NDMVA believes that education is the fundamental tool in the struggle of the poor for human dignity, Since 1804, the Sisters of Notre Dame (SND) have worked to give disadvantaged individuals access to education and a way to realize their dreams. Notre Dame Mission Volunteers (NDMV), a program begun by the Sisters in 1992, has been placing volunteers at various sites so they can work on behalf of God's people, particularly the impoverished or oppressed. In 1995, NDMV formed a partnership with AmeriCorps, focused on education and community-building, and Notre Dame-AmeriCorps has since grown from 6 to over 300 full-time members. We believe that education is the fundamental tool in the struggle of the poor for human dignity, self-esteem, and self-determination. Each person plays a role, and our program aims to strengthen communities through their schools, families, and community volunteers. Our members work to empower the economically disadvantaged and oppressed through education and personal hands-on support, serving in areas such as tutoring children and adults (literacy, GED, and ESL), after-school enrichment activities, conflict resolution/parental effectiveness, and involving community professionals in the learning process.