Life as a Holy Cross Associate involves many risks. If you join us, you will be invited to commit to building community, to live simply and in solidarity with the poor, to examine and strengthen your relationship with Christ, and to serve those that are in most need. Yet if you are willing to take these risks, you will be rewarded with experiences that will stay with you long after your year has finished. While our alumni go on to choose a variety of paths after their Associate year(s), nearly all would agree that their HCA experience has had a profound effect on who they are and what they value.
Who We're Looking For
Associates join the program with varied interests, experiences, and ideals. We’re looking for men and women who desire to serve and accompany the poor and marginalized; who wish to grow in faith and spirituality through prayer and reflection; who will commit to the challenge of building community and living simply; and who seek to collaborate with the Congregation of Holy Cross. Qualities that we look for are flexibility, maturity, Christian commitment, and an orientation toward service, openness, and a sense of humor. The average age of most Associates is 21-26, and most have just finished an undergraduate degree. However, it is not uncommon for someone who has been out working for a few years after college to participate in the program.
Benefits
Associates often consider the experience in community living and service, the challenge of living a simple lifestyle, and the opportunities for spiritual growth to be the greatest benefits. In addition, several other benefits are provided.
Loan Forbearance and the Americorps Education Award
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.
Work Experience
Associates will receive a variety of work experiences. The organizations
are intentionally a mix of large and small, faith-based and secular, well-funded
and less well-financed organizations. In some cases, the Associate may work
very independently for an organization with a small staff, and in others
may have very well-defined roles in larger organizations. As in the non-HCA
world, levels of supervision, limits on funding, rules and regulations,
and other tangible and less tangible aspects of these organizations will
vary greatly from site to site. From the perspective of an applicant and
his or her future, the placements with HCA are professional roles. They
provide real world experiences that the Associate can be expected to grow
into and learn from, as well as to benefit from in future career and vocational
exploration. While few join a program to ‘build their résumés,' their will
be ample ways to do so if the Associates wishes to take advantage of the
opportunities.” (Provide link to the Domestic Program page where placements
are detailed).
Health Insurance
All Holy Cross Associates are covered by a medical insurance plan
for the time they are in the HCA program. Currently, the plan is provided
through a Participating Provider Organization (PPO) by Christian Brothers
Employee Benefit Services, and each site in the U.S. has a directory of
local health care providers who are participants in the PPO. Information
on the specifics of the plan will be provided at the orientation, or can
be accessed by contacting the home office of Holy Cross Associates. Individuals
entering the HCA program are strongly encouraged to stay on their current
health care plans through the start of orientation, to avoid any gaps in
coverage and to prevent problems with any continuity of coverage. Upon completion
of the program year, Associates are eligible to continue the coverage, albeit
at their own expense. Frequently referred to as "COBRA," this allows for
a limited period of extended coverage, to bridge the time between leaving
the HCA program and starting a new job or schooling that may provide health
insurance. Dental coverage is not a part of the HCA plan, but visits to
the dentist for needed care are an expense of the program. Individuals are
encouraged to get a check up before arriving for orientation.
Other Benefits
Associates are provided room and board, transportation from the
Orientation at the beginning of the year to their placement sites, and funds
for transportation home at the end of the program year. Each Associate community
is given two community cars to use, along with funds for gas and maintenance.
All of an Associate’s material needs are met, and each Associate is given
a $60 monthly stipend for personal use above and beyond these needs. This
stipend is purposefully kept small in an effort to remain in solidarity
with the poor and disadvantaged.
Request More Information
Interested in learning more about HCA? Please sign up for our mailing list, send us an email at hca@nd.edu or call us at 574-631-5521.
Other Information :
•Domestic Program
•Chile Program
•Application and Deadline Information
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1) What are the current placement sites?
Associate currently serve in Chile and the U.S. In Chile, there is a house of Associates in Santiago, and a house in Pocuro, a village about 45 miles outside of Santiago. In the U.S., Associates serve in California, Colorado, Oregon, Indiana, Arizona, Massachusetts. See our placement map for more details.
2) What type of work do Associates do?
Associates in the U.S. have worked with the homeless, the elderly, "at risk" teens, persons with AIDS, developmentally disabled adults, and children. They have served in schools, parishes, and social service agencies. In Chile, the Associates primarily work in Holy Cross schools and parishes. Through the parishes, Associates have participated in visiting the sick, sacramental preparation, building projects, religious education, youth ministry, women's groups and in various other programs. In the schools, Associates have worked as pastoral ministers, and teacher's assistants.
3) Do applicants choose their placement and work site when they apply? How soon after applying to the program do applicants receive a decision of admission?
When a prospective Associate goes through the Domestic Program application process, HCA staff will find out about that applicant’s strengths and preferences as far as where and with what population they would like to serve. Since admission to the program is rolling, we wait to assign definite placements until we know the majority of the group in the spring time. This policy is in place to insure that well-rounded communities are formed in each site. HCA staff attempts to place each Associate in either one of their top 2 sites or top 5 service placement preferences, though it is asked that applicants be willing to serve where needed. After the interview, HCA will generally notify an applicant of a decision of acceptance within 2-3 weeks.
For the Chile Program, applicants must first submit a written declaration of intent to apply to the program. Pre-interviews will be conducted with each potential applicant, and then 12 applicants will be selected to go with the process. Find out more about the application process by viewing our Application Information and Deadlines page.
4) Are there any travel guidelines during the Associate year?
The Associate is asked, in the spirit of solidarity with the poor and in opting for living a common life with others, to agree to limit personal travel during his/her time in the program. Typical travel would be for family emergencies or for grad school or job interviews. While travel may become necessary, it is not considered the financial responsibility of HCA.
5) What about the holidays?
Christmas is celebrated at each Associate house rather than in the respective homes of the individual Associates. Though this may seem difficult for some, Associates find that travel during the holidays interrupts the process of community building and conflicts with their commitment to simple lifestyle during the year. Thanksgiving is usually spent in Colorado Springs (for the western HCA homes) and Brockton (for the eastern/Midwest HCA homes).
6) Can family and friends visit?
Visits to Associate locations by family and friends are valued and highly encouraged by the HCA staff. Many Associates enjoy introducing these important people in their lives to their new city, new community, and service placement. Often families will visit shortly after the Christmas holiday.
7) What do Associates do after their year? Is it difficult to find a job?
The paths taken after the Associate experience are as varied and unique as the individuals entering the program. Associates have gone on in business, education, law, government, medicine, social work, and ministry. Some have contributed to work directly with the poor; others have gone on to graduate studies. Often, students will defer graduate school in order to take part in the Associate program. Regardless of one’s post-HCA plans, the Associate experience will prepare you well for your next step. Associates have found that employers and grad schools of all types view a year of service work as a very positive addition to one’s resume. In fact, one former dean of a top 20 law school stated that he offered admission to every former Associate that applied to the school under his tenure because of the maturity and experience they possessed.
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, who can assist both Notre Dame and other graduates who request help.
Newsletters
The Associate is a newsletter distributed by the Holy Cross Associate office on a monthly basis for much of the Associate year. They are a great way to hear more about the Associate program and what your family member, friend, or loved one might be experiencing. Each house contributes at least one article a month with topics ranging from their experiences in community to their struggles with the issues they encounter at work. We limit the Associate's contributions only by a modicum of taste, so favorite house recipes or Top Ten Lists are often a fun addition to The Associate as well.
The following newsletters are available for your enjoyment. If you would like to join our mailing list you can - it is absolutely free!
•January 2005
•February/March 2005
•April 2005
•September 2005
•October 2005
•November 2005
The Associate office also distributes a thrice-yearly newsletter called The Anchor. This is a great way in which alumni, family, and friends of the program can continue to follow Associate news, get updates on other alumni, and read challenging stories about the four pillars after the Associate year.