International Voluntary Service
Volunteering for Peace and Social Justice

USA: Lyris Community, New Hampshire

SCI USA

Lyris Community

Theme of the project: Disabilities

Location: NEW HAMPSHIRE

Work starts: on-going

Work ends: on-going

Application deadline: on-going

Decision date: on-going

Total number of volunteers: 3

Country: USA

Project language: English

Local language: English

Short description: Ploughshare Farm is a life-sharing initiative of Lyris where people with special needs can meet their challenges of life in an atmosphere of love and support. Nestled into the foothills of southern New Hampshire, Ploughshare Farm provides a peaceful residential setting surrounded by natural beauty.

Long description: We are in a rural setting on 140 acres of land in the southern part of New Hampshire, 75 miles northwest of Boston, Massachusetts. The houses, where we live with handicapped people are at the foot of North Pack Mountain, which is also a wildlife preserve. Lyris is inspired by the work of Rudolf Steiner and Karl Koenig in the practice of social therapy. Life is based on the conviction that handicapped people possess life qualities and gifts which often go unrecognised. Lyris provides a way of life, activities and therapies that allow discovery and expression of these gifts. Work, which contributes to the well being of the community, creates a sense of self-worth and joy in achievement. The community members strive towards an awareness of the spiritual aspects of human existence by celebrating seasonal festivals, nurturing loving relationships and creating a warm and accepting environment. Incorporated in l985, Lyris moved to the current location at Ploughshare Farm in l988. Year round we are a community of dedicated people, usually joined by several volunteers and six full time handicapped residents living in three houses on a farm. There are several other life-sharing initiatives in the area and members of those communities often join us in our daily activities. In summer we run a camp for eight to twelve additional handicapped people providing outdoor activities, working and crafts in a wonderful nurturing environment.

Number of immediate openings: 3

Period: for 3,6,9 or 12 months

Qualifications: Willingness to help and/or care for adults with disabilities; willingness to be around children; ability to be left alone and in charge of the house for periods of time; willingness to join in; international or US driver's license, at least 6 months driving experience.

Work: Helping with the needs of others may entail helping to bathe someone, or prompting them to do so properly; helping with other areas of personal hygiene; giving someone or a group of people a ride to a class or doctor's appointment or some other place; helping someone clean their room properly (or doing it for them if they are unable to do so themselves); helping someone to do other tasks properly; helping someone to write or read; going with someone to a play or concert. Working around the farm could be repairing something, cleaning, cooking, building, garden work, organisational or administrative work. In general, anything that would maintain and improve the quality of living for the people who live at Lyris.

Accommodation: in a house, private bedroom, shared bath

Pocket money: $150/month

Other remarks: This is a location where the volunteer must be self reliant and able to live and function independently.