2009 Experience

Melissa Falle, volunteer from the 2009 program and communications specialist for the Sisters of Charity Halifax, wrote the following article for the Sisters' publication.

"We make a living by what we do, but we make a life by what we give."
--Winston Churchill.

When S. Kati Hamm first mentioned the two-week volunteer program she was directing as part of her new position with the Sisters of Charity New York, I knew in an instant that I wanted to be a part of it. The Charity in the City program offered a chance to live and work with Sisters in their ministries to the poor, especially women and children, new immigrants and the homeless. Promotion for the program said, "No experience needed, just a desire to help and a willingness to live simply." Sounds easy enough, right? I thought so, too, until I suffered separation anxiety from my laptop the moment I left home. I admit, I was nervous. I thought I might not fit in with the other participants and that I'd be a loner for two weeks. To my relief, those fears were erased immediately when I met the other eight young women at the opening night reception. We ranged in age from 18 to over 30, we came from various parts of the United States and Canada, and all shared the desire to be of service. Being of service meant getting up early (and by early, I mean 5:30-6:00am!) and going to bed around 10. It meant pushing our personal boundaries when we found ourselves in situations that were outside our comfort zones. It also meant living in community.

For the first week, S.Kati arranged for us to visit various ministries. We did art with medically fragile children at Saint Elizabeth Pediatric Centre. We made sandwiches and prepared toiletry kits for people who are homeless and then toured the city giving them out during the Midnight Run. We boarded a mobile soup kitchen and gave out meals to anyone in need. We pulled vegetables and helped get ready for Saturday distribution at Sisters' Hill Farm, an organic farm run by the Sisters of Charity-New York.

We also held a prayer service at a homeless shelter with S. Dorothy Gallant, the co-founder and director of Life Experience and Faith Sharing Association. What stands out most for me that day was the generosity of one homeless woman in the prayer circle. She gave $20 to a Charity in the City participant who was celebrating her 21st birthday! It was a humbling experience for all of us and with S. Dorothy's assurance, we left knowing that it empowered the woman to be able to share. The second week we each chose a specific ministry. Jessica Gaffney and I went to Saints Peter and Paul School in the Bronx. We sang songs with pre-kindergartners, read to first-graders, and helped with classes in church and at recess. The first grade teacher, S. Carole Ruf, asked her students to write us thank you letters. Perhaps my favourite read: "Dear Melissa, Thank you for visiting us. I love you with all my hart [sic]. I love your reading. From Janeth."

That's just a snapshot of the activity that S. Kati organized for us. She did a fantastic job of keeping us focused and reminding us why we were there. Other Sisters invited us into their homes for meals and some Sisters volunteered their time to show us around the city. Sisters reminded us that our youthful spirits were revitalizing,especially for the elder Sisters we visited at the retirement communities. This exchange went both ways,because we left the program more inspired by the work of the Sisters and with a deeper understanding of the spirit of charism."

More photos from the 2009 program.