Giving in an enriching way

My name is Peter and I am an Ignatian Volunteer.

I retired at the beginning of 2006 after a career with the State Education Department. Over the years I had been interested in social justice issues. My own personal faith development has come largely through praying the Irish Jesuit ‘Sacred Space’ (both on-line and print). I find the Ignatian approach to prayer rewarding and challenging.

I now have time to put my interests to the test doing something in the social justice area, and developing my faith in a way that didn’t seem to be open to me through my local parish community. A friend returning from America had told me about the Ignatian Lay Volunteers Corps USA. I searched for an Australian equivalent and found Ignatian Volunteers Australia (IVA) on the Jesuit website.

I approached IVA in June 2006 and after a series of interviews with John Jennings, IVA Coordinator and the Manager of Briar Terrace, I was invited to work at Briar Terrace. I attended a training session with Shekinah Homeless Services which is a network of agencies with Catholic Social Services that provides support services for homeless people. Briar Terrace is an initiative of the Sisters of Charity Community Care, responding to the needs of those who experience the isolation of dense inner-city living.

One day each week I attend Briar Terrace in Fitzroy Street, Fitzroy, as a volunteer helper. I see it being about offering companionship and support to people who, though not without a home in the sense of a roof over their heads, might otherwise be solitary or without wider family support if not for Briar Terrace and other such services. Over a cup of tea or coffee it is often about listening and discussing, agreeing or begging to differ, laughing together, and sharing experiences.

One morning I was talking to one of the men visiting who mentioned that he sells The Big Issue. He told me how he 'spruiked' at the local railway station: ‘It’s about lots of small issues that together make up the big issue.’ The more I thought about his words relative to life, the more I saw his wisdom. Today I was the visitor listening and learning from another.

If the opportunity arises and a friend of the Terrace is ill or immobile I can also be called to make a home visit, sometimes taking along one of their friends.

The flip-side of this volunteer work is the monthly IVA Reflection morning which I’ve only just gotten into. As I see it, the focus here is on prayer, meditation and reflection as well as on the volunteer work and on the celebration of the Eucharist as part of the IVA community.

I am asked by some people what do I get out of doing this work. For me that is not the point, but there are unexpected moments which I see as rewards. Perhaps it’s helping in some small ways the people who are vulnerable, and learning again the importance of simple human contact and communication in the building of self-esteem and trust. I’m also starting to appreciate the great mutual support that those who visit the Terrace, both as friends and volunteers, often give to each other.

I joined IVA, aged 60, after 41 years in the State Education department, the last 18 years as a secondary college principal. My wife and I have five adult children and five grandchildren. We have an interest since 2001/2002 in supporting refugees and asylum seekers. I have a lifelong interest in the Geelong Football Club (and a premiership this side of the grave!). And a lot still to learn from the people I meet at Briar Terrace.

I encourage others to be a part of IVA. Contact John Jennings at john.jennings@jesuit.org.au or 03 9810 7310 or visit the website volunteers.jesuit.org.au