What is a Holy Cross Associate?
A Guide for family of potential Associates...
What is HCA?
Holy Cross Associates is a program which places recent college graduates, men and women, in one-year service placements in the United States (2½ years in Chile). It is sponsored by the Congregation of Holy Cross, a religious order of priests. The individuals, or Associates, are "volunteers", who receive a living wage and live in a community with other volunteers during their time in the program.
The Associates in the U.S. work a full-time job that, in most cases, has a high degree of direct service with the organization's clients or consumers. Associates may have positions that are also more administrative in nature, but there must be a direct contact part of the job. In Chile, Associates are considered lay missioners and often work side-by-side with Holy Cross religious.
Why would someone want to do this?
There are any number of reasons. Past Associates have described reasons from wanting to learn more about service, living in community, having new experiences in new areas of the country, wanting job experience, and exploration of faith. The reasons are many and individual.
My son or daughter has been in school for four or more years already. Why would he/she put his/her life on hold?
The Program's philosophy is that nobody entering the program is putting anything on hold. Rather, participating in Holy Cross Associates will invite a very lively exploration of what the Associate's life might be about, and is often an opportunity to discover one's gifts and talents.
In understanding why someone wants to do this we encourage people to remove the labels about what they are. For example, if I have been trained in accountancy, is my life defined as "I'm an accountant", or is it more that "I am a gifted person of faith, who is concerned about the world and people around me, and is using my talent as an accountant to strengthen these gifts?"
What is the cost to volunteer and family?
The true "real"cost is for the Associate to get to the orientation site (South Bend, IN) at the beginning of the program. The program will get the Associates to their living sites, cover the living expenses, and get them home at the end of the year. For Chile Associates, language training is also provided by the program.
We encourage families and friends to write and call, and to visit if possible. Otherwise, there should be no planned costs to the family or the Associate.
Please note, however, that there are some activities that the Associate may undertake during the year which the program does not cover. For example, many apply to graduate school, and the program does not cover application fees or interview expenses.
What about health care?
Each Associate lives in an area with excellent, nearby medical services (even in Chile). Everyone in the program is insured through the HCA group health plan (Christian Brother Employee Benefit Trust). During the time the Associate is in the program, such items as deductibles and co-payments are a part of the budget.
The coverage does not include dental or eye coverage (glasses, contact lenses, etc.), and the program can only cover these items in an emergency. Also, "out-of-pocket" health costs of activities that are not generally a part of the Associate experience are generally not a program responsibility.
•The CBEBT Benefit Summary (PDF Format)
Are these dangerous jobs?
No. While any job involves certain risks that are inherent to living in society, we do not have jobs that create undue danger to the Associate. Many are located in inner-city areas, and the Associate is strongly encouraged to use common sense and caution. In Chile, the government is now considered one of the more stable on the continent.
Are you trying to turn these volunteers into "do-gooders"?
Most people who are participants in the HCA program come away with a profoundly different, more experienced, view of the world. However, most are predisposed to doing good works as a motivation to be in the program. Surveys and anecdotal evidence suggests that the Associate experience is an important guide to the individual's interests in community service as a vocation or volunteer opportunity, or both.
What kinds of things do they go on to do after their year or two in the Associates program?
We are proud of the many and varied kinds of work that Associates go on to do after their time with the program. Among the ranks of the Associates are bankers, lawyers, doctors, human service organization directors, homemakers, activists, teachers, engineers, accountants, and a wide variety of other professions; there is no single career or vocation that stands out, nor that is encouraged.
Instead, the experience of having been a full-time volunteer in the program helps bring values to the job, whether it be a mostly social service job or in the business world. For example, one former Associate who works for a large New York bank reported that his experience has helped him guide the bank's policies in community reinvestment strategies.
In the immediate year after the program, some Associates in the U.S. stay in the areas where they worked, with some even being hired on by their host agency. Many go on to graduate school, and many others return to their home town to find jobs. In some cases, Associates have been able to defer job offers and graduate school acceptances for a year in order to participate in the program.
HCA also keeps current and former Associates aware of job opportunities that often come along through friends of the program. In addition, we have access to the University of Notre Dame Career Center, and can help both Notre Dame and other graduates who request help.
Can he or she get a graduate school deferment?
This depends upon the policy of the school where they are applying, but this often occurs. The HCA office can help explain the circumstances to the school's admissions office, if desired.
Do the men and women live together?
Yes, we strive to have a balance of men and women living together in Associate communities. Though the housing is never plush, there are ample opportunities for privacy.
Can I visit?
Absolutely, we encourage the Associate to have family and friends visit, if they choose. Recognize, however, that the Associate is responsible for carrying out a full-time job and must be careful not to overuse time off. Also, as the houses can be crowded, we encourage the Associates to check with housemates before having visitors stay as guests at the Associate house.
Can they come home for Christmas?
The program adopted a travel policy and guidelines to encourage the Associate to consider the following:
a.) The individual is serving in a professional capacity at the placement, and may be needed during the holiday time period and/or may not have vacation time available;
b.) Is the consideration of travel consistent with the individual's and the HCA Community's understanding and vision of simple living and a preferential option for the poor?
c.) The program and community cannot pay for such travel.
How do I know they will have enough money?
Associates receive a regular paycheck which is contributed in its entirety to the HCA program. The HCA office, in return, sends each Associate community in the U.S. a monthly check which is then used by the Associates to cover all of their expenses and also provides a personal stipend of $60 for each Associate. The amount of money that sent to each Associate community is determined by an on-going review of expenses and needs. Additional money is provided if an emergency situation requires it.
In Chile, similar financial arrangements have been made, except that the check is sent quarterly to the Holy Cross Community in Chile, and they in turn provide funds to the Associates.
Because one of the goals of HCA is simple lifestyle, money is usually tight but enough is provided to cover all needs and a little is usually left over for some of fun.
Are there any benefits?
Many Associates consider the experience in community living and service, the challenge of living a simple lifestyle, and the opportunities for spiritual growth to be great benefits. In addition to that, other benefits are provided.
Many Associates have student loans, and these can be deferred or a forbearance received during the time they are in the program. This is not the same as forgiveness, but it holds off any need to start repayment until after the Associate time has passed. The HCA office helps with deferment letters and verifications to the loan officers.
Associates in the U.S. are enrolled as members of the AmeriCorps program. Because of this, at the completion of the year-long commitment the Associate is entitled to a grant which is currently set at $4,725. This grant can be used to pay off current student loans or can be used for future education (within 7 years of their Associate experience). AmeriCorps will also pay any interest that comes due during the Associate year. Associates often pay off a greater chunk of their student loans with this award than they would have expected to if regularly employed immediately after college. This benefit has been provided for several years, and is expected to continue, but cannot be guaranteed if government funding is cut off.
Associates in Chile receive the benefit of language training.
What is expected of the parents or other loved ones?
Any expectations the program has are in the area of things we hope you will do. These include regular communication with the Associate, respect for their wishes and the changes they are undergoing, and your prayers. We also hope that you will establish clear expectations of what you want and need.
It is our strong hope that you will not intercede with gifts of money or lavish presents, remembering that a part of the practice of simple lifestyle is independence. Gifts of home baked goods are often appreciated when they can be shared by the whole community.
Should you or friends and family want to make a financial donation to the program, we encourage you to send this to the HCA office. It can be used to underwrite the overall costs of the program, or earmarked to a specific activity. In addition, the program has a small endowment fund.
The program publishes a quarterly newsletter, The Anchor (for Alumni, family, and friends of HCA), and a monthly newsletter, The Associate (for current Associates, friends, and family), of writings that come from the Associate communities. You and anyone who wishes will receive this, unless you prefer not to receive it.
Finally, you may call and speak with the Associates office at any time. If we are not in, we have voice mail, and a staff member will gladly call you back.
Are there references available?
Yes. We are happy to put parents of potential Associates in touch with parents of current or recent Associates. Also, we can put you in touch with the Current Associates if you want their opinion on the program, jobs, living arrangements, etc.