Many Helping Hands

Sophomores had a full day of community service projects here in Bethel and in the nearby cities of Lewiston and Auburn.   The heart-warming stories shared on the van rides home and over dinner back at Gould were a testament to the value of helping others within the community. 

Additional photos are forthcoming, so check this post in the future for more images.

Bethel Area: The annual Senior Citizen Luncheon was its usual highlight for students and seniors alike. Students prepared foods, hosted, served, and performed music for the eighty people who attended the luncheon held in Ordway Hall.

 

 

Students who tutored students in the Crescent Park Elementary School raved about the fun they had with the students.

Other students helped to split wood and do other tasks for a local farmer. Rumor has it that some students even got to drive a tractor!

Lewiston/Auburn: For the morning, students worked in one of several locations.

Students at the Greater Adroscoggin Humane Society cared for cats and dogs both physically and emotionally.  No doubt there was sadness over the "no pet" rule in the dormitories!

Other students worked at the St. Mary's Food Pantry unpacking and sorting a pallet of canned goods.

 

Two shelters in the Lewiston Auburn area were helped by our students today. Some students helped out at the shelter for homeless teens, New Beginnings, and others went to volunteer at the Abused Women's Advocacy Project shelter.

Abby, Meg, and Tutu sorted clothing donations in the shelter's attic.  Women and children often come to the shelter without much beyond the clothing on their backs. These donations help women start to rebuild their lives after having to leave their homes due to domestic abuse.

In the afternoon, students in the Lewiston/Auburn area came together at the Trinity Jubilee Center, a resource center that serves the Somali refugee community in Lewiston.

Kim, the Executive Director, and Julia, a staff member, gave the students an overview of the conflict in Somalia and the kinds of experiences the refugees have endured.

This background information gave the students valuable perspectives on the students they would tutor later on through the after school program Jubilee offers.  Here are a few snapshots:


Jamie, Matt, and Trevor worked with one of the first students to arrive at Jubilee for assistance with her homework.

Alex worked with a boy on a reading assignment.

 Nick played a flashcard multiplication game with a group of energetic boys.

 Rose helped a girl with her language arts homework. 

 Alyssa helped a girl with her assignments. 

 

Ellie helped a student with her language arts homework. 

 Many students commented on what a great day they had helping in this way within the community.

The reward of helping others was experienced by all. No doubt today will be a highlight recorded in the students' Four Point journals.