Collegians give up winter break to serve the needy in Washington

BY MAUREEN MCGUINNESS

Fifteen students from The College of Saint Rose in Albany gave up part of their recent winter break to serve thousands of meals a day to homeless people in Washington , D.C.

They received no pay or academic credit, but they say they gained more from the experience than they gave.

Kaitlyn Dowd, a sophomore, said she went because of something said in a sermon.

"There was definitely a religious aspect for me," she said. "I wanted to do something for the community. One of the priests at St. Vincent 's [parish, near the college] encouraged us to reach out and do things for others."

D.C. experience

Miss Dowd, who grew up in St. Jude's parish in Wynantskill, decided to go on the trip even though she didn't know what to expect.

"We were up at six each day," she said. "We started serving breakfast around seven. We made coffee, washed dishes and served about 1,000 meals a day."

She was one of ten students assigned to work at So Others Might Eat (SOME), a not-for-profit group that serves meals and provides housing and medical care to people who live in shelters and on the streets.

"It broke down many stereotypes," she said of the trip. "Now I know these people aren't lazy. Many have jobs; some have mental illnesses; and they need help."

Reflections

Each night, the students and their four advisors held discussions to help them process the day's events.

Joan Horgan, director of campus ministry at the college, has coordinated the program for the past 13 years. She said the trip helps students gain a better understanding of the complex problem of homelessness.

"People who are poor and those without shelter can be a hidden population in many of our communities," she noted. "This trip invites students to step out of their comfort zone and discover the magnitude of this problem and the significance of poverty in the lives of specific individuals they meet."

Life-changing

Ms. Horgan said the experience is often life-changing for the students who participate. Kellie Marsh, a junior who went on the trip last year and wanted to go back, agreed.

This winter, she worked at Street Sense, a newspaper written, produced and sold by homeless people. The paper costs $1; the homeless person who sells it keeps 75 cents. Miss Marsh went out with one vendor to see what happened on the streets.

"Some people told me they buy the paper regularly and enjoy it," she said. "Others would say 'no, thanks' politely. Others ignored me, and some even laughed at me."

Inspired

An English major who was raised in St. John the Evangelist parish in Schenectady , Miss Marsh plans to pursue a graduate degree in social work. She was inspired in part by her service projects.

"There are a lot of stereotypes about the homeless," she said. "I want people to know that many homeless people are working hard. They were memorable and colorful people.

"It really hit me hard the night we came back. We can get up and leave, but the vendors are still there."

More to do

With two domestic volunteering trips under her belt, Miss Marsh is gearing up for two weeks at an orphanage in Honduras , a trip also being organized by the college.

"It's scary," the student admitted, "but I feel like it's something I have to do."

(The group preparing to go to Honduras in May is looking for sponsors. To make a donation, call the campus ministry office at 454-5250.)

(02/07/08)