Volunteers work in solidarity with members of the community and grass-roots organizations. The application deadline has been extended to Feb. 28 for the spring-summer term, from May 14 to Aug. 17. Those interested in the fall term, from Sept. 10 to Dec. 14, must apply by June 1. The overall number of individual volunteers for mission programs, especially in the young adult and older adult categories, is increasing, according to Betty Whitehurst, who, with her husband Walter, processes volunteer applications for the board. She noted that students often seek these experiences in the summer or between undergraduate and graduate school or between graduation and a job.
Some students even take a semester off to participate.
Mr. Heckman said the applicants are seeking something more fulfilling than a summer job. Last fall's group of Global Justice Volunteers finished its commitment in December. Mary Miller of Wisconsin is continuing her work with an indigenous women's group in Costa Rica.