The Record

Students volunteer a weekend

By: Mary Baumgard

First-year Rita Allen went to do something fulfilling. Junior Kamau Joseph was interested in service and wanted to make a difference. Will Newkirk wanted to practice what he preached.

What all these people, and many more, have in common is that they participated in the Urban Plunge program last week. For one day, 11 Bennies and Johnnies went to downtown Minneapolis to volunteer at four different locations – St. Anne’s Place, Exodus Apartments, Evergreen and Ascension Place.

The organization’s students visited offer transitional housing for men and women. Some of the locations offered housing for battered women and children, while others helped those suffering from chemical abuse, mental illness and alcoholism.

“I did a lot of research about organizations in the Twin Cities that would have good volunteer opportunities,” said sophomore Kelsey Minten, who organized the trip. “It ended up working out that we could be at two places that day, which was great.”

Many of the volunteers shared a common desire to not just talk about service, but participate in it.

“I talk a lot about faith, politics and in daily life about how there are certain people who are disadvantaged in our world, even here in Minnesota,” sophomore Will Newkirk said. “I find that I study service and talk about that, but I don’t have that much action with it.”

Junior Kamau Joseph echoed a need to put his words into action.

“I love doing service work, putting myself outside of my comfort zone and living by my beliefs,” Joseph said. “Not just saying I like to help people in need but actually helping.”

The volunteers did a variety of jobs at the organizations, including cleaning, cooking and running games for the residents.

“It wasn’t the most first-hand experience sometimes, but it was still service that needed to be done,” Newkirk said. “We knew the women really appreciated it, though.”

For most, the most rewarding part of the day was the time spent with those they were helping.

“We helped prepare a meal, which was the best part at Ascension Place because we shared the meal with the people there and we got to know them,” Joseph said.

“At first when we ate with them, they were kind of reserved, but after a while it was really cool to see them open up,” first-year Ellen Newkirk said,

At the end of the trip, students were grateful for the opportunity.

“My experience was extremely enriching in terms of spiritual and personal growth,” Joseph said.

Ellen Newkirk agreed.

“It’s a reminder to not take anything for granted,” Ellen Newkirk said. “A lot of times I think my life isn’t going well, but then I can step back and see how much I have and the support I have. A lot of the people we saw don’t have that support.”

“It was something that was fun, worthwhile and fulfilling,” Allen said. “I could spend a Saturday going on Facebook, or I could go down to the cities and help.”

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