Following his graduation from BC in 1984, Jay Sullivan taught in Jamaica for two years as part of the International Volunteers Program (now JVC). In addition to his teaching duties, Sullivan got involved with Alpha Boys School in Kingston, an orphanage for hundreds of boys run by the Sisters of Mercy. He lived in the convent and worked with the youngsters at Alpha House. Sullivan has chronicled his time at Alpha House in the award-winning book Raising Gentle Men: Lives at the Orphanage Edge (Apprentice House, 2013).  Read a review in America magazine and an author Q&A in National Catholic Reporter. All the author’s proceeds from the sale of the book go to the Sisters of Mercy and the Jesuits working in Jamaica. According to Sullivan, Raising Gentle Men has been used as a teaching tool at many schools.  It was selected as the freshman read for the University of Scranton’s Class of 2018. It was also required reading for students at Loyola University Maryland in advance of their volunteer service trip to Jamaica. Sullivan spoke to students at both universities. Sullivan recently reached out and made a special connection with the volunteers who travel annually to Jamaica via the Lynch School of Education’s Mustard Seed Service Trip. Read more in the Boston College Chronicle.