Different Paths

Making a lifetime commitment to the Bruderhof must be a voluntary decision. The call to follow Christ in full community of goods is a vocation, and as such it is not for everyone. After graduating from high school, young people who have grown up in our communities are encouraged to take time to discern God’s will for their lives. Many choose to stay and work with us. Others set out on their own to find their life’s calling.

Young people who leave our communities are supported by a Resource Office, which offers practical assistance and advice. Some get involved in charitable work with organizations such as L’Arche, Save the Children, and Habitat for Humanity. Others may pursue a career. But whatever their path in life, our prayer is that young people from the Bruderhof find God’s will in a life of service to others and that they make a positive impact on society.

Below are some stories from folks who grew up in the Bruderhof but then moved on to find their own vocation.

Established in 2008, the primary purpose of the Resource Office has been to provide transitional support for young people who grew  up on our communities and have decided to head out on their own to pursue a different path. This support takes different forms, and currently includes:

• Startup costs, help finding work and accommodations, and assistance with personal expenses for those pursuing career technical trainings or undergraduate studies;

• Practical advice on matters such as college applications, tax filings, and health insurance; and

• Gap financing and other interim help for specific, immediate needs that may arise.

On a case by case basis, the Resource Office will also consider similar requests for assistance, made in good faith, from people who lived with us in the past.

Contact the Resource Office
Email | 800-325-8849 USA | 585-362-4551 International
101 Woodcrest Drive, Rifton NY 12471