An Update from JSC Regarding Next Year

Where We Are Now

On Dec 6, the board and staff gathered together for a strategy led by consultant Meredith Emmett of Third Space Studio. We reviewed learnings about Gen Z and identified ways to make the JSC experience more relevant to the aspirations and needs of this generation of leaders. We affirmed JSC’s focus on racial justice, increased the monthly living allowance and completion bonus and discussed other refinements to the program. Applications for the next cohort, whose term of service begins in August 2023, opened on December 1, 2022. If you know a young adult looking for an immersive year of justice work and spiritual and personal growth, please have them contact Julia at julia@johnsonservicecorps.org. We would love to discuss the opportunity with them.

A Message from JSC Regarding Next Year

June 22, 2022

Dear Friends,

The Johnson Service Corps finds itself in an unusual situation. While our nine present corps members are finishing up an outstanding year, we have had a precipitously low number of applications for the upcoming year. This is a nationwide phenomenon for all volunteer service corps, including the Episcopal Service Corps, AmeriCorps, Teach for America, the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, etc. Whether it is the effects of Covid finally catching up with us, or strong employment prospects in the face of student debt, or general anxiety caused by a number of troubling elements in our society, or some combination, we are faced with fewer corps member commitments than are needed for a vibrant program.

Accordingly, the Board of Directors in collaboration with the staff, have determined that JSC will use the ’22-’23 program year as a time of strategic visioning, and we will not maintain a traditional cohort of corps members during this time. After our initial disappointment, we are now seeing elements of grace in this unexpected situation.

We believe that this time of strategic refreshing is necessary for us to continue to grow in our mission. We will use this opportunity to learn what this generation of young adults is seeking and to identify how our program may best serve them. The Johnson Service Corps mission involves deep listening, intentionality, and collaboration, and we have a unique chance to practice these skills and values.

We will also continue serving our extended community through service days, community dinners, and spiritual practice offerings; we hope to engage young adults and the wider community in these activities through campus ministries and other faith-based groups. As we move ahead, we pledge to keep you informed about what we’re doing and how you can get involved.

We ask that you continue to support Johnson Service Corps with your prayers, your financial contributions, and by telling others of JSC as you have done so faithfully before now. This is not a hibernation year, but a year of active listening, visioning, and continued programming. Our budget will be smaller with less expenses, but also with less income from our community placements. What we will be able to accomplish with this unique opportunity will depend in part on the financial support we receive. Your support and the encouragement of others’ will greatly facilitate that.

Thank you for your continued interest in and support of the Johnson Service Corps. Our community is what it is because of your participation in it.

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