Two kids who live their faith

Allison House, a ninth-grader at Academy of the Holy Names in Albany, is the only student volunteer at Circles of Mercy, a Rensselaer ministry sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy that focuses on helping women and children.

The organization offers women’s mentoring and support groups, parenting classes, computer classes, school supplies and a popular thrift shop.

Allison got started with Circles of Mercy by collecting about 60 backpacks crammed with school supplies last year. She followed up by working with AHN to collect Christmas gifts for families and, most recently, helping arrange 20 Easter baskets for low-income children.

“She’s just been on a roll since she was in eighth grade,” re-marked Richard Zazycki, director of Circles of Mercy. “Allison has been a big supporter of that idea of spiritual and corporal works of mercy. To me, she exemplifies the future of the Catholic Church.”

Her principal at the former St. Teresa of Avila School in Albany (now All Saints Catholic Academy) connected Allison with Circles of Mercy.

“I really wanted to go and start volunteering. It just kind of hit home,” Allison told The Evangelist.

She felt drawn to a group that helps mothers and children because she feels close to her own mother: “Not many people have relationships like me and my mom have.”

Allison won a Police Activity League essay contest last year. The topic was an influential person in the entrant’s life; Allison chose her mother, Lisa, whom she wants to emulate by becoming a special education teacher.

“I’ve always had a connection with people with disabilities,” Allison said, noting that one of her cousins has Down syndrome. “I like learning about it and I love kids. It makes me really happy to be around them.”

Allison says volunteering makes her “feel amazing.” In the past, she’s collected money for the Special Olympics and other organizations. She also picked liturgical ministry as an elective at school; she arranges prayer services for AHN.

“She’s a faithful steward,” Mrs. House said. “She has a strong faith and she uses it to guide her life.”

Allison is attaining a lot of leadership experience at Circles of Mercy, especially since she’s the only student volunteer. Now, she even leads holiday service projects.

“It’s kind of crazy because I’m in charge of it and I feel like I have to boss around these adults,” she said.

Her middle school friends used to tease Allison for volunteering. There were no service requirements at her old school. At AHN, where all students are required to complete five service hours per year, her friends call her “Mother Teresa.”

Allison has lost count of the volunteer hours she’s completed. Her friends are intrigued by her work and want to help. Her work was also recently noticed by WNYT-News Channel 13’s “13 Kids Who Care” program.[[In-content Ad]]