Two-Year Mission:
Housing, Food & Expenses

Housing

Formation: During formation, you will live as a community at the VOICA house in Rome, Italy. The VOICA house is located on the grounds of the Canossian mission centre, near St. Peter’s Square and the Vatican. The grounds have controlled access through a security gate. The VOICA house is supervised by the VOICA coordinator and assistant coordinator, who live with the volunteers in the house.

Mission Site: You will be provided with housing at the mission site. As with formation, you will live in community with the other volunteers at your mission site. The housing will be located as near as possible to the Canossian community house. The type of housing varies site to site, but will be adequate for your safety and security. Remember that part of mission is living in solidarity with the people whom you are serving; your housing will reflect that attitude.

Food

As part of community living, you are responsible for purchasing food and preparing meals. Your housing will include adequate facilities for preparing meals according to the local standards.

If you have special dietary needs, you will need to discuss these with the VOICA coordinator and your community.

Two year volunteers are responsible for the cost of food during formation. VOICA will provide a stipend to cover the cost of food at the mission site.

Expenses

VOICA will pay for

+ Housing in Rome and at the mission site.

+ Ministry supplies at the mission site.

+ A monthly stipend while at the mission site. Please note that the greater part of this stipend must go toward community expenses.

+ Health insurance while at the mission site.

+ Travel expenses for the round trip from Rome to the mission site. Should a volunteer decide to terminate his or her volunteer service before the end of the agreement, he or she is responsible for the cost of the return flight.

+ Travel expenses from Rome to the volunteer’s home after the mission period.

The volunteer must pay for

+ Travel to Rome.

+ Food while in formation.

+ Health insurance while in formation.

+ Vaccinations as required by the mission site.

+ Personal expenses such as telephone calls, Internet use, toiletries, postage, and entertainment.

Your personal expenses will depend greatly on your own choices. If you embrace the spirit of solidarity and simplicity, you will not need much ‘pocket money.’

To help offset the cost of the volunteer program, each volunteer is required to fund raise at least $1,500.

VOICA cannot provide any financial assistance.

Requirements for Being a Volunteer

Short-Term Volunteers

Long-Term Volunteers

Housing, Food, and Expenses

Discernment Process

Frequently Asked Questions