submitted by Sr. Ginny Heldorfer OSF, service trip member
Chicago! What a great city of adventure!
The service trip experience ten Loras students, Sam Kelly from Campus Ministry and Sr. Ginny Heldorfer OSF, friend of Loras experienced the south side of Chicago through various agencies changed our lives because of the eyes, hearts and minds that were opened to less fortunate people. There is no doubt that because of this service trip at Br. David Darst Center in Chicago, we will live differently. We spent time and energy in two homeless shelters, listened to two people who were homeless at one time in their lives, tutored children in an after-school program, worked with mentally challenged adults at a day care center, and learned the technique of making shredded paper into attractive invitations, cards, bookmarks, and journals which helped women move into full time jobs. Yes, we were busy in a wonderful educational and heart touching situations. The center staffs Ana and Megan were our guides to each agency, as well as guiding us in the nightly shared reflections and playing the fun, funny, energetic Catch Phrase game.
Alyssa Micek“I absolutely loved tutoring Jaheim and Dion at the PORT afterschool session. Their energy and happiness made my day. I really hope to be pen pals with them. This experience raised my awareness about the social problems that happen in our backyard a ton. It was a great feeling seeing how our help did make a difference in everyone’s lives. Even if it was for just one day. I’ll never forget all their smiles.
Another moment I’ll always remember is meeting Wallace at the men’s shelter. He taught me how to shuffle and I taught him how to play solitaire. That was the moment that made me realize that we are teachers to each other. I really did have a great time and I wish to go back. If not, I’ll stick with working with similar organizations in the area.”
-First-year Leah Colsch
“The trip to the Darst Center was a phenomenal experience for me. Not only did I get to spend some time with the 11 fabulous people on the trip, I was also able to make new connections and meet people from all walks of life. I really loved the after-school program at the PORT and hope to be able to volunteer there this summer but the part that touched me the most was the time we spent talking to people at the night shelter. Discovering that one of them came from my neighborhood really impacted me. Each of the three men I conversed with had so many things to teach me, and I am grateful that I got to hear their stories.”
-Junior Eileen Torpy
“This experience, like many, is too hard to put into words. It’s one of those things that changed my whole outlook on life. It changed the way I view my day-to-day experiences and my relationships with the people around me. It changed who I am and who I want to be. I saw things I wish I hadn’t but I know I’m a better person for knowing the truth.”
-First-year Shea Wild
