Partner Agency
Partner agencies are organizations, individuals, businesses and churches who provide volunteer work placements for our international participants. Most partner agencies provide participants with 40 hours of work per week for a period of 11 months but we also offer some half time placements. All of our participants come with unique experiences, skill sets, interests and levels of education. As a result, we are able to fill a variety of placements (architectural internships, public education assistants, pastoral positions, day care workers, sales staff, youth workers, educational assistants etc.). We are looking for partner agencies who will provide IVEPers with a wide variety of experiences in their day to day work and who are open to learning and growing through their interactions with an international young adult. Providing meaningful volunteer placements does have its challenges. Participants are adjusting to a new culture, and sometimes a new language, in addition to a new workplace environment. Partner agencies need to be intentional in offering regular check in times and ample explanation for assigned tasks. The investment of time required to offer a successful placement is more than what is needed for a regular employee but the vast majority of our partner Agencies, who offer placements year after year, would agree that this investment is well worth it! Partner agencies broaden their view of other cultures and gain a better understanding of their own country as they see it through the eyes of someone experiencing it for the first time. They also see that the language of love is global and that "In Christ there is no east or west, in Him no south or north." To learn more check out the program manuals and quick facts listed below. You may also find it helpful to read through the testimonies of current partner agencies found in the Sponsor Corner (old name) of the IVEP newsletters.
FAQ's How does the Placement Process Work? Step 1 Potential partner agencies fill out a Placement Description which is reviewed by MCC. Step 2 Partner agencies receive the file(s) of a potential candidate(s) between January and March. After receiving a file, they are given the opportunity of posing additional questions to an applicant before they decide whether they would like to offer a proposed candidate the position. Step 3 If a candidate is selected, MCC sends an official placement offer to the candidate. If the candidate accepts, they arrive in Canada or the US for a group orientation in mid August and begin to volunteer at their placement shortly after. (Actual start date depends on when their visa is issued.) They return to their home country in mid July.
What is the cost? For Canada, in Canadian dollars:
For the US, in US dollars:
How does MCC support the IVEPer throughout the year? Every year, approximately 60 young adults from around the world participate in IVEP. Of those, half are placed in Canada and half are placed in the US. Throughout the year, participants come together for three week long conferences; orientation, a midyear conference focusing on peace building, and year end. In Canada IVEPers are supported by provincial and national coordinators who plan regular events, and are in regular contact with hosts and partner agencies. In the US IVEPers are supported by their Regional and National coordinators (Please see the Host and Partner Agency manual located at the top of this page for more information). Throughout the year, an MCC staff person is available to assist with any problems that might arise.
What are the partner agencies monthly responsibilities?
How can I become partner agency for an IVEP participant? Send an email to ivep@mcc.org and we will begin conversation with you.
"Sharing our lives with an IVEPer enriches the school community and creates globally aware students" ~ Phyllis, partner agency |