What to Expect in a Year of Service

Participating in Urban Servant Corps will change how you show up in the world. It will affirm your values, help you to take action around injustices, offer time to deepen your faith and share in the practice of being a community with people who arrive as strangers.

 
 

The Application Process

 

STEP 1

Complete the written application.

 
 

STEP 2

Schedule an interview with a USC staff member.

 
 

STEP 3

Upon acceptance, USC staff will work with you to determine a service site aligned with your interests and experiences.

 
 

STEP 4

Interview at service site.

 
 

Why Should You Join USC?

At Urban Servant Corps, we believe that doing a year of service will not only impact those you serve, but it will change who you are and how you show up in the world.  At the end of your year of service, you will leave understanding what life might look like for marginalized and vulnerable populations in our country, have concrete direct service skills, discover what it might mean to live out your faith, and how to build a community with a group of like-minded people.  Many find this year of service as an opportunity to further explore values, career path, and the next faithful step. A year of service can be a time to gain experience and skills before attending graduate school or seminary. It can also serve as a stepping stone in the helping profession and offer a network for potential career opportunities.


You yearn to serve God’s people in a profound way and hope to deepen your faith.

 

You’re dedicated to social justice and a simpler way of life.

 

You want to live counter-culturally and be part of something bigger than yourself.

 

You’re excited about a life-changing year!

 

 Intentional Community Times

  • Weekly Monday night community gatherings for social justice learning and faith formation

  • Monthly Friday community days for professional development and community building

  • A border immersion experience

  • Three community retreats for reflection

 
 

Where Do Volunteers Typically Serve?

Service sites are typically within walking or biking distance to the Urban Servant Corps intentional community house.

 

How Do Volunteers Receive Support?

Each USC volunteer receives a $150 monthly stipend, a $300 annual professional growth and development allotment, health insurance (if needed), and a private bedroom in a house with common spaces, and a $1000 re-adjustment allowance upon the successful completion of the program. Spiritual direction, counseling services, and alumni mentorship are also offered as possible ways of support.

NEW ANNOUNCEMENT!
The Urban Servant Corps Board of Directors is thrilled to announce the opportunity for USC volunteers to be supported in relieving student loan debt upon successful completion of a year of service with us. Beginning in August 2023, each volunteer who demonstrates student loan debt will be gifted $2000 directed to their loan company with the opportunity to apply for additional debt reduction up to a total of $7000!

 

FAQs

  • Urban Servant Corps is a one-year full-time Lutheran volunteer program in Denver, CO. Volunteers commit to living in intentional community and embrace values of simplicity and spirituality as they serve at inner-city Denver nonprofits. USC positions are at agencies that provide immediate and direct care service as well those who advocate for lasting solutions and long-term social change.

  • Urban Servant Corps is an ELCA-affiliated program. Participants are not required to be Lutheran or identify as Christian. However, we uphold the traditions and values of the Lutheran Church in the midst of our community gatherings. Volunteers are expected to attend community gatherings that include a faith reflection or worship service and engage in exploring their faith and supporting others in this practice. USC welcomes folks from all faith traditions and theological perspectives; in fact, that adds a rich dynamic to our conversations about spirituality!

  • No. There is not a fee associated with applying to Urban Servant Corps.

  • The majority of USC applicants have just graduated from college and are in their early 20s. However, USC has hosted volunteers of all ages, ranging from 21-75 (there is no upper age limit)! Additionally, married couples, international students, retired folks have added to the rich community experience at USC. All Urban Servant Corps volunteers must be 21 years of age.

  • You may download an application from the Urban Servant Corps website. Typically, people start applying in January. The priority deadline is March 1. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis thereafter until all positions are filled. USC staff members will process the application and contact the applicant for an interview, ensuring that USC is a good programmatic fit. Upon acceptance into USC, applicants will interview with a placement agency to further discuss the duties of the specific volunteer job. Finally, a Commitment of Agreement is signed between all parties (USC staff, applicant and agency supervisor).

  • Typically, the USC program runs from the last Sunday in August through the first Friday of the following August. There is a week-long orientation upon arrival and USC volunteers begin service at their placement agencies the Tuesday after Labor Day.

  • As a community of eight to ten individuals, volunteers meet for community business, meal sharing, and fun(!) on a regular basis. Volunteers utilize a consensus-based decision making model to work through the functioning and structure of the house community. Through these conversations and activities, the household becomes a support system…a group of people to “do life” together…an intentional community. Together, volunteers are able to cope with the challenges as well as celebrate the joys of the volunteer year.

  • USC volunteers are at all stages of their spiritual journey. Volunteers may or may not identify with a particular faith or denomination. Some may be outwardly disciplined in their faith practices while others may not. USC asks that volunteers be open to exploring and experiencing faith and spirituality with others. Volunteers are encouraged to seek outside spiritual communities as well. Spiritual Direction is offered to Urban Servant Corps volunteers, if they choose to individually participate.

  • Living simply is a challenge and opportunity that the volunteers face in our world of plenty. The USC experience invites individuals to embrace a year of simplicity and sustainability in order to open their hearts and minds to the needs of their local and global communities. USC provides for the basic needs of volunteers so that they can live out their passion in the world. In an act of solidarity and consciousness, volunteers are asked to live within the personal stipend of $150 each month. Food, housing, and health insurance are costs that are covered by Urban Servant Corps (separate from the individual stipend). Each volunteer must ask for themselves how they would separate their "needs" from their "wants" during this year of simplicity and sustainability. Wifi is available at the USC homes, but is not the kind of access that supports 5 people individually streaming separate Netflix movies -- one communal movie, on the other hand, you are in business!

  • Each Monday evening, USC volunteers gather for the practice of intentional community. The month follows this structure:

    Week 1: Community Worship

    Week 2: Social Justice Issues (a member of the Denver community presents on a particular topic that is of interest to USC volunteers)

    Week 3: Faith Reflection (led by a USC volunteer)

    Week 4: Fun Night (take some time to enjoy one another!)

  • Federal student loans usually can be deferred. Check with your university and/or lending institution to confirm eligibility and to obtain the appropriate forms. Unfortunately, the AmeriCorps funding for faith-based service program has been discontinued. We continue to seek opportunities to help with student loan debt and keep our fingers crossed for the funding to be renewed. In the meantime, we invite you to become informed about income driven repayment programs and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if you have federal student loan debt.

  • Urban Servant Corps owns two community homes in inner-city Denver that house between eight and ten volunteers. House assignments are primarily based on the location of the partner agency where volunteers are serving. Each USC volunteer will have their own room that is selected through a lottery system on move-in day. Both houses and each bedroom are fully furnished.

  • Urban Servant Corps covers health insurance premiums and co-pays up to $500. If you already have insurance, you may remain with your current carrier (at your own cost).

  • Yes, you may bring a car, although public transportation, walking and bike riding are greatly encouraged! Most USC placement agencies are within walking or biking distance from the houses. If transportation to/from a work site is required, USC provides a bus pass or reimburses mileage up to the equivalent that is paid for a bus pass for work transportation. For those who bring a car, there is street and/or alley parking available.

  • USC has a number of alumni who have remained in Denver following their term of service (approximately 75!), in addition to the two USC staff members who are readily available. Weekly supervision is provided by service sites. Spiritual Directors are offered for volunteers who are interested. Board members are available for resume review and professional development support. We love COMMUNITY and are grateful for the many ways that USC is connected to so many outstanding people and organizations the Denver community.

  • No. Due to the commitment of serving a 40 hours per week job, in addition to the commitment of community life, there simply is not time to hold additional employment. Also, outside employment creates an unbalanced dynamic within the community and detracts from the value of simplicity that is upheld in USC.

  • Time off is determined by each service site; however, USC recommends 2 weeks of time off during the year of service. There are a handful of USC community commitments throughout the year (retreats, fundraising events, etc), but in general, weekends and evenings (outside of Monday’s community night) are for you!

  • This depends on each individual’s goals. Some attend graduate school or seminary, others are hired for a paid position at their service site, yet others move closer to home and find employment. Support is offered towards the end of the year of service to discern what could follow the year of service. Alumni, Board members, and staff offer this support through resume review/mock interviews, emotional/spiritual processing of “calling”, discussing the nitty gritty practical things like “how do I find an apartment?” There are many ways of moving successfully beyond this year of service and it looks a little different for everyone!

  • What they say is true – Denver rocks. To learn more about the city of Denver (weather, urban life, parks, etc):

    https://www.denver.org/denver-meetings-conventions/decide-on-denver/denver-facts/

 

Are You Ready to Make a Difference?

We welcome you to put your gifts and skills into action in the Denver community and submit an application for this year of service!