S3: Accessing Equity Funds
QVS strives to provide each of our Fellows an experience commensurate with others. We understand that some Fellows receive financial support from their families (e.g. using a phone that’s paid for under a family plan, being flown home for holidays or important family events, etc.) If you are anticipating a one-time or ongoing expense that is beyond the resources you have yourself or can expect from loved ones, please reach out to Zenaida, the Director of Equity and Empowerment and to your Coordinator. Please do not tap the savings you’ve set aside to find housing or to pay for transition expenses after QVS is over. If you are questioning whether you need to dip into your savings in ways that will financially hurt you later please talk to Zenaida before making any decisions.
Do I Qualify for the Equity Fund?
If you know you cannot afford to go home for the holidays or a life-event, QVS can cover the transportation cost for one trip home per year. To make the request, please contact Zenaida, the Director of Equity and Empowerment, adding the email address for your Coordinator so they’re in the loop. While we understand that some life-events may arise unexpectedly, please make your request at LEAST 6 weeks in advance whenever possible. We are thrilled to be able to help in this way and we have a limited amount of equity funding; We want to use our funds as wisely as possible, which means getting the cheapest possible flights, trains and buses.
Will QVS pay for a Domestic Flight?
Can My Coordinator Setup My Flight?
No. QVS does not believe that money is universally the best way to solve every problems. We believe in utilizing our community resources and appreciate the way that doing so builds relationships and community resiliency. If we assume that money is the answer, we may miss opportunities for creative problem solving and collaboration. When you ask your Coordinator or the Equity Fund for support, staff will consider all the ways that we can solve a problem and we invite you into that process with us. Asking the community to show up when people are in need is a gift to the community, and builds our capacity for supporting one another over the long run.
No. Trying to communicate through your coordinator delays the process and makes miscommunication more likely. Please contact the Director of Equity and Empowerment directly. Please do CC cc your coordinator and keep them in the loop.
Can I Spend Money, Then Ask for Funds?
Ask for help as soon as you realize you might need it. If you know going into the QVS year you are going to need help paying for phone bills or car insurance or medical resources not covered by insurance etc. let us know ASAP. For one-time needs that are not flights or other transportation, let us know at least 2 weeks in advance.
When Should I Ask for Help?
Is There a List of What the Fund Will Pay For?
You’ve already read about plane tickets, phone bills, insurance and medical expenses. Previous Fellows have accessed the Equity Fund to purchase ancestral foods or ingredients and to purchase membership in an international video store, so they could rent movies in their native language. Please don’t rule out any option for receiving support. Talk to Zenaida and see what’s possible.
What If I Don’t Qualify for the Equity Fund, But I’m Still Stressed?
This document is not meant to be a deterrent. During your service year, we hope we can find abundance in moments that usually feel scarce. Please communicate with Coordinator and/or Zenaida as the Directory of Equity and Empowerment. We’d love to brainstorm how to get your needs met.