Zoë's QVS Fellowship Year

I am Zoë Enciso Edmiston and in September I will begin my year of service with Quaker Voluntary Service (QVS) in Portland, OR. QVS fosters dynamic relationships of service, witness, and worship in a living Quaker faith. In a world oppressed by the powers of violence, domination, exclusion and fear, QVS empowers transformative partnerships in the work of liberation and justice. 

I am choosing to spend a year in the QVS program, because I want to deepen my spirituality and my relationship to Quakerism, share that experience with other seekers my age and be involved in the world of service. After looking into many other service programs, I realized there are none quite like QVS. The amount of support and community that is emphasized is so unique. I look forward to building relationships, connections and community during this year. I am also excited to explore Portland, and to learn how this progressive city has been so successful at finding alternative pathways towards sustainability, accessibility and inclusivity. 

I will be working full time for p:ear. This organization serves hundreds of homeless youth in Portland each year, but provides more than just a bed or a hot meal. P:ear focuses on building meaningful relationships, providing education, art and recreation as ways to offer mentorship, affirm personal worth, and stability to the youth.  During my time at p:ear, I will be the Kitchen Coordinator. I will be responsible for obtaining donated food, designing and executing the meals served twice daily, organizing volunteers in the kitchen, leading a weekly cooking class, and various other tasks. With only 9 permanent staff members, I will inevitably be helping out in more ways than just in the kitchen, but I am excited to be a part of this organization regardless! I plan to share my passions for wellness, sustainability, community, non-violence and fierce compassion during my time at p:ear. My work with them as a QVS Fellow will allow this organization to further its mission and increase its capacity in ways that it would not otherwise be able to do.

I am raising $2,000 to help with my living expenses and program costs for the year in the QVS program and hope you will consider donating. 

These funds go towards the total cost of support QVS offers to me. Examples of how these funds are used include: 

• $20 supports the costs of a monthly check in between a local coordinator and Fellow
• $40 covers one therapy session for any Fellow with mental health needs
• $100-150 provides each Fellow with a public transportation pass to get to & from their work placement
• $400 supports the cost of workshops and spiritual retreats allowing each Fellow the chance to continue education in social justice, faith, leadership, and community building work
• $600 offers a Fellow the opportunity to connect with the wider Quaker community through attending a conference and/or Quaker gathering

All Fellows receive housing, medical care, a food stipend, and student loan counseling and support. 

QVS is a registered 501(c)3 and all donations are eligible to be tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

If you would like to avoid credit card processing fees so 100% of your donation will go to QVS , please send a check with my name in the memo line to:

Quaker Voluntary Service
PO Box 8240
Atlanta, GA 31106

Thank you in advance for your support! I look forward to keeping you updated on my experience with QVS this year.