Community Houses

Since 2009, BVS has worked to create intentional community houses for volunteers. These houses will be supported by and connected to local Church of the Brethren congregations, and volunteers will commit to both the full-time work of their project as well as being a part of the life of the sponsoring congregation. While some projects offer communal living, these BVS houses are designed especially to encourage intentional community among BVSers. Volunteers will eat together, practice conflict resolution and relationship building, and pay special attention to group spiritual formation.

Portland, Oregon: In partnership with the Portland Peace Church of the Brethren, BVS began a community house in Portland in the fall of 2010. Currently, there are a couple of projects connected with this BVS house:

Elgin, Illinois: Elgin, Illinois: In partnership with the Church of the Brethren General Offices and Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, this long-time volunteer house is now an intentional BVS community house. There are several projects connected with this BVS House: