As we close out 2014, we thought we would take the time to reflect on the year that was and thank you again for “being a part of it.”
We kicked off the service year in March, as we have for last 16 years, with Northern Illinois University’s Spring Break Service Trip to Wyoming County.
The students provided much-needed home repair for three young families
and assisted with programing at Head Start, St. Vincent de Paul, and
the Itmann Food Bank. Encouraging young people in their commitment to
serving others is a vital part of the PV mission, and we are delighted
to see both spring break and summer volunteers going on to further
volunteer assignments.
In April, the PVs spent a week in Seattle, Washington. This year the traveling volunteers were joined by five PVs from the Seattle area. The
volunteers served at a local soup kitchen, worked at St. Francis house
(where Seattle residents can
receive food, clothing, and housewares),
assisted with projects at both Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and School,
and joined relief efforts in Oso, Washington, which faced devastation
and loss due to mudslides that had claimed 35 lives the month before.
As June rolled around, we headed back to Wyoming County, West Virginia for our 17th summer.
It was another great summer of service, community, and reflection. We
carried out emergency repairs to keep families in 25 homes, assisted
with programs at Glen Rogers Manor, Itmann Food Bank, and St. Vincent de
Paul, and conducted
our always popular basketball camp for children.
PV service in Bedford Stuyvesant continues
throughout the year with meetings of Women’s Empowerment Brooklyn
(WEB), the young women’s empowerment group, which is celebrating its 8th year.
WEB is able to continue thanks to a small group of dedicated local PVs
and a very committed group of young women. The program continues to have
a positive presence in the lives of all involved: Women from WEB
volunteer as PVs in West Virginia, and also in
their own community, and
the PV mentors help with college applications and interview skills, as
well as support for WEB families.
The PVs headed to Aurora, Illinois, in September for our second annual service program. PVs served
at Hesed House, a shelter and transitional living program that provides
temporary housing for individuals and families experiencing
homelessness, assisted with ESL classes through World Relief, performed
many needed repairs at St. Rita’s parish, and assisted My Father’s Hands
and Emmanuel House with repairs for local residents.
Your continued generosity and enthusiasm enable us to do great things.
Jenny and Jill
