At Catholic Charities of Oregon, accompaniment isn’t just a value. It’s a daily practice. Our 2025 Jesuit Volunteers embody that commitment, showing up with intention, humility and deep care as they walk alongside individuals and families navigating moments of transition.
At Catholic Charities of Oregon, we know that hope grows whenever people choose to share their gifts in service to others. This year, we are grateful to welcome two Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest members whose energy, compassion and commitment are already strengthening our mission across programs.
Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest partners with organizations throughout the region to place volunteers in one-year commitments of full-time, value-centered service. Rooted in the Jesuit Catholic tradition, JVC Northwest invites young adults to live in intentional community, grow spiritually and work alongside nonprofits that accompany people on the margins. Their vision, a Northwest where all people live in dignity, are treated justly and are empowered to shape their own futures, mirrors our work at Catholic Charities every day.
Recently, we were delighted to host Adrianna Perrien Naccarato, assistant director of the JVC NW Program, for a site visit and check-in with our volunteers. As Adrianna said, “It’s always a joy to see JVs thriving, especially in places like Catholic Charities of Oregon where the mission aligns so closely with their call to service.”
And thrive they are.
From the moment they arrived in August, our Jesuit Volunteers have brought fresh insight and steady dedication to teams navigating some of the most complex challenges affecting Oregonians today. Julia Sholar, supporting our Housing Transitions Program, spends her days helping women take steps toward stability after experiencing homelessness, domestic violence or displacement.
“I’m thankful to have such a skilled and experienced team to learn from; our impact is a testament to the heart and care that each member devotes to our mission,” Julia says. “Both within and beyond our service we concretely practice treating every individual with compassion, respect, and dignity – especially those who have been denied it.”
Julia’s presence brings an extra layer of support during what can be a vulnerable and transformative moment in a person’s life. Her colleagues note her ability to listen deeply, ask thoughtful questions and infuse hope into the small next steps that build a path out of crisis.
Meanwhile, Patty Robben has joined our Immigration Legal Services team, working alongside our attorneys and accredited representatives to help clients navigate an immigration system that can feel overwhelming even on the best of days. Whether she’s gathering documents, supporting intakes or helping prepare case materials, her steady hands and warm spirit help ensure that every person who walks through our door is treated with dignity and care.
“I’m grateful to be serving alongside such a caring and knowledgeable team this year,” Patty says. “I’m constantly learning from the creative solutions our team uses to support our clients, and I’m thankful to JVC Northwest for connecting me with an organization that allows me to live out my faith while honoring the dignity of every person we encounter, regardless of immigration status.”
Patty’s work reflects one of Catholic Charities’ central values: that all people, regardless of immigration status, deserve safety, opportunity and the chance to build a life with hope.
In Housing Transitions, Julia has taken on a major capacity-building project, streamlining internal processes and strengthening documentation systems with a series of instructional videos for new HTP employees. Within Immigration Legal Services, Patty supports our asylum program by gathering and shaping clients’ stories with extraordinary care, ensuring each narrative reflects both the trauma survivors have endured and the resilience that carries them forward through the legal process.
What makes Jesuit Volunteers so special is not simply the work they do, but the way they do it. They are grounded in curiosity, reflection and a genuine desire to accompany those they serve. For us at Catholic Charities, their presence is a reminder that the next generation of leaders in social justice, housing, immigration and community engagement is already taking shape. Programs like JVC Northwest help nurture that growth, offering volunteers a year that is equal parts challenge, learning and joy.
We are honored that Julia and Patty have chosen to spend their service year with us, lending their hearts and talents to two of our most essential programs. In a season when many are seeking ways to contribute to a more just and compassionate Oregon, their example is a powerful one. Service is not abstract. It is lived, daily, in small acts of welcome, accompaniment and care.
Please join us in celebrating our Jesuit Volunteers and the partnership that makes this work possible. Catholic Charities is stronger, more hopeful and more vibrant because of people like Julia, Patty and the network of mentors and supporters who walk with them.