, and care.

Sponsoring Quaker Meetings/Churches:

The Philadelphia QVS house is under the spiritual care of Green Street Monthly Meeting, Germantown Monthly Meeting, Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, and Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia (Arch St. Quakers), as well as being supported by the larger Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting.

Want to get involved with the local QVS program? Reach out to Rachael, our Philadelphia Coordinator.

Rachael Carter (they/them)

Rachael Carter (they/them)

Philadelphia Coordinator

Philadelphia Fellows 2023-2024 (click on any picture for more information)

Aaditya Pillai
Aaditya (he/him) is a Quantitative Economics, Global Management (Finance concentration), and Public Policy major who graduated from Earlham College in Spring 2024. He enjoys immersing himself in a wide range of spiritual and cultural traditions. His interests include traveling, partaking in theater, and riding horses. He will be serving with School of the Spirit.
Gaven Green

Gaven Green (he/him) is a boricua, Eastern Pennsylvania native from the Lehigh Valley, and recent graduate of Swarthmore College. Gaven, class of 2024, graduated with a special major in Political Science and Educational Studies and minor in Film and Media Studies. He prides himself on leading the Swarthmore First-generation, Low Income (FLI) Council, being a FLI student, working with the Swarthmore Student Palestine Coalition, being an amateur filmmaker, and using his areas of study to tell stories of activism, politics, history, and, most importantly, underrepresented voices. His story, talents, and compassion will guide him through his year of service with the American Friends Service Committee in Philadelphia.

Lucas Meyer-Lee

Lucas Meyer-Lee (he/they) is a Quaker with ties to Indiana, Atlanta and Philadelphia.  They enjoy art, reading, and repairing worn clothes.  After graduating from Swarthmore College in 2023, Lucas studied Arabic in Meknes, Morocco for a year as a CASA fellow. After returning to the States, they hope to explore Arabic translation and re-engage with their connections in prison abolition work and organizing for Palestine. With QVS, Lucas is looking forward to working at Pendle Hill.

Solange Marcotte

Solange (she/her) is an actor, singer, dramaturge, and backyard-bird enthusiast. When she isn't preparing for a performance, she can be found knitting, or enjoying the local plants and wildlife. She was raised as a Quaker in Sandpoint Idaho, and has always felt strongly called to help create a more just, equitable, and connected world. Solange studied performance at the National Theater Institute, and became a part of the Miranda Family Fellowship’s inaugural class in 2017. She attended California State University Fullerton (CSUF), where she served on the Theater Arts Union for Equity and Diversity. Solange graduated from CSUF with her BFA in Acting in 2022. Some of her favorite acting credits include: Alma/Caitlyn in Under Ben Bulben- Jewel Theater, Brigid in The Humans- MCT, Lady Susan in Lady Susan- CSUF, and Patty Ann in Looking for Normal- Actor’s Theater Santa Cruz. She is thrilled to begin her next adventure working with ACHIEVEability!

Susan Robinson-Cloete

Susan grew up in Brooklyn, NY, and Doylestown, PA. She recently graduated from Oberlin College and Conservatory, having studied Neuroscience with a minor in Writing and Communication and an integrative concentration in Global Health. She is uniquely interested in increasing the accessibility of science and healthcare. Both in New York City and Bucks County, they were immersed in a vibrant Quaker community that profoundly influenced their outlook on public health. While at Oberlin, she worked as editor-in-chief of the Synapse magazine, an art and science magazine written by college students with the ethos of translating science for widespread understanding and appreciation. She has recently worked as a Practicum Fellow at Lorain County Public Health. They have attended and worked at Camp Onas, a Quaker camp in Ottsville, PA, for the better part of her life, and her home meeting is the Wrightstown Meeting. Susan loves Philadelphia and is excited to work with the Body Empowerment Project this year!

ACHIEVEability

ACHIEVEability strives to permanently break the generational cycle of poverty for West Philadelphia families through higher education, affordable housing, supportive services, community and economic development and accountability.

American Friends Service Committee

American Friends Service Committee brings together people of all faiths and backgrounds to challenge injustice and build peace around the globe.

Body Empowerment Project

The Body Empowerment Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth to find body acceptance and self-worth through meaningful near-peer interactions.

Pendle Hill

Pendle Hill is a Quaker study, retreat, and conference center in Philadelphia, PA welcoming all for Spirit-led learning and community.

Most Recent Blog Posts from Philadelphia

Creating Topia Coffee Cooperative

Creating Topia Coffee Cooperative

In college I studied Business and Nonprofit Management at Earlham College, where I was lucky enough to be a Quaker Fellow. This allowed me to always have a balance of spiritual deepening and professional development. Following graduation, it made perfect sense to do...

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Supporters’ Briefing: Summer Leadership Lab

Supporters’ Briefing: Summer Leadership Lab

On December 12, 2024 Quaker Voluntary Service held a Supporters’ Briefing to update our community about the Summer Leadership Lab. Last year, the board discerned to shorten the Fellowship program to 9 1/2 months, creating an opportunity to pilot a summer program. Made...

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The 2024-2025 Fellow Cohort

The 2024-2025 Fellow Cohort

Photo: The QVS Fellows (from left to right top to bottom): Kateri, Aaditya, Atuhaire, Michael, Paloma, Palmo, Salem, Solange, Edward, Anna, Luai, Nora, Abbie, Gabriel, Gaven, Susan, and Lucas.We’re so excited to introduce you to the 2024-2025 QVS Fellows! ________ We...

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