The Mercy Volunteer Program (MVP) was established to provide educational and service opportunities for MMA students the summer before their senior year. In the 25 years of its existence, MVP participants have traveled to domestic and international sites, working in collaboration with community partners and in solidarity with people of diverse culture, especially those who are materially poor.
MVP has served in far-off places, such as Kentucky, West Virginia, Arizona, Peru, and Mexico, and closer sites in Camden, Philadelphia, and Trenton. “The works we do in the various programs during the summer have broad range. MVP volunteers build, paint homes, garden, serve dinners at homeless shelters, lead vacation Bible school, and take on a variety of assignments given to us by the point person at each site,” said MVP co-founder and former MMA faculty member, Ms. Kimberly Baxter.
The MMA student and faculty and/or alum volunteers live in community for an extended period of time and are called to spirit-filled reflection that encourages them to grow in their role as women and men of Mercy.
Through the support of the administration, faculty, staff, students, alumnae, and families, MMA’s deep desire that Catherine McAuley’s vision for Mercy continues is what drives the work to integrate her vision throughout the school’s programs. As MVP completed its 25th summer service program, it is clear how the core values are deep rooted into this program so that the legacy of Catherine McAuley continues. By reaching out and to others and experiencing a true world view, MVP participants are able to literally bring the values of Mercy to extended communities while infusing the halls of MMA with the same values upon which the Sisters of Mercy were founded.
This summer, MMA students and faculty and/or alum volunteers served in Camden, NJ, Philadelphia, PA, Beattyville, KY, and Aldersen, West Virginia. Click here to view photos from MVP 2017.