This Lenten series features a different person each week. Nothing in particular connects these people, other than my desire to ask them a few questions. They may not be the questions you would have asked, but I hope you might appreciate their answers nonetheless.  TL

Paul Logan
Why did you decided to pursue a year with Jesuit Volunteer Corps?
During my senior year I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after graduation. The thoughts of grad school and of work did not seem fulfilling to me at that time. I looked into other options and the thought of volunteering for a year left me with a feeling that felt right.

I started looking into volunteer opportunities and found the Jesuit Volunteer Corp. The four values of Spirituality, Social Justice, Simplicity and Community are really what made JVC stand out to me.

What exactly are you doing as part of your JVC assignment, and what has been most revealing or enlightening about your work?
I organize and coordinate service opportunities for students at the University of Detroit Mercy. I encourage students to take the experience they gain from the service and apply it to the concepts they are learning in the classroom. I lead pre- and post-service reflection.

I also worked on the Every Person Counts (EPC) campaign. EPC was a one night count of the unsheltered homeless in metro Detroit. The count was not only to provide accurate numbers to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for funding purposes, but also gave the public a chance to see first hand the problem of homelessness. We had over 200 volunteers go out and show the homeless that they really do count.

The most enlightening aspect of my work is seeing the change in the hearts of students after they experience direct service to a marginalized population.

The JVC experience also includes living in community with other volunteers. What does that entail and can you say something about the people with whom you're sharing this experience?
Community living is the most rewarding and challenging thing about this year. Trying to deal with eight different personalities while making consensus decisions is often frustrating and difficult. Seeing the eight people grow and learn from each other, rely on each other and support each other is worth ever ounce of frustration and anger that are needed to get there.

What has been the most difficult aspect of the JVC experience thus far and what has been the most enlightening or positive? Of course those could be the same experience.
Living in a community dedicated to the same values is the most positive experience. Living out the values and being held responsible to them at times when it may be inconvenient to do so is the most challenging.

What are your impressions of Detroit? What has surprised you or what have you found most troubling?
Detroit has been in an economic downfall for the last 40 years. It has a 15 percent unemployment rate and 26 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. The most troubling thing about Detroit is the abandon buildings that can be seen on almost every street.

Even with the economic despair the residence of Detroit take pride in their city and the downtown area has been going through some successful redevelopment projects which brings hope for the future.

Would you encourage others to consider spending a year with JVC? Why?
Yes, I am growing and learning more about myself each and every day. It is an experience that has changed my world view more than any class ever could. It is a fun and exciting way to become familiar with a part of the country that you would have otherwise never seen.

What’s next?
I am looking to move back to Wisconsin and work in the non-profit sector preferably focusing on homelessness and affordable housing.