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© Copyright 2017 by Assumption Mission Associates

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Contact Us

Director: Sandy Piwko

Tel: 508-767-1356

Email: directorassumption@gmail.com


16 Vineyard Street

Worcester, MA 01603


1.What is the deadline for applying? Is there an advantage to applying early? We are on a rolling application process with two deadlines. Our Priority Deadline is February 1st and our Final Deadline is May 1st. Contact our office as soon as you decide to apply so that we can start your file as soon as possible. You can send in parts of your application as you complete them, so you do not need to have everything finished at once. You can also scan and email your documents if you prefer. Likewise, your references can email their letters of recommendation.


2. Can I apply for or request a specific placement site or do you place the volunteers? We ask that you check the sites that you are interested in on your application, and we discern together what would be a “best fit” for you.  Depending on how soon you apply for a given year, some placements are more open than others.  Each site has a limited number of volunteer slots available.


3. If I am interested in an international placement, is it required that I’ve studied abroad or have other previous international experience like a short service trip? No, but it helps – whether you are an international or domestic volunteer, there are still elements of culture shock you will experience during your year.  It is helpful to assess when you have experienced this in previous experiences, such as study abroad programs or alternative spring breaks. 


4. Am I allowed to travel home during the service year? If you are a domestic volunteer, you are required to return home during the Christmas vacation. Many of our volunteers have family events (ie- weddings, funerals, Thanksgiving) when they can go home, but these travel expenses are the responsibility of the volunteer. If you are an international volunteer, returns home are discouraged.  This way, you have the opportunity to fully experience holiday celebrations in your host country.  With all travel plans, volunteers must give their communities ample notice and take care of their ministry schedules with their placement sites. 


5.Am I allowed to have visitors during the service year? Yes. In fact, we encourage this, as it offers volunteers time to share their life on mission with those that are closest to them. Depending on the housing situation, some guests may stay at the community houses if there is room. Volunteers must give their communities ample notice so everyone is aware that visitors will be present.


6. Do you ask applicants if they are applying to other service programs? Does this affect their app with your program positively, negatively, or neutral? Yes. We ask applicants to list if they are applying to other service programs so we can see they type of service programs they are drawn to.  It does not affect their application to AMA in a positive, nor negative, way.  Once an applicant has been accepted to the AMA program and then accepts a placement with us, she/he has made a serious commitment to follow through with the orientation program and the year.  If in the case that they decide to terminate this agreement, we ask that they inform the AMA office immediately. Letting the AMA office know your change of plans is a professional courtesy and allows us to make the necessary arrangements if you terminate your commitment to your ministry and community.


7. Do you require volunteers to fundraise for any portion of their expenses/how much? No, we do not require volunteers to fundraise a specific amount, but they must provide their own transportation to/from Orientation in August (Worcester, MA), and to/from their placement site. This also includes any visa fees.  Once a volunteer comes for Orientation, his/her food, transportation, housing, healthcare (if needed), and student loan deferment is covered. 


8. Do volunteers need to have fluency in a second language? Is there language training? At least an intermediate level and willingness to practice Spanish is necessary for our Chaparral placement. Spanish is also helpful in Worcester, but not necessary. In the Philippines, English is spoken, but there is a local dialect training during the local orientation upon arrival in the Philippines.


9. Is there any advice you would give a potential applicant? Be open, ask many questions, and talk to current and former volunteers. Also, do not get so attached to a location that you limit yourself and the experiences that you could have.  (For example, some of our volunteers find that what they originally wanted in an international program, but then find that the diverse neighborhood of Worcester offered more internationality among the immigrant populations we serve than they would have had crossing the US border.)