One admirable trait of the University of Detroit Jesuit is the AVC (Alumni Volunteer Corp) program. This is a nine-month program that covers the entirety of the school year. UDJ graduates will return after their 4 years of undergraduate collegiate studies. Directly from the University of Detroit Jesuit’s homepage, “The AVC program provides the opportunity for alumni to use their talents and energies to benefit the U of D Jesuit community daily. The AVC program helps fill the school’s needs while offering young alumni the chance to be Men for Others.” This internship allows college students to take a break from their studies so that they can gather themselves for their future. This also allows alumni to give back to the school community by creating great relationships with younger students. There are several AVC benefits, such as free housing, free utilities, a chance to develop spiritually, and an opportunity to be part of the excitement as UDJ and the city of Detroit grow. To be eligible for the AVC position, you must be a UDJ alumni, must have a degree from a four-year university or college, be able to dedicate a year of service and communal activities, and most importantly you must have an open mind.
I had a chance to reach out to the current 2023-2024 AVCs and ask them a few questions about the AVC experience. John Pollock, a University of Michigan graduate, finds the experience very “enlightening and formative”. When asked about when he realized he wanted to be an AVC, he responded, “Possibly around sophomore or junior year of high school is when I considered it. I remember specifically freshman year I had a great AVC who helped me out with pretty much everything. He was so much help in high school that he sticks in my mind well after even to this day. He inspired me to follow up in his steps and become an AVC. Seeing him do it made me think that maybe I could do this in the future. It’s a great way to give back to the community and it gave me time to think about what I wanted to do after college. It’s a great and genuine experience that I recommend for all students and future graduates.”
The AVC experience is like no other. It offers opportunities for growth, learning, and development. The community it builds is one of a kind. I recommend that all UDJ graduates should at least consider how great of an opportunity it is. For all current AVCs and ones who have committed themselves to the role in past years, thank you. You truly make the U of D Jesuit community a special place.