Meet this year’s Distinguished Volunteer and 2022 Hilton Prize Scholar, Jouvens, who has displayed outstanding dedication to the Atlas Corps Community by serving as a Peer Coach for the 2023 Hilton Prize Cohort, Selection Board Member, guest speaker, and an advocate for the Hilton Prize Virtual Leadership Institute.
At Atlas Corps, we have a tradition of stating our “Five Facts” when introducing ourselves to new people. What are your five facts?
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Name: Jouvens Corantin Home Country: Haiti Organization affiliations: CFET S.A; Haiti Efficace; MFAC Conseils; AMF Experts; Atlas Corps, former Heifer International Finance and Administration Director Social Issue/Interest Area: Education Fun fact: I am a mélomane, a music lover. I listen to all musical styles, I even practice Djing, but I can’t sing at all. In fact, I’m the worst singer the world has ever known. |
Why did you decide to volunteer for Atlas Corps?
After completing the Virtual Leadership Institute, the VLI Peer Coach Captains deeply inspired me and I really wanted to undertake something that could keep the leadership flame burning in me. After talking to Atlas Corps CEO, Bidjan, he opened my eyes to that option and then I read about the process through the Atlas Corps website. I realized how great of an opportunity it is to be in that position.
How has volunteering with Atlas Corps impacted you?
This experience has changed my professional and personal life to the extent that I am thinking about pivoting my career. I have learned so much from each one of you–the Fellowship candidates, the Scholars, and the Peer Coaches. The best paraphrase that could illustrate what I mean is from Psalm 113:8, “He seats them among the honored guests, a place of honor among the brightest and best.“
Each time that I face a challenging situation that involves leadership, I know now I have a place to consult, providing me with a platform and networks beyond my capacity connecting me with the universe.
Even though I have been in leadership positions for years and I have attended many courses in Haiti and the U.S., Atlas Corps is the only organization that blends everything all in one and is all-inclusive–not only do you receive the tools and guidelines, but you have the privilege to witness the leaders in action. Thus, volunteering for Atlas Corps is the best decision that I made this year so far.
What message would you like to send to individuals who are thinking of volunteering with Atlas Corps?
Over my past two years volunteering with Atlas Corps, I’ve built strong relationships with both Atlas Corps staff, such as Zachary Morrice, who was the Senior Manager of Global Engagement, and individuals who have finished the program, like Scholar Alexander Gunkel (Cohort 1, the Netherlands) of Space4Good and Alum Olumide Idowu (Class 33, Nigeria) of International Climate Change Development Initiative: ICCDI. The ability to build your own cultural intelligence through interacting with so many enthusiastic people is an amazing experience, and I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to volunteer with Atlas Corps and support their mission.
Thank you, Jouvens, and our hundreds of volunteers who help achieve the Atlas Corps mission every day. We look forward to celebrating you on July 17 at 12 pm ET during the Atlas Corps Celebration of Service! Learn more about becoming a volunteer at volunteer.atlascorps.org.
Photos from Jouven’s personal archive
