While it addresses personal and social barriers faced by adult learners, VOCM perceives them as citizens and leaders who will rebuild their communities.
Youth Development
Annually, more than 200 youth are involved in one or more of our developmental and recreational programs which include:
After School Tutoring
The After School Program serves students in kindergarten through 5th grade each day from area schools. In addition to helping with homework, volunteers and staff develop an individual plan of study for each student based on assessments and teachers’ recommendations. Students also participate in field trips and service learning activities each week, in order to increase their experiences and to learn how to contribute to their community at an early age.
Summer Youth Ministry
The Summer Enrichment Camp provides students with seven weeks of activities throughout the summer: Academic Enrichment, Service-learning, Art and Dance, Swimming, Field Trips, Outdoor Recreation, and Chapel. Students not only look forward to a day of fun activities, but they also increase their reading and math skills in the process!
Volunteers/Internships
Volunteers
One of VOCM's unique ministries is its volunteer and intern program. Since the beginning, volunteers have been coming to help out with our various ministries. Most of our volunteer groups come for a week at a time during the spring or summer months. While here, they learn about Christian community development, racial reconciliation, social justice, and other issues at the heart of VOCM. Although most volunteers work in our housing department, some work in the office, in the after-school and summer program, and in the GED program. We encourage our volunteers to become immersed in the community around them, to understand why we're here and what we're doing. We hope that after their time here, our volunteers will have a greater understanding of the scope of God's kingdom, and a passion for reaching out to those in need in their home communities.
During the summer, college-age students can participate in our intern program. This six-week program is an intensive foray into the Voice of Calvary world. Participants receive practical, hands-on experience in cross-cultural urban ministry and holistic Christian Community Development. Events include guest lecturers, field trips, weekly Bible studies, community night activities, etc. Interns are placed into various fields depending upon their skills and interests; they will range from the housing department to the youth department to other local ministries such as those working with the homeless.
Summer Internships
Each summer, Voice of Calvary Ministries invites college students from around the world to get involved with different VOCM projects by dedicating their summer and staying in Jackson, Mississippi.
Link
Short- or Long-Term Internships
Participants in the short and long-term internship program also live, work and worship in the west Jackson community. Though this experience, interns gain an understanding of Christian Community Development and have many opportunities to get involved in neighborhood life.
If you are interested in bringing a group for a week of volunteering, interning for any period of time, or if you want more information about volunteer services contact: meganvoos@vocm.org.
Internships 2007
Internships 2006
Staff Mission Project Greenville. MS 2007
INTERNS FROM SUMMER 2006
David Hansen first heard about our internship program when 
his college group came down to volunteer in March of this year. While he was here, he decided to come back and participate in our internship program this summer. David is working in our People’s Housing Development program, helping to supervise the volunteer groups that come down. He is from Milwaukee, WI and will be a Junior at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where he majors in Secondary Education. He will also be leading his college group’s Urban Ministry team next year.
When we asked David what his hopes were for the summer, he said that “first and foremost I hope to learn how to serve Jesus better. The weather is hot and humid and it will be easy to become discouraged, but I’m excited for the challenge. Also, I want to learn more about the African American culture and racial reconciliation.”
David is passionate about sunshine, lollypops, and rainbows, and butterflies, and everything that beautiful is! But seriously, he loves learning about Jesus through the gospel and through his works. He also loves conversations with his brothers and sisters in Christ that force him to think.
He loves sports, key lime yogurt by Yoplait, and painting his face for every UWM basketball home game. He also likes to read and loves working at his beloved CULVERS, “where a better brand of beef makes a butter burger better.” The thing he misses most is his 4:30 ritual of watching PTI on ESPN.
David eventually plans on teaching in the inner-city of Milwaukee. SHATTER!
Janay Jordan is our west coast rep this summer, coming to us from Huntington Beach, CA. She just graduated from Azusa Pacific University where she majored in Spanish. After graduation, she spent a week in Hawaii, then found herself in Jackson, MS. Janay is one of our kindergarten/1st grade teacher at our Summer Enrichment Program and doing a terrific job with our little ones!
Janay stated that her hopes for this internship experience include “depth in conversation and dialogue about culture struggles, and a greater understanding of the present racism in our country. I would also hope to be a part of changing the negative stereotypes about white people.”
Janay is passionate about Spanish and culture, traveling, healing for the oppressed, massage, women’s issues, the poor, and salsa dancing. Her hobbies include travel, going to the beach, running, and dancing. And the things she misses most … coffee shops!
In the fall, Janay will be going to South America to teach English for one year. We are grateful to have her free spirit and contagious laugh for 8 weeks!
Emmanuel Arango, also known as “Mr. Manny”, is from Boston, MA and is a die-hard Red Sox fan. He just finished his first year at Gordon college where he majors in Sociology/Social Work. Manny is working at our Summer Enrichment program, and bringing lots of enthusiasm to his second grade class!
Manny’s expectations for the summer are to build relationships with the other interns and learn as much as possible about Christian Community Development & Reconciliation. When asked to identify his passions, he said, “Seeing the power of the gospel transform individuals, as well as entire societies. I’m passionate about the power that comes along with the Gospel, and I wish to see the church use that power to change society.”
After graduation, Manny would like to do missionary work and then go to seminary. He hopes to pastor his own church one day. Mr. Manny’s famous last words: GO GET A WET PAPER TOWEL! (It is perfect for headaches, scrapes, and other 2nd grade injuries!)
Tikva Frantz is from Chicago, IL where she just graduated from 
North Park University. Her major was Spanish & Elementary Education – and we wasted no time in putting her education to work at our Summer Enrichment Program! Tikva (which means “hope” in Hebrew) brings experience and passion, and is doing an outstanding job leading her third grade class.
Tikva’s hopes for the summer include seeing new models for church and ministry, and to learn from her fellow interns and housemates. She is passionate about education, languages, and God’s power to transform our lives.
When Tikva is not teaching in the classroom, you may find her dancing, trying new foods, or visiting the Jackson Zoo! Her plans on returning home are open at this point, so she gladly welcomes any job opportunities!
Evelyn Chang is from Herndon, VA, just outside of Washington D.C. 
She will be a senior at the University of Virginia where she majors in Economics & East Asian Studies. When Evelyn arrived in Jackson, she thought she would be mucking out houses in response to Hurricane Katrina. Little did she know she would be helping to lead a second grade class in our Summer Enrichment program! She is doing a wonderful job with her students and we are very grateful to have her this summer.
Evelyn’s hopes for the summer include learning more about racial reconciliation, and impacting the children at Voice of Calvary by being a positive role model and influence in their lives. She can sum up her passions in two words: Jesus, Asia.
Evelyn’s hobbies include arts & crafts and cooking/baking. You have not gone grocery shopping until you’ve gone with Evelyn! She also felt it was important that you know her favorite animal is the monkey. After college, Evelyn hopes to work for SNL financial in marketing and work as staff intern for Grace Christian Fellowship.
Family Development and Training
Home Buyer Education
Home Buyer Education’s purpose is to provide potential new homeowner’s with valuable information that will allow them to make the best decisions for their first home purchase. The topics discussed in the eight-hour “Realizing the American Dream” curriculum are:
- Are You Ready—This section is designed to allow the participant to make a self-evaluation of their mortgage readiness.
- Managing Your Money—provides tools and techniques for properly saving and using money.
- Understanding Credit—explains credit, credit scores, and how credit plays a role in obtaining a mortgage loan
- Getting a Mortgage Loan—covers the mortgage process from application to closing
- Shopping For a Home—helps potential homeowners decide their housing needs and wants, working with real estate agents, and what to look for while house hunting.
Individual Counseling
First-time homebuyers may need individual assistance and guidance in order to become successful in their home purchasing goals. Housing Counselors are available to provide one-on-one assistance with budgeting, debt management and credit counseling.
The road to homeownership is often long and tedious; however, the work does not stop once the goal of homeownership is obtained. Voice of Calvary Ministries offers several services to help new and existing homeowners become successful homeowners over the long term.
Post Purchase Education
Our Post Purchase Education is designed to be an ongoing help to homeowners. We use the NeighborWorks curriculum “Keeping the American Dream” and the Mississippi Home Corporation’s curriculum “HomeWise.” The curriculum covers three basic areas.
Finances—It is important that existing homeowners continue to budget and save money, watch their credit and manage their debts.
Community Awareness—A homeowner’s responsibilities don’t stop at paying a mortgage and performing maintenance, it is also being a part of your community. Your home purchase is an investment and staying informed and involved in your community helps to protect your investment.
Home Repair and Maintenance— One important difference in renting and homeownership is the responsibility of maintenance and repair. However, it is not impossible. With the right tools and information, it can get a lot easier for homeowners. Some of the topics covered are preventive and seasonal maintenance and minor and major repairs. It offers ways to finance repairs and plan for the unexpected.
Mortgage Delinquency Counseling
Unfortunately, circumstances sometimes cause homeowners to fall behind on their mortgage. In an effort to reduce the foreclosure rate we offer assistance with mortgage delinquency by helping the homeowner determine the cause of the default, work out repayment plans, and discuss alternatives to foreclosure.
Rental Counseling
During rental counseling clients receive information on the rights and responsibilities of tenants, lease and rental agreements, and evictions and grievances. Renters can also receive assistance with locating affordable rental properties including rent subsidy programs.
Credit Counseling
A big part of becoming mortgage ready is your credit history. The individual counseling sessions are comprised of two parts, reviewing your credit history and developing an action plan. You and a credit counselor will sit down and go over your credit history. You will have the opportunity to discuss each item. Once that is complete, the counselor will assign you tasks to complete. These tasks are designed to improve your credit score and/or help you become mortgage ready. The counselor will closely monitor your progress and provide you with updates on your status.
Financial Fitness
We are participants in the “NeighborWorks Financial Fitness Program.” This program is designed to increase the wealth building potential of low- to moderate-income families. “Improving your money management skills is the foundation to achieving long-term financial goals, such as buying a home, starting a business, paying for college or saving for retirement.” (NeighborWorks Financial Fitness Curriculum) It is important that our clients not only prepare for homeownership, but learn how their money can work for them and improve their quality of life. It doesn’t matter how much money you make, but how well you manage what you have determines your financial stability.
Healthy Lifestyles/Education
Healthy people create and better manage more livable communities. Through encouraging healthier, more active lifestyles, Voice of Calvary Ministries promotes the health and wellness of the individual as well as the quality of neighborhood environments. With your partnership we can implement these new initiatives:
Health Disparities and Health Education
VOCM builds health related wellness activities into all its programs and community education models, including health literacy, disease prevention, and physical fitness. VOCM will also build on its history of advocating for the socially marginalized such as those living with mental health issues.
