FrancisCorps is made up of a group of lay volunteers, aged 21 to 25 years who have college degrees or related experience to bring to the ministry. These volunteers commit a full year to the faith-based program, sharing their talents to help those in need while undergoing a process of personal and spiritual growth in the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare. FrancisCorps members receive a monthly stipend, room and board, medical insurance, transportation and AmeriCorps Educational Grants where applicable.

FrancisCorps has placement sites in both Syracuse, New York, and Costa Rica. In Syracuse, FrancisCorps serves a diverse population. At the North Side CYO, FrancisCorps works with at risk, immigrant children from Vietnam, Bosnia, Kosovo and Sudan as well as local families in need. The volunteers also work at the Dorothy Day House, a 30-day shelter for abused women and children that helps over 3,000 people annually. Additional programs served by the ministry include the Vincent House, Salina Civic Center, L’Arche and Franciscan Northside Ministries.

FrancisCorps also recently launched a program called FrancisCorps Families, where local families become ’support partners’ with a particular volunteer for a year. The FrancisCorps family gets involved with the ministry and helps the volunteer accomplish community projects.

For more information, visit the FrancisCorps website at: www.franciscorps.org