HOW YOU CAN become a volunteer

Associate Missionaries of the assumption (AMA)

The Associate Missionaries of the Assumption (AMA) is the lay volunteer program sponsored by the Religious of the Assumption and the Augustinians of the Assumption. Different AMA missions are available in the U.S. and worldwide; the work includes teaching, youth ministry, community health and development, and advocacy. Learn more at www.assumptionvolunteers.org.

History

In 1954 the Assumption Sisters founded the Associate Missionaries of the Assumption (AMA) as a new way of answering the many appeals of the world. Young women and men committed themselves to work and live with Assumption communities in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe, sharing their vision of the Christian transformation of society and working to make it happen.

Today AMAs continue working with the Assumption family of religious women and men and with other partners: L’Arche communities in Europe, Amanecer houses in Bolivia, Habitat for Humanity in the USA, Casa Maria Eugenia in Chaparral, New Mexico, Family Health Center and St. Peter’s Church in Worcester, MA to name a few.

Who are the AMAs?

AMAs come from Cincinnati and Philadelphia; from San Diego and New York; from St. Louis and Houston. They are graduates of Gonzaga University and Stanford; Assumption College and Tulane University.

They choose to offer a year or two of their young lives, heeding the call of the Gospel, living in communities marked by sharing, direct service to the neediest in society, and prayer. Theirs becomes an experience of solidarity and service, of faith and community.

Where are the AMAs and what do they do?

Today AMAs from the USA are in Bolivia, the Philippines, Tanzania, England and France. In the USA they can be found in New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. They work with street children and the mentally disabled. They minister to immigrants and refugees, and teach English as a Second Language. They work in parishes and community centers. They run after-school programs and provide health care for the poor. They are advocates for the homeless and the marginalized.

How can you be an AMA?

The decision to be an AMA is an important one and one that will ultimately change your life. Ask yourself why you want to serve. What are your expectations? What gifts can you offer? Think about it. Pray about it. Talk about it with someone you trust.

Then get to know more about us. Visit our website. Give us a call. Come see us.

If you are between 22 and 40 years old, and think that AMA offers you what you are looking for, begin the process of application by submitting the following:

• Completed application form
• Two letters of recommendation
• Medical Certificate
• Psychological evaluation
• $15.00 processing fee

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with preference given to those received first. (All forms are available to be downloaded from our website.)

Once your paperwork is complete, we schedule a personal interview to get to know you better. This completes the application process.

All AMAs are asked to attend an Orientation Seminar in Worcester, MA in August. Departure for mission sites, both international and domestic, happens shortly after that.