Our students worked on external siding, window framing, fence building, and miscellaneous smaller tasks on the Pope Francis house and the one next to it. Check it out!
Monday, April 25, 2016
Day 5: Habitat for Humanity
For Day 5 - Friday, April 22 - our group recombined to travel to South Pullman, where Habitat for Humanity is partnering with local families to build 16 houses on Union Ave. between 119th and 120th streets. One of these houses is the Pope Francis Home Challenge house, for which St. Benedict has raised thousands of dollars and dedicated over 75 volunteer service days across five trips.
Our students worked on external siding, window framing, fence building, and miscellaneous smaller tasks on the Pope Francis house and the one next to it. Check it out!
Our students worked on external siding, window framing, fence building, and miscellaneous smaller tasks on the Pope Francis house and the one next to it. Check it out!
Day 4: The Port Ministries/Franciscan Outreach, The Night Walk, and Boxtown
On Day 4 (Thursday, April 21), our two groups flip-flopped.
The group that went to Franciscan Outreach today helped with the daily supper for homeless people. Our students partnered with full-time adult volunteers at the Marquand Center who work full-time in support ministries for homeless men.
At their supper, their prepare trays of food and wait on the people who come to eat. The clients come sit down and hold up their ticket. A volunteer then comes with their tray and cup and follows up with any other things they need at their tables. Volunteers also take care of the dishes, cleanup, and other logistics to make the clients comfortable and at home.
On Thursday night, we served 159 clients for dinner. Students had a blast.
Later on Thursday, we convened in Lakeview at the intersection of Clark & Belmont. This spot is a frequent meeting point for homeless teenagers because the neighborhood is very busy and lively, very bright, and full of public places and stores and restaurants that are open 24-7. Moreover, for the population of teens who identify as LGBTQ, the neighborhood is very friendly and accommodating to different lifestyles.
Students had 45 minutes to explore the neighborhood and determine their best ideas for how to eat, stay warm, go to the bathroom, and sleep all while thinking they had only the $5 in their pocket, not knowing where the next money would come from. They were encouraged to go into stores, explore different streets, talk to passers-by, and put themselves in the shoes of homeless teens.
Students were resourceful in exploring. For instance, one group spoke with the people behind the counter at Domino's and asking what they'd be willing to do. These workers said they do give away food to people who ask, but that they try to discern who is truly needy versus who might be freeloading - a tough task for sure.
At night's end, five students stayed on for the optional "box town" sleepover. We took cardboard boxes and created a small village in the school courtyard parking lot. We created these cardboard shelters and used only minimal bedding for our night's sleep. The seven of us slept outside overnight, in solidarity with all those who went without true shelter.
May God be with those who are homeless, so that we might all show greater solidarity with those who we marginalize.
The group that went to Franciscan Outreach today helped with the daily supper for homeless people. Our students partnered with full-time adult volunteers at the Marquand Center who work full-time in support ministries for homeless men.
At their supper, their prepare trays of food and wait on the people who come to eat. The clients come sit down and hold up their ticket. A volunteer then comes with their tray and cup and follows up with any other things they need at their tables. Volunteers also take care of the dishes, cleanup, and other logistics to make the clients comfortable and at home.
On Thursday night, we served 159 clients for dinner. Students had a blast.
Later on Thursday, we convened in Lakeview at the intersection of Clark & Belmont. This spot is a frequent meeting point for homeless teenagers because the neighborhood is very busy and lively, very bright, and full of public places and stores and restaurants that are open 24-7. Moreover, for the population of teens who identify as LGBTQ, the neighborhood is very friendly and accommodating to different lifestyles.
Students had 45 minutes to explore the neighborhood and determine their best ideas for how to eat, stay warm, go to the bathroom, and sleep all while thinking they had only the $5 in their pocket, not knowing where the next money would come from. They were encouraged to go into stores, explore different streets, talk to passers-by, and put themselves in the shoes of homeless teens.
Students were resourceful in exploring. For instance, one group spoke with the people behind the counter at Domino's and asking what they'd be willing to do. These workers said they do give away food to people who ask, but that they try to discern who is truly needy versus who might be freeloading - a tough task for sure.
At night's end, five students stayed on for the optional "box town" sleepover. We took cardboard boxes and created a small village in the school courtyard parking lot. We created these cardboard shelters and used only minimal bedding for our night's sleep. The seven of us slept outside overnight, in solidarity with all those who went without true shelter.
May God be with those who are homeless, so that we might all show greater solidarity with those who we marginalize.
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Day 3: St. Columbanus Food Pantry & The Port Ministries/Franciscan Outreach
This morning on Day 3, our entire team traveled to St. Columbanus Church on 71st Street. Every month this year, Campus and Youth Ministry have led groups of 6-10 St. Benedict students to serve at the Wednesday morning food pantry. For Agora, we worked with the parish staff and volunteers to bring our full group of 19 students.
In addition to the usual logistics of packing food, staging distribution stations, and preparing the area for the clients, Fr. Adam DeLeon, Preston Mahone, Mr. Barlow, and the rest of the great volunteers had extra tasks for our mega-sized team. Crews of students helped organize the storage room where dozens of bags of donated clothes are kept, helped with facilities maintenance and cleanup, clearing out overused storage areas to improve accessibility, and were generally Swiss-army-knives of utility for other side tasks that could help the team.
Most importantly, our students served prominently on the food line. They manned the various stations where local clients could collect their weekly produce, including pears, apples, cauliflower, cabbage, green beans, mushrooms, cucumbers, lettuce, and more. Our students did a great job working furiously to keep their stations supplied and to share moments with those who came to gather their food.
After distribution ended at noon, students helped the crew clean up the parking lot and registration areas. Fr. Adam told us that clean up usually takes until 1 or 1:30, but because of the extra hands and hard work, we had finished up around 12:15. Over 300 people came through the line this morning, and it was a blessing to share the time with the volunteers and clients.
We spent some time praying and reflecting on our day after a morning of grueling work. Thien shared how food is necessary to nourish the spirit but something more is needed to nourish the soul as well. Bryan was impressed with Fr. Adam's diligent hands-on work with the volunteers and clients and affirmed his ministry with the people of his community. Diego commented on the difficult mindset that some people bring to the food line and how their past or their background can put them in challenging situations.
Then we ate lunch!
Our afternoon/evening saw us split up into two teams. Mr. Masterton's squad headed to The Port Ministries while Ms. McMillan's team went to Franciscan Outreach Marquard Center for a dinner.
Today, we'll talk about The Port Ministries. This community center in the Back of the Yards neighborhood offer several ministries, including free health-care, adult education courses, a mobile bread truck to provide meals, and more. We joined in with the after-school program, which welcomes students after their school day ends to spend some time doing homework with extra help, having some snack/game time, and getting some open gym time as well.
Our students pitched in with some cleaning and carrying to help the staff tidy up - they have been stepping up their game to improve their community offerings ahead of a big open house that they hope will share their many ministries with more of their community's members.
Then, we helped some students with some enrichment activities to keep their minds sharp during spring break. And finally - we balled. Some students played catch with tennis balls and velcro mitts (YUP THEY STILL EXIST!) while others played some 3v3 with some little Jordans.
We had a lot of fun and were invited to come back for the Open House and more volunteer time by the executive director, David. Good times!
In addition to the usual logistics of packing food, staging distribution stations, and preparing the area for the clients, Fr. Adam DeLeon, Preston Mahone, Mr. Barlow, and the rest of the great volunteers had extra tasks for our mega-sized team. Crews of students helped organize the storage room where dozens of bags of donated clothes are kept, helped with facilities maintenance and cleanup, clearing out overused storage areas to improve accessibility, and were generally Swiss-army-knives of utility for other side tasks that could help the team.
Most importantly, our students served prominently on the food line. They manned the various stations where local clients could collect their weekly produce, including pears, apples, cauliflower, cabbage, green beans, mushrooms, cucumbers, lettuce, and more. Our students did a great job working furiously to keep their stations supplied and to share moments with those who came to gather their food.
After distribution ended at noon, students helped the crew clean up the parking lot and registration areas. Fr. Adam told us that clean up usually takes until 1 or 1:30, but because of the extra hands and hard work, we had finished up around 12:15. Over 300 people came through the line this morning, and it was a blessing to share the time with the volunteers and clients.
We spent some time praying and reflecting on our day after a morning of grueling work. Thien shared how food is necessary to nourish the spirit but something more is needed to nourish the soul as well. Bryan was impressed with Fr. Adam's diligent hands-on work with the volunteers and clients and affirmed his ministry with the people of his community. Diego commented on the difficult mindset that some people bring to the food line and how their past or their background can put them in challenging situations.
Then we ate lunch!
Our afternoon/evening saw us split up into two teams. Mr. Masterton's squad headed to The Port Ministries while Ms. McMillan's team went to Franciscan Outreach Marquard Center for a dinner.
Today, we'll talk about The Port Ministries. This community center in the Back of the Yards neighborhood offer several ministries, including free health-care, adult education courses, a mobile bread truck to provide meals, and more. We joined in with the after-school program, which welcomes students after their school day ends to spend some time doing homework with extra help, having some snack/game time, and getting some open gym time as well.
Our students pitched in with some cleaning and carrying to help the staff tidy up - they have been stepping up their game to improve their community offerings ahead of a big open house that they hope will share their many ministries with more of their community's members.
Then, we helped some students with some enrichment activities to keep their minds sharp during spring break. And finally - we balled. Some students played catch with tennis balls and velcro mitts (YUP THEY STILL EXIST!) while others played some 3v3 with some little Jordans.
We had a lot of fun and were invited to come back for the Open House and more volunteer time by the executive director, David. Good times!
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Day 2: Feed My Starving Children
For Day 2, our students spent the morning at Feed My Starving Children in Schaumburg.
The staff oriented us on arrival, outfitting us in our hairnets and running us through their mission. FMSC assembles food packs that are created with specific nutrition goals in mind to help those who are malnourished to improve in health. Their goal is for their food supply to strengthen health-care, education, and more in the countries where they send their food.
For today, our packaged food will be headed to Haiti. We watched a training video to learn how to assemble and pack the food, and then the staff broke us up into teams named after countries where the food gets sent - places like Peru, Djibouti, Kenya, and more. Each team had two fillers scoop soy, dried vegetables, rice, and vitamins down a funnel into a small bag; the next two people prepped the bags and weighed them in; finally, the last person sealed the bag and prepared it for boxing.
Our teams worked for 90 minutes, using this process to prepare the food for its shipment to Haiti. The staff did a great job directing our efforts and helping us work in special jobs and as parts of teams.
Shawn commented how amazing it was that we could get so much go work done when we worked together.
Seyoum liked the story the training video shared about a young boy named Nelson - by eating the FMSC meals, you could see him getting more healthy and lively, and he looked happier, too.
Ms. McMillan and Mr. Masterton were also moved by the students' response to the FMSC appeal for additional support. Many students reached into their own pockets to donate money or buy special gifts from the FMSC marketplace.
By the end of the visit, we had packed 64 boxes for pallet shipping, which can feed over 13,000 people.
Finally, the leaders invited us to pray over the shipments that would head out to Haiti. Everyone from our group joined in as prayed for the food to arrive safely, prayed for those who served this morning, and prayed for those who would eat the food in Haiti. It was beautiful!
PS: Look how hungry teenagers get after you work them hard for two hours straight!
The staff oriented us on arrival, outfitting us in our hairnets and running us through their mission. FMSC assembles food packs that are created with specific nutrition goals in mind to help those who are malnourished to improve in health. Their goal is for their food supply to strengthen health-care, education, and more in the countries where they send their food.
For today, our packaged food will be headed to Haiti. We watched a training video to learn how to assemble and pack the food, and then the staff broke us up into teams named after countries where the food gets sent - places like Peru, Djibouti, Kenya, and more. Each team had two fillers scoop soy, dried vegetables, rice, and vitamins down a funnel into a small bag; the next two people prepped the bags and weighed them in; finally, the last person sealed the bag and prepared it for boxing.
Our teams worked for 90 minutes, using this process to prepare the food for its shipment to Haiti. The staff did a great job directing our efforts and helping us work in special jobs and as parts of teams.
Shawn commented how amazing it was that we could get so much go work done when we worked together.
Seyoum liked the story the training video shared about a young boy named Nelson - by eating the FMSC meals, you could see him getting more healthy and lively, and he looked happier, too.
Ms. McMillan and Mr. Masterton were also moved by the students' response to the FMSC appeal for additional support. Many students reached into their own pockets to donate money or buy special gifts from the FMSC marketplace.
By the end of the visit, we had packed 64 boxes for pallet shipping, which can feed over 13,000 people.
Finally, the leaders invited us to pray over the shipments that would head out to Haiti. Everyone from our group joined in as prayed for the food to arrive safely, prayed for those who served this morning, and prayed for those who would eat the food in Haiti. It was beautiful!
PS: Look how hungry teenagers get after you work them hard for two hours straight!
Day 1: Misericordia
So we have our big blue rental cars and all our students, and Agora has begun!
For Day 1, our students spent the afternoon assisting with various day programs at Misericordia.
After a brief introduction and orientation, our students were spread across campus to join with staff in implementing the activities at different sites. At each of these sites, the staff lead residents - people with developmental disabilities who either live on campus or come frequently for programs and activities - in various things including art activities, office work, gardening, bakery preparation and packing, coffee packing, and more.
At the end of the day, we shared some thoughts on our day in our daily prayer and discussion.
Bryan enjoyed his art room's teacher, especially enjoying the theatrical way he engaged his residents by creatively summoning the spirit of Vincent van Gogh to join their work!
Ursula and Thien got to learn how to fold a fitted sheet from the residents assisting with laundry services, and they teamed up with the residents to work on a tough word search during break time.
Shawn worked so hard in the bakery with the residents that he was tired after one afternoon, and he left quite impressed at the work ethic and diligence of the residents' work. Shawn also learned some sign language to help communicate with some of the non-verbal residents.
Our daily prayer was based on The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, and we challenged one another to cross the "chasm" and be agents of inclusion for one another. We ended by naming all of the people we encountered at Misericordia as we prayed our daily Litany for the Marginalized, and we invite you to pray with us:
For Day 1, our students spent the afternoon assisting with various day programs at Misericordia.
After a brief introduction and orientation, our students were spread across campus to join with staff in implementing the activities at different sites. At each of these sites, the staff lead residents - people with developmental disabilities who either live on campus or come frequently for programs and activities - in various things including art activities, office work, gardening, bakery preparation and packing, coffee packing, and more.
At the end of the day, we shared some thoughts on our day in our daily prayer and discussion.
Bryan enjoyed his art room's teacher, especially enjoying the theatrical way he engaged his residents by creatively summoning the spirit of Vincent van Gogh to join their work!
Ursula and Thien got to learn how to fold a fitted sheet from the residents assisting with laundry services, and they teamed up with the residents to work on a tough word search during break time.
Shawn worked so hard in the bakery with the residents that he was tired after one afternoon, and he left quite impressed at the work ethic and diligence of the residents' work. Shawn also learned some sign language to help communicate with some of the non-verbal residents.
Our daily prayer was based on The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, and we challenged one another to cross the "chasm" and be agents of inclusion for one another. We ended by naming all of the people we encountered at Misericordia as we prayed our daily Litany for the Marginalized, and we invite you to pray with us:
Let us now pray for different groups of
people who are marginalized in our society, whose voices are silenced or ignored
or who don’t have a voice to speak for themselves, and whose dignity is not
fully respected… Please respond, “That we may be one” …
For people with
mental disabilities…
That we may be one.
For
people with physical disabilities…
That we may be one.
For
people who are homeless…
That we may be one.
For
people who are refugees…
That we may be one.
For
people who are elderly…
That we may be one.
For
people who are in prison…
That we may be one.
For
people who identify as LGBTQ…
That we may be one.
For
people who are unemployed…
That we may be one.
For
people with social disorders…
That we may be one.
For
people who are unborn…
That
we may be one.
For
people who are very sick…
That we may be one.
For
all people who we have marginalized…
That we may be one.
Amen.
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Itinerary
Agora takes place next week, and our trip will have daily activities from Monday, April 18 to Friday, April 22.
Here are the sites at which our group of students will serve:
Monday
Misericordia, Chicago, IL (Edgewater/Rogers Park area)
Tuesday
Feed My Starving Children, Schaumburg, IL
Wednesday
St. Columbanus Parish Food Pantry, Chicago, IL (Park Manor)
Our group will split in half, with each half going to one of these two locations:
The Port Ministries after-school program, Chicago, IL (Back of the Yards)
Franciscan Outreach, Marquard Center Soup Kitchen, Chicago, IL (Wicker Park)
Thursday
Our group will split in half, with each half going to one of these two locations:
The Port Ministries after-school program, Chicago, IL (Back of the Yards)
Franciscan Outreach, Marquard Center Soup Kitchen, Chicago, IL (Wicker Park)
Friday
Habitat for Humanity, Pope Francis Home Challenge house, Chicago, IL (West Pullman)
Please click through to learn about these excellent organizations!
Each day will also include some prayer and group discussion and we reflect on our time working with marginalized people.
This trip is led by Mr. Masterton, St. Benedict School Campus Minister, and Ms. McMillan, Director of Youth Ministry.
Stay tuned for more updates during our trip! And follow Campus & Youth Ministry on Instagram and Twitter for live photos.
Here are the sites at which our group of students will serve:
Monday
Misericordia, Chicago, IL (Edgewater/Rogers Park area)
Tuesday
Feed My Starving Children, Schaumburg, IL
Wednesday
St. Columbanus Parish Food Pantry, Chicago, IL (Park Manor)
Our group will split in half, with each half going to one of these two locations:
The Port Ministries after-school program, Chicago, IL (Back of the Yards)
Franciscan Outreach, Marquard Center Soup Kitchen, Chicago, IL (Wicker Park)
Thursday
Our group will split in half, with each half going to one of these two locations:
The Port Ministries after-school program, Chicago, IL (Back of the Yards)
Franciscan Outreach, Marquard Center Soup Kitchen, Chicago, IL (Wicker Park)
Friday
Habitat for Humanity, Pope Francis Home Challenge house, Chicago, IL (West Pullman)
Please click through to learn about these excellent organizations!
Each day will also include some prayer and group discussion and we reflect on our time working with marginalized people.
This trip is led by Mr. Masterton, St. Benedict School Campus Minister, and Ms. McMillan, Director of Youth Ministry.
Stay tuned for more updates during our trip! And follow Campus & Youth Ministry on Instagram and Twitter for live photos.
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