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For college students, fall break is generally a time to return to the sanctuary of their hometowns, enjoying the company of family and friends. This year, 11 King’s students spent the break volunteering in Camden, New Jersey. Students who volunteered were: Ave Moran, OVS staff; Kevin Moran, OVS staff; Ashley Scarpetta ’12, Ed Rafter ’09, Nadya Alboschy ’09, Robert DeLullo ‘12, Jeff Bowlby ’10, Johanda Laloi ’09, Katy Fina ’10, Mary Mallow ’09, Kaitlyn Escott ’11, and RJ Riley ’11.
Spending long days with the less fortunate, the group learned that the smallest amount of affection can make the biggest difference.
The King’s students stayed at the Romero Center, a community outreach program based on the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. The center is named for Oscar Romero, an archbishop from El Salvador who was assassinated in 1980.
Every day, the group was divided and sent to various sites in and around Camden. On Thursday, October 9, a handful went to St. Francis House where they worked with HIV/AIDS patients. Merely interacting with those afflicted with the disease reversed the initial apprehension, and made the day memorable for everyone. Half of the group got to hear a surreal lecture by a man named Jonathan; who had been addicted to crack cocaine and became infected with HIV/AIDS. Jonathan was a captivating philosopher, musing over life lessons, gifts of creativity, and God. He believed every human is equal because God exists within all, setting a chosen path for mankind. Jonathan made members of the group realize that affection flows in both directions.
“You get more from those who you serve than what people get from what you offer,” said Nadya Alboschy, a senior at King’s.
On Thursday, other members went to a soup kitchen in nearby Philadelphia. While there, a few King’s students had the chance to interact with some of the city’s homeless population.
“I saw a lot of gratitude in everyone’s eyes,” sophomore Ashley Scarpetta noted.
Daily reflections allowed the group the prospect of understanding the conditions in which many less fortunate individuals have to live. Seeing two speakers during Fall SERVE, the group gained a respect for those who help the needy. Poverty does not only affect those directly experiencing it, but also the strong workers who attempt to aid the impoverished of the world.
“The trip allowed me to see not only those in need but also those helping,” says Nadya Alboschy.
Friday proved to be just as rewarding as the previous day. A few students went to an organization called New Visions where they worked with the forgotten disabled.
“Saying, ‘Have a nice day,’ made their day. Words go a long way,” Senior Johanda Laloi believes.
Also on Friday, four King’s members went to Wiley Adult Daycare. At Wiley, a disabled man named Joe offered insight into the despair plaguing the residents of Camden.
“The funniest joke a person can tell in Camden is to ask someone ‘How ya doin?’ But hey, at least we still tell jokes,” Joe said.
On Saturday, the group visited Abigail House. They worked with patients severely affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia. Numerous times on Saturday, patients noted that God had given them an infinitely blue sky.
One of the biggest fears that had burdened the group’s conscience was the thought of inadequacy. However, the King’s community members allowed the oppressed of Camden to smile for at least one day. And those smiles are forever captured in the memories of the King’s volunteers. |
