VIDES volunteers form a very talented group of people and no two are alike - each volunteer brings something wonderful and unique to mission with them. VIDES embraces this gift of individuality and strives, not only to find good placements where the volunteer will be able to express those talents, but also tries to foster the character and talents of each person.
We ask our volunteers to "think outside the box", to be creative and innovative in the field as they work to integrate themselves into the community and strive to create change in our world.
Meet our Current Volunteers
Sarah (Oaxaca, Mexico) Sarah is from San Antonio and graduated from Tarleton State University in 2019 with a degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Psychology. She has been working for the Texas Highway Patrol for four years and plans to take a few months off to go on mission to a Spanish speaking country. Sarah enjoys camping, hiking, and spending time with people.
Isabel (Taiwan and the Philippines) Isabel is from Chicago and graduated from Notre Dame in 2019 with a degree in Marketing and Chinese. She has been using her Marketing degree since graduation and desires to take a year off to do volunteer service. She plans to spend half the year in the Philippines and the second half in Taiwan. Isabel enjoys singing, playing the piano and drawing.
Marylynn (Colombia) Marylynn is from San Antonio and just graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Radio-TV-Film and Corporate Communication. She loves to play sports, sing mariachi music, go to concerts, travel, and learn new languages. Marylynn plans to volunteer with our sisters in Colombia for 3 months this fall.
Vy (Vietnam) Vy is from Cordova, TN and just graduated from the University of TN with a BS in Neuroscience and a BA in Psychology. She has experience in healthcare and plans to go to medical school. Vy enjoys drawing, painting, playing the flute, photography, and volunteering with the youth at church. She will be serving with our sisters in Vietnam for 2 months starting in August.
Jacqui (Hong Kong) Jacqui is from Dumfries, VA and just graduated from Elon University with a degree in Journalism and International and Global Studies. She focused on Asian Studies and will be spending a year with our sisters in Hong Kong helping teach English. Jacqui enjoys singing, writing poetry, doing improv, photography and doing video editing.
Maria (Vietnam) Maria is from Memphis, TN and just graduated from the University of Memphis with a degree in Psychology. She has worked in parish youth ministry and with the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement for several years. Maria enjoys playing the piano, drawing, and painting. She will be volunteering with our sisters in Vietnam for 3 months starting in August.
Ally (Puerto Rico) Ally is from Iowa and graduated with her Bachelor's degree in Social Work from the University of Northern Iowa in May 2023. She has worked the past few summers at a Catholic summer camp in Iowa and also at the YMCA. Ally enjoys playing the piano, spending time with people, being outdoors, and playing with kids.
Ines (Florida, Canada, New Jersey) Ines is from New Jersey and graduated from Rutgers in 2024 with a BA in Biology and a minor in Social Justice. She has experience in the healthcare field and has also been involved with the youth group at her parish the past ten years. She will be spending the spring semester at Villa Madonna School in Tampa, FL. Ines enjoys learning languages, playing sports, photography, and dancing.
Leslie (UN, Geneva, Switzerland) Leslie is from Buckeye, AZ and graduated from Grand Canyon University with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Marketing in 2024. She has experience tutoring and nannying and hopes to use those skills as she works with young people on mission. She plans to do the internship at the United Nations in Geneva and then go to Mexico. Leslie enjoys singing and photography.
Melanie (Colombia and UN) Melanie is from Los Angeles, CA and graduated from UC Davis in 2019 with a degree in Design. She has recently been working as a social media coordinator. Melanie enjoys journaling, being a decaf coffee connoisseur, running, and she is passionate about service. She hopes to go to a country in South America for her mission.
Nia (Samoa) Nia is from Humble, TX and just graduated from Howard University with a BS in Chemistry. She already has several years of experience in the healthcare field and plans on going to medical school after her time on mission. Nia enjoys playing soccer, playing the flute and painting. She will be working with our Sisters in Samoa for 3 months starting in August.
Katelyn (India) Katelyn grew up in Dubai and recently graduated from the University of Texas in Dallas with a BS in Finance. She is very interested in promoting financial literacy, especially for women. Katelyn enjoys photography, sports, singing, dancing, and reading. She will be volunteering with our sisters in India for 3 months this fall.
Jacinda ( Philippines) Jacinda is from Nebraska and currently lives in Wyoming where she just completed her first year of college. She has been on a few short term mission trips in the US and because of those, desires to take a gap year and do an international mission. Jacinda enjoys painting and drawing and doing outdoors activities like hiking and fishing. She plans to spend a year on mission in Africa or Asia.
Sabra (Chile) Sabra is from Ohio and is currently working towards her BS in Health Science at Boston University. She also works as an EMT and as a Resident Assistant at BU. Sabre plays multiple musical instruments and enjoys art, cooking, singing, and bowling!
“Each Christian and every community must discern the path that the Lord points out, but all of us are asked to obey his call to go forth from our own comfort zone in order to reach all the ‘peripheries’ in need of the light of the Gospel.” - Pope Francis