Weekly Service Changes Lives

March 5, 2019

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40)

Last summer, when Mike Powers, English teacher, told a new acquaintance where he worked, they responded, "You work at the service school". CDH Seniors have been volunteering in our community for more than 30 years during their school day, a program founded by English teacher Rob Peick and former Religion teacher Mark Syman. This program was inspired by the vision of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, our co-sponsors. They lead by example and we have joined them in mission in the Twin Cities.

Today, our seniors do field work during their Religion and English classes almost every Thursday from October to May. Students serve at various agencies and schools in the Twin Cities with children, the elderly, refugees, those living with disabilities, people with mental illness and those struggling with homelessness. For many of our students, it is the highlight of their year, even as it challenges them to grow in a variety of ways.

Their teachers hope that by practicing solidarity with vulnerable populations and offering dignity to every "dear neighbor," students will seek more deeply to understand systems of oppression, the gift of their education and the importance of creating justice and peace in the world. 

Sean Cobenais '19 focuses on one particular child every week at Seward Montessori and is learning how to, "Keep a child focussed when sometimes all they want to do is play around."

James LeBrasseur '19 volunteers at Carondelet Village and enjoys learning from alumni and alumnae because their stories and experiences help him imagine what Cretin and Derham Hall were like 60-70 years ago.

Molly McLay '19 and Sam Salmen '19 agree that just spending time with the preschoolers at Wilder's Child Development program is fun because of the joy the small children express at something as simple as reading a story.

Oliver Rogers '19 volunteers with the homeless at St. Olaf Catholic Church and believes the work is meaningful because "it helps me step outside my perspective and immerse myself in the lives of those less fortunate than me."

Grayson Milosch '19 and Demond Grigsby '19 volunteer at Cherokee Heights Elementary. Milosch stated, "Working with 5th graders is fun because I feel like a helpful older brother." Grigsby says he, "Enjoys giving the pre-K and Kindergarten kids someone to look up to and being challenged to be that role model."

Senior Field Work Community Partners:

• Aliveness Project
• Anawatin Elementary
• Banaadir Academy
• Bancroft Elementary School
• Benjamin E Mays Elementary
• Catholic Eldercare
• Carondelet Village
• Cherokee Heights Elementary
• Discovery Club (Adams Immersion/ Highland Elementary sites)
• Expo Elementary
• Hazel Park Elementary
• Community of Peace Academy
• Learning in Style
• Lifeworks
• Listening House
• Northside Child Development Center
• Peace House
• Riverview Elementary
• Saint Olaf Catholic Church
• Seward Montessori
• Stonebridge Community School
• Wilder Child Development
• Willows (The Willows of Ramsey Hill)