Letter from the desk of Ted Miles
Ted (left) with Sr. Marie, SNDdeN (right)
By Ted Miles, NDMV Executive Director
Lately, I have been reflecting on the spirit of St. Julie Billiart, the foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and, by extension, the inspiration behind Notre Dame Mission Volunteers. St. Julie’s legacy is not something to admire from afar—it’s something to live. Her trust in the goodness of God and the goodness of people challenges us to see beyond the surface, to recognize the divine spark in each person we meet, and to believe in the transformative power of love, education, and justice.
In today’s world, where division and cynicism too often cloud our view, St. Julie’s message feels more vital than ever. Her life reminds us that hope and courage are contagious, and that real change begins in small acts of compassion carried out with great love. As we walk together in this journey of service – each from our own faith and path – we nurture that same goodness within ourselves and others.
That goodness has been on full display these past few weeks as we have watched our newest volunteers begin their year of service. They are meeting students who need patient encouragement, families searching for stability, and communities carrying quiet burdens. Like St. Julie, they are learning that compassion isn’t simply a feeling—it’s proximity. It’s the willingness to draw near to one another, to listen, to walk together, and to recognize our shared humanity.
A friend recently told me, after serving at a local soup kitchen, “There is such an incredible need for compassion.” He’s right. But I’ve also learned there’s an incredible capacity for compassion when we open our hearts to those we encounter. That, to me, is the heart of our mission.
This is why I’m inviting you to join us as an NDMV Mission Partner.
Ogeyi Akuma-Ukpo(left), Lea Marshall (center), Ted Miles (right)
Your recurring gift – whether $10 a month (about the cost of two coffees) or more—helps sustain the good we do together. It costs between $24,000 and $40,000 to support one volunteer through a year of service, depending on where they serve. That investment covers essentials like training, mentoring, stipends, health insurance, and personal, professional, and spiritual development – so that each volunteer can serve with compassion and commitment in classrooms, food programs, and community centers across the country.
When you give regularly, you become part of our 35-year legacy of Love in Action—ensuring that compassion, education, and opportunity continue to reach those who need them most. A recurring gift of $35 in this 35th year of service will go a long way! One of our core values reminds us: We recognize existing wisdom and power within the communities we serve and contribute to this foundation of established neighborhood trust. That’s what partnership truly means - trust, mutuality, and a shared belief in the goodness within each of us.
As a Mission Partner, you’ll receive special updates, stories of impact, and recognition from our Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur community, along with a small token of gratitude at year’s end. But most of all, you’ll know that your generosity is part of a living mission—one rooted in compassion, courage, and enduring hope.
If you’re ready to join us, visit ndmv.org/donate and select “recurring gift,” or contact us at serve@ndmv.org or (410) 532-6864. Your monthly commitment – no matter the amount – helps us keep walking humbly, loving kindly, and doing justice together.
