The SJWP accepts young women between the ages of 21 and 30 who meet the program requirments.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis beginning in early January and are followed by candidate interviews. The first deadline for preferred placement is March 15th. Applicants who submit all materials on or before this date will have preference of possible placements. After this date, we will continue to accept applications until all spaces are filled.
The St. Joseph Worker service year starts at the end of August and runs through the end of June. It is important that all St. Joseph Workers have no other long term obligations during this year that interfere with program responsibilities and obligations.
Chances of being accepted into the SJW Program are increased by applying before the March 15th application deadline and by being open about the service site experience you are interested in. Final acceptance is dependent on: acceptance by the St. Joseph Worker interview team, compatibility with an existing service site and available space in the program.
Those who apply early have the best chance of getting their preferred service site. During the interview process, we like to have people interview in person or through video conference, with the potential service site. This will allow supervisor and applicant to see how well the placement fits. If both the supervisor and applicant agree on a fit, then the placement can be secured.
All St. Joseph Workers receive a monthly stipend of $150. Because the program also supplies separate funds for housing, food, transportation and other daily needs, this money is for discretionary spending.
We are in the process of securing AmeriCorps designation in partnership with another agency for our educational sites. This is dependent on the role and responsibilities at the service site.
Those who have a car are allowed, although not encouraged, to bring it, knowing that the SJWP cannot reimburse mileage and only in special circumstances reimburses for gas. The program does not cover the insurance and other costs incurred by owning a car. The SJWP also cannot guarantee off street parking for personal vehicles.
The SJWP provides for transportation options such as bus/metro transit cards. A SJW may bring her own bicycle.
While the SJW program cannot accommodate couples, some of the women have been able to balance community commitments while in a relationship. We understand that women who come to us are individuals who need time to themselves. While there are many program commitments, most women have been able to continue to keep time for themselves and for other communities that are important to them.
Each year we look to accept and place between 3-5 women in August.
Each room is furnished with a single bed, dresser, chair, and lamp. The living room, kitchen, and other common spaces are fully furnished. The house has internet access and a telephone. Individual women do not need to bring very much to make it feel like home. Each woman decides to bring certain priority items with her, including clothes, decorations for her room, sheets for a twin bed, a pillow, and other important personal items.
St. Joseph Workers spend 36 hours a week at their placements, with the extra 4 hours set aside for training, one to one’s, spiritual mentoring, personal development and program opportunities. Most of this work takes place between the hours of 8:00am-5:00pm, although certain placements have individual evening or weekend commitments. Certain nights of the week are scheduled community time. For example, Monday night is “Sharing of the Heart” night, in the tradition of the Sisters of St. Joseph who have shared this practice since their inception in France in 1650, this is a time to share a meal, and share what is on our hearts and minds, in the context of spirituality and group sharing. Another night is designated as a “Community night,” when the community has some fun together doing an activity of their choice. Sunday nights are usually the time for a short “Community Check-in,” a time to catch up with the others in the house and plan menus and schedules for the upcoming week.
The St. Joseph Worker Program provides health insurance. However, we do not cover eye or dental care. We ask that incoming St. Joseph Workers get a dental check and general physical before entering the program to set them up for the coming year. The program also pays for health care costs, including co-pays, up to $500 dollars over the course of the year.
Loan deferments or AmeriCorps affiliated forbearance are available for most federal loans.
St. Joseph Worker Alumnae go on to do many things, including finding employment with both non-profit and for profit organizations, pursue further education, participate in additional volunteer opportunities and volunteer abroad.