More than 1.8-million college students nationwide are involved in community engagement programs and have invested more than 6.6 million hours to improve communities across the globe. Campus Compact is a coalition of 1,100 universities and colleges committed to improving community life and educating students for civic and social responsibility.
Established in 1985 by the presidents of Brown, Georgetown, and Stanford Universities and the president of the Education Commission of the States, Campus Compact maintains resources, provides professional development and facilitates partnerships that allow universities to build and enhance civic engagement and mission programs.
A second organization that provides resources to colleges and universities is the Catholic Campus Ministry Association. Established to promote the mission of the Church among students in higher education, the institution specifically focuses on empowering campus ministers.
Millennial students as a generation have often shown they want to be of service to others. More and more students each year are also participating in mission trips.
A Catholic and Franciscan University dedicated to civic engagement
Lourdes University in Sylvania, Ohio, is one of the many private institutions which offers year round community engagement initiatives at nearby agencies. In addition, the University is celebrating its 20th year participating in Habitat for Humanity and other mission trips.
Throughout the years, more than 230 Lourdes students, faculty, staff, and alumni have assisted nearly 30 families build a safe home in 21 cities and 10 states. “The love and support of the Lourdes community has always accompanied each team as they went out to serve. Lourdes University believes that as a community and as individuals we should develop and share our gifts with the broader community,” says Sr. Barbara Vano, OSF, director of Campus Ministry.
This year during spring break, Lourdes University students are traveling to Pensacola, Fla., for a Habitat for Humanity build and to Guatemala City, Guatemala to work at Valle de Los Angeles (Valley of the Angels) orphanage. This marks the second time the institution has provided assistance in Central America, having participated in a mission trip to Honduras a few years back.
Guatemala mission trip
“The Guatemala mission trip was truly meant to be. All the pieces fell together,” notes Sr. Barbara. Wanting to pursue an outreach project in Central America, she consulted with Lourdes students who are active in campus ministry programming. They quickly shared their recommendation - contact Father Michael Della Penna, OFM, who had led them on a recent Franciscan Pilgrimage in Italy and was also the director of the Guatemala orphanage. Sr. Barbara was so impressed with the work of the orphanage, she even recommended it to her niece Emily Velazquez, who was seeking a one-year volunteer opportunity in Central America.
On Feb. 27, Sr. Barbara and five Lourdes students will depart the airport for the “Valley of the Angels" and greeting the Lourdes entourage will be Sr. Barbara's niece. Even more providential, one of Lourdes’ own Tau campus ministry student scholars is from Mexico and actually spent time ministering in Guatemala. She will take a leadership role during the mission trip.
“Guatemala is truly an ideal destination. I admire the culture and am hoping the students will enjoy the experience so much that international Lourdes mission trips will become more prevalent,” adds Sr. Barbara.
- Nursing major Chelsea Brown of Temperance
- English major Stephen Carl from Anderson, Ind.
- Theological Studies major Sr. Martha De La Torre, CCMA, who has previously spent time ministering in Guatemala
- History major Nickolas Dietrich of Toledo
- Nursing major Ainsley Quigley of Napoleon
Each student has set personal goals for the trip. “I am looking forward to getting to know the other volunteers and going to the craft markets. I have also never had the opportunity of volunteering with kids, so I am excited about that,” shares Stephen Carl. Ainsley Quigley adds, “I am excited to step out of my comfort zone and travel out of the country for the first time. I am looking forward to experiencing a different culture. This is a great way to continue my career with volunteerism and mission.”
Raising funds and awareness
The students prepped for the trip alongside their fellow peers who are participating in the Habitat for Humanity Collegiate Challenge Spring Break and Franciscans for the Poor Summer Outreach initiatives. They organized a fundraiser at a local restaurant, a bake sale, and a Threads for Hope bracelet sale. Many of the students also chose to fundraise independently. Ainsley Quigley explains, “I asked Sr. Barbara for letters and I took them back to my home church. The letters asked for donations and my congregation was very supportive.”
Sr. Barbara avows that this trip aligns perfectly with the Lourdes mission. “The students are gaining the opportunity to know a broader community. Community is one of Lourdes' core values. I hope we begin to challenge one another to broaden our already strong sense of community."
She hopes that this journey will inspire other students to lend a helping hand as well. “It is my hope that they come to appreciate the opportunity to be of service and experience the circumstances of other cultures.” Sr. Barbara is especially looking forward to bridging what she has read about and what she will experience in Guatemala.
Follow along with the Lourdes University group when they are in Guatemala: http://www.lourdes.edu/about-lourdes/offices-services/misson-ministry/campus-ministry/campus-ministry-blog/.
To learn more about Campus Ministry at Lourdes University, visit Lourdes.edu/CampusMinistry.
First Published February 16, 2016, 5:00 a.m.
