In response to a survey of young people and the changing tides of service programs, the Quaker Voluntary Service (QVS) board has decided on programmatic changes. Starting with the 2024-25 QVS year, the program will shorten from 11 months to 9.5 months, similar to a school-year schedule. This will allow Fellows to pursue summer employment and scholarship opportunities. A wider scope of site placements was requested, particularly for people interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
QVS will also be piloting three additional cohorts: In 2025, it plans to institute a short summer program for teenagers and a multi-week summer program for college students; the latter is in development and will take place in Philadelphia, Pa. In the 2024-25 program year, QVS will launch the Boston Angelic Troublemakers (BAT). The BAT pilot cohort is specifically designed for changemakers in Boston, Mass., acknowledging the unique challenges and burnout that can come with dedicated movement work. This cohort integrates Quaker traditions with earth-based practices.
While QVS chose to pause the program in Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minn., for one year, local enthusiasm for QVS kept the possibility open for a return to the Twin Cities. After reviewing the budget and organizational goals, the board of directors felt clear to reopen the Minneapolis–St. Paul program for fall 2024.
Comments on Friendsjournal.org may be used in the Forum of the print magazine and may be edited for length and clarity.