Lending a Helping Hand Across the Street
Joseph H. Smith
Issue date: 3/11/09 Section: Features
The Methodist Church Home for the Aged is located directly across the street from MC's campus and has been serving the needs of the community's ill and infirmed for decades. One of MC's defining characteristics as a Lasallian school is service to the wider community.
Students have been fulfilling this mission by volunteering at the Methodist Home. The representative body of MC students also includes Work Study students because MC has a cooperative program with the Methodist Home.
While the current group of students is small, Lois Harr of Campus Ministry/Social Action said they are hoping to expand the program to include a broader representation of the college. However, this work is detailed and "we're pursuing a slow and steady approach," said Harr. "It also makes sense when one considers we're literally across the street," she said.
Frank Riti, director of activities at the Methodist Home, said the Home is in need of volunteers, especially those of college age because the residents derive a great deal of satisfaction from their visits.
"We need all sorts of people who have also sorts of talents," said Riti. The Methodist Home is need of secretaries, clerks, musicians to play an instrument for the residents and assistants to help residents get to chapel services on Sundays, especially during the winter months when the Home's Auxiliary Volunteers are unable to travel through the cold, snow and ice.
The Home is also for volunteers who would be willing to help the residents become more technologically savvy. Riti pointed out that some of the new residents, while elderly, are computer literate. A young person could help these residents stay abreast of developments in the world of technology and also facilitate other residents to become aware of this new world of technology. As always, the Home is in need of volunteers to do the timeless task of sitting and talking with the residents. "We always need a few good listeners!" Riti laughingly said.
Students have been fulfilling this mission by volunteering at the Methodist Home. The representative body of MC students also includes Work Study students because MC has a cooperative program with the Methodist Home.
While the current group of students is small, Lois Harr of Campus Ministry/Social Action said they are hoping to expand the program to include a broader representation of the college. However, this work is detailed and "we're pursuing a slow and steady approach," said Harr. "It also makes sense when one considers we're literally across the street," she said.
Frank Riti, director of activities at the Methodist Home, said the Home is in need of volunteers, especially those of college age because the residents derive a great deal of satisfaction from their visits.
"We need all sorts of people who have also sorts of talents," said Riti. The Methodist Home is need of secretaries, clerks, musicians to play an instrument for the residents and assistants to help residents get to chapel services on Sundays, especially during the winter months when the Home's Auxiliary Volunteers are unable to travel through the cold, snow and ice.
The Home is also for volunteers who would be willing to help the residents become more technologically savvy. Riti pointed out that some of the new residents, while elderly, are computer literate. A young person could help these residents stay abreast of developments in the world of technology and also facilitate other residents to become aware of this new world of technology. As always, the Home is in need of volunteers to do the timeless task of sitting and talking with the residents. "We always need a few good listeners!" Riti laughingly said.