Emmanuel Recognized by Catholic Charities of Boston
September 28, 2011
Emmanuel College was named one of eight "Volunteers of the Year" by Catholic Charities of Boston. Members of Emmanuel's Campus Ministry Office were recognized at the organization's annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon October 12th at the Tirrell Room in Quincy, Mass.
"It is an honor to be recognized by Catholic Charities of Boston," said Associate Director of Community Service and Service Learning Deirdre Bradley-Turner. "This award is a reflection of our students and their commitment to community service."
Emmanuel was nominated by St. Ambrose Family Shelter, a 15-family residence in Dorchester, Mass. As part of the nomination process, site coordinators were asked to recommend volunteers who have "gone above and beyond" with their service efforts. Rick Freitas, the director of the St. Ambrose Family Shelter, estimated that in the six-plus years Emmanuel has partnered with the shelter nearly 400 student volunteers have come through its doors, taking part in various beautification projects from painting rooms to maintaining its gardens and playgrounds. Through the years, he has found Emmanuel students to not only be reliable, but enthusiastic.
"Emmanuel students stand out above the rest," he said. "Emmanuel has been a great partner to us."
The St. Ambrose Family Shelter is one of Catholic Charities of Boston's 33 service locations around Eastern Massachusetts. The organization is one of the largest providers of social services in the state, assisting more than 200,000 of the area's neediest citizens. According to President Deborah Kincade Rambo, LICSW, Catholic Charities of Boston relies heavily on volunteers to make their efforts possible.
"We could not do what we need to do without these volunteers," she said. "It makes a difference between doing a good job and a great job. Emmanuel has been a wonderful partner in providing volunteers. It's just remarkable."
In addition to serving as one of the College's Day of Service sites each fall and spring, St. Ambrose Family Shelter is a popular location for student service organizations such as Emmanuel College Community Outreach (ECCO) and Spark the Truth, the latter of which will volunteer at the shelter in November. Ben Mathews '15 was one of the first-year students who volunteered at the shelter as part of the 16th annual New Student Day of Service on September 6th. The experience convinced him to connect with the Campus Ministry Office and explore other ways he can give back to the greater community throughout the year.
"My personal experience with St. Ambrose had a large impact on my perspective on Emmanuel," he said. "I realized just how important community service and projects are to the academic structure and spirit of the campus...As a biology and chemistry student, finding time can be difficult, but taking a few hours each week to help is a sacrifice I am more than willing to make."
